Thin Any Acrylic Paint for Airbrush
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
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Thinning your paints that are not specifically airbrush paints can sometimes be a pain. In this video I show you my process of how I thin my acrylic paints. This method can be used for thinning paint for airbrush even those cheap craft paints you get at your craft store.
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Here are the things I use when thinning my paints:
Thinners:
Airbrush Thinner: amzn.to/3JZVUn9
Flow Improver: amzn.to/3JQJVbB
Tools I use:
Mixing Cups: amzn.to/3JRDXHg
Stir Sticks: amzn.to/3QHHoCJ
Pipette: amzn.to/3QEq3ur
Syringe: amzn.to/3C2HsJ0 - Jak na to + styl
I work in paint chemistry(more specifically conservation but its 99% chemistry), Pigments do not affect viscosity that much, or really at all. You specifically use a chemical thickener for them, if the pigment is affecting the viscosity of the paint then your paint is over saturated, you need a lot of pigment to do so, over a 50% ratio to water, vehicle, and binder(the ideal ratio is generally a max of 30%, with a lot of modern synthetics like phthalocyanines requiring way less).
The only pigment that can technically affect the viscosity is something called kaolin, which is a clay they use in medicine to stop a wound from bleeding, it's very absorbent. It's used in paints as a mattening agent and opacifier. If you ever have an issue with a paint and wonder why its chalky and bad, its probably kaolin causing that.
This is fantastic information. Apparently the place I read was wrong. Do you have any resources you can point me toward so I could learn more?
Also do you mind if I pin this comment? So other don’t miss it.
@@ItsMeaDMaDe Feel free to pin it, and I do have sources but there is a catch to some of them. I'll message you over instagram if that's ok. There is some info I just can't give out due to company trade secrets or copyright, but I have a lot of documents about this stuff that isn't "classified".
That would be great look forward to hearing from you.
@@ItsMeaDMaDe cool, sending you a few of the basics now.
Really good information. If I were to guess, I suspect they're increasing viscosity to improve first-coat coverage and opacity for paints where either the pigment is more translucent or where they're not putting much pigment into the paint. (Craft paints are notoriously skimpy on how much pigment they use.)
I would also recommend using either Airbrush Medium or slightly thinned Fluid Medium in addition to water when thinning craft paints. They're also often very light on acrylic monomer, so it's fairly easy to "break" the ability of the paint to form a durable layer. Adding more monomer will reduce that tendency.
Note that more expensive paints are often more expensive specifically because they use more monomer and more pigment, so hobby and artists' acrylics can often be treated a bit more cavalierly
Dude thank you so much for this video. At 43 and both of the kids out of the house, I have picked up building models again after 25 years! Having to buy most of the supplies and paint got expensive quick. I was wondering if I could use some of the craft paints for base coats and large surface areas, so I am so thankful I came across your video. Also thanks for being transparent and not editing your video, show your flaws and all. Those are things we can all learn from. SUBSCRIBED!! Keep up the good work
I’m glad it helped. And I’m right there with you paint coats add up quick. Over the years I have build up a nice collection of nice paint brands but in the beginning I only used the 99¢ bottles. Honestly I still use them quite a bit. I’m glad you appreciate the flaws. I’ve seen so many people make things looks so perfect it never goes perfectly that’s why I’ve decided to always show my screw ups. I try to always turn them into teaching moments. I always laugh when I do it cause some call me out on my mess ups as if I should show someone if I can’t do it right and other like yourself thank me for them. Can’t make everyone happy. I’m glad I made you at least 😁
Happy painting and good luck on figure projects
Ps. Thanks for the sub.
I also started back modeling after years, I also am on a budget so every penny counts .I use a floor wax called Pledge Revive it for clear coats sealing layers and to seal in waterslides and make it level with the paint .
If used with a light coat it seals matt but if applied heavy it will seal glossy.
Also if applied as a basecoat and in between layers of paint will work as a chipping paint
It is also cheap at 7 a bottle us and can be used for multi purposes.
Ps it also makes your workspace not smell like paints and chemical but fresh and clean lol! Its a win win win!
FYI Latex paints spray nice. I buy sample sizes. Stay away from Craft Smart acrylics, they spray terrible. Every single color I tried...
@@ItsMeaDMaDe hi i just bought 2 bottle of folkart metallic paint. just now i try it twice directly in the cup; first time it clog and 2nd time i over thin it. may i know does thinning folkart metallic paint work the same as what you demo in our video? Thanks
@@leomr1504 I’ve used the same metallic paints and it’s a little tricky to thin cause of the metallic flecks in the paint you have to thin it just right and it’s easy to over thin it.
Thank you for this video!! The visual example with the coffee stir stick and the side of the cups was exactly what I needed! I'm wasted hrs with a inconsistent airbrush painting
I’m so glad this could help you paint consistency is the hardest thing to get right. I’m right there with you on hours wasted cleaning clogs from inconsistent paint.
Thanks so much for the super thanks! Let me know if I can help in the future!
Watching this 4hrs before my client comes in for her nail set 🤣🙌🏼 thank yooouuuu
You’re welcome 😊
How did it go?
I wish CZcams would allow us to insert photos into comments! lol but it went very well! So wel that I’ve actually done about 8 sets with air brush
@@gloriianne94 great to hear. I'm about to try this method for some model kits. Wish me luck!
Did you thin them with water? I do nails as well and was wondering if it dries right and how fast?
I’ve really struggled with my brush clogging up and so thin that it was so thin it would just run. Thanks for the info.
You're the first person I've seen that gives a good benchmark for how much to thin. Most others say something like " thin to the right consistency", which for a noob like myself is next to useless. And I love those little medicine cups, I've used them for mixing resins and epoxies for years.
Awesome I’m glad I could help. The whole right consistency always bothered me too. It’s like saying just thin it until it’s right. With no explanation.
Been watching videos all day trying to understand how to thin craft paints and this was easily the most helpful one yet!
Biigest thing you are forgetting is to ALWAYS stain your cheap paint before putting it in to your airbrush. I use everything from house paint to the craft paint to top self acrylics. Always strain your paint.
Out of curiosity what would one use to strain it? I would imagine it would have to be quite fine.
I strain my paints. I do agree it’s good to do it. This is the strainers I use.
amzn.to/3Os1yRm
Yes it’s good to do it. I didn’t mention it in this video since I was just talking about thinning paints specifically. I’m planning on doing a specific video talking about that in the future. Thanks for the comment.
@@ItsMeaDMaDe thanks! I've never considered straining paint before but it makes good sense I suppose if you're putting it through a device like an airbrush.
@@gregmccormack5709 yeah I should of mentioned it in this video but I was just focused on thinning. Some paints clump easy and it just saves you a clog in the airbrush and it doesn’t take that long to do.
I just got an airbrush and this video seems more straight foreward than all the others ive seen.. ill give it a shot and let you know what I experienced!! great video!
Sir, you are a great teacher. Extremely thorough without being boring.
Wow, thanks!
Thanks man, I've never found a video that so perfect answered my questions before 10/10
Great!
Oh man this was fantastic as I’ve always had a huge guessing game when it comes to this. Also loving that printed stand for your airbrush
Wow man, thanks so much! I've been a long time viewer of your videos and I'm humbled that you took the time to watch one of my videos.
@@ItsMeaDMaDe subscribed as well 😬 can’t wait to watch some more stuff of yours
@@UncleJessy Woah! Thanks so much I can’t tell you what that mean to me.
I'm imagining this back and forth as the scene from Step-Brothers with the two of you.
"Did we just become best friends?!"
Thanks, just getting going here, this was helpful.
Fantastic video, reassuring , easy to follow and encouraging. Thank you.
That drip test looks really quite useful. I need to try that!
Great advice! I'm trying to learn how to use an brush for my model building, and the thinning section helped greatly! Thanks very much!
Really enjoyed the tutorial! Thanks for the great explanations
Just what I was looking for as I’m about to paint a mural on my garage door. Excellent detail with a great pace of process and procedures.
And agree with showing failures… excellent teaching moments.
Just used this process this morning to thin down some blue-grey craft paint to spray through my airbrush and it worked so well! Thank you so much!
thanks for the INFO and tips. this video really help me in understanding how to work with my airbrush paints.
Thank you. This was extremely helpful.
this was very helpful. New to Airbrushing and have been looking for tips. Thank you and keep up the good work. 👍
This is thorough, amazing, and iconic. Thank you so, SO MUCH!
Your very welcome!
Been using the craft paint for a very long time on models. Actually did a large Necron army in the stuff years ago. The metallic colors work amazingly well. I still have my small expensive paints and use them as well. But that craft paint is hard to beat when it comes to just going down to the craft store and picking through a vast collection of color options.
Appreciate you taking time to show the how to's.. 👍
I have been painting model trains with craft acrylics with beautiful finishes. I put isopropyl alcohol into the paint cup first then ad the craft acrylics AFTER the alcohol so it doesn't glob up in the bottom of the cup and plug up my airbrush. It is pretty easy to do. Multiple light coats work well; don't try to cover the model with 1 coat. The tiny detail is preserved this way. I find 25 lbs pressure works well and I like a single action airbrush best because it is EASY to clean. I have not found a double action airbrush to be any better in painting models. It is very important to have a good primer or painted surface because craft acrylics don't adhere to plastic or metal well alone. I use 123 Zinser Bullseye and dilute it also with alcohol. I mix the paint and alcohol or primer with a small model paintbrush, rinsing it in a water. Alcohol dries quicker than water and a blow dryer speeds drying up if needed. Sometimes it is just better to let the model lay and air dry if you're having trouble. Metallic paints work better with water and congeal often with alcohol and plug the airbrush. I find the airbrush needs to be taken apart and cleaned about every 3rd paint batch or you start getting small bits of paint on the model that looks like dust but is paint that has acumulated in the airbrush. I use pipe cleaners, pieces of wire in varying sizes, and weed trimmer line to clean the airbrush nozzles. Weed trimmer line works well to clean the spout of the paintcup. These tips work well with "real" paint also like Rustoleum Ultra semigloss black for my locos. I have sprayed water based polyurethane also using alcohol for thinner. The finish looks like a commercial model paint job. With time, the primer and paint bond stronger and stronger to the model. A cleaning product at Dollar Tree called Awesome will clean the airbrush, paint cup and other parts. It strips paint off a model train like lottie's eye. It has eliminated my need for MEK and can be used on plastic. Great deal for $1.25
Thank you this is awesome I just got my very first Airbrush gun today!!
This explains it very well, thanks.
That is absolutely the best way to test vecosity of cheap Achrylic paints for Airbrushing. Great Tutorials! Thank You!
Thanks so much glad you enjoyed it. Over the years of airbrushing it’s the best method I’ve found. Best of luck with your painting
The day I found tamiya paint was the day I fell in love with airbrushes. Water based paint you spend just as much time troubleshooting clogs as you do painting. And that goes up exponentially when you use craft paint.
I've had good results painting HO scale buildings and other
models using wiper solvent fluid mixed with the Hobby Lobby acrylic paints, a gallon of wiper solvent is cheap and
lasts awhile, unless you use
distilled water you could get
mineral build up in the paint!!!
Nice tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this super informative video- it was clear and concise without any technical jargon that gets lost on us newbies
Your very welcome. I’m glad it helped. I haven’t forgotten what it’s like when your starting out. Best of luck.
Very helpful. Thank you for the vid!
Really great video! I'd like to mention that using Flood Floetrol for Acrylic and Latex paint might work as a great and very affordable thinner, but I have not attempted it yet.
I had been wanting to know how to thin craft paints for airbrushing and you answered all of my questions. Thanks for sharing this information.
Great! Glad it helped!
thank you very much for yiour awesome content , it helps me (newbie) a lot.
Oh this is wonderful to know. I don’t do a lot of painting, but knowing what I would need to know should I dive down the air brushing path it's good to have experienced advice. Thanks for another great video! Bonus points for matching the paint to your desktop!
So glad you enjoyed it! Airbrush’s are great to use for sure.
I love the green didn’t know if anyone would notice 🤣
Thankyou I’m new to all this and have folk art paints to use up while I learn. So Thankyou,,
I just started model building and air brushing two weeks ago. I appreciate videos like this. I have used your content and others to begin at a higher level than I would've without this easily accessibly knowledge thanks to youtubers. Thank you again, Stay blessed!
That’s awesome I’m glad I could help you best of luck on your projects.
I agree with you. I'm in my mid-60s. Retired and bored. I started building models again after a friend gave me one as a retirement present. I am trying to learn how to use a "airbrush". I thing that this video will help.
That’s great to hear. Best of luck with the model painting!
Dude that was very helpful! Thanks so much
What a great tutorial, So many great tips cheers mate.
Thanks!! I’m glad you liked it!
Great video! You are the first person on CZcams that got through my thick skull. I can't wait to try this method. Thanks for the video 😎👍
Glad I could help! Hope you have success with this method.
I'm absolutely trying to use a gravity airbrush for the first time,and I have to say your tutorial is great. I'm mainly doing everioments for home projects,and possibly future Halloween projects. Anyway thanks for the info
I would also recommend getting some nylons/panty hose from dollar store and strain the paint after mixing. U can get all these supplies at the dollar stores. Mixers, cups, plastic cups with lids, paints, syringes, etc.
The tiny cups come in various sizes and can keep your mixed and strained paint for some time. If using urethane, or solvent based paints, u will require solvent proof cups to store the paint. Or glass.
Also, those tiny milk and cream containers (washed and rinsed) work great for mixing. And stir sticks can be snapped in half, or smaller ones can be purchased. And, wipe em, let em dry, and re use a couple times
Thank you that's exactly what I needed 👍🏻
This is probably the most informative video about this I've watched so far. I've been thinking about getting an airbrush machine for some time but I've just periodically been watching tip and tricks videos to get familiar with what they can do. thank you for this info.
Awesome that’s my goal to be as informative as possible in my videos. I remember what it was like getting started and having to piece everything together.
Stacie till I saw his videos I was about to give up on airbrushing cause I'm also very new at it but ever since I watched his videos and it took only one time for me to get it. Don't give up its worth it, these videos are very helpful. He is good so knowledgeable at his profession. Good luck 👍 Stacie
Modeling for years, we thin our acrylic paints with,,,, windex! Yup good ol windex, works wonderful and no the ‘blue’ color doesn’t effect the paint color, even white. Biggest issues I have run across over the years is that it is almost a MUST to run the paint through a strainer befor loading the brush, seems most have some solids in them that will stop up the gun and cause spatters. Note, the windex will not speed drying. Have fun!!
Interesting tip. Thanks for sharing.
I used your method to thin some Walmart acrylic paints and your drip method worked perfectly. I thinned it with ammonia free windex.
I subscribed after watching a different video and I like how you present everything in your videos, thank you.
Thanks so much. And thanks for the sub!
I've just got an airbrush, this is awesome. I love your videos
That’s awesome! Thanks so much good luck with your new airbrush.
Excellent! Easy to follow and very useful.
Awesome. I’m glad it was helpful for you.
Thank you so much!! I'm a beginner and mixing in a separate cup made a world of difference. Kept getting clogs mixing in the airbrush cup and most tutorials teach you that way. I'm definitely not experienced enough to mix in airbrush.
Yeah I typically only mix in the color cup with my airbrush with bigger needles so I don’t get clogs. It’s also a help to strain your paints too if you keep getting clogs.
Thanks so much for your useful way of telling whether the paint is properly thinned. Many just say "the consistency of milk" but that isn't very helpful to me. Watching how it drips is so much better.
Thank you so much for this video!
Thank you for the video. I had asked you for this before. Happy that you didnt forget
I’m really glad I could get it done for you!!
I used Windshield washer fluid to thin my acrylics, and it actually works well with the paint and keeps the gun clean
PLEASE DONT STOP MAKING CONTENT YOOU ARE AWESOME!
Not going to lie this comment made my day. Thank you so much for your support. You keep watching I’ll keep making videos 😁
Excellent video, well presented, thanks.
Your welcome and thanks for the comment!
Thanks for your video it helped alot
thank you i had this question but you are the first i have seen answering
it
Glad I could help
Thanks…very informative
Thank you that was a really useful video - if like me you've only painted with a brush for years, getting used to using an airbrush takes a while and can be a bit frustrating at times. Thanks for leaving in the footaget of the blockage, a good reminder to clean at the end of each session.
Yup! I’ve used brushes for more years than I want to admit. But I’m a few years into airbrush. Messed with them in the past but about 3 years ago got into it heavy. There is a big learning curve but they are fantastic once you get the hang of them.
Omg that you so much. I am a super duper beginner. I just bought my airbrush system. I was struggling to the point I was going to return it. I decided to search videos to see if I could find any help and you appeared. You clarified my question in this video. Thank you again
Your very welcome. I wish you luck with your airbrush!
Great video and very helpful. Thank you. ❤
You are so welcome!
From England, it did indeed help me. I do have some cheepo acrylics and will give this technique a real good go. Thank you sir.
Awesome! Glad it did. Best of luck with your painting projects!
Well done, this is a helpful video for me. Thank you.
You are more than welcome I’m glad it helped! Best of luck painting!
The medicine cups are good but with some small silicone measuring cups you can just use them over and over. After the paint dries it just peals out. You can also get silicone stirring sticks.
That’s a good idea. I actually clean out my cups and I get a lot of uses before I get rid of them.
Thank you for this video. Who knew. Great job on explaining it I am just trying to learn to air brush
Glad I could help. Best of luck learning airbrush. I have a few other videos where I talk about using an airbrush that might help too.
czcams.com/play/PLv65CP2QM2rGmPY_RLWxq6JxlzPtGXuvf.html
so i was finally able to use my cheapo amazon airbrush kit for my mordheim terrain and thinning the craft paint the way you showed in this video really helped!! i dont know why people say it cant be done. Thanks!!!
Awesome! Yeah it absolutely can be done it’s just paint. You can use any kind of paint as long as you thin it right.
You have help me so much. Thank you
Great tutorial! Thank you!
No problem! Glad you liked it!
Great video and information. As a novice with airbrushing, this was very helpful. Subbed.
Awesome I’m glad I could help
Thanks for the vid. When I started with using an airbrush, I tried this approach, following several channel’s advice. Unfortunately it led to lot of wasted time, poor results, and constantly clogged tips. I almost gave up entirely on the airbrush with frustration until I found Mission Models Paints. For a beginner, I think it’s the best paint because if you follow the simple recommendations by the mfg, you get an awesome finish, always. After you become more skillful, perhaps the “craft paint” approach is a good option, but idk 🤷♂️
Best air brush for beginners
When I mix my acrylics I use communion cups that someone gave me. I think I have a lifetime supply, LOL. The communion cups are plastic, of course, and are just a little smaller than the medicine cups. I have 2 airbrushes. The HF Chinese one I use for lacquer based paints and I use my Badger Anthem 155 for acrylics. I also make my own acrylic thinner. For airbrushing the consistency should be like milk. Cheers from eastern TN
This video was very helpful. Thanks so much⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You’re so welcome. I’m glad I could help you.
I know this is an older video but it's still super helpful. Thanks for posting. Subd.
Definitely great video! I recommend craft paints when doing large terrain pieces if you don't want to go bankrupt. I'm working on a terrain project now and the amount of mid tone grey I need for this spaceship interior base would cost me a fortune in 18ml air paint bottles. Pick up some 2 dollar folk art grey and thin it down instead and it does the job.
Really helpful video. Thank you.
Awesome glad to hear it!
Thanks man for the great video been looking for a video to show exactly how to do this been wanting to paint some latex masks but it's scary if you don't know what your doing this video has made me feel more confident...
Glad it helped. When I try painting on different surfaces I always do a small test to see what works well. Might be worth just doing some tests. Good luck.
Awesome pro tip 👏 ! Thanks so much ...
You very welcome!
Thank you for this video! I’ve been researching for several days now.. I’ve learnt more in these 15 minutes then I did over the last 5 days!
That’s great. I’m glad I could help you out.
Oh perfect, this was the question that popped to my mind recently!
Glad I could answer that question for you! 😁
@@ItsMeaDMaDe I just recently bought one, and was wondering if i can just feed my regular acrylics in it and then the great algorithmic gods pushed your video in my feed:D
@@ItsAweeb that’s awesome best of luck with it.
That Infinity is impressive. I’ve been eyeballing one but went with a Badger due to budget.
New to the medium. Great video
Welcome aboard! best of luck!
Thanks to many artist want to use the most expensive paint
Yeah I like the more expensive paints but only in certain cases. Cheaper paints do just as good I have found.
This is probably the best tutorial on the consistency you really want. I've painted professionally and I could tell you all day about paint and technique but goddam I had no idea how thin it had to be to start airbrushing. I also had no idea just straight water would work, I'm over here trying to concoct a h2o-ammonia-alcohol-glycerin thinner and its just not needed. Many thanks this helps so much.
Well that’s awesome I’m glad you liked it. When it comes to using distilled water. I’ve found a few brands that just don’t mix down well. It’s something you just have to experiment with. I’m wanting to do another video getting more in the weeds testing thinners with different hobby craft paints.
@@ItsMeaDMaDe That would be fantastic
I mix mine 5 drops paint 8 drops thinner and 4 drops flow improver.great results but what i will do is make sure everything primed before main coulour go on..GREAT RESULTS
Great tip! Thanks for sharing.
What has worked for me in thinning down these craft paint is windex. I heard this from a CZcams artist, and it works wonders. Your methods work as well. Thanks for spreading your knowledge.
Something else that works, but simulates a flow improver more than thinner is the blue spot free rince stuff you put in a dishwasher.
Also it depends on which type of airbrush you are using.
Especially if you are looking at doing basecoats, primer, etc., you can use a cheap single action/external mix air brush with the cheap paints and save the worry about needles clogging, etc.
Then use the better paints for finishing in your better airbrush.
Killer video! Thank you for showing the steps and the mistakes. I've been in this cycle of not wanting to waste paint on learning to airbrush because I'm not great yet, but can't get better because I'm not airbrushing. I won't feel bad about using up a bunch of cheap paint though so it looks like it's time to get my airbrush back out
Thank you for the affirmation of using “craft paints.” (I get a lot of “stink eye” when I tell other modelers that is my primary paint usage.) I do add a couple of drops to my water of “Flood” aka as “Floetrol” found in the box stores like Lowes. Cheap (under $9/qt),used to add to acrylic wall paints to “eliminate brush strokes/roller markings” and “improves flow.” It introduces polymers into your paint so consistency/acrylic binding is not diluted out with water. Works for me. Thanks again.
Yeah I get the same responses but I get good result. I’ll have to look into that flood stuff.
Thank U 4 sharing that information with us
No problem hope it was helpful!
I'm definitely with you there. I'd also want to use the cheap stuff for large foundations so I only have to spend the expensive ones where it counts.
What kept me from using them was the question whether I could just thin down the stuff or if the larger pigment size would clog up the airbrush too much.
As long as you strain your paints you should be perfectly fine the pigment wouldn’t clog the nozzle that way.
You just earned a new subscriber :)
Fantastic! Thank you. I hope you find the videos helpful!
I get the best results using a paint strainer after i mix the paint. with the cheaper paints there tends to be some larger particles that can clog the airbrush.
Thé best trick ever 🎉
Another awesome video as always! I've been thinking when would be the time for me to learn airbrush painting! I do have been enjoying regular brush a ton!!!
I also so some my models there hehehehehe thanks man that's awesome!
Thanks man. It’s really whenever you decided. You don’t need one but it does have some great uses.
I buy plastic bottles and mix thinner with cheap paints, that way, shake them up, and use!