Thinning enamel paint

[sportandmiah]

Can one add too much lacquer thinner to thin enamel paint? Is there a ratio that is too thin?

[Austin T]

I think Mr.Yost is the enamel expert here,I think he says to cut it with Strong Lacquer thinner but I don't know how much.

[martinfan5]

The ratio is 2 to 1, 2parts paint, one part thinner

[sportandmiah]

But what would happen with a 1:1 paint to thinner ratio? Or even a 1:2?

[LoneWolf15]

But what would happen with a 1:1 paint to thinner ratio? Or even a 1:2?

Try it ! Learn the hard way , O' Inquiring One ! Lol !

Too thin. Has a tendency to run and dry flat with a porous surface . 1 to 2 , now you're taking a chance on etching the plastic due to the amount of laquer in the mix .

As for Austin's comment ... You have it backwards , Little Buddy ! You want a weak / cheap laquer thinner not a strong one . A hot laquer thinner will curdle the enamel , cause it to crack , and play havoc with the plastic !

Doug , the 2 to 1 ratio gives me the most consistent results which is exactly what we all strive for ! However , if you want to experiment , by all means , please do so ! Remember one thing , though ! Your window for adjustment on the ratio is rather small ! Too much thinner , body is cooked ! Not enough ? Airbrush is spitting mud !

How do I know ? Cue Murphy's maniacal laughter from the cage in the back of the shop ?

[foxbat426]

I can vouch for LoneWolfs ratios.  Recently after a bit of a hiatus from model building i got my ratios wrong and added 2.5 parts lacquer thinner to 1 part paint. Well wouldn't you know it, after what looked like a smooth beautiful spray, in about 10 minutes looked like I had a powder coating on my newly painted wheel skirts for my 49 merc build.   i removed the paint and resprayed (luckily these are small parts and not a body). With the proper 2 part to 1 part paint to thinner and approx. 32 PSI It came out beautiful!! so nice in fact i wont' have to sand! It goes to show model mag forum is a great resource when you forget something!! Thanks Donn!!

[Snake45]

I routinely shoot at about 2 parts thinner to 1 part paint and have for years, no problems.

Actually it's difficult to say. I never measure, and enamel paint comes in so many different "thicknesses" from almost-airbrush-ready to near-molasses that numbers are meaningless. I just thin till I get the stuff to where I want it to be and then spray it. Experience at work.

[foxbat426]

hey snake - thanks for the info. when you say thinner, would that be lacquer thinner you're spraying or regular paint thinner??  also check out my new question re: paint thinner ratios and odorless paint in  this section. would love to hear your opinion.  Thanks john

[Snake45]

Cheap lacquer thinner, same as Don.

[ZTony8]

If you can find non penetrating thinner that wll take the worry out of wrecking the plastic.Try an automotive paint store.

[Art Anderson]

In my 50+ years of using an airbrush to paint models, I have never found any paint, lacquer or enamel to be exactly the same consistency right out of the bottle, so I use a very simply "formula" (if you can call it that!).  I use lacquer thinner exclusively, as enamel paint doesn't seem to care a whit if I thin it with lacquer thinner:  I thin it to the viscosity of 2% millk, which when done right, "sheets" down the side of my airbrush jar just like 2% milk does down the side of the glass it's poured into.

This has worked perfectly for me for years.  Simply put, there really cannot be, IMHO, one set formula.  And, my paint jobs bear that out.

Art

[Snake45]

In my 50+ years of using an airbrush to paint models, I have never found any paint, lacquer or enamel to be exactly the same consistency right out of the bottle, so I use a very simply "formula" (if you can call it that!).  I use lacquer thinner exclusively, as enamel paint doesn't seem to care a whit if I thin it with lacquer thinner:  I thin it to the viscosity of 2% millk, which when done right, "sheets" down the side of my airbrush jar just like 2% milk does down the side of the glass it's poured into.

This has worked perfectly for me for years.  Simply put, there really cannot be, IMHO, one set formula.  And, my paint jobs bear that out.

Art

My experience matches this perfectly. Word!

[1hobby1]

But what would happen with a 1:1 paint to thinner ratio? Or even a 1:2?

I spray enamels with very good results on the Yost method. mix 1:1 start spraying. As long as you have the correct distance you will come out with a good finish.