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Question about mixing Tamiya paints: For my current project, I'm using a lot of X-23 Tamiya Clear blue in my airbrush. You really have to thin it, and I'm getting irked by using a paint brush and pipettes to transfer paint and thinner into my airbrush. I wanted to use an empty dropper style paint bottle to hold the Clear Blue in. My question is: Can I premix Tamiya Thinner into the Clear Blue and store it? Or should I only mix it when I use it? Thinners break down the chemical bonds in paints and I worry that if I pre-mix it and leave it for days or weeks it'll ruin the Clear Blue. Thanks!

I'm using the clear red for my Thousand Sons, pre-mixed it in an empty dropper bottle to allow mixing the thinner nicely and storing it.

Working fine so far, syringe used to extract it from the glass and into the plastic, no issues at all so far.

Main issue is I keep running out of it and its a pain to get round here, not had issues with it after a couple of weeks being ruined though

leopard wrote:
I'm using the clear red for my Thousand Sons, pre-mixed it in an empty dropper bottle to allow mixing the thinner nicely and storing it.

Working fine so far, syringe used to extract it from the glass and into the plastic, no issues at all so far.

Main issue is I keep running out of it and its a pain to get round here, not had issues with it after a couple of weeks being ruined though

Good to hear! Thanks. Are you having a hard time getting Tamiya paints? Seems like that's the one paint line I always find in my travels abroad at hobby stores. Maybe the UK has a bunch of import restrictions on flammable paint? :(

oh its more the local FLGS doesn't carry Tamiya, there is a place about 20 miles away that carries the range but may or may not have any specific colour in stock.

May just order a couple via Amazon.

What thinning ratio are you using, have found it sprays fine with 9 parts paint to 1 part thinner - i.e. doesn't need much.

Brushing it needs a bit more otherwise it goes like glue.

leopard wrote:
oh its more the local FLGS doesn't carry Tamiya, there is a place about 20 miles away that carries the range but may or may not have any specific colour in stock.

May just order a couple via Amazon.

What thinning ratio are you using, have found it sprays fine with 9 parts paint to 1 part thinner - i.e. doesn't need much.

Brushing it needs a bit more otherwise it goes like glue.

Yup. I have a Sotar 20/20 and I fill the (rather small) paint cup about 1/2 full with Clear Blue, then add 2-3 drops of Tamiya Thinner. Spray about 20 PSI and works like a charm. I always get inconsistent results with brushing the clear stuff (I've tried blue, green, and red on various models). Works much, much better in an airbrush.

Have you tried the GW technical "Gem" paints? Soulstone Blue or Spiritstone Red? It's like painting with strawberry or blueberry jam! That stuff is thick. The Blood for the Blood God is pretty good for blood. I'd avoid the blue and red if you have the Tamiya Clear colors instead.

Another source for clear paints: Badger Airbrush Ghost Tint. They make a clear color airbrush ready line that's way thinner then Tamiya and doesn't require thinning at all. It's also not alcohol based like the Tamiya clears. You just need a lot more coats of it to get the effect you want. You can see 'em here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQv_dJVZluY

Think those technical ones are meant for specific effects.

Tamiya Clear does brush ok if thinned, but only on smaller areas.

masking this lot would have been a nightmare



So sprayed the gold then used that as a pre-shade base for the clear red.

Seriously bad idea on larger flat areas though

I used a bunch of Tamiya Clear red/yellow in my airbrush back in the day and pre-mixing never was a problem.

I currently am using (brush) clear red and not having a problem with not thinning it. Granted im using it as a blood effect and keeping it thick.