How-To Effectively Use 3G Acrylic Paint -

Read Time: 4 minutes

Lacquer Like Hard Finish

No Tip Dry Acrylic Paint

Thinning Dilution Rate

Colours: 1:1 – 7:3; 3G Acrylic Thinner to Paint
Metallics: 8:2; 3G Acrylic Thinner to Paint

Primers:

Thinners: AK 3G ACRYLIC THINNER or DISTILLED WATER

3G ACRYLIC THINNER
AK11500

3G ACRYLICS PERFECT CLEANER
AK11505

Reduces brush wake

3rd Gen Acrylic and Vallejo Airbrush Cleaner

Skin over Drying Test

A drop was spread out in the test dish and allowed to skin over and partially dry as if allowed to sit in an airbrush for a while before getting around to clean it out.

Findings

The Vallejo Airbrush Cleaner turned it into a sheet or a layer of semi-soft material guaranteed to plug an airbrush.
CLEANER by AMMO does not work. It will plug an airbrush as it turns the paint into gelatinous clots.
TAMIYA AIRBRUSH CLEANER had a marginal effect on liquifying it. It, too, will most likely plug an airbrush.
Lacquer Thinner (SOLVABLE – Recochem available at Home Depot/Home Hardware/Canadian Tire) dissolves the dry paint. It is least likely to plug an airbrush.
Water will liquify wet paint, but will not dissolve dry paint.

Thoughts

The 3rd Generation Acrylic Paint is different and behaves most unusually. It’s not a negative, rather an unusual formula.

Conclusion

Hopefully, by the end of next week, this enigma will be solved with clear usage recommendations and cleaning solutions.

Airbrush Cleaning Tips

To guard against airbrush blockage, always back bubble the recommended cleaner and residue back into the paint cup and dump the contents. Repeat several times.
Use a long bristle paint brush to clean the paint cup and paint channel. Back bubble into paint cup and discard.
Best airbrush cleaning paintbrush: Rigger
For final rinse, spray airbrush cleaner through nozzle until clear.
Clean paint nozzle with a cotton bud, preferably those with hollow shafts to avoid bending or damaging the needle point.

Technical Stuff

The 3rd Gen Paint Thinner is interesting because it contains Isopropanol and other ingredients, which instantly mixes with the paint. The 3rd Gen thinner behaves differently than X-20A (not compatible).

One intriguing observation is it creates geometrically shaped bubbles when back-bubbling, rather than the usual round bubbles. Odd formations to say the least. There seems to be some viscous ingredient that forms a clear membrane in the formulation.

It cleans up in a snap using water immediately after use. If allowed to cure in a paintbrush or airbrush overnight, it will be a challenge to remove once it has molecularity cross-linked (interlocked). The only thing I know of at the moment, that will dissolve it is Recochem Lacquer Thinner, the hardware store variety.

Allowing Recochem to soak, the cured 3rd Gen paint will dissolve and then can be flushed out with more lacquer thinner.

Immediately, thoroughly rinse your tools with water to avoid any major cleaning hassle. IWATA Airbrush Cleaner works well when used immediately following a water flush. Forget TAMIYA AIRBRUSH CLEANER, it doesn’t work.

Wipe away any dried paint residue that formed inside the paint cup. It will not reactivate and dissolve*. Always back bubble until liquids are clear. Undissolved particles will plug your airbrush if sprayed.

*TAMIYA ACRYLIC, TAMIYA LACQUER PAINT, Mr.COLOR and REAL COLORS (all lacquer-based paints) will reactivate and dissolve when dry in the paint cup. Water-soluble acrylics form an insoluble accretion layer in the paint cup. Wiping the paint cup clean is a fail-safe method to prevent the airbrush from clogging due to partially dissolved paint globules.

AK 3rd Gen Final Thoughts

230 Colours Water-based Acrylic Paint

I am surprised, it’s an excellent paint all around from mixing, application and durability. It also resists enamel thinner and masking tape shear.

there is no tip dry
drys fast
self-levelling
cleaning the airbrush with water and a Rigger Paint Brush is super easy.
don’t worry, if you forget to clean your airbrush and leave it to dry overnight, Recochem Lacquer Thinner (hardware variety) will gradually emulsify the paint for easy removal and cleaning by bubbling and back flushing.
the best practice for a trouble free airbrush, to clean it with water as soon as possible after use.
remember to always back bubble and flush until clear before spraying clean water through the nozzle.
flush with water between colours, easy-peasy quick and easy.

A 250mL Right Angle Bent Tip Plastic Liquid Storage Squeeze Bottle Dispenser is perfect for flushing water in airbrushes.

Forget TAMIYA AIRBRUSH CLEANER, it does not work on 3rd Gen.