X-20 Enamel Thinner 10ml

Tamiya X-20 Enamel Thinner 10 ml — thinner for enamel paints

X-20 is a dedicated thinner from Tamiya intended for enamel paints (solvent-based, synthetic). It comes in a bottle with a volume of 10 ml. It is not a paint and not a varnish: on its own it neither colors nor flattens a surface. It serves for thinning enamels, for wiping excess enamel washes back and for cleaning.

Three Tamiya thinners — they must not be confused

This is the most common source of mistakes, because all three chemicals exist side by side:

• X-20 = ENAMELS (without the letter A) — this thinner.
• X-20A = ACRYLICS (the X and XF ranges, water-thinnable).
• LP-10 = LACQUERS (the nitro LP range).

The designations X-20 and X-20A differ by a single letter, but they are entirely different chemistry. If you thin an acrylic paint with enamel thinner (or the other way round), the paint curdles, goes grainy and is ruined. Always check the label of the paint and of the thinner before pouring.

Use

• Thinning enamel paints for airbrush and for brush.
• Wiping excess enamel washes back — with a moistened cotton swab or brush you take the wash off the surfaces and leave it only in the recesses and scribed lines.
• Cleaning brushes, cups and the airbrush of enamel paints.
• Use it sparingly: enamel paints have their recommended thinning ratio, and over-thinned paint loses covering power.

Who the thinner is for

For anyone who works with Tamiya enamel paints, whether spraying them, painting with a brush or using them for weathering and washes. Users of acrylics need X-20A instead, and users of the LP lacquer range need LP-10 thinner.

A flammable liquid. The vapors are irritating, so work in a well-ventilated area, avoid contact with the skin and eyes and use gloves. Keep out of the reach of children and away from open flame.