Floquil Paint

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have a lot of floquil paints. What can I use instead of DIOSOL [ran out] to thin paint for airbrushing & to clean my airbrush and hand brushes?

thanks FA-1

2

First of all, [#welcome] to the forum!

For airbrush thinning, I use Testor’s airbrush thinner. It’s kind of expensive, so I only use it for thinning airbrush paint and not for cleanup.

For cleanup, I use regular paint thinner or straight up mineral spirits in the big cans/bottles from the paint section at Walmart. Lacquer thinner would also work.

3

Laquer thinner for both purposes.

4

I just buy large cans of lacquer thinner - Much less expensive!

5

Around here…The Auto Paint and Body supply sells all purpose Lacquer thinner 34.00 for five gallons…Dupont.

Take Care! [:D]

Frank

6

I never actually check the 'formula" of the cheapo “green” versions of the laquer thinners, but the laquer thinner from auto paint suppliers works far better, however, paint thinner formulas tend to be all over the place in it’s contents. The worst performing ones are the “eco” friendly types. Some won’t even thin my oil based stains properly (furniture/ molding finishes). Some of the “Green” stuff is useless.

I still have a considerable amount of “original” Dio Sol which I save for thinning only of the “original” Floequil paints. Later Testor’s formula works the same w/ regular laquer thinner. Go figure? Once when working in a lab, had the chemist test the ingredents of Dio Sol, it is mostly toululene/ small part Xlylene (% escapes me so many years later), real nasty stuff. Recieved a quart glass container of toululene, worked OK, but dried quite rapidly compared to Dio Sol. Paint would start to dry before laying down on model. Don’t like to shoot that close when spraying for it to lay down “wet”.

For cleaning stubborn paint residue of airbrush parts, from solvent paint, I use acetone. More critical on internal/ dual action airbrush.

7

Lowes does handle Toulene based thinner.

Rick J

8

I use lacquer thinner. i get it at the Big Box home stores in the paint department. About $5 for a quart can.

Be aware that lacquer thinner is different stuff from paint thinner. Lacquer thinner is much more active, it will dissolve a lot of things that paint thinner won’t touch. I never tried it, but I don’t believe paint thinner is active enough to make a decent thinner for Floquil.

9

The original OLD Floquil paint WAS laquer based … you could practically glue plastic parts with it ! It was strong stuff. When Testors took over Floquil, the paint formula was converted to enamel based, hence the phasing out of Dio-Sol and the recommendation to use Testors Enamel Thinner.

That being said, laquer thinners will reduce enamel paints just as well as the recommended enamel thinners. Since the majority of Floquil paints were flat finishes, this is a non-issue. However, if you are using any of the Floquil gloss finishes, the enamel thinner recommended by Testors will give a better gloss than if you reduce it with laquer thinners.

Mark.

10

Thanks for all your replies. most of my paint is the old floquil kind. i think your saying testors enamel thinner will work like diosol on my paint. am I correct?

FA-1

11

I am sure Testors Enamel Thinner will work. I have used lacquer thinner on ‘old’ Floquil and the ‘new’ Floquil paint - Great results. I buy 1 qt cans of ‘Sunnyside’ brand lacquer thinner at my local Menards - About $4.99/pt when I just looked it up. Even though most of my air brushing is now acrylic paint, I use lacquer for clean up of my air brush.

Jim

12

FA-1,

If You do decide to use the Tester’s…make sure it is #8824, It will state right on the container…Universal Enamel Thinner…Aztek,Modelmaster and Floquil and it will have Hazmat emblem’s on it. I use it for thinning the Model Master’s enamels on my trucks I make, rather than Lacquer thinner…doesn’t dry as fast.

Take Care! [:D]

Frank