Hi Everyone,

I'm still new to airbrushing and have a question about thinning. Can I setup a bottle of paint that has been thinned for later use? If I know I'll use that color a lot can I pre-mix (thin) it for quick use or is it best to thin before using?

Thanks,

Mike

Hi Mike,

it is best to thin before using.

Can you set some up for quick action later? The short answer is: yes and no.

Most paints are formulated to a specific balance of pigment and carrier, and whatever else is in there to stabilize and balance the chemicals.

If you do thin paint and store it, put it in a separate container than the original bottle. That way if it monkeys-up, it will not 'poison the well'.

I have kept thinned paints that lasted a year or so, and others that start to deteriorate within weeks. If you plan to use the paint within weeks or perhaps a month or two, try it. Yet, if you thin it and store it for a long time, you are likely to open the bottle and find gunk within. Sometimes, if it is a precious paint no long available, you may be able to skim the layer of corruption from the top and use some of it. Likely as not, you will have a mess that will clog your airbrush and/or look very different on your model than when you first tried it. Right now I am looking at an old Testor's 1/4oz glass bottle of Pactra Mustard, preserved with Pactra thinner. I mixed it about 8 years ago and it has not been opened since. Looks gummy, yet when I used it years ago it worked well, even though I bought it in the late 70s or early 80s.

With so many paint brands out there now, I can not tell you what will work. If you try it, save this URL and write back eventually to tell us your experience?

As is said, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).

Great Information. I wouldn't pour it back in the bottle, but put it into another bottle for keeping for the next time I would need to use it instead of thinning it each time.

I'll experiment and see what's best. Thanks for the information!

I keep some Tamiya paint ready thinned for airbrushing- I thin it with their own thinners in the original pot the color came in. Doesn't seem to deteriorate over time- just needs a good stir and shake before using it. If I find it has become too thick I just add a few more drops of thinner before using the airbrush.