Learn how to thin your airbrush paint with this great painting tutorial from Hellfire Hobbies- check it out!
If you’re planning on using an airbrush, you need to get good at thinning your paints, especially depending on what brand you use.
Let’s see how to do it.
How to Thin Your Airbrush Paint for Beginners Tutorial
Thinning your paint is sort of the one thing you have to learn when you airbrush because it’s tricky! There is no set way to do it, but with these tips, you should be able to conquer it without much trouble!
The Ratios Can Change
The ratio of paints and how much you thin them changes for almost every paint, and even some paints within the same brand. So to start, we’re going to thin down both a black and white from The Army Painter.
This is what can make it so hard. While most companies have airbrush-ready paints, sometimes they can start out too thin. So, that’s why thinning them down is a good skill.
Step 1:
The first step is to grab a small clear container like this, so you can actually see what you’re doing instead of just pouring it directly into the airbrush. Here are a few quick tips here just about thinning in general.
- If it’s too thin, it will spray but not cover very well
- If it’s too thick, it might not spray, and you’ll have to clean the airbrush.
- For those who want to pour directly into the airbrush, make sure there are no clumps in the paint, or it will clog up your airbrush.
- If you don’t know what you’re doing, start with brown, it for some reason is the easiest to get your mix right
Step 2:
To start here, Max pre-thins his paint. He takes thinner and fills it to about the top of the bottle itself. This mix should be usable by a paintbrush but still slightly too thick for an airbrush, but this makes the next step much easier.
He does this with all of his paints, so when it comes time to use them in the airbrush, you need much less thinner.
Step 3:
To start, he puts the airbrush thinner directly into the pot of the airbrush and then tests it to make sure it sprays. Then, he puts the paint directly into the pot and gives it a little mix.
Now, you have to test if you put enough thinner in, he sprays onto a paper towel, and if he’s happy with the mix, he starts spraying. If he’s not happy, he either goes back and adds thinner or more paint.
There is no hard and fast rule, but if you pre-thin your paints, the mix will be much easier to achieve in the long run.
What to Use to Thin Paint?
There are a bunch of brands out there, but he actually uses glass cleaner, as it’s cheap and works pretty well! However, when you find a method you like, don’t keep changing it up; just use what works for you!
Editor’s note if you use chemical-based thinner like glass cleaner, make sure you are wearing a mask with the appropriate rating to protect yourself.
You can also use Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver or Thinner as well.
Be sure to check out the whole video below for a closer look at how to think your airbrush paints with Max from Hellfire Hobbies.
That does it for this one! If you want to see more, check out Hellfire Hobbies’ other airbrush tutorials by clicking this link here.
Go Follow Hellfire Hobbies Here!
Here’s a helpful list of Airbrushing supplies and equipment to help you tackle any project!
Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Airbrush (left) and Colani (right) REVIEW: High-End Airbrushes
- H&S Colani Airbrush– Amazing quality for the price.
- H&S Ultra Airbrush– is Probably one of the best “starting airbrushes” on the market.
- H&S Evolution Airbrush (Lightweight Aluminium)
- H&S Evolution Airbrush (Chrome finish)
- Badger Patriot 105
- Iwata Eclipse Airbrush– An awesome airbrush to get you started.
- GSI Creos .18 Super fine Airbrush Great for the smallest of details.
Tooty No-Name Compressor REVIEW: More Than a Beginner Airbrush Compressor
- Sparmax Compressor– Name Brand Super Heavy duty and quiet.
- Tooty No-Name Compressor– This is a solid overall compressor that comes with an air reservoir if your airbrush didn’t come with one.
- Aspire Compressor
- Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver Makes Airbrushing EASY!
- Vallejo Airbrush Thinner Thinner is great for getting your paints to the right consistency.
- Iwata Airbrush Lube – keep your metals lubed up!
- Grex Airbrush Cleaner – The second you buy an airbrush, you should also invest in some cleaner.
- Goose Neck Bottle for Cleaning AB– Clean your Airbrush from every angle with high-powered water!
- Tamiya Masking Tape For Miniatures: 18mm Large, 10mm Medium, 6mm Small
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About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
