Fellow Ship Builders, A little help would be appreciated. Probably been asked more times than you can count.
When trying to thin out or freshen up paints, whats the best way to handle the situation?
New at ship building. Looking for advice from the experienced crew.
When trying to thin out or freshen up paints in 1/2 fl.oz bottles whats the best way to go?
Some bottles are half or 3/4 full. I bought a small eye dropper.
By basing adding thinner using eye dropper, How many drops would make the right mixture? Don't want it too thin or too thick.
Make it easy for me. Thanks "Gentlemen"
CharlesC

I really wish I could give you a definitive response. Assuming you mean for airbrushing every guide I've ever seen says to thin to the consistency of milk. The problem I have is milk is typically white, and that doesn't help a lot when you are doing olive drab or khaki. I think it's like fine art or pornography, you'll know it when you see it. What I do is make sure I stir up all the pigment in the bottom of the jar and take some and put it in a separate jar for the airbrush. I then add a bit of thinner, try to spray it, add a bit more, etc. It works for me.

I returned to the hobby couple years ago, and paint thinning has been a learning experience for sure. I take out some paint from jar (after lots of mixing), and add some thinner, mixing.. I do this in a bottle cap or other small container. Then i use a tootpick to "run" the paint up the sides of the container... if it "runs down", it is thin enough for AB. if it sticks to the side of the container..needs more thinner. Not very scientfic, but works for me!

Thanks Jim for the reply.A novel idea. Every one has there own formula. Can you use a paint brush cleaner as a thinner? Would there be a problem in the mix?
Take care. CharlesC

Hi Rodger, Thanks for the reply. I know that its a matter of trial and error. I don't do any airbrshing. It's brush or spray canning. Paint brush cleaner as replacement for thinner.
Problem? Regards, CharlesC

There is no one or even ten right answer(s). Different paint brands respond to thinners in unique ways, some airbrushes (presuming that is what you are doing) will handle thicker fluids better than others, and personal preference plays into it as well; I prefer doing multiple coats of thin coats myself rather than one or two thick coats.

In regards to thinners... "it depends" is a best answer. In many cases you can use the same for both, but you might wish to experiment with small amounts and a hack* first.

* Hack in this case means a paint hack. I have a 20 year old Horten flying wing that's got about a zillion coats of paint on it in various areas

Hi Tracy, As usual thanks for the response. I basically had an idea of the responses I would get . But give it a try . Never know what will come up. I was mainly interested in how to freshen up or loosen up paint in these little jars when they are laying around for awhile.
Can paint brush cleaner be used in place of a thinner?
Regards, CharlesC