Some ideas on paint thinning

[tom mann]

As I mentioned at the end of another thread, I found a paint thinner that I think I like better than anything I've tried before:  Vallejo Airbrush Thinner.

Remember, the main reason for thinning paint for weathering is to reduce visible pigments, so that the paint goes on transparently, with full coverage.  No thinning, and you have to rely on the opaque pigments being spaced apart to give the illusion of transparency.  This is a "spatter effect" that you probably don't want.

But anyway, the Vallejo product is non-toxic, so that alone makes is much better to use than windshield washer fluid.  However, I noticed that it provides a much more robust and tougher fade layer for subsequent weathering steps.  It works well with both the Golden and Vallejo Model Air line of paints, as I show here:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34388.15

[chicken45]

NOW you tell me. 
I went out in to the cold to get my WW Fluid from the car when I could have used the Vallejo sitting at my warm, toasty desk.

[tom mann]

NOW you tell me. 

Sorry - I misspoke - I said "use ww or the airbrush thinner from iwata" and I meant "airbrush thinner from vallejo".  I was watching 2 kids, making dinner, and drinking wine at the same time!

[chicken45]

Sorry - I misspoke - I said "use ww or the airbrush thinner from iwata" and I meant "airbrush thinner from vallejo".  I was watching 2 kids, making dinner, and drinking wine at the same time!

I was kidding but now I feel bad. I'll have to say extra Hail Manns at my Mann Shrine as penance before bed tonight.
Either way, I have more WWF than Vallejo so it still worked out. I'll try to take some closer shots tonight.

[tom mann]

I tell you what though:  a little 37mm bottle of thinner will last a long, long time for n scale models. You practically need just a drop per model: .1mm per drop, so 370 cars!  A gallon of WW fluid would last several lifetimes (but shortened ones, due to the fumes created by atomizing who-knows-what).

[chicken45]

I tell you what though:  a little 37mm bottle of thinner will last a long, long time for n scale models. You practically need just a drop per model: .1mm per drop, so 370 cars!  A gallon of WW fluid would last several lifetimes (but shortened ones, due to the fumes created by atomizing who-knows-what).

I have been having to use the Vallejo thinner to clean my airbrush when using those paints. I used acetone until we moved. I pull my needle every time and flush because that stuff loves my needle.
Not that I'm complaining... just something different I noticed.