Thinning Putty?

[MidMazar]

I came up on a couple threads that stated that they thin down tamiya basic putty. I was just wondering what do you guys thin it down with and what the ratio should be? Also what kind of putty can you thin (tamiya, Mr white)?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Mark

[MPWR]

Tube putties like Tamiya basic often work alot better if thinned. It's not a matter of ratio- more like squeeze some of the putty onto a pallette, and add some thinner to it with a brush to turn it from a paste like consistency to more of a goop, or even thinner. It can be much easier to manipulate when filling gaps- but it won't build up as well if you're doing body kits or the like. Thin Tamiya with Tamiya laquer thinner, and other brands with their recommended thinner.

[MidMazar]

Thanks man, so acrylic thinner is a no go?

[MPWR]

Nah, acrylic thinner isn't going to do much for you. Most putties are laquer solvent based, and they tend to be pretty particular. If you use the wrong stuff, it won't behave well. I've learned that Tamiya putty and hardware store laquer thinner do not mix (but Tamiya putty and Mr Color thinner do!).

[cyberkid]

If you thin Tamiya putty with arcylic thinner... you'll get something like play-doh lol.. at least that is what happened to me
I get good results with Tamiya basic+Mr color thinner like MPWR said

[bvia]

Plain old acetone is what I use to thin my Tamiya putty (grey). Can be thinned down to a paint consistency and the acetone;
1. evaporates quickly and
2. helps the putty to melt into the plastic and not flake out later on.
hth,
Bill

[Exotics_Builder]

I've successfully used Isopropyl Alcohol to thin when applying.

[MidMazar]

Thanks for the replies, just got some mr.color thinner today and got my acetone out of the garage.

[D_LaMz]

Originally Posted by bvia

Plain old acetone is what I use to thin my Tamiya putty (grey). Can be thinned down to a paint consistency and the acetone;

Bill

nail polish remover?

[bhop73]

I use plain art store Lacquer thinner.

[ajthomas75]

Plain old nail polish remover works great for me....

Adam.

[bvia]

Originally Posted by D_LaMz

nail polish remover?

Yes, but it needs to be "pure"...i.e. no Bitrex or "skin emollients" in the mixture.
hth,
Bill

[nugundam93]

i've used car paint thinner as well with a good result. just make sure to use it up as soon as possible (no kidding) as it will coagulate the putty real fast and flake quickly, make it basically hard to work with.

[bvia]

Originally Posted by nugundam93

i've used car paint thinner as well with a good result. just make sure to use it up as soon as possible (no kidding) as it will coagulate the putty real fast and flake quickly, make it basically hard to work with.

Acetone will simply evaporate and the putty will return to it's out-of-the-tube consistency...at which point you simply add more acetone. It never flaky.
hth,
Bill

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by bvia

Acetone will simply evaporate and the putty will return to it's out-of-the-tube consistency...at which point you simply add more acetone. It never flaky.
hth,
Bill

Absoulutely agree. Acetone is the best media for thinning out regular toulene based putties (it's about the only time you WILL want to get acetone near you car body though!! )