Model paints and solvents

[kimballthurlow]

Hi,
This may be of interest to some.

I have been painting models for 55 years, using mostly Humbrol, which I find has excellent qualities.
My collection of colours includes pre-mixed Humbrol tins (from the 1960/70s) in the historical railway colours.
Humbrol paint's gloss finish is perfect for decaling.
I have tried other brands as well.
With the weather here in Australia, I can both brush and spray outdoors.

For spraying dilution I usually use the proprietry solvents sold at hobby shops.
For brushing, thinning and cleaning, I use any solvent available, usually mineral turpentine, as it is available in bulk.
However, all these solvents cause some discomfort to my breathing apparatus, if I am using them for an extended period.

In the last few years, I tried "low-odour" turpentine, with little improvement.
Recently I tried plain eucalyptus extract (oil), which is available anywhere here, both chemists and High Street markets.
I found it perfect, because I use it as a nasal decongestant anyway.

Spray-painting is now done rarely, so I doubt if I will get around to trying it as a spray solvent/dilutant, but I cannot see why it would not work.

regards
Kimball

[Atlantic 3279]

An amazing nugget of information.

[teaky]

I agree, an interesting nugget. Definitely worth a try I think.

Plus there's the extra benefit that your layout could clear your sinuses.

[manna]

G'day Gents

I do have a spray gun, but haven't used it yet (only 2 years old) but I have found that Humbrol isn't as good as it used to be foe brush painting, it's thick and claggy (bit like me !) years ago a new tin of paint and you had a brilliant finish, even thinning it, it wont cover well, slowly drifting over to Acrylics, but that has a side effect......powdery residue, just had to strip 'Humourist' didn't think it was 'funny'

I won't go on about poor glue's......

manna

[kimballthurlow]

Hi manna,

Regards brushing with Humbrol, I have found spending a lot of time mixing is a must, as is the occasional thinning.
I have used the eucalyptus oil for this, and it seems to work OK.

When I did spray a lot, Humbrol always worked for me 1:1 with the thinning solvent.
I got good coverage, and a gloss finish with gloss tins.
Humbrol, Model Masters, or Testors thinners, whatever available, was purchased by the 250ml tin; all worked OK.
I even used Floquil thinners at one stage, worked fine.
Good coverage depends on undercoating, which is a must for respectable painting.

regards
Kimball

[manna]

G'day gents

OK, I'll give that a try, have a D3 and a G1 to paint soon The C12, may get a spray, seeing that it's brass.

manna

[Pebbles]

I always bring back a bottle of eucalyptus oil; never thought of using it as a solvent.

[2512silverfox]

I know that it is not now considered PC, but I still use Xylene (very carefully) and get consistent results with all proprietory paints. Floquil used to use Xylene as a base but may not now.

[cctransuk]

Another vote for xylene - and it can easily be purchased via the internet.

Do use a proper fume mask, though.

Regards,
John Isherwood.

[Atlantic 3279]

Can you still get Xylene? I thought unelected Big Brother in Central Europe had banned it, along with anything else useful, traditional and reliable.

Toluene?

[earlswood nob]

Evenin' all

Toluene has a lower boiling point that Xylene, so probably needs more care in handling.

Most airbrush cleaners contain xylene.

I use Humbrol thinners, probably out of habit.

I seem to have problems with acrylics. I tried thinning Humbrol Malachite with meths but it didn't spray well.

Tamiya acrylics seem to brush well, and a test piece sprayed OK when diluted 1 part paint to 2 parts thinner.

I visited local art shop today and bought some Winsor-Newton Acrylic Flow Improver. I have yet to try it, but I believe it has detergent properties and reduces the surface tension of the acrylic to aid spraying.

Earlswood nob

[nzpaul]

I've been using a product called Fuelite, it's sold as barbeque starter and in the small print says it's petroleum distillate. (So I guess that means it's petrol without the aromatics and other nasties). Works well as thinners for enamels and as airbrush cleaner. As for acrylics I've only had success air brushing with Tamiya paints thinned with Velego thinners, had terrible time with Humbrol.

Cheers
Paul

[kimballthurlow]

I've been using a product called Fuelite, it's sold as barbeque starter and in the small print says it's petroleum distillate. .....
Cheers
Paul

Hi Paul,
That stuff is fine as a thinner and solvent. In Australia it was called white spirit, or petroleum spirit, and is used in bulk as a dry cleaning fluid.
It could also be used in devices that required petroleum, example petrol fired soldering irons.

regards
Kimball

[cctransuk]

Atlantic 3279 » Mon Jul 04, 2016 5:19 pm
Can you still get Xylene? I thought unelected Big Brother in Central Europe had banned it, along with anything else useful, traditional and reliable.

Try searching on Ebay for xylene - plenty there !!

Regards,
John Isherwood.

[earlswood nob]

Good morning all

White Spirit covers many petroleum distillates.

Normally it is a mixture of C7 to C12 aliphatic hydrocarbons. There is usually a minor amount of aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene xylene etc).

The maximum level of aromatic hydrocarbons has probably been specified and reduced since I left the petroleum industry (1970's).

Earlswood nob