What to use for paint thinner.

[GrudgE]

Alright I got my airbrush, regulator, moisture trap, and a hose. Now I am looking at paint just read the pactra vs parma thread. My big question is what do you all use for a thinner. I believe I am gonna try both paints see what works best for me. Just want to be sure I am using the right thinner and ratio.

 

[Lessen]

Well, it depends on which Pactra you're referring to, there is Pactra Acryl which I know NCNitro uses with great success. I personally prefer to use Pactra Racing Finish. Acryl is water based so you can thin it with water as you could with Parma's Fascolor. However, Pactra Racing Finish is Laquer based so you need to use a laquer thinner. If that's what you're intending to use, allow me to give you some advice... DO NOT use any type of laquer thinner other than the thinner made by Pactra. I know you can get a gallon of laquer thinner at Lowe's for the price of a bottle of the Pactra stuff, but the Pactra thinner or formulated for their paint and works MUCH MUCH better. I only use the cheap stuff for cleaning.

If you are going the water based route you can simply use water. I've also read many times that people use a little bit of glass cleaner (Windex) to thin the paint. Not much... like a tablespoon per bottle or something like that. I never tried it because I switched from water-based to laquer-based before I heard about that.

 

[NCNitro]

Yep, Lessen pretty much summed up the thinning methods. My favorite paint is Pactra Acryl, by far. For me it shoots so much better than Parma or Createx. The Laquer based Pactra is real nice too, but I just don't like to deal with the clean up. I think windex actually works a little better than water for thinning.

 

[Rolex]

You can also use drug store rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol) to thin Parma paints. It also helps them to dry faster.

 

[NCNitro]

I think thats why I found the windex to be better than water, it definitely dried better.

 

[GrudgE]

ok So 1 tablespoon of windex per bottle is that all to thin the acrylic, No more thinning. I guess I am trying to get a strong base of knowledge before I start. So its not like 1/4 bottle thinner to full bottle paint.

 

[NCNitro]

You can always thin it a little more, but you can't un thin it.

So what brush did you end up getting?

 

[GrudgE]

Badger model 100 fine tip. Its basically a side feed , can pivot the cup so its not spilling at different angles. Came with a extra needle manuals said it was only used once. I only paid 15 bucks shipped. I will give it a shot if the paint job comes out screwed because of the brush then a upgrade will be in order. On the Bright side I got called back to work so RC budget will be increasing. I just didn't want to drop 100 bucks on something to find out I hate it, or just don't have the patience for it.

here is link to the same set.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=BDG+100-4

 

[Rolex]

That's the site I use for ANYTHING related to my air brushes. Hoses, couplers, and parts.
If you want a really great air brush at a great price, look into Master, on that site. It's a direct knock off of the Iwata brushes as half the price.

 

[NCNitro]

It's a direct knock off of the Iwata brushes as half the price.

Yeah, and a smarteck is a knockoff of a T-Maxx

 

[Rolex]

Speaking of knock offs, knock it off with that stick or I'll knock your block off.

Knock, knock.....

 

[gnarkill]

not sure what paint you are using but i use autobody paint, so i use normal lacquer thinner. hope this helps.

 

[NCNitro]

You use auto body paint on Lexan bodies?