Japlac thinners

[Bogstandard]

Help wanted.

This is maybe for UK members as it is a UK product.

Has anyone any idea of what basic thinners I should use for spraying Japlac coach enamel, as I don't think I have the fine touch any longer to hand paint the stuff and obtain a reasonable finish.

Could we please keep eye of toad and other concoctions to the minimum please.


Bogs

[sbwhart]

A lot of paints are now water based, so this may be worth a try, but from my work days I remember that water base paints take a lot of mixing and soon separate out.

I thinned some hamerite for spraying I think with turps it was either that or meths.

Hope this helps

Stew

[picclock]

Just a guess, but what about acetone.

Daft thing is I've used the Japlac stuff before, but it was about 30 years ago, and my detail memory sucks about things that old.

picclock

[Swarfing]

Bogs

I bought some machine enamel from a specialist dealer, tried to sell me the appropriate thinners that goes with the paint. They then openly told me that their standard thinners was the same stuff. Suggest you just try standard automotive thinners with bit before wasting lots of money on big named branded stuff?

[DMIOM]

Bogs,

I've just pulled the MSDS for Japlac Enamel from International Paints and the major solvent component listed is described as Naptha (up to 50%).

If you would like to PM me your e-mail I can forward it if you like.

cheers / Dave

[Jasonb]

Buy it in a spray can instead.

Clean up says polycell brush cleaner so I would have thought white spirit to thin or any standard enamel thinners. Acetone is likely to be too strong and will evaporate instantly so may not give the paint a chance to level out.

May be an idea to give International paints a ring to see what they suggest for it as its now one of their products.

J

[Rob.Wilson]

Hi John

I have no idea what thinners to use for Japlac ,, so i cant help there .

I use spray tins as Jason mentioned ,,,, but  what i normally do is with a new spray tin is give it a really good shake to mix the paint ,, turn it upside down and press the nozzle and let all the air out ,, then cut the tin open and stick the paint in a small jar/tin with a lid  , then use an air brush to apply the paint 


Rob

[Bogstandard]

My problem is that I have a brand new tin of Japlac in exactly the right colour I want for the engine, so going to another product isn't an option.

Dave seems to have the right stuff, and I have heard of naptha, but never used it or obtained any. Is there another name for it?


Bogs

[Bluechip]

Hi Bogs

Fag lighter fluid is mostly naphtha .. or rather cigarette lighter fluid for those in North America .. don't want any confusion do we ?? ...  

Dave BC

EDIT Enlarge the piccy, an' read the label. 'Cos we always do, don't we ????  Hmmmm ... possibly not ..  

http://outdoor-living.hardwarestore.com/58-233-charcoal-and-lighters/ronsonol-lighter-fuel-226357.aspx

BC

[DMIOM]

Hmmm .... whilst Zippo fluid etc. may be Naptha based, don't know what else might be in there that could spoil the final painted surface.

Naptha is a catch-all feedstock and it will in fact be a fractional hydrated distillate that they are using in the Japlac.  My suspicion is that the ordinary enamel thinners mentioned earlier is probably OK.

I've tried, without success, to find a data sheet for the aerosol Japlac in case that listed any extra solvents, but can't find one easily on-line.

If you can wait until tomorrow, you might get somewhere by asking ICI / International Paints. They list a helpline number of 08447 709 444

Dave

[Bogstandard]

Dave, thanks for the info you sent.

Everyone,

I don't want things to get complicated by all sorts mixtures and potions and whatever have you, so I think I will just try a couple of standard thinners and the lighter fuel, all of which I have in stock.

Otherwise this will just end up like most of the posts on HMEM. Someone will give the right answer almost straight away, then everyone and his dog has to get in on the act and soon you get ten pages full of garbage, most of it just repeats of what has gone before. Ending up with someone who knows where to get it for 2 squid for 10,000 gallons, but the carriage runs into thousands, or you have to pick it up yourself from the oilfields in Outer Mongolia.

So thanks very much for your help everyone, it has all been noted and most will be tried until I get success.


John

[Jasonb]

I have used lighter fluid and the slightly less oily "artclean" as a spray thinner but only with matt enamels as it gives a very fast drying time. This is likely to be the opposite to what you want as I'm sure you will be looking for a nice deep gloss so the slower evaporating enamel thinners or white spirit will be best. Avoid turpentine on enamels as it is better suited to the thicker artists oils which I use for figure painting, plus it stinks the place out.

If you have to buy in some thinners then the PQ 9 from phoenix is what I use when spraying engines. Craftmaster also gets a good writeup from the traction engine boys

http://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/solvents.asp

[Bernd]

Bogs,

As you say keep it to a minimum.

Naptha can be gotten in the US at local hardware stores or stores that sell paint. Don't know if you have simular type stores.

Bernd