Using Lacquer Thinner as a Paint Thinner (Air Brush)

[George W]

A month or so ago someone here or at SN someone, I think, mentioned that lacquer thinner should not be used to thin paint for airbrush use on a plastic model. I understood that lacquer would damage the plastic. I work with resin models but am now doing a plastic ship model. Tonight without thinking I used lacquer thinner to thin the air brush paint but realized it afterward. It survived and looks fine.

What are the rules for using lacquer thinner on plastic? I had Tamiya Surface Primer on the plastic. Did that seal it, or is the volume of lacquer thinner important, or was I just lucky this time?

Thanks
George

[JCRAY]

I used to use it all the time with WEM paint. Never had any problem although it is hot they say. I stopped because I felt it dried too fast. I just use Humbrol now (very thin)

[Bill Gormley]

I can't speak to other brands, but you won't have a problem thinning Tamiya paints with Tamiya's proprietary lacquer thinner. I use Tamiya paints exclusively for airbrushing and have never had a problem (over primer or on bare plastic). Mike Rinaldi, a well known armor modeler, shared this tip with me a few years ago when I mentioned getting poor results with Tamiya's acrylic thinner. And here is why (excerpted from his excellent book TankArt Vol. 1 WWII German Armor:

"Tamiya's (and Gunze's Aqueous colors too) are chemically quite similar to a lacquer in their properties, and appropriately called acrylic lacquers."

So as a blanket statement I think it's 100% wrong to say that thinning with lacquer thinner for a plastic model is wrong.

[gott_cha]

I have used LT with model masters enamels for quite a while now.....I prime sometimes...not always...The only problem I have had is that it dries (flashes)fairly quickly. To overcome that I use less pressure and a little more paint as opposed to air when I spray. less paint and very low pressure for fine lines and details.

YMMV

[biggles2]

I've began using Tamiya's Lacquer Thinner with Tamiy's Acrylics for airbrushing. Sounds contradictory, but the two were formulated for each other, and it gives much better results than thinning Tamiya with water, or alcohol, or windshield washer fluid. I definitely would not use any other lacquer thinner with Tamiya, or with any other acrylic paints. And don't try brush painting the same mix for touch-ups, etc. over a previously airbrushed surface - the lacquer solvent will remove the underlying coat!

[George W]

Thanks all, it may been a very precautionary request on my part.
I did have any problems with WEM paint last night (as Jcray also mentioned above) and tonight Humbrol worked OK too. I know that 100% lacquer thinner will damage plastic but a moderate amount as a thinner seems to have no negative effect.
Thanks for covering the area so well
George

[plasticman1]

I use lacquer thinner to thin the Tamiya Liquid Surface Primer and shoot it out of the airbrush.... no problems

In-fact, I tested a painted part by dipping it in lacquer thinner to see if it got a reaction, it came out fine. As long as you dont touch the paint when the lacquer is still wet on it.

As for the plastic, I do believe it softens it, but again as long as you don't put your hands on it while the thinner is drying, It should be fine

[George W]

Thanks Plasticman

My project (Mirage Corvette) worked out OK and had no problems with lacquer used as a thinner. I normally work in resin so I was uncertain about plastic.
Thanks again