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Tamiya Acrylic paints?
spiralcity
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Illinois, United States
Member Since: October 14, 2012
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Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 07:17 PM UTC
I am having a problem spraying my Tamiya Acrylics.

I am using a 50/50 mix of alcohol to paint, but when I spray I tend to get a pebbly surface.

I was using about 15psi, then I cut back to about 12psi, then I bumped up to about 18psi, then 20psi, still the same problem. My mixture looked right, it was about the consistency of milk.

I like to use car window wash for my thinner, but I didn't have any on hand. I never have a problem when I use window cleaner.

Any ideas folks?
Plasticbattle
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Donegal, Ireland
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Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 08:59 PM UTC
The problem with alcohol or alcohol based products is they dry very quickly. High pressures and distance to the model all have an effect, and the pebbly surface is a result of the paint being already dry when it reaches the plastic surface. I use ethanol as a thinner, and have to thin more than normal. Make usre the paint is wet when it hits the surface .... stay in the same location for more than a fraction of a second it will tend to run. Try thinning it more and reducing your pressure again. The 50/50 mixture or milk consistency is just a guide ... not an exact science ... so keep working with it until you get it.
spiralcity
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Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 09:47 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The problem with alcohol or alcohol based products is they dry very quickly. High pressures and distance to the model all have an effect, and the pebbly surface is a result of the paint being already dry when it reaches the plastic surface. I use ethanol as a thinner, and have to thin more than normal. Make usre the paint is wet when it hits the surface .... stay in the same location for more than a fraction of a second it will tend to run. Try thinning it more and reducing your pressure again. The 50/50 mixture or milk consistency is just a guide ... not an exact science ... so keep working with it until you get it.


Hi Frank,
Thanks for the reply.
Alcohol is all I have on hand at the moment. Window washer is my favorite thinner for acrylics but I ran out. I'll try cutting back again on the psi and thinning a bit more.

First I have to re-prep my Dark Shark. What a nightmare!
JClapp
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Massachusetts, United States
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Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 11:46 PM UTC
I think the Tamiya acrylic thinner they sell in the bottles is about 50% alcohol water mix. if the alcohol you are thinning with is 91% you might try cutting it with some distilled water.
Tojo72
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North Carolina, United States
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Posted: Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 12:54 AM UTC
I have had success with Tamiya Thinner X-20A,it's not that expensive and it goes a long way
spiralcity
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Illinois, United States
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Posted: Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 10:54 AM UTC
A big thanks to everyone for the replies.

I ran out and picked up some washer fluid, so I'm good.

The alcohol was 91%, so cutting it a bit would most likely help. Now I'm going to clean the paint from my plane and start all over.
REDFROG
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REDFROG HOBBIES
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Posted: Monday, October 22, 2012 - 02:40 AM UTC


I know that some modelers like to use different concoctions as a replacement for the thinner sold by the paint manufacturer but I always recommend the thinner from the paint company you are using.Most times your own formula will work but when you need that paint to flow correctly your paint will end up freaking out. It is Murphy's law. I can not tell you how many time I have had customers tell me I sprayed it the same way 100 times and never a problem...then wham, big paint problem. Use the factory thinner it helps eliminate most problems and or reduuces them so you know what probably caused them.
spiralcity
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Illinois, United States
Member Since: October 14, 2012
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Posted: Monday, October 22, 2012 - 07:54 PM UTC

Quoted Text



I know that some modelers like to use different concoctions as a replacement for the thinner sold by the paint manufacturer but I always recommend the thinner from the paint company you are using.Most times your own formula will work but when you need that paint to flow correctly your paint will end up freaking out. It is Murphy's law. I can not tell you how many time I have had customers tell me I sprayed it the same way 100 times and never a problem...then wham, big paint problem. Use the factory thinner it helps eliminate most problems and or reduuces them so you know what probably caused them.


Ron,
Thanks for the input.

Actually the window cleaner fluid solved the problem. My paint is no longer hitting the surface dry and causing problems.

I've been using window washer fluid for acrylics from day one with no issues. I'm preety sure it was an article by Shepperd Paine that turned me on to the washer fluid. In any case, it's the best stuff I've used as far as thinners for acrylics.

Tamiya and Gunze spray very well with the fuid.
MadModeler
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Nova Scotia, Canada
Member Since: July 26, 2012
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Posted: Monday, November 05, 2012 - 08:14 AM UTC
I have use Tamiya Thinner X-20A for Tamiya. Can't really complain. It's all about finding what works for you.

Take care,
MM
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