Isopropyl for thinning paint

[Gibson67]

Hi all

About to start my 1st build, an Airfix starter kit including acrylic paints. I’m planning on brush painting, but have read that the supplied paints are pretty thick. I can source some isopropyl mixed at 70/30, could this be used perhaps for thinning the paints? If so would it benefit from been further diluted, given that it’s 70% isopropyl?

Thanks in advance,

Nige

[DavidWomby]

Check but I think Airfix must be using Humbrol paint. If so, you may need to thin it with water. Some acrylics are thinned with water and some (e.g. Tamiya) need IPA. Each type tends to react badly to the wrong thinner.

David

[JamesPerrin]

Simplest thing is to just test it. Use an old/cheap brush and use something as a test subject, the worse that will happen is the paint will turn to sludge or refuse to dry.

For Humbrol Acrylics it's generally recommend to use water to thin.

[Gibson67]

Thanks for the advice guy’s, I think I’ll go down the just using water to thin approach.

[beany]

Thanks for the advice guy’s, I think I’ll go down the just using water to thin approach.

That's best with freebie paints but then also be aware that water (i.e. thinned paint) and plastic don't mix well and you may struggle to get a first coat on. I basically stopped getting annoyed when the paints "pooled" in certain area, just let it dry and then keep applying thin coats until you have the coverage you are happy with. The good thing is that they do dry quickly so you could probably get 3 or 4 coats on in a day. This was my 24 Hour Blitzbau of the ALDI £4.99 Hurricane using the supplied paints for the main three colours. I found the best method was to almost dry brush the coats on.





Let us know how you get on with yours.
Cheers
Al.

[TeeELL]

Have you considered Humbrol thinners for their acrylic paints? To be honest, I tend to go for ‘home brand’ thinners on the principle that they are designed for the job. A rattle can of acrylic primer from a car accessory shop (especially the variety designed for plastic) would help with the adhesion?

The following was posted by James Perrin, on here, and might be of use:

https://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=443

I was also wondering if a really tiny drop of washing up liquid might break the surface tension and reduce beading???

[fireblade]

I was also wondering if a really tiny drop of washing up liquid might break the surface tension and reduce beading???

Yes, it will.

[AndrewR]

I would recommend washing the plastic in soapy water, and then give it a rinse. That will degrease it and help the acrylic paint spread better.

Then, as Paul and Tony have recommended already, a tiny bit of detergent in the paint.

[Gibson67]

Thanks for the tips guys, much appreciated. Before I decided to start this hobby, I watched several clips on YouTube, where I saw the parts been washed in soapy water then rinsed prior to assembly, this I was planning to do. Regarding adding a tiny bit of washing up liquid to the paint, this is something I’ve never heard of before, but I’ll do this. Great tip!

Nige