Xtracolor drying times

Not yet, but thanks for the advance warning. I have a few projects approaching the point where the airbrush come into play, which Xtracolor paints scheduled for use.

Rob

I've used Xtracolor paints recently, and yes, they do take a long time to dry. But only 24 hours in my experience. Maybe you could change the thinner or ratio. Dick...

I'd be interested to hear of your experience with the paint.

A thought has occurred to me. I diluted the Xtracolor paint slightly with white spirit. I wonder if this has any bearing on the drying time.

I'll keep you posted, but please keep in mind that I'm stuck in the crawler lane for the moment, so it could be two or three months before I make sufficient progress.

Rob

i'm guessing you did mix the hell out of it. pactra yellow seemed to take days, too. the only trick i found that REALLY helped was a dessicator. never took more than 24 hours, even i/8 inch think super gloss wood paint enamels. they're not expensive and you'll wonder why you haven't had one all along. cuts build times by days, some times!

yes, it does. only use laquer thinner for faster drying. white spirit seems "oily".

Xtracolor was originally designed to be thinned with white spirit, although they now sell Xtracolor thinners: I wonder if they have changed the chemistry of the paint since it was first introduced?

I don't thin Xtracolor at all for airbrushing, as far as I recall it is sold as airbrush-ready. It has always dried overnight for me . . .

I am told white spirit is NOT best to use, get hold of 4 times refined white spirit, not the stuff available from the average store (UL B&Q, Homebase, Halfords etc is only good for brush cleaning !) or buy Hannants (Xtracolour thinners). I used white spirit in the past on some test pieces and even when you think its cured, it will stick to a plastic sleeve. Same goes for White Ensign paints. Yet to try the hannants thinners method but it certainly wont be worse. I am also told a drop of cellulose helps, by that I am told if its 50 units paint

50 units thinners then make that 49 hannants thinners and 1 drop cellulose.

Experiment first of course.

let us know the results.

By the way, I see different dessicators on the net, which one and how does it help ?

Steve

OK... totally different experience this time. I sprayed some X148 FS14227 Israeli Green this morning - about six hours ago. I didn't use any thinner at all as it seemed to be fine from the can. It is now perfectly dry. However, the colour *does* seem slightly translucent, although another thin coat tomorrow morning should sort that out. Once again, it has dried to a high gloss, durable finish.