• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Scale Modelling Now

Scale Modelling Techniques

  • HOME
  • CONTENTS
    • What’s New
    • MODELLING WORKSHOPS
    • Techniques Bank
    • Aircraft
    • Classic Kit Builds
    • Armour
    • Podcasts
    • Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Space
    • Vehicles
    • Maritime
    • Figures
    • Dioramas
    • Gift Certificate
    • Book Reviews
  • WHAT WE OFFER
  • AREAS
    • Techniques Bank
    • Aircraft
    • Armour
    • Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Space
    • Vehicles
    • Maritime
    • Dioramas
    • Figures
  • FREE SAMPLES
  • EVENTS
  • ABOUT
  • TRADERS
  • CONTACT
  • LOGIN

Ultimate Airbrush Thinner

December 23, 2014 By Francis Porter

1 HN Tools Ultimate MP Ultimate ThinnerReference number: UMP002
Review by Bill Curtis (December 2014)
Price around £5.99 GBP (at time of review)

Our thanks to Ultimate Modelling Products for supplying our samples although this bottle is courtesy of Bill C – thanks Bill! Get this astonishing thinner here
A note from Geoff…

Thanks to Ultimate we now have a great selection of their products and we’ll be reviewing them over the weeks here, in Here Now – Tools and then of course as we use them in the builds you’ll see here in Build Now and Finished Now. In the meantime and to be honest, at any time, check out the Ultimate Modelling Products page here in SMN for an insight into what’s on offer, plus links direct to their website where you can buy everything – I recommend a visit very soon! Geoff

Over to you Bill…

2 HN Tools Ultimate MP Ultimate Thinner

4-HN-Tools-Ultimate-MP-Ultimate-Thinner

Initial assessment…

I read about this product on the internet and being a doubting Thomas thought the claims for this thinner were too good to be true. How could a single thinner actually work with the likes of Lifecolor, Tamiya and Andrea / AK / Mig?

Well, I decided to send for some and try it out and collected one of each type of paint I am currently using with the addition of a metallic. I masked off a sheet of white plastic card which had been sprayed with Mr Surfacer 1200.

3-HN-Tools-Ultimate-MP-Ultimate-Thinner

I started with Tamiya mixing the appropriate amount of thinner (see chart above) and sprayed it onto the sheet – a smooth flow was achieved at about 15 to 18 psi.

Next came the Lifecolor and again thinned with about 30% thinner mixed and poured into the airbrush and the result was the same as the first paint.

This was followed by the other acrylic paints and all came out with a nice spray and I played with the pressure and % of the thinner and found that as with all thinner if you put in too much it tends to run but there is some leeway with the percentage mix.

Lastly came the metallic paint which I find normally a little difficult with acrylics as the pigment is somewhat grainy but this thinner worked exceptionally well with a smooth finish as a result.

Paints used on this test Left column AK Interactive, Andrea, Citadel, Lifecolor, Ammo of Mig, Mr Hobby Aqueous; right column Tamiya, Vallejo M/C, Vallejo Air, Vallejo Panzer Colors, Vallejo Metallic Silver.

Conclusions

I am converted as this has performed as it says on the advert. I have only tested ten paints but am sure that all the rest will perform equally as well. This will be of use as now one bottle of thinner will be all I require for all the acrylic Paints in the arsenal allowing less storage space and using only one medium for all paints makes life that much easier.

At present if you are part of the International Scale Modeller web site you will get a 10% discount, (www.intscalemodeller.com).

This will definitely be my thinner of choice from now on.
Bill C.

SMN Quick Summary Star rating out of 5

FEATURESTAR RATING (out of five)
Quality of tool*****
Instructions/mixing chart*****
Subject choice*****
Overall*****

Primary Sidebar

LOGIN/LOGOUT

Lost your Password?


modelpainting techniques-landing Painting Techniques Weathering Techniques
DISCLAIMER While the hints, tips and advice in Scale Modelling Now magazine have worked for us, no guarantee is given that they will always work, that they are applicable to you or that there may be Health & Safety issues if you do follow the advice. It’s very much up to you to decide if you want to try them out. All relevant safety regulations regarding knives, adhesives, solvents, paints, etc. are implied.

Model Painting Techniques

AIRBRUSHES
Evolution Airbrush – Harder & Steenbeck
Iwata Revolution M1 airbrush - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Ultimate APEX Airbrush - VIDEO DEMO
AIRBRUSHING WITH ACRYLICS
Acrylic Ink Paints for airbrush – Mr Paint
Acrylic Metal Color by Vallejo – Intro
Correct use of AMMO Primer
Getting rid of airbrush overspray between colours - VIDEO DEMOS
How to use Hataka Red Line acrylic paints - VIDEO DEMOS
How to mix and spray acrylics - 4 VIDEO DEMOS
How to paint with AMMO Acrylics – Problems and Solutions with Mig Jimenez - VIDEO DEMO
Humbrol Acrylics and how to spray them - VIDEO DEMO
Storing your Lifecolor paints
Stynlrez primers and how to use them - VIDEO DEMOS
Using Ultimate Airbrush Thinner - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Vallejo Model Color – How to airbrush tutorial - VIDEO DEMO
What paint what thinner? What to mix with what – a simple guide
Yellow and Red, airbrushing and painting - 6 VIDEO DEMOS!
AIRBRUSHING WITH ENAMELS
Getting rid of airbrush overspray between colours - VIDEO DEMO
Getting the mix right and spraying
Stynlrez primers and how to use them - VIDEO DEMOS
AIRBRUSHING METALLIC FINISHES
Acrylic Metal Color by Vallejo – Intro - VIDEO DEMOS
Alclad2 metal finishes - How to spray - Part 1
Alclad2 metal finishes - How to spray - Part 2
Burnt metal effects
How to spray Alclad2 clear varnishes onto Alclad2 Metallic Lacquers - VIDEO DEMOS
Stynlrez primers and how to use them
AIRBRUSHING - LOOKING AFTER YOUR AIRBRUSH
Airbrush lubricant, how to use it - VIDEO DEMO
Choosing the right brushes
Cleaning your airbrush and blow-back technique - VIDEO DEMOS
Removal of airbrush tip for cleaning - VIDEO DEMO
Using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your airbrush - VIDEO DEMO
BRUSH PAINTING
How to brush paint with Humbrol Water-Based Acrylics
CANOPIES
Applying tinted shades - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
FrogTape low-tack masking tape - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
CODES AND INSIGNIA
Hinomaru – Spraying Japanese Hinomaru markings
Spraying German WWI crosses - VIDEO DEMOS
Spraying your codes and insignia - VIDEO DEMOS
COMPRESSORS
Iwata Studio Series Smart Jet Pro Compressor - VIDEO DEMO
Neo Air for Iwata miniature air compressor 2 VIDEO DEMOS
FIGURE PAINTING
How to Paint 1:35 German Fallschirmjager Monte Cassino Tutorial - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint 28mm Napoleon and Napoleonic Horses - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint Bravo 6 ‘Wardaddy' - VIDEO DEMO
Making a wet pallet - VIDEO DEMO
Painting 1:35 scale faces : a beginners guide - VIDEO DEMO
Quick figures – Painting with Lifecolor water-based acrylics
Ultracast SS Tiger Tank Commander 1:32
GERMAN VEHICLE COLOURS
German Vehicle Colours
GLOSS FINISHES
Why a gloss finish?
MASKING
Blu-Tac putty : using rolls of putty - VIDEO DEMO
Creating your own camouflage masks
Creating your own masks with Gilles Pepin
Creating round masks for circular windows
Gyro Cut swivel head cutting tool - VIDEO DEMO
Infini Easy cutting mat Type B - VIDEO DEMO
Make your own Luftwaffe paint masks
Making your own masks for spraying – from the decal sheet! - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Masking canopies
Masking canopies and clear parts – 2
Masking canopies with Parafilm-M
Making paper masks
Masking tape
Masking tape adhesion problems – solved! VIDEO DEMO
Pre Cut Camouflage Masking Sets
Quick Wheel Masks for AFVs - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
Specialist paint masks for camo and markings
Strawberry laces to mask camo fine feathered edges
Tamiya Curved Masking Tape – How to use it - VIDEO DEMO
Using Tamiya tape to create curved camo patterns - VIDEO DEMO
METALLIC FINISHES
AK Xtreme Metal finishes – how to get an Aluminium finish - VIDEO DEMO
Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 1
Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 2 - VIDEO DEMO
Aluminium foil to create a NMF – The Peter Doll way
Applying metal pigment with a Rubber Brush – with Mig Jimenez - VIDEO DEMO
Burnt metal effects
Chrome lenses using a Molotow ink pen - VIDEO DEMO
Cowls on WWI aircraft – textured and hammered effects
How to apply metal foil - 3 HD VIDEO DEMOS
Mr Metal Colour - VIDEO DEMO
Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color – Intro - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color – hand painting - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
PAINT BRUSHES
How to use AMMO Long Live The Brushes - VIDEO DEMO
Humbrol paint brushes
Kolibri paint brushes
PAINTING
Correct use of AMMO Primer
How To Paint A Rusty Turret - VIDEO DEMO
How To Paint A Typhoon Truck – Part 1 - VIDEO DEMO
How To Paint A Typhoon Truck – Part 2 - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint with AMMO acrylics
Hand-painting Tamiya Color acrylic paint
How to paint a resin seat with molded in belts
What paint what thinner? What to mix with what – a simple guide
PAINTING ARMOUR INTERIORS
How to paint and weather armour interiors tutorial
PAINTING CAMOUFLAGE FINISHES
Luftwaffe WWII camouflage mottling – VIDEO DEMO
Spraying acrylic camo patterns freehand - VIDEO DEMO
PAINTING WHEELS
Getting a neat demarcation between hub and tyre - 7 VIDEO DEMOS!
PASTELS FOR MOTTLING
Using pastels to apply German armour camouflage pattern - VIDEO DEMO
PRIMERS
Correct use of AMMO Primer
How to Use AMMO One Shot Primer - VIDEO DEMO
Decanting paint from spray cans for airbrushing - VIDEO DEMO
Humbrol Acrylic Grey Primer – how to spray - VIDEO DEMO
It’s Prime Time – using primers
Primers: Russian Green & Tracks – Ammo of Mig Jimenez
Stynlrez primers and how to use - 6 VIDEO DEMOS
Ultimate Primer - 4 VIDEO DEMOS
STRIPPING PAINT
Using Fairy Power Spray Cleaner to strip paint - VIDEO DEMO
Using Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner to strip paint
SURFACE PREPARATION
Correct use of AMMO Primer
Micromesh to get rid of paint demarcation lines - VIDEO DEMO
Micromesh Polishing Cloths - 6 VIDEO DEMOS
Using Micromesh to polish the paint surface
WOOD EFFECTS
Creating woodgrain effects using RB Photo etch templates - VIDEO DEMOS
Simulating wooden propellers
Wood grain effects – and how to paint them - VIDEO DEMO
YELLOW AND RED AIRBRUSHING / PAINTING
Yellow and Red, airbrushing and painting
OTHER
Choosing the right source of air
Hand hold for painting armour subjects
Hinomaru – Spraying Japanese Hinomaru markings
How to paint and weather cockpits - VIDEO DEMO
Paint pallet and cleaning
Pre and post shading
Protecting your painted finish
Storing your Lifecolor paints

Copyright © 2023 · Scale Modelling Now · Online Scale Modelling Magazine · Scale Modelling Techniques and Tips · Privacy Policy