vallejo paints and thinning

[godfather]

I find that when I thin Vallejo's with distilled water the pigmnet tend to settle and I have to stir every time I want to dip my brush. Am I adding too much thinner or using the wrong thinner?

 

[megroot]

Hey Talino,

I have also the same problem. But in the past it wasn't. Maybe they changed the paint. But it make's no difference, if you ad two drops off water or add four drops.
After a short time the paint is gonna dry out.
I hope that someone can help us.

Greetings marc.

 

[gforceman]

Hi guys,

I simply stir my paint everytime I put my brush in; I use my brush to stir the paint. I also add a little bit of water after every two or three passes.

I hope this helps,

Gino.

 

[turcao]

Hi,

I had the same problem, but I was using alcohol to dilute vallejo acrilycs. The paint layer got thick, looking like velvet...

The only solution is to dilute more and frequently, applying more hands of paint.

Good weekend,

Arthur.

 

[poetwarrior]

Hi Talino,

Sometime ago, during the HM Forum days, I picked a technique that I read Doug Cohen uses to thin Vallejo Acrylics (I suppose Andrea as well) and I have used it with great results. The technique is to combine isopropyl alcohol and water. The mix calls for 75% water (I use distilled water) to 25% isopropyl alcohol. When purchasing the alcohol be sure to buy nothing higher than 70%, anything higher than that will "clump" your paint, making it dry faster. But try it out, it's worked well for me! I have also found this technique tends to extend the working life of the paint and is great for doing washes. Also, be sure the lights you are using aren't giving off a lot of heat, the heat tends to make the paint dry faster, especially when thinning with just water.

Dave Neary

 

[Matthias]

Well, I´ve used water and the solvant they sell, and have found the solvant well worth the (limited) investment. The paint just behaves much more pleasantly (and it´s already very good with water), in comparison to everything else I´ve tried to paint my small planes...

 

[KeithP]

Good info, folks.

I gave a try with the 75% IPA and 25% water and it's a bit thick at my earlier paint to thinner dilution ratio.

But, I do like the way it seems to hold the paint in suspension. I did not have to re-stir at all during the session. When I diliute the Val or Andrea with distilled water alone, it seems like I am forever and constantly re-stirring!

Seems to go on just as flat. I did not notice any velveting effect (yet).

Thanks again for sharing!

Keith

 

[poetwarrior]

Hi KeithP,

Just to clarify, the mix calls for 25% IPA and 75% water, that may explain why your paint is still too thick. Give it a try and you'll see the difference.

Goodluck,

Dave

 

[KeithP]

Dave-

Thanks. I missed that one!

Keith