testors paint

[Sockrsblur]

Ok guys this is my first time doing the simplest of cresting just to test the compatibility of my finish, paint, glue etc. I just opened the box of testors paint. What is the simplest/ best way to thin the paint considering im new to this? I would hate to goof a whole bottle over thinning it but don't want to waste it pulling it out. Im using a very little on 1/4"shafts for my nephews bday gift. I completed my first arrows yesterday from plain wood. It took me longer than I thought but what fun. Learning a lot as I go. Thanks for any tips. Jim

[WestAussie]

this may seem odd...... but "window glass cleaner" the blue stuff, use it om my brushes and in my airgun, i use it like water, one small drop to 5ml paint,,, never any more

[TonyW]

Testor's acrylic or Testor's enamel?

Be careful!

[DennyK]

The Testors enamel is all I have ever used, no problems with Minwax Polycrylic Satin for the sealer. Bohning Fletch Tite either regular or Platinum is compatable with the Polycrylic. I tried the  Testors acrylic and did not care for it at all.

[Grey Taylor]

Doesn't the bottle or the package tell you what to thin the paint with?
If it doesn't, you can get a clue from the clean-up procedures. If it's water and soap then it's a water-based acrylic and you use water to thin it.
If you need paint thinner, lacquer thinner, or something like that to clean the brushes then it's oil-based and probably paint thinner would be good.
As far as not screwing up the whole bottle, just get something small like the twist cap from a water or soda bottle and put a little paint in that. Mess with that to your heart's content and you won't bother the rest of the bottle.

Guy

[Jim Picarelli]

I use the Testor's enamel paint and use paint thinner. Just dip my brush in the thinner and then into the paint

[Sockrsblur]

Its testors enamel paint. It comes with the thinner. I was wondering a drop or two of the thinner for the whole bottle or mix a separate batch each time you crest? The pop cap might be a safe start. Thanks for posting guys!

[wooddamon1]

I've had my best results without thinning the enamel. I just dip a small dot onto a round brush and smoothly apply, letting it fill in my bands. I've only used gloss, mixed well.

Here's some recent results.

[NoCams]

When i used to use the oil based enamel Testors seems like it was about 3-5 drops of thinner to get the paint flowing well in each bottle. The gold and silver metallics used for outlines took less I think. The trick is to get the paint dripping like water. I bought a quart of thinner from Ace it is Xylene. Before I learned how to thin and how to get your lines done quickly and  the brush off the shaft I had a few brushes taken away from me by the shaft and the paint drying too quickly.....    

I now use all water based testors, the acrylics and thin with water as needed. Cleanup is a snap and no fumes. Also much more compatible with my other cap dip, glue, and topcoat finishes. JMHO

[Soilarch]

Originally posted by Jim Picarelli:
I use the Testor's enamel paint and use paint thinner. Just dip my brush in the thinner and then into the paint

Same here, except I use Xylene.