My Paint Is Too Thin
Paint that is too thick can make it difficult to apply to the miniature surface and can obscure details. It can also affect the drying time and color of the paint.
The first step in thinning paint is to test its consistency. This can be done by pouring the paint into a funnel and checking to see if it flows freely.
Test the Thickness
Coating thickness is a critical factor in the performance of your coating system. High-performance paint manufacturers provide target thickness ranges on their product technical data sheets and your clients rely on you to apply their coating to these specifications. A thin coating may fail prematurely or show bare substrate through the finish, and a thick one can crack, discolour or be difficult to apply.
During the application process, wet film thickness (WFT) measurement is performed to gauge how much coat is needed to meet the manufacturer’s target thickness range. This is performed by placing a wet film thickness comb against the paint and substrate. After a short time, the graduations on the comb are marked with paint and your WFT is recorded.
This is a destructive method that requires access to the bare substrate, and can be difficult to perform accurately on rough surfaces or if the surface is uneven. It is also a slow and laborious process.
Add Water
Adding water to your paint is the simplest way to thin it. However, before adding water to latex paint, check the dilution rate on the label. If you are unsure, try running some of the paint through a kitchen funnel. If it flows freely without clogging, your paint is thin enough.
If your paint is too thick to spread evenly, adding water can help you get a smoother finish and reduce brush strokes. It also helps your paint dry faster, which can be beneficial if you are working in hot or humid conditions.
If you need to add water, start with a small amount and stir it thoroughly. Then, apply the paint to a test surface and check its consistency. If the paint is still too thick, add more water and mix it thoroughly again. Repeat this process until the paint passes the funnel test. Then, you’re ready to begin your project!
Add Paint Thinner
Some paints require a specific ratio of thinners to work properly. These are generally indicated on the manufacturer’s instructions or can be learned by testing a small amount of paint with various amounts of thinner. A general purpose mix is a 3:1 or 4:1 paint to thinner, but this can vary depending on the type of painting you are doing.
Adding the right solvent is important. Using the wrong one can ruin your painting, as it will affect its opacity. You can use mineral spirits, acetone or turpentine to thin oil based paints.
Pour the paint into a mixing bucket, then add a little thinner at a time. Stir the paint and thinner together until the consistency is correct. This should only take a few minutes. Then test the paint on a clean surface or spare miniature and inspect the results. This process can be repeated as needed until the paint is the desired consistency for your application method.
Remove Oil Paint
There is a trick to removing oil paint from your skin. You need to use a little turpentine or mineral spirits and also rub a bit of mayonnaise, vegetable oil or even baby oil on your hands. This helps soften the paint and allows it to come off with a wash.
Always follow the cleanup instructions on your paint can. Latex paint cleans up with water, while oil-based paint needs turpentine or mineral spirits to remove.
Another trick is to add baby oil to the paint to thin it. A quarter cup of baby oil for every gallon of paint works well. The baby oil will also help extend the drying time. Always stir the mixture thoroughly. Be sure to test the consistency on a small area before adding more baby oil. If the consistency is too thick, then you can try adding vinegar to the mixture instead of baby oil. Vinegar works very well to thin oil paint, but you must be careful as it does contain a lot of acid.