I heard that lacquer thinner is the stuff to use for thinning solvent and enamel paints, in which this case, I have both. Are these paints thinned with the lacquer thinner safe to use on plastic models? I wanted to double check since I filled a solo cup with an 1/8" of the thinner, and it ate thru the bottom of the cup (first time using lacquer thinner. take it easy on me[B)])
Laquer thinners is pretty strong stuff. And while it will indeed thin “most” solvent based paints, the resulting finish may be a bit less than what the paint manufacturer intended. For the best finish, always use the thinner recommended by the manufacturer of the paint. Worst case scenario would be that your finish may not be as glossy or smooth as the manufacturer intended if you use just straight laquer thinners.
Laquer thinners will also attack and craze bare styrene surfaces. If using laquer finishes on plastic, a coat of primer would be highly recommended to help seal the plastic surface.
Mark.
Lacquer thinner thins lacquer, such as the late lamented Floquil. Enamels such as those little square bottles of Testors, thin with paint thinner. Dunno what would happen if you thin enamel with lacquer thinner. Never tried to do that. Lacquer thinner is active enough to use as a solvent cement on styrene.
I have been using it for years to thin original Floquil paint for air brushing with no problems at all. I don’t know how it would work with others.
Charlie
I use lacquer thinner for original Floquil and all subsequent versions except the final one - I believe its carrier is mineral spirits - in my opinion, an unworthy shadow of the Floquil legacy, and a “paint” poor enough to merit the termination of that line. [|(]
Lacquer thinner also works for original Scalecoat, SMP Accupaint, Testors Model Masters, along with Dullcote and Glosscote, Pactra enamels, and those from Humbrol. However, in most cases, this is unsuitable for use with a brush, as the thinner will attack styrene plastic if applied wet and in sufficient quantity. Applied with an airbrush, the results are very satisfactory.
Lacquer thinner is also a good solvent-type cement for styrene and an excellent paint stripper for brass or cast metal locomotives (make sure there are no plastic parts, though), and great for cleaning brushes and airbrushes, regardless of the type of paint used. I usually go through a gallon-or-so per year, so the cost per-job is quite low. Work in a well-ventilated area when using lacquer thinner and if airbrushing it, use a spray booth and wear a respirator - not a dust mask, but a proper two-stage respirator for organic chemicals.
Wayne
Dave
This might be a bit off topic - But using Lacquer thinner with Automotive/Tractor Paint - I have done this many times when painting my Cub Cadet restoration projects!
The reaon I use the Lacquer Thinner is that it evaporates much quicker than Paint Thinner (which is supposed to be used with the non Water based paints) and as I have to paint outside I can put the paint on very quick and heavy and it is almost dry when it hits the surface being painted!
Keeps the bugs out oof the paint!
The one problem with using this type of mix - is that the Lacquer Thinner begins to separate from the paint and needs to be sturred or shaken in the paint gun.
I usually just use an automotive Touch-up gun with its smaller paint cup.
But this is a special application and while spraying the paint on Plastic - Lacquer can be a problem in attacking plastic!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
I use lacquer thinner with any solvent based paint, and have for 40 years. I even use it with Tru-color paints so they spray better through my airbrush. It’s also cheap…I buy mine at Home Depot.
I have used lacquer thinner for years when using using nail polish to paint model car bodies and parts. The key is having a solid coat of good primer to protect the plastic parts. I normally use an automotive grade primer available in spray cans. This may produce too thick a layer for delicate model train work right out of the can but I have been known to spray it into a jar for airbrushing.
Laquer thinner is the recommended thinner / cleaner for Alclad paint
Use with adequate ventilation only.
Seriously ? TruColor paint is acetone based. I mistakenly added laquer thinner to TruColor once and it gummed right up !
Mark.
Yep! I realize that tru-color is acetone based, but I tried it with lacquer thinner and it works beautifully. In just this past week, I sprayed UP yellow on a Tower55 loco and I completed an Sn3 PBL brass K37 using mostly weathered black. I used lacquer-thinned Tru-color on both and the finishes turned out excellent.
Give it another try…it works great for me. As is, the Tru-color doesn’t spray real well with my Badger Anthem 155 airbrush and my Badger compressor that puts out around 22 psi. Thinning the paint makes all the difference.
Interesting … TruColor turns to jelly in about 30 seconds when I put laquer thinners in it …
I thin mine with hardware store brand acetone and shoot it at 32psi.
Mark.