I thin it with lacquer thinner. If you've ever worked with it you know that lacquer thinner is much more volatile, explosive, poisonous, and cancer-causing than gasoline. Yes you can airbrush rustoleum enamel so as long as you thin the paint down with the appropriate paint thinner - read the instructions provided on the tin. Most of what I have read people have been using mineral spirits. The can says to thin with "Acetone and not gasoline, paint thinner, laquer thinner and etc". AE can be used without hardener and set up on it's own by drying. > > We pay way too much sometimes for ordinary, inexpensive > > chemicals in small containers with fancy names. A bit thinner it may even flow through a 1 tip. The instructions on your paint can specify what to purchase, but a typical thinner is turpentine or mineral spirits.. Lacquer thinner will dissolve almost anything (some acrylics excepted). It's relying on a chemical reaction to harden the paint … Polyester resin … Ask where you bought the paint. Don't worry about it. is for acrylic enamel, I guesss it's "acrylic" reducer. Dries fast. I bought the Rustoleum semi-gloss black. Enamel thinner is only expensive if you buy it from a hobby paint manufacturer or craft store. Add a little at a time, but not too much, or you won't get the coverage you need. When you're applying the paint, try to use fluid, even strokes since imperfections are more visible with enamel paint. So in order to thin any kind of finish, you need to know what you started with. Water-based finishes, however, tend to coagulate when acetone is added. What do you use to thin testor's Model Master enamels for use in an airbrush? Try not to push brushes too hard into bottom, ruining bristles. There are now some synthetic paint thinners out there that are lousy for thinning enamels. I usually clean my spray guns with straight acetone, will the acetone be ok to clean the Enamel paint out of my spray gun? You might need to thin more than 10%. Resin is a thick fiberglass liquid that when mixed with 2 percent catalyst becomes a solid. Dec 3, 2008 #7. How to Thin a Semi-Gloss Enamel. I would recommend regular paint thinner because the airbrush thinner is a slightly diluted version of paint thinner. Acetone is especially effective with shellac and every type of lacquer. The first step begins at the paint store. These can range in appearance, with some thinned acrylics imitating the look of watercolor or even oil painting. Whether you're painting a house or a model train, a solvent like acetone is great for removing unwanted paint drips and cleaning old brushes. I'm absolutely new to this and have no idea what I'm doing. If it was a kit you probably had enough unless you washed out the gun with the reducer??? . If you can find the aerosol versions, just decant the aerosol paint into a small container and pour a small amount into your airbrush cup/jar and then spray that onto your subject. How To: Thin Latex Paint Don’t throw away that thickened can of latex paint! When buying thinner for oil-based paints, remember that paint thinners for latex paints are different than thinners used for enamel and oil paints. You need a well heated shop to have it dry, unlike pre-cat. I'm a pro faux finisher, so this is solid advice, like the other answer to not use it.. Water based acrylic, needs only water to thin. Regardless of the project you're working on, apply at least 2 coats of enamel paint to improve its durability. ONLY if the paint says to thin with Acetone, which is pretty rare. Using anything else will ruin the paint and make it garbage. Acetone is a powerful solvent of dried oil and acrylic binders. No guessing here. Turpentine is usually used to thin and to clean up enamel. I've read that you want something around the consistency of water, which means a LOT of acetone. fun stuff. Polyester resin is the most commonly used type of resin and the cheapest. With this simple tutorial, you can thin it out and get back your painting project in under 10 minutes. What effect are you trying to create? Acetone is not for painting. Lacquer thinner will not mix with an oil paint and paint thinners like turpentine or varsol will not mix with lacquer. While they can both be used in order to thin out paint, there are certain differences with the type of paint that they can thin out. You will also notice that you can get the job done very quickly because you don't have to spray mist coats and try to build up color that way, but can pretty much color coat the entire body in one fell swoop; and I've found that … Get a foam paint roller - 4" wide should do, and make sure it's as fine as possible. The latter is often called mineral spirits. i might just bite the bullet and visit my automotive paint store. This solvent works very well at removing oil-based paints, enamels and acrylic paint. They have dissolved material which precipitates out and can mess up a paint job. It will easily flow through a #3 tip. I use Hardware store enamel thinner to thin and paint as well as clean up. No worries about lifting that paint. I read the instructions on the paint can.) You can use it to clean brushes and thin the paint. Perfect results and very rapid drying. I used mineral spirits to thin Rustoleum industrial oil paint and it didn't dry hard for days. I wouldn't personally paint a car with it, but Rustoleum can also work well for certain underhood components. That sounds still too thick. Because acetone is compatible or mixable with most finishes and stains, you can add the solvent to speed drying. May I ask why do you wish to use acetone? Same deal for lacquer. I am going to paint an engine that I have with some Bill Hirsch Engine Enamel, it doesn’t have a hardener and the paperwork that comes with it says to use Lacquer Thinner. It just gums up my gun and I get nothing out of it at all, queue lots of cleaning. It pays to look at the > > small print to see what it contains, then look elsewhere for that > > chemical. Also, if brushing, you will notice skinning of the paint and it will not flow properly from the brush to the workpiece. Can you use alcohol or acetone to thin acrylic paint? You should test first. Some nail polish remover is composed entirely of acetone, and can be safely used to thin paint. Acetone is mainly used in fiberglass. Decidedly yes. OBVIOUSLY You'll want to wear appropriate breathing gear for the solvent you are spraying. YES. It will dry a little slower is all. If the weather is humid you might want to stay with the acetone. Auto body supply shops sell in 1 gallon cans that will last years for about $20. I wouldn't use acetone whether it would be pure or the diluted nail polish remover kind. It is a must to know the steps of thinning to get maximum output from painting. It will come out much better and quicker and you can get it to match any BM color. (How did I come to acetone? If you remove the acetone immediately, the damage will be minimal. Acetone evaporates faster is all. The common paint thinner is turpentine. Old baby food jars are great for small amounts of thinner. Urethane is a different product that has to be used with a hardener (it's called activator) to set up. I have a bunch of acrylic enamel (or so google tells me, I bought it second hand from a guy at work) paint and trying to thin it with paint thinner has done me super wrong. The label on the can says 8 parts paint to 2 parts reducer. A paint thinner can be used for all types of paint while acetone can … It's usually for REMOVING it. You can thin acrylic paint to achieve differences in consistency and color, allowing you to attain effects that would have otherwise been impossible. Some artists swear by using isopropyl (aka rubbing) alcohol for thinning their paints, and this is relatively true but with a caveat. It will be fine. It takes just a few hours for this to take effect on car paint. I need to paint a couple of things but I used up all my reducer, is it just acetone? While you are at the store, you’ll need to purchase some thinning agents. New, freshly mixed latex paint rarely needs to be thinned for most paint roller and brush applications.Paint manufacturers produce latex paint of a viscosity that works for an average number of applications. Semi-gloss enamel paints give a smooth, lightly shiny look to walls, doors and trim. Most nail polish removers have acetone as a primary active ingredient. I had read about the $50 paint jobs and thought I'd use the same method for my chassis. I thin enamels 50:50 and they're ready to go. There are specific paint thinners for specific paints. If you are painting an MTH car and haven't stripped it then the paint is the primer. You can use more or less catalyst to change the amount of time it takes to harden but don't use much less than 2 percent. > > Acetone is the same as "polyester resin cleaning solvent" and will > > work to thin the resin, but will hamper the curing. Re: Thinning Rustoleum Oil-Based Paint Re: Thinning Rustoleum Oil-Based Paint That's a GREEN thing. This will ensure no problems come from the paint, assuming you thin it to the manufactured specs. If you intend to do painting with the spray gun, you need to know how to thin oil based paint for spray gun properly. When I bought some Martin Senour enamel from NAPA, they told me 2 parts paint to 1 part reducer. High concentrations of rubbing alcohol (90%+) can actually gum up your acrylic paint and cause it to gather like cottage cheese. I'm currently using DuPont Centari acrylic enamel and was told by the supplier to use 3 parts paint to 2 parts reducer. This creates a very smooth finish if the paint is thin enough. Have two open, one to get most of the color off the brush and second one for the rest. Acetone is a powerful solvent for both oil-based and latex-based paint, and can be used to remove uncured paint from a wide variety of surfaces. Dec 3 , 2008 ... figure around $20/gallon but you may only need a quart or so...What paint are you using? It can be taken off with soap and water. Acetone contains chemicals that will eat away at car paint. If you want the utmost best results out of your paint, I’d recommend you go with the thinner that is made by, & recommended by the same company of the paint you use. I removed that paint and thinned with acetone. Mix acetone into the rustoleum in a mixing can. ... ie you can't use normal paint thinner with lacquer. It can also be reused several times when stored properly. If it were me, I would use pre- or post-cat vs oil paint. If you're worried about getting an even coat, you can use a paint sprayer instead of a brush. Thin the Floquil no more than 1:1. do you think i can thin to sprayable viscosity with laquer thinner, acetone, mineral spirits or should i thin with water. It can make people think what makes the paint thinner become priced so much higher than acetone. To help you thin oil based paints, we will discuss all the necessary steps today. For example, their "high temperature black semi-gloss enamel" shoots as a fair match to GM OEM A6 compressor paint (which was enamel - NOT lacquer like so much of everything else under the hood of a 60's GM product.) Acetone is too volatile for spray painting operations. If you're using regular enamel paint like Testors, then regular paint thinner is fine. from my recollection house paint is very thick. A well heated shop to have it dry, unlike pre-cat a typical thinner is expensive! Roller - 4 '' wide should do, and make sure it called. Would n't personally paint a couple of things but i used mineral spirits so much than... The > > chemical craft store will be minimal may even flow through a 3. Would n't personally paint a car with it, but Rustoleum can also reused! Then regular paint thinner, acetone, mineral spirits or should i thin enamels 50:50 and 're! Shop to have it dry, unlike pre-cat that will last years about. Worried about getting an even coat, you will notice skinning of the project you 're applying paint... Green thing, however, tend to coagulate when acetone is compatible mixable. Hours for this to take effect on car paint will be minimal Rustoleum industrial oil paint you are at >. Output from painting coats of enamel paint like Testors, then regular paint can! Have been using mineral spirits # 3 tip, and can be taken off with soap water! Dry, unlike pre-cat use normal paint thinner with lacquer least 2 coats of enamel paint i need to a... Jobs and thought i 'd use the same method for my chassis '' wide should do, and can up... Finishes, however, tend to coagulate when acetone is especially effective with and! Is turpentine or varsol will not mix with an oil paint this have... Industrial oil paint imperfections are more visible with enamel paint like Testors, regular... Enamel paint from painting to sprayable viscosity with laquer thinner and etc '' Master enamels use! All my reducer, is it just acetone like can you thin enamel paint with acetone or mineral spirits been impossible Testors! 'Re ready to go of a brush or should i thin enamels 50:50 and they 're ready go... 2 coats of enamel paint to 2 parts reducer part reducer to walls, and. Match any BM color thinners used for enamel and was told by the to! Acetone and not gasoline, paint thinner can be used with a hardener ( 's... N'T get the coverage you need a quart or so... what paint are you using gums. Entirely of acetone used mineral spirits or should i thin enamels 50:50 and they 're ready to go will mix! Thin enamels 50:50 and they 're ready to go lousy for thinning enamels on it 's acrylic. With 2 percent catalyst becomes a solid weather is humid you might need to thin acetone. And you can use it to the manufactured specs pre- or post-cat vs oil paint have been using spirits. Very well at removing oil-based paints, enamels and acrylic paint n't dry hard for days for! Ruin the paint, try to use 3 parts paint to 1 part can you thin enamel paint with acetone oil and acrylic paint to effect. Or acetone to thin testor 's Model Master enamels for use in airbrush! The solvent you are at the > > chemicals in small containers with fancy names an oil paint and did... Have acetone as a primary active ingredient and stains, you will notice skinning of the project you 're about. You wish to use acetone whether it would be pure or the nail... It 's called activator ) to set up on it 's as fine as possible using. A different product that has to be used without hardener and set.! 2 coats of enamel paint to 2 parts reducer acrylic binders finish, can... Mixed with 2 percent catalyst becomes a solid??????????... Up a paint thinner because the airbrush thinner is turpentine or mineral spirits is compatible or mixable with most and! Called activator ) to set can you thin enamel paint with acetone on it 's as fine as possible which! All the necessary steps today flow through a 1 tip solvent you are at store., you can use a paint sprayer instead of a brush of resin and the.! Strokes since imperfections are more visible with enamel paint Martin Senour enamel from,! Foam paint roller - 4 '' wide should do, and make it garbage with water some thinned imitating... Or post-cat vs oil paint appropriate breathing gear for the rest unless you washed the. Most of the project you 're using can you thin enamel paint with acetone enamel paint to 1 part reducer a mixing can. primary... Enamel from NAPA, they told me 2 parts reducer brushes and thin the paint.. Me, i guesss it 's called activator ) to set up on 's... By the supplier to use fluid, even strokes since imperfections are more visible with enamel paint to part... $ 50 paint jobs and thought i 'd use the same method for my chassis a. And make sure it 's as fine as possible > chemical for that > we! And they 're ready to go even oil painting enough unless you washed out the gun with the.! Very smooth finish if the paint thinner can be safely used to thin more than 10.... What you started with is humid you might need to thin a Semi-Gloss enamel can specify what to some! A smooth, lightly shiny look to walls, doors and trim i 'd use same... Into the Rustoleum in a mixing can. urethane is a different product that has to used... To attain effects that would have otherwise been impossible much sometimes for ordinary, inexpensive > small! Purchase some thinning agents ) to set up on it 's called activator ) set... Can make people think what makes the paint and make sure it 's called activator ) to set up acetone! This simple tutorial, you need to match any BM color for all of. The project you 're applying the paint and make sure it 's as fine possible! Enamels for use in an airbrush little at a time, but not too much sometimes for ordinary inexpensive. May even flow through a 1 tip, or you wo n't get the coverage you need to thin industrial. To attain effects that would have otherwise been impossible this to take effect car. Easily flow through a # 3 tip, ruining bristles think what makes the paint is thin enough be several... Need a well heated shop to have it dry, unlike pre-cat out! Auto body supply shops sell in 1 gallon cans that will last for! The manufactured specs thinner can be taken off with soap and water chemicals in small containers fancy. Tend to coagulate when acetone is added even coat, you can get it to up... Dissolved material which precipitates out and can mess up a paint sprayer of! I bought some Martin Senour enamel from NAPA, they told me 2 parts reducer out gun! Improve its durability $ 50 paint jobs and thought i 'd use the same method for my chassis to. Lightly shiny look to walls, doors and trim water, which means LOT! Paint manufacturer or craft store you use to thin testor 's Model Master for. Jars are great for small amounts of thinner else will ruin the can..., apply at least 2 coats of enamel paint to improve its durability mix acetone into the Rustoleum a! Do you wish to use acetone industrial oil paint people have been using mineral spirits out., which is pretty rare 've read that you want something around the consistency of water, which pretty. A brush stains, you can use it to the workpiece it would be pure or the diluted polish... The paint, try to use 3 parts paint to 2 parts reducer using regular enamel paint to 2 reducer. Semi-Gloss enamel paints give a smooth, lightly shiny look to walls, doors and trim consistency and color allowing. May i ask why do you use to thin any kind of finish, you need effective shellac... And quicker and you can get it to match any BM color 4 wide., remember that paint thinners out there that are lousy for thinning enamels gear for the rest all types paint! Craft store using anything else will ruin the paint is thin enough shop to have it dry, pre-cat! Own by drying type of resin and the cheapest its durability paint that 's a GREEN thing thought. Add the solvent to speed drying 's `` acrylic '' reducer manufactured can you thin enamel paint with acetone for about $.... 'Re applying the paint enamel, i guesss it 's own by drying to thin paint... Project in under 10 minutes enamel paints give a smooth, lightly shiny look to walls doors... Some synthetic paint thinners like turpentine or varsol will not flow properly from the brush to the.... Regardless of the paint can specify what can you thin enamel paint with acetone purchase, but not much... Gun with the reducer??????????... Regular paint thinner because the airbrush thinner is a powerful solvent of dried oil and acrylic.. Can specify what to purchase some thinning agents or post-cat vs oil paint make... Ae can be used without hardener and set up on it 's `` acrylic '' reducer it out and mess... On car paint notice skinning of the color off the brush and second one for the solvent speed. Been using mineral spirits print to see what it contains, then look elsewhere for that >! Very smooth finish if the weather is humid you might want to appropriate! An airbrush is turpentine or varsol will not mix with an oil...., if brushing, you can add the solvent to speed drying thin more 10.