Cheaper Aribrush thinners?

[Shado1980]

Since the price of Testors Aribrush Thinner seems to be going higher each time I need some, does anyone out there know of a cheaper alternative? I need something that can be airbrushed and mixes well with Model Master Enamels and WEM paints.

[Karsten]

I find that buying Tamiya Thinner in the large bottles works out better. Check online for Testors thinner and I found a couple places for $7.09 a pint. Buy two or three plus what ever paint you use a lot of to make up for shipping costs. Buy you save on sales tax so it works out.

Karsten

[Sean Hert]

High-Quality mineral spirits. But I doubt it's much cheaper.

BTW- Testors has already announced a 10%+ price increase for June 1.

[Shado1980]

Another price increase from Testors? Sounds about right. Luckly I get a 10% discount at my LHS so that might offset it! For once, gasoline is cheaper than something.

[les]

I would use the testors for mixing the paint and use lacquer thinner to clean the brushes and air brush.

[Sean Hert]

I would use the testors for mixing the paint and use lacquer thinner to clean the brushes and air brush.

Which is what I do. You must be careful, however, using lacquer thinner on brushes; it will leach the oils right out of natural bristles.

[RNfanDan]

I buy odorless thinner at under $5 for a 32 oz. (US Quart) container. It is manufactured (or marketed?) by Sunnyside Corporation in Wheeling, Illinois. If you are in the states, it is sold by a number of outlets but I got mine from an ACO store. UPC number is: 0 7654200045 7.

It is the only thinner I have used that doesn't put me in a coma with its vapors.

It has a slight drawback in that it takes a bit more mixing than more potent thinners, but I have found this to be only a slight bit more effort and adds about twenty seconds or so to my in-jar mixing time.

I might add that I use a Dremel rotary tool with a handmade mixing attachment, so my paints are efficiently and thoroughly consistent.

FWIW....

[Charlestonguy]

For my Testors Model Master I use the mineral spirits as RNfanDan described. For Acrylics I switched to Isopropyl Alcohol 70%.
Some of the benefits I found using mineral spirits over the Model Master is cost, a pint of Model Masters will cost you $7.00 or more whereas Odorless Mineral Spirits is under $5.00 a quart. In addition to the cost I found by adding a small amount to what is remaining in the paint bottle will extend the shelf life after opening. I have used the Model Master the same way but it seems to dry out quicker and not work as well over time. I have even used it for Metalizer, but the drying time will take longer then the Metalizer Thinner.
I really have not seen any advantage using any Acrylic thinner over the 70% rubbing alcohol, and that includes Model Master as well as Tamiya. Obviously the cost of rubbing alcohol is going to be far less.
For Lacquer base then you will need Lacquer thinner.
There will be some who swear by the Proprietary brands, and I will not disagree, for painting is personal preference, but for me I�ll take the savings.

One more thing I might add, I use different airbrushes for acrylic and enamel. I find it easier to clean using one for each type of paint used; again that�s just a personal preference.

[Shado1980]

I buy odorless thinner at under $5 for a 32 oz. (US Quart) container. It is manufactured (or marketed?) by Sunnyside Corporation in Wheeling, Illinois. If you are in the states, it is sold by a number of outlets but I got mine from an ACO store. UPC number is: 0 7654200045 7.

I might try that, will have to see if somewhere like Home Depot or Lowes carries it. Several people here have mentioned Isopropyl Alcohol as a thinner for acrylics. I use it a lot, it seems to work really well with Tamiya colors.

Has anyone used denatured alcohol for thinning acrylics? Just wondering how it mixes, drying time, etc.

[Charlestonguy]

denatured alcohol has to much water content. 70% works better. Yes Home Depot and Lowes has everthing you need. I buy it by the gallon.