Paint thinners

Is there any thinner that works well with Precision Paints enamels other than their own for brushing ? White spirit works for brush cleaning but I don't want to add it to the paint if it's not suitable. I only need a very small quantity.

Mike.

Well, it's labelled on the tin as containing petroleum distillates and smells just like white spirits so I would guess that's what it is.

Russell.

Thanks Russell, I'll have a sniff !

Mike.

Hi Mike

I think lighter fluid, the type for Zippo lighters works, and it's a bit quicker drying than white spirit. Obviously try a small amount first before committing.

Hope this helps

trevor

Mix a small sample of paint and white spirit and paint a small test patch somewhere. You will know then if it works as well as you want or not as the case may be.

Martin

I think you will find that the drying time is very lengthy when white spirit is used. So slow that it can help brush painting using a fairly thick coat. The brush marks will flow out but it's likely to take days to fully dry.

Thickness of the coat and the dilution is best determined by trying it. To much and it will run too easily.

5 to 10% water added to water based paints has a similar effect especially on timber but it dries a lot more quickly.

John

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Thanks Trevor, Martin and John. I've got some lighter fluid and I know it's recommended for use with certain lining pens so I'll give it a go on a small sample. Paint has become so complicated. There was a time when boiled linseed oil, proper turpentine and lead oxide was all things to all paint surfaces, but alas the little children chewed the window ledge because the linseed oil was tasty and then died ! One needs a higher degree nowadays to find your way through it all.

Mike.

I use cellulose thinners on [ on cellulose of course] but on various types of enamels ie engine enamel, brake caliper enamel, humbrol if I'm airbrushing as it's quire thin allready, hi build vinyl,hammerite, & there's nothing better for cleaning out brushes & spraying equipment than celly thinners, obviously try a bit on a small sample first, I always use 2pack etch primer on everything, alloy, brass, steel etc, & after spraying parts they go into the bottom oven of the rayburn to lightly bake dry.

hi mike,

for quality oil based enamel such as Pheonix paints when applying by brush or lining out i have always used common white spirit if needed as a thinner. i have also used the same to thin older half full tins when required.

cheers,

julian

Hi Julian, perhaps I should have made it clearer, I mostly spray or air brush which celly thinners is fine but as you say, for any lining or hand painting white spirit is better as it's slower to dry, [still wash everything out in celly thinners though.]

Graham.

hi graham,

mike asked specifically about brush painting not spraying.

i also use cellulose for brush cleaning.very effective quick.

cheers,

julian