Advice on using Tamiya Clear paints

[gohkm]

Hi all,

I read somewhere (a really, really long time ago!) that Tamiya Clear paints were good to use for lenses and gems. However, I would like some advice on using these effectively. I bought a tub of the Clear Red to use, so I pull the stuff out the pot and dilute with water (1 part paint to 3 parts water) as I usually do. I start painting my fig and it starts out well - for all of 5 seconds.

The diluted Clear Red forms a gel-like substance after a very short period of time. I can use a toothpick to tease out literally strands of gelled paint. Poking at it with said toothpick is like poking very watery gelatin - some resistance, but not enough to make a fuss about. I can still push and pull this gelled paint normally, so I supposed at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter.

But is this paint behaviour normal? I've never seen it. It goes on like a solid, opaque coat of GW Blood Red - very nice coverage, but doesn't show anything underneath.

 

[freakinacage]

i think if you thin it, you have to use their thinners. that's what it says on the bottles, but then when have we ever listened to that?!! well it seems this is the one we do have to. tbh i have only used mine for goo's and gore so haven't thinned

 

[gohkm]

It says to use Tamiya thinners so on the bottle?!

I need new glasses. Thanks! This means a trip down to the store tomorrow.

 

[freakinacage]

aye tamiya acrylic thinner x-20a

 

[yazza]

the same sometime happens when you uste the tamiya thinner with vallejo paints

in small doses it works great

but in large it gells up

 

[Einion]

You can try isopropyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol or similar if you want to save on buying their thinners.

I've had decent success making glazes and washes of Smoke with a mix of isopropyl alcohol and water. So strong vodka, gin or Everclear could work!

Einion

 

[Torn blue sky]

One for me, one for the paint, one for me, one for the paint, one for me, one for the...uh oh

 

[gohkm]

Hm ... vodka .... *drool*

 

[ollieholmes]

I use the clear orange alot for wood effect and i find giving it a good stir helps. As for lenses have a look at these, photo in post #8, available in lots of colours, sizes and even shapes:
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=38321
Available from here:
http://www.little-cars.co.uk/
He dosnt have online ordering yet but hes hoping to have a new e-commerce website soon. For now just email him or ring him.

 

[blackfly]

I don't thin them at all. Never needed to. For gems and lenses etc, i just paint a quick grey scale blend on the gem, then get some TCR or TCO on there. Usually out of the lid of the jar after shaking. Once the clear dries, add an extra white glare in the right spot, and you're done. In all but the most demanding circumstances, I use this method exclusively. Saves a ton of time for me on things that look good from a distance, and no one looks closely at most of the time anyway.