Lovefordgalaxie Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 Thought of sharing with you guys what I use to thin my acrylic paint with. I use window cleaner, like Windex. Use it on Testors, Tamiya, and on craft paint as well. Works great, even better than the expensive specific thinners, AND it's a lot cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 Problem is It is expensive. I use Windshield washer fluid. Here is a video I did showing some cheap alternatives and also a video showing how to use some of it. It is a great tip. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovefordgalaxie Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 (edited) Problem is It is expensive. I use Windshield washer fluid. Here is a video I did showing some cheap alternatives and also a video showing how to use some of it. It is a great tip. Thanks for sharing. Agree with you. Here in Brazil, Windex is cheaper than windshield washer fluid. In the U.S. you can find windshield washer fluid in big quantities, here we can find it only in 500ml bottles, as people don't have the culture of using a specific product. Even on the cars owner's manuals they recommend to use "a few drops of household dish washing detergent" on the windshield washer bag and fill it with clean water!!!! Remember there is no need for the windshield washing fluid to be freezing resistant here. Thus Windex being cheaper. Edited March 1, 2014 by Lovefordgalaxie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 Ah, I apologize Tulio. I naturally assume people on here are from the states here. I am also not accustomed to your customs either. Windex would be the better solution in your case. I hope that the video's may have shed a little light on some of the ways to use them are. such as Windex is a great brush cleaner for when you hand paint acrylics. Baby wipes for keeping hands clean and yes Windex in your case is great for thinning but also the best way to clean your airbrush. One thing I will point out that windex has ammonia in it and will eat the seals in an airbrush if you let it soak in it. Besides that wiping it down and cleaning the needle it is GREAT stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovefordgalaxie Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 Ah, I apologize Tulio. I naturally assume people on here are from the states here. I am also not accustomed to your customs either. Windex would be the better solution in your case. I hope that the video's may have shed a little light on some of the ways to use them are. such as Windex is a great brush cleaner for when you hand paint acrylics. Baby wipes for keeping hands clean and yes Windex in your case is great for thinning but also the best way to clean your airbrush. One thing I will point out that windex has ammonia in it and will eat the seals in an airbrush if you let it soak in it. Besides that wiping it down and cleaning the needle it is GREAT stuff. Yes, I know about the ammonia, but I never let the airbrush to soak, or at least never had to, as I always do the cleaning ASAP. Since I saw your first video on acrylics and future tips, O bought some craft acrylic paint. The better brand here is Acrilex. It costs the equivalent to 90 cents a bottle of 1,25 OZ. Did some tests, and it performs as well as Testors or Tamiya. I'm predicting big savings here and have you to thank for them!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 Very cool bud. I am glad my points and tips helped. No need to make this an expensive hobby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Does the blue color of Windex or windshield cleaner effect the paint? Seems like it would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 The blue color has no effect at all. Not sure why but I thin my clear polyurethane with it and no hue at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovefordgalaxie Posted March 4, 2014 Author Share Posted March 4, 2014 Does the blue color of Windex or windshield cleaner effect the paint? Seems like it would. Around here we have the clear version of Vidrex (your Windex in the U.S.) but it costs more, and I have no idea why, and the regular product never interfered with the color of the paint at all, just like Chris said. I say go for what is cheaper, window cleaner or windshield washer fluid, and never bother about the blue tint on it. Use any of them with confidence, they won't affect your paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayghost Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I like the acrylic paint but when you try to use masking tapit pull lose.If it would not pull off i wpuld use it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I like the acrylic paint but when you try to use masking tap it pull lose.If it would not pull off i wpuld use it all the time. I tape off acrylics all the time. Just need to use a low tac painters tape or Tamiyal hobby tape. Masking tape is way to tacky and dries onto the paint allowing the paint to pull off. One thing that will help prevent the masking tape to pull is put a layer of gloss clear on then tape and don't burnish it down real hard. Instead, put another thin layer of clear down over the tape. This will seal the edges of the tape and keep the next color from bleeding under. If anything does bleed under then it will be clear and when you put on your main clear coat it will hide any clear as it is clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalenut Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 not all acrylics play well with windex/washer fluid. "acrylic" is a category of paints containing dozens of formulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 not all acrylics play well with windex/washer fluid. "acrylic" is a category of paints containing dozens of formulations. This is good to know. Can you please give names of brands so I can watch out for them? So far every brand of craft paints I have used I have not had any problems. I am sure AK, Comart or Vallejo are not good with washer fluid / windex as they are already pre mixed for the airbrush. Thanks for any info on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Pol Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Great how toos for sure doesn`t using future clear coat yellow after awile? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Great how toos for sure doesn`t using future clear coat yellow after awile? Thank you John. I have had no problems with yellowing. I have heard from some people that after like 20 years and left in sunlight they can go yellow but more people say thats not true that has used it for 50 years. My personal opinion on this is if you are a smoker and display your cars or leave them in direct sunlight would be the only way for them to yellow. Most of the people I talked to that claim they yellow were smokers in there home where they display. Any non smokers that use floor polish for 20 or more years have had no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vypurr59 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I like the acrylic paint but when you try to use masking tap it pull lose.If it would not pull off i wpuld use it all the time. I had this problem only once. I did not primer the body before I shot the Acrylic. I learned that you need to have some adhesion to the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I had this problem only once. I did not primer the body before I shot the Acrylic. I learned that you need to have some adhesion to the body. Masking tape is way too sticky. If you use low tac painting tape or Tamiya hobby masking tape it will not pull the paint up. Also with any tape if you put a clear or floor polish on before you tape it helps it come off as well. I tape and use all hobby acrylic paints for all aspects of my buil;ds and do two tones with no problem. If you use a high tac sticky masking tape it will pull paint off a wall. Switch tape and it will work just painting on the plastic. I like the acrylic paint but when you try to use masking tap it pull lose.If it would not pull off i wpuld use it all the time. Masking tape is way too sticky. If you use low tac painting tape or Tamiya hobby masking tape it will not pull the paint up. Also with any tape if you put a clear or floor polish on before you tape it helps it come off as well. I tape and use all hobby acrylic paints for all aspects of my buil;ds and do two tones with no problem. If you use a high tac sticky masking tape it will pull paint off a wall. Switch tape and it will work just painting on the plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG NICKY Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 im just getting into airbrushing and I know you can use the mop and shine for clear but can you use any other clears on acrylic or no due to the fact that is may react poorly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 im just getting into airbrushing and I know you can use the mop and shine for clear but can you use any other clears on acrylic or no due to the fact that is may react poorly You can put enamel clear on acrylic. I used Crystal Clear by Rustoleum on many acrylic paints. I also use light coats of polyurethane on my acrylics. Not too sure how a lacquer based clear would do though. I am trying to stay away from chemicals. Really have no need to try anything else for my paint jobs. I do however, admit acrylics may not be the best for intricate pinstripe details as it may be too thick. That is where HOK comes in. But for one or two tone paints acrylics are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG NICKY Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 awesome thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Anderson Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Considering that the active ingredient in Windex is ammonia, I wonder if just ordinary household ammonia would work the same way? Hmmmm? Art Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchapman195 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Considering that the active ingredient in Windex is ammonia, I wonder if just ordinary household ammonia would work the same way? Hmmmm? Art Ammonia is not what breaks down the pigments. Windex just happens to have ammonia in it. Over here in the states I use windshield washer fluid that is ammonia free. It is just a glass cleaner. Ammonia is put into Windex to gut through and clean greasy fingerprints on glass windows. A quart of Windex costs $6.99 here in the states and a gallon of washer fluid costs $1.88. Some country's don't have the luxury of washer fluid or it is more expensive then Windex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iBMikey Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 I would imagine this has been covered before but just want to make sure. When mixing acrylic and windshield washer fluid, would the consistency need to be the same (that of milk)? I'm just cracking into airbrushing. I've been spraying craft acrylic using just water for thinner but looking forward to learning more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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