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Hey people.
I've been using Liquitex fluid retarder as a thinner for my paints, but I've started to realize it really doesn't do such a great job at thinning like I first thought.
I was trying to utilize it as a 2-in-1 but I recognize theres a reason they sell the two separately.
Particularly with metallics like Leadbelcher, it just seems like it doesn't actually thin anything down much.

So, I've decided to purchase some acrylic paint thinner to thin paints properly.
The only problem is that I'm not sure if its alright to use the fluid retarder and the paint thinner together.

If they're fine to use together, should I be careful using more of one or the other, or is it a 50/50 balance?

I use an eyedropper with my fluid retarder and typically add only 1-3 drops, with the intent of adding about 25% in regards to the volume of paint I've put down.

Any input would be nice.

Not entirely an answer to your question, as I haven't tried what you are asking about, but anyway:

Water thins acrylic paint (I am sure you know this!!!!) too much water can cause the paint to 'break' and the pigment can separate (I am sure you also know this...). It's all about medium-to-water ratio; you have medium in your basic paint, which helps it stay nice and water soluble. Too much water or not enough medium and the paint is bad. In order to not affect your paint's stability, additives like fluid retarder (to my understanding) contain acrylic medium. SO, by adding fluid retarder you are increasing the amount of water you can add to your paint without it breaking. My answer would be: have you just tried thinning your paint + retarder mix with water? That is hat I usually do...

Retarder doesnt actually thin your paints, it well, stops them from drying, this allows for longer work time and wetblending.
What i do is i put a little bit of drying retardant in with my water already if i want to blend.
if you are just thinnking, the best thing you can do is make your own mixture. mine is
50% purified water
10% Flow Aid
40% Matte Medium

Well, like it was already said, fluid retarder is made to slow drying times, not thin.

The question is, when you say thin, what are you really wanting to do? If the answer make the paint more less viscous, then you'd likely want a mix of water and flow improver (10:1 water:flow improver).

If by thin though you mean, both less viscous and more transparent, then hotsauceman1's mix above is likely what you want.

If you just want it more transparent, but not less viscous, then the answer is just matte medium, of course.

On another note, you really shouldn't thin your metallics, because it generally works against what you want it to do (kills coverage/dulls the effect). Honestly the best "answer" to the problem of overly thick metallics is to use better metallic paint. This is why I don't personally use anything but Vallejo Metal Colors now, really, for anything but the smallest of details.

If you have an AB I suggest AB specific metallics.

Most are prethinned to at least a .5mm nozzle size and most can be thinned to nearly ink viscosity without losing the metallic effect.

Createx makes great acrylics; if you have proper venting try HoK for their metallics. They are lacquer based so definitely need proper venting or you might kill the family pet (or maybe your entire family).

For thinning I use a mix of water and flow improver. Createx and Windsor and Newton make really good "paint additives".