Mixing Tamiya Lacquer thinner with Tamiya lacquer retarder

[Jigsaw333]

Hi all,
I was going to buy some Tamiya lacquer thinner with retarder. (the one with the orange cap) Then I thought I’ve got Tamiya Lacquer thinner and Tamiya lacquer retarder. Can I mix together to make something like ‘Tamiya lacquer thinner with retarder’
If so what ratio or how many drops per 250ml bottle of thinner.
Cheers
Simon

[Twokidsnosleep]

Hmmm
Yes you definitely can add the retarder to the entire bottle if you want
Lets do a mental exercise and estimate a ratio there for a full bottle
In a typical dropper a single drop is 0.05ml.
Usually you would put a couple drops of retarder in your paint/thinner mix. A couple drops would be 0.1 ml
A total volume of airbrush-ready paint averages to say 5ml in your airbrush cup(paint+diluent)

Ok I am doing math so hang on as I suck at it 0.1ml is what % of 5ml??...I say it is 2%.
There is 2% by volume of retarder in the ready to airbrush paint mix
So we need to add a volume of retarder to the full bottle that equates to a 2% ratio
2% of 250ml's is 5ml's...so 5ml of the retarder to the bottle of thinner
If my math is right
I made some assumptions on 5ml final volume of paint, your mileage may vary.
Personally I would just add the two drops to my paint thinner mixture instead of into a full bottle of thinner that I might use for something else and not want retarder in.

[Jigsaw333]

Excellent work Scott,
I managed to get to 5% or even slightly less. The ratio is important but it appears to be a small number. All of my Tamiya Acrylics and Lacquers (10ml bottles) have been topped up with lacquer thinner to about 18-20ml in the bottle. Approx 50:50
Mixing the retarder just before use is best (weather - humidity, temp etc - primed unprimed - show finish surfaces - tiny details… …) can all make a difference as to whether you need it or not.
The amount will be so small sometimes unmeasurable, tip of a toothpick even, for some small airbrushed parts…
I knew it was a small percentage, but one guy told me 50:50 - surely that would make the paint thicker and less opaque - defeating the object of getting a smooth finish.
Thanks for your efforts Scott.
Very appreciated.
S.

[digger303]

Hmmm
Yes you definitely can add the retarder to the entire bottle if you want
Lets do a mental exercise and estimate a ratio there for a full bottle
In a typical dropper a single drop is 0.05ml.
Usually you would put a couple drops of retarder in your paint/thinner mix. A couple drops would be 0.1 ml
A total volume of airbrush-ready paint averages to say 5ml in your airbrush cup(paint+diluent)

Ok I am doing math so hang on as I suck at it 0.1ml is what % of 5ml??...I say it is 2%.
There is 2% by volume of retarder in the ready to airbrush paint mix
So we need to add a volume of retarder to the full bottle that equates to a 2% ratio
2% of 250ml's is 5ml's...so 5ml of the retarder to the bottle of thinner
If my math is right
I made some assumptions on 5ml final volume of paint, your mileage may vary.
Personally I would just add the two drops to my paint thinner mixture instead of into a full bottle of thinner that I might use for something else and not want retarder in.

Glad you took a swing at that Scott cause I thought I might have too and I wasn't keen

[Twokidsnosleep]

Ya waaaay over my pay grade talking math, but it was in the real of chemistry which I do like
I don’t fill my Tamiya jars up with thinners b/c it makes it harder to mix them when so full…..sploshy
BUT, if I have a need for a lot of one colour, I will go right into the jar with the thinner and then label that one as diluted for airbrushing

Happy to try and help, hope it did

[Twokidsnosleep]

Hmmm
Yes you definitely can add the retarder to the entire bottle if you want
Lets do a mental exercise and estimate a ratio there for a full bottle
In a typical dropper a single drop is 0.05ml.
Usually you would put a couple drops of retarder in your paint/thinner mix. A couple drops would be 0.1 ml
A total volume of airbrush-ready paint averages to say 5ml in your airbrush cup(paint+diluent)

Ok I am doing math so hang on as I suck at it 0.1ml is what % of 5ml??...I say it is 2%.
There is 2% by volume of retarder in the ready to airbrush paint mix
So we need to add a volume of retarder to the full bottle that equates to a 2% ratio
2% of 250ml's is 5ml's...so 5ml of the retarder to the bottle of thinner
If my math is right
I made some assumptions on 5ml final volume of paint, your mileage may vary.
Personally I would just add the two drops to my paint thinner mixture instead of into a full bottle of thinner that I might use for something else and not want retarder in.

Glad you took a swing at that Scott cause I thought I might have too and I wasn't keen

Into the fray and all that

[Jigsaw333]

Thanks all,
I also use the TS sprays - they’re excellent, but need thinning for the airbrush. I have plenty of clean jars to decant and de-gas. I can then decant what I need and top up with the thinner with retarder when required. Right now it’s pretty warm so a touch of retarder will be beneficial.
Thanks for all your input.