Tamiya 80040 X-20 Enamel thinner 250 ml

Tamiya X-20 Enamel Thinner – 250 ml

Tamiya 80040 X-20 is the original thinner for Tamiya enamel paints. It is used to bring the paint to the right consistency for brush and airbrush application, and to clean brushes, the paint cup and the internal channels of an airbrush after work.

Tamiya enamels are fairly thick in the jar and need thinning, especially for airbrushing. The original thinner mixes into the paint evenly, without separation or clumping of pigment, and helps achieve a smooth, uniform coat. Capacity 250 ml.

• Thinner for Tamiya enamel paints
• For thinning paint before brush and airbrush application
• For cleaning brushes and airbrushes after work
• Capacity: 250 ml

Tamiya enamel paints – range characteristics

Tamiya enamels are one of the longest-established modelling paint lines on the market. Paints coded X have a gloss finish, while those coded XF are matt. The range also includes clear varnishes that let you unify the finish of a completed model.

These paints are fairly thick in the jar, so they need thorough stirring before every use – both for brush painting and before thinning for the airbrush. Properly thinned, they flow well, do not clog the airbrush nozzle and produce a smooth surface. They dry more slowly than acrylics, which gives more time to level the paint with a brush and achieve a coat free of visible brush marks.

How to use:

• Stir the paint very thoroughly before thinning – the dense pigment settles at the bottom of the jar.
• For brush painting we recommend thinning the paint, for example 1:1.
• For airbrushing the paint needs more thinning – at least 2 parts thinner to 1 part paint, and more can be added if required. Exact proportions depend on the condition of the paint in the individual jar; the consistency of the ready-to-spray paint should resemble milk.
• Mix paint and thinner in a separate container or directly in the airbrush cup until the consistency is uniform.
• After painting, flush brushes and the airbrush cup and channels with thinner.
• Work in a well-ventilated area; keep the bottle tightly closed and away from sources of ignition.

X-20 or X-20A – what to look out for:

Tamiya uses two similar thinner designations. X-20 is the enamel thinner, while X-20A is intended for acrylic paints and is not suitable for this range. It is worth checking the designation on the label before purchase.

X-20 thinner is available in several sizes:

• Tamiya 80020 X-20 – enamel thinner, 10 ml
• Tamiya 80030 X-20 – enamel thinner, 40 ml
• Tamiya 80040 X-20 – enamel thinner, 250 ml

Enamels and oil paints – a note on terminology

Paints of this type – made by Tamiya, Humbrol and Revell among others – are described by their manufacturers as enamels: pigment bound in a synthetic resin carried in an organic solvent. In Poland and several other markets they are commonly referred to as oil paints, a habit that distinguishes them from acrylics thinned with water or a dedicated acrylic thinner.

Both names refer to the same product. What matters in practice is that these paints are thinned and cleaned up with enamel thinner, never with acrylic thinner.

They should not be confused with artists' oils or modelling oil paints for weathering (usually supplied in tubes), where the binder is a vegetable oil and the thinner is white spirit or turpentine. Those form a separate category with a different drying time and a different range of uses.

Enamel paints versus acrylics

Enamels and acrylics differ mainly in the type of binder, the thinner required and drying time. Enamels are solvent-based – they are thinned and cleaned up with enamel thinner, and their drying time is measured in hours.

Acrylics dry considerably faster and allow quicker progress between stages, but the shorter open time makes brush application over larger areas more demanding. Enamels offer more freedom here and work well for brush-painting details and for weathering techniques that involve blending.

The two types serve different purposes and are often used in layers on the same model – the choice depends on your working technique and the final effect you are after.

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya is a Japanese manufacturer of scale model kits, paints, tools and modelling chemicals, present on the market for decades and recognised worldwide. The brand is valued for consistent build quality, precise tooling and a coherent, well-developed system of paints and accessories. Tamiya paints are among the most widely used by modellers, from beginners to advanced builders.