Thread: Thinning Paint mixture

This is a big thank you to Patoche for the information about paint to reducure / paint to water ratios. Expressly the comment to think of it as reducers with some paint in it, very transparent, working them in layers, spraying at 10 -20 psi.

Wow! For some reason ( manufacturers directions ) i didn't understand that it was allowed or acceptable to reduce paints to this extent. I'm not a dumb azz, I just didn't understand this very imprtant fact. It was my concepttion that if you thinned paints at all, let alone 50% - 50% you were taking your chances as to whether the paint would work or not. ie peeling, lifting, fading, problems. When I joined this forum I learned you had to thin more than I realized, however, still didn't understand just how much one really might need to thin paints and still be safe. Thusly if you couldn't get the paint to spray, YOU were doing something wrong, or your equipment was malfunctioning.

I think a lot of people / beginers believe that paint is made to use out of the tube, can, bottle and that if you thin it at all, or too much you will ruin the product. Then your work won't last, and you'll be known for producing crap! I guess this comes from buying house paint that just won't cover or preform well. I don't think you can over reduce paint for T-shirts quite so much or they will wash out. Please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Since I thinned my HOK beyond what I thought was acceptable I've been able to get fine details I couldn't before, and spitting is almost non existent. The speed of my work has increased, frustration level is way down, it doesn't take more time to clean up spitting / mistakes/ overspray than it takes to shoot a small detailed area, my AB actually works better, and the quality of my art is improved.

At any rate, my rant is done. here are two pics of my King Kong helmet after thinning the paint as Pat instructed. The detail of the hand is smooth and complex, compared to the hair of the woman being held in the hand. The finish is also smooth and unblemished by over spray and spitting. I'm not going to rework this whole piece, but I know that my next project will be much better!

Thank you for your advise on this Pat.

Greger

A few more pics from todays painting. I know it doesn't look like much, however, I'm ending up redoing some stuff. Yes, I know I said I wouldn't do that. LOL

Greger, Outstanding work. The detail in that helmet is first rate for sure. I'm sure the pictures don't really capture the detail and work you put into that. Glad you spoke of the thinning of paints, that has always been a problem with me and I can't wait to try thinning mine more than I already do. I'm sure it will take more strokes to get the coverage/depth of color but it will give better control of the final product.

Cliff

Thanks for the compliment cliff, I hope that thinning down your mix will help you as much as it helped me. I'm really enjoying ABing a lot more now. I'm excited to get the helmet finished and cleared, but I just got a job in (construction) that is starting this morning. TG, need some $$

Greger

Thanks Don, I've been working hard on making each project batter then the last. I owe so mcuh of my progress to you, and all the other fine people who make this site such a wonderful place.

Thanks Fresnojohns It is good to have some work to support my AB fix. LOL Affording some of lifes demands never hurts either..........

the detail on this is really good greger! love it. riki.