X-23 Clear Blue 23ml

Tamiya X-23 Clear Blue — Clear Acrylic Paint, Gloss, 23 ml

Tamiya X-23 Clear Blue is an acrylic paint in a 23 ml jar from the X line, i.e. with a gloss finish. Its nature is essential to using it correctly: it is a clear (tinting) blue. What it is: a transparent glaze that colors the base while letting it show through. What it is not: it is not an opaque paint — over a light base, it will not cover it, only tint it blue. The paint is water-thinnable, and for an airbrush it is thinned with X-20A acrylic thinner; the enamel version of the same shade number is thinned with X-20 (without the letter A), which is a different product.

Use

• Blue lights and beacons — a clear part tinted blue stays translucent.
• Tinting clear parts — canopies, glazing, instrument covers, translucent light covers.
• A bluish cast on metal — typically for coloring exhausts and heat-stressed metal parts.
• Candy finishes — over a gloss silver or aluminum base, it creates a deep, candy-blue metallic effect.
• Applied with brush or airbrush; an airbrush gives the most even result.

Application tips

Clear shades are applied in thin coats — each additional coat darkens the shade, so saturation is controlled by the number of coats, not the thickness of one coat. Work in small steps and let each coat flash off; a single heavy application easily ends up as an uneven blotch. The colored-metal effect comes from applying X-23 over a gloss silver or aluminum base. A gloss finish also serves as a good base under decals.

Who the paint is for

For modelers of cars, motorcycles, aircraft and sci-fi subjects who need to tint clear parts, color exhausts, or mix candy finishes. It is not meant for anyone looking for an opaque blue.

The paint is intended for modeling use. Work in a well-ventilated area, and use respiratory protection when airbrushing. Keep out of the reach of children.