Mixing Enamel Paints for airbrushing

[scalepeter]

Just thought I'd share the ratio i use for mixing paint.   Can't claim credit for it but i use it for mixing enamels to airbrush.    I mix gloss paints at a ratio of two parts thinner to three parts paint.   Flat at a ratio of one part thinners to three parts paint.    I use this as a guide and generally works for me.   Interested to see if others follow a ratio?    I never understood the "milk Consistency" thing.    I assume this could be applied to other paint mediums but I suggest doing a test spray first.   I use small disposable medicine cups for mixing paint in,   they have measurements on the side making mixing to a ratio easy.

[Tommy124]

1 hour ago, scalepeter said:

I never understood the "milk Consistency" thing.

LOL... Yes, and there's fat milk, lean milk...  I barely use enamels these days, but I guess your ratios are about what I have used back then. Never did do the thinning THAT exactly though. Merely mixed paint and thinner in a glass, and while stirring I saw if the viscosity was about right or not for the AB. Nowadays I either use Tamiya acrylics thinned with isopropanol or airbrush-ready automotive stuff. The only paint I really do mix by an exact ratio is 2k clear (clear/ hardener/ thinner ratio)...

[Jim N]

The milk comment always flummoxed me too because whole milk is like a milk shake and skim milk is like water.  I read in an article recently that 2% milk is supposed to be the standard.

I use a glass mixing jar and add the amount of paint I think will do the job.  I then slowly add the thinner and will stir periodically.  After stirring I will tip the jar a bit and watch the paint run back down.  Based on how quickly the paint runs back down and the amount of paint that remains on the jar is when I know its ready.  This was done over years of trial and error.

I like your approach much better.