Camouflage gone haywire...

[ALPHA]

Alpha, Hi, The reason I use supermarket own brand Vodka is it's a cheap clear spirit and readily available whereas buying most other spirits entails finding a pharmacy/chemist who stocks the right product at an affordable price, and do expect quizzical looks when you ask for it, some DIY stores also stock it but the point is that there are supermarkets everywhere and they all sell own brand spirits and cheaply, oh and it works which certainly helps. Perhaps I should add I am UK based and I know that the laws on the purchase of alchohol varies country to country. shaun

Hello Jarndice ....The use of vodka intrigues me because I cannot imagine the fumes. as after awhile it might seem like you've taken in a shot or two

Also because most acrylics react to atmosphere... you know temperature and such....seeing that I've never used the method before.... It made me wonder if the vodka has any retarding qualities .... or makes the paint stay "wet" longer...It would be cool if it did... for then spraying clears and such would become easier... as you wouldn't have to change out the nozzles and needles... or in my case switch airbrushes

I might give it a shot (no pun intended) one day... just for learning purposes ....

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

O.K. boys,

Some humble advice, vodka is pretty expensive. what I use to thin Tamiya is rubbing alcohol that you can get at any drug store. Try and find 99% pure but 70% will work. I'm not sure what it's called over there but the technical name for it is Isopropyl alcohol. Over here it costs about $3.00 for 1/2 a quart so very cheap.

As far as AK brand goes I have been using for many years. I like it for washes and filters but prefer Tamiya for actual paint but that's just my choice. DO NOT use alcohol to thin AK. Usually you will end up with a globby mess. Use distilled water or better yet honestly get their thinner. I know it is expensive but it really does work best for AK paints.

I always have a piece of plastic beside my tank that I actually do exactly the same as the tank I am painting so I can make sure as I go that that is what I want to do. I have been painting for over 40 years and I found when I cheat and am impatient I pay for it!

I am no pro and these are just my opinions learned the hard way!

Hello Dgsselkirk... What can I say...I learn something everytime i visit.... Never using that AK brand before....I wouldn't have known what compounds were in it..

I just like you .... Like and prefer the Tamiya product.... as it lends to outstanding results.. and useability after it's cured....unfortunately Tamiya paints are restricted here in the states... it really sucks.....

Thanks for the info on the AK brand

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Hello Diesel , I'd avoid rubbing alcohol sold in british pharmacy's as it will contain lanolin oil (skin softener) for a cheap source of alcohol try Methylated spirit ( meth's /wood alcohol ) Vodka is only 40% meth's is 100 % - so you can still dilute it with a little water to retard the drying time if you want , or try and get isopropyl from a hardware dealer .

REALLY???? LANOLIN OIL???? ....I can't imagine that... especially if cleaning a wound ... For some reason it seems like using a salad dressing

But yes ... Isopropyl is the type I was speaking of.... though it sounds like it doesn't work with that brand
very cool post... learned two things from this discussion ... I'd say its a good day

Nice meeting you Blimp

ALPHA

[jeff1101]

Hi guys,

Been using alcohol too fot Tamiya paint only. Ive seen AK products but chose Tamiya as AK is more expensive here and not readily available. I can relate to getting just plain alcohol getting harder and harder to find these days. At our drugstore seems like all alcohol has some kind of moisturizer added into them that leaves a lotion like /oil substance when it evaporates. Nice for the hands but definitely not good as a thinner for Tamiya paints. Avoid those!

[dgsselkirk]

They put lotion in alcohol for sterilizing purposes? That my friends is daft! On the wood alcohol I would test it first to make sure it is O.K. It is a different type of alcohol compound but may be good....

Never tried it because we can get rubbing alcohol no problem at all.