How To Make Your Own Acrylic Thinner & Airbrush Cleaner - An Easy How To

I this video I share my own recipe for Airbrush Cleaner and Thinner. These can be you with most airbrush acrylics across the board except for Vallejo, I still use Vallejo branded thinner for Vallejo paints..
Check below for the amounts needed for each liquid.
Cleaner:
3/4 Cup or 6oz Distilled Water
3/4 Cup or 6oz Simple Green or Windex/Window Cleaner
1/2 Cup or 4oz Isopropyl Alcohol 91 or 99%
10 Drops or Glycerin
Thinner:
1/2 Cup or 4oz Distilled Water
1/4 Cup or 2oz Isopropyl Alcohol 91 or 99%
10 ml Flow Improver
1ml Retarder
Get Glycerin here amzn.to/3wEt8AZ
Get Flow Improver Here amzn.to/35xgAzw
Get Vallejo Flow Improver Here ebay.us/OF5OA3
Get Retarder here amzn.to/3gCjQPc
Get Retarder Here amzn.to/2TCVOMa
Get Createx Retarder here spraygunner.com?aff=10
Squeeze Bottle for cleaner amzn.to/3wAwJju
Get 10% off at Micro Mark with discount code "barbatosrex"
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[@johnodinsson3635]

I can't wait to mix these up! Great video and excellent info! As always, thanks for your time and effort in making the video!

[@HandFromCoffin]

I love this guy. he's the KING of low buck modeling. I"ll be doing this next time I order cleaner or thinner.

[@danrussell3439]

Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge with us. Excellent video.

[@rinsanityart6345]

Starting to get more serious into airbrushing. I've referenced this video several times, thank you for your contribution. I'm super grateful to you for this information!

[@RRGreiner]

In the navy we used simple green A LOT. That is some great stuff!

[@jamiesworkshop3198]

Just got my bottles today!! I wrote the mix on the bottle with a sharpie. Thanks so much for your excellent videos!! You bring so much valuable information and clarity. I bought that paint mixer you recommended and it was the single best improvement to building models in the last 30 years. You're the best!!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@MileyonDisney]

This will come in very handy. I bought a bottle of thinner and went through it in no time. Thanks!

[@tommorgan6665]

Excellent!!! Thank you for this - saving me a fortune!

[@insane18700]

Another very well made video. Will be giving the cleaner a try for sure instead of buying what I have been buying. This method should keep me going for some time. Thanks

[@paulmcwilliams1709]

Thanks for the recipes for the cleaner and the thinner. Making these yourself has to be cheaper than buying at your local hobby stores. These days you have to do everything you can to save money wherever it's possible! 👍👍

[@TopBlokeChang]

Thanks man great vid. I love your practical vids they’ve inspired me to test out new things, research how & why these products work. Why some are expensive vs cheap AND use my common sense. I’ve learned so much more from experimenting with different setup & materials. I would love to see someone come up with a DIY primer for airbrushing onto plastic.

[@cyberneticwarmachine]

Seen this glycerin recipe before. Proves that the paint veterans experiment with alternatives that worked. Instead of buying expensive brand cleaners. Super cool

[@trumpet3829]

Thank you once again for another invaluble and most informative video. I will be keen to try these if I can get my hands on the raw products. Either way, I'm sure that you have given a solution (no pun intended) to a lot of people's problems and saved them a ton of money too. When we spend money on paint, we just want to buy colour, but each manufacturer seems to try and convince us that we need to buy THEIR thinners and other chemical agents in order to get the results we desire. So we all end up with shelves and boxes full of different products fro thinning and cleaning, etc, which probably aren't that different at all!

[@jenborrelli6371]

HALLELUJAH!!! Took me so long to finally find someone to tell me the ingredients they use for both clearly and quickly! More importantly it took forever to find out if you can mix the flow-aid with the paint retarder! THANK YOU 🙏 I can’t tell you enough how much this helped! Thanks for explaining everything so easily! So many people complicate things! Ugh! Haha 😂

[@scottlewis4364]

I made a batch of the cleaner, and I must say it was great. It cut right through the paint and cleaned my airbrush in no time. It's definitely will cut down on my cleaning time. A++

[@robbie.205]

Going to make some, thank you for sharing.

[@ragingmando5956]

Binging these videos is so therapeutic.

[@andrewtucker3107]

Thanks for these valuable tips. As an artist, I am always looking for ways to economize. I have a tackle box full of artist's acrylic paint tubes from my hobby of producing aviation paintings. This info will save me the cost of buying a set of liquid acrylics and the space needed to store them. I'm 57 and getting back into building plastic kits again to use as subject matter in my aviation paintings and to have another avenue to practice craftsmanship and keep my mind focussed on something other than work and world events. That is to say, maintaining my sanity. 😄 Thank you again for the tips.

[@claudenewbolt2659]

I LIKE YOUR RECIPE FOR CLEANING AIR BRUSH, AND FOR THINNING ACRYLIC PAINTS.

[@gregorylawson8346]

Another super video. Amazing how little tips help with the big picture. Rock on!

[@SuperPunchpunch]

Truly helpful video, thanks 🎉

[@urbannpa]

I went to the Dollar store and brought Eye Glass Cleaner....Works like a charm.

[@timsears7541]

I have been using hot water as suggested by you and Lysol brand squeeze trigger( not spray). They both work excellent for cleaning airbrushes.

[@anthonyfoley3401]

Excellent stuff!!

[@MadZaxx]

I really like your videos! Honest, easy to follow and fun. Thank you my friend!!!

[@budavargas]

This is excelent. Thank you!

[@andygilbert3300]

Amazing value for sure

[@edwardstone9963]

So, I have a Hobby Lobby near me, I bought a 12oz bottle of Airbrush Thinner/Cleaner. Your formula works great for cleaning, now I can save the store bought stuff specifically for thinning. Thank you for taking the time to post your recipe to the masses.

[@barbatosrex9473]

You're welcome Edward

[@W.edgewargames]

I just returned a defective AGPTEK airbrush and have a replacement in transit. Just have to jump on those supplies. Awesome video as usual Can't wait to start my first runs with an airbrush.

[@ronmccabe1376]

Great help to get started with air brushing. Thanks

[@barbatosrex9473]

You're welcome buddy

[@GumbiiGrows]

these videos are amazing, thanks... i got a smaller bottle at walmart, like a squirt bottle... so i had to modify your cleaner recipe... 3oz distilled water 3oz of windex 2oz of iso alcohol used 10 drops of glycerine works like a charm... man, that's so crazy, and cheap... since i had everything except the bottle already... thank you...

[@PENFOLD1962]

Thank you for your very clear & concise video which will come in handy and save money in the future. A massive THUMBS UP ALL DAY LONG. Take care my friend 👍😷👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@jetsetjoey]

This is just what I was seeking... Thank you!!

[@Nutyp3092]

The cleaner works EXTREMELY well. I am amazed. Was able to finally get the ingredients together and wow. So little work to clean now. Of course my final clean for the session will still be a thorough clean, but man, stuff works.

[@temoorebaber4801]

Thanks again for another great video.

[@John-gg4pm]

Thank you for sharing this with the world, it solved a ton of problems I was having.

[@stevenmenke618]

Great Video I always love Watching

[@wayneosmand7652]

thank you so much for sharing these! I really enjoy your channel

[@user-rk1po7km5t]

I'm from NJ and I moved to Ohio 30 years ago and I have been watching your reviews and found that everything has had a positive result. Vinnie digiandomenico

[@chuppath1ngy]

Another great video! Only thing I'd add is the Zep brand Sprayers from Lowe's/Home Depot are super super nice. My dad has some from like 15 years ago that are used almost daily. The cheap ones always break on me. Keep up the great work brother!

[@trevorhepburn2894]

I love your videos.I always lean so much thank you so much keep up the great job

[@biglouie69]

Excellent as always! You deserve many times the number of subscribers!

[@billhayes7383]

Thank you for this great video on making both solutions. Love your videos

[@allanandersen2924]

Thanks for a very informative and great video. I use both the recipe for the airbrush cleaner and the thinner for acrylic paint and it works perfectly. 👍👍 From DK 🇩🇰

[@zeroa6]

Another awesome video!

[@PirateMTH_ToddH]

Good info. Thanks for sharing!

[@mirocapin4759]

SUPER VIDEO, THANKS!!!!

[@vaperonly76]

Works really good. Saved me a lot of money. I was able to make 4 cleaners off of the 16fl oz 91% alcohol and 22fl oz simple green.

[@barbatosrex9473]

That's great. I used mine an hour ago. Works every time 👍 thanks for watching

[@jhoodfysh]

Thank you Rex. I will getting the supplies in the next week.

[@barbatosrex9473]

That's great my friend. Keep me updated how it goes

[@capt.martin5169]

Wow! Great info, thanks!

[@RamBoyToy]

Thankx Rex gonna try this for sure

[@OzScalemodeling]

Great way to save $$ and get quality cleaner and thinner! Well done ! Cheers 👍

[@barbatosrex9473]

You're welcome buddy and as always thanks for watching 👍

[@lilbump406]

I use a simular cleaner. I just sub out the Simple Green with Fantastik. For a reducer I still prefer to use Createx 4011 or 4013. I only use Wicked and Createx paints.

[@mariottbunbury1985]

This is a great video and has saved me plenty of dosh, you are the best my man

[@jackrowlands8863]

i like the way you mix your thinners

[@barbatosrex9473]

Thanks 👍

[@vaughanza]

Excellent video thanks

[@cjbopper3535]

Thank you for sharing 😁👍

[@MadZaxx]

I just made a second (250mL bottle) of this per your recipe. The first one worked so well!!!! Thank you again!

[@barbatosrex9473]

That's awesome, this stuff works great

[@Juan_Rivera835]

Thanks 😊

[@cafaque]

very helpful! thank you!

[@matteociancio]

Great Video Thanks !!!

[@markparsons4434]

I have to be completely honest, this recipe was great at doing exactly what I needed. Probably even better than the shop bought ones, I just wish I had found this earlier. Keep the videos coming, great content as always. Brilliant.

[@barbatosrex9473]

Thanks buddy 👍

[@DocbritoFMF]

​@@barbatosrex9473 I know this is an old video but does this thinner mix work with vellejo paints? I've found I can only use vellejo thinner with vellejo paints, and everything else turns vellejo to gun in my airbrush while on the other hand I've thinned Tamiya paints with nearly anything with out issue.

[@barbatosrex9473]

@@DocbritoFMF this is true. Vallejo is a pain when it comes to thinners. I've only used their own till recently. I've found 3 that work. AK Interactive, Universal Model Products and Impresa. If you need links to these let me know

[@DocbritoFMF]

@@barbatosrex9473 thank you for responding, that's kinda what I thought. I've heard that some people say Windex works with thinning and cleaning Vellejo paints Ive tried it with cleaning but not thinning, I have mixed reviews about vellejo on one hand I think there paints are convenient their colors great, but if your gonna airbrush it has to be their airbrush line of paints and can only be thinned with their thinner but either way I still get tip drying clogs. Their thinner smells to me similar to Windex and has the same soapy effect. I would say one of my biggest struggles with any paint is ratio mixing thinner to paint for the airbrush I use a lot of Tamiya products because they are the easiest for me to get with out ordering online and those jars produce a lot of waste when mixing .. some people say mix in the bowl others say mix separate before putting it in the gun either way is a lot of waste, the vellejo paints for what they are worth brush on nice if you wet pallet or thin with medium properly

[@hhaste]

@@DocbritoFMF Flow improver will solve the tip drying issues

[@clivemahony9827]

Great video only starting with airbrush and looking for a good recipe this is a simple video thanks 👍

[@ThomasMoore.1]

A great video. Very helpful Money saved can be put toward more models/Airbrush

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

Brilliant vid👍🇬🇧

[@Cliffjumper24]

Great video! I just made myself some of these and they worked perfectly. I did a test with Valljo Model Colour, Model Air and Citadel acrylics and it works perfectly. My only mistake was getting the Model Air mixture a touch too thin, but the Goldilocks Zone was wide enough to be forgiving spraying a thin coat and using the airbrush for drying too.

[@kevinlowe4845]

Your videos are awesome, I just bought my first airbrush,on your recommendation,the bought the harbor fright compressor with the airbrush including the airbrush I also bought the Amazon airbrush kit,can’t wait to start using it, again thanks for the video’s,great channel keep the videos coming

[@7arsenal11]

G'day mate, I'm so pleased I hooked into your videos. Such great recipes for cleaner and thinner. Here in Melbourne, Australia these products are expensive compared to the US so it it well worth it to find a recipe that uses minimal quantities rather than purchasing the natural thinner and cleaner. Great videos and I enjoyed your style of presentation. Also, I liked the tips you provided in the video of how to clean your airbrushes. Wonderful. Once again, thank you so much for sharing your expertise. Cheers Keiran

[@stephenpitell6087]

I especially appreciate the links supplied.

[@ChristianHernandez-sc9ek]

Great video man thank you 🙏

[@saltykrug]

Thank you good sir! I was wondering if home made options worked well or were some closely guarded secret. This will save me some money since I clean my manual brushes with it as well.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid, thanks for sharing! Simple Green is great stuff...... 👍😉

[@barbatosrex9473]

Oh yes, that "Stuff" is awesome

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

@@barbatosrex9473 👍👍

[@StruckWorx]

Thank you

[@RimsModels]

thanks for sharing this video my friend really helpful

[@barbatosrex9473]

Thanks for watching my friend

[@cndbrn7975]

Thanks ..

[@josephbidal9874]

thanks

[@JohnSmith-lg1md]

Nvr knew about glycerine, nice tip

[@edwardnash7411]

thank you

[@stevenattaway]

Thanks for this. I sprayed for the first time last night and made the mistake of using thinner made for Oil based paint. It clumped all the pain up and clogged up my spray gun. I then had to disassemble the entire gun to clean it. I have now learned I must use thinner intended for acrylic paint. I think I'll try your recipe to save some money.

[@tcandle695]

Thanks for the recipe. Now we need another one for Laquer and enamel paint. Cleaner and thinner.

[@jaretmoskal5558]

Lacquer thinner for lacquer and mineral spirits for anything oil/enamel. Both will thin and clean those materials. Just make sure to flush your airbrush with water after cleaning

[@ChocolateCylon]

I’ll be mixing asap! Also looking forward to the Pro Acrylic paints video

[@barbatosrex9473]

Did that Pro Acryl video a while back, great paint

[@Perfusionist01]

Joe Fugate from Model Railroad Hobbyist e-magazine put out a book on acrylic painting for model railroaders. He suggested Armor All Glass Cleaner as am acrylic thinner. I have used it for several years and it works great for brush painting with several brands. I haven't sprayed it because I don't spray much due to health concerns. It runs about $3/bottle at Wal Mart and it's also good for cleaning spills or taking fingerprints off your glasses.

[@my2cents581]

Thanks so much! ❤️🇨🇦

[@noelfrancisco5778]

Thank you for sharing :)

[@JSTRonline2]

I accidentally bought simple green concentrated so keep that in mind if you go out to buy it. He’s using “ready to use”.

[@KunaiKrazy]

Here I am saying I did the same thing. Going back to Kroger tomorrow and hopping on over to Wal-Mart. Bleh.

[@footlingjohnson8014]

The concentrated simple green works even better. 👍

[@jameshopkins2800]

​@@footlingjohnson8014same measurement 1/2 cup?

[@danielfritchley6649]

I used concentrated Simple Green also but I just doubled up everything and made 32 oz. With the concentrated Simple Green then when I put it into smaller spray bottle I just only fill half the mix and top with distilled water. Also I flush out the airbrush by stuffing the front of the brush and cup into straight distilled water and black into that cup it rinses and cleans residue I don't want as I go to the next color. Found doing that kept clogs and possible contamination out of the paint.

[@atlredninja1]

I finally got around to doing this after an unsuccessful attempt 7 months ago....boxed everything up and went back to brushes.....Well, yesterday I tried this thinner and cleaner with Acrylic craft paint and HOOOOOLY! All the money I have wasted on rattle cans the last few years.....This is the ticket. Thank you for this and all you do!!!! 1 step that I would suggest that I picked up from another video, was to strain the paint with a fine mesh after thinning and before spraying. Each time I did, I got little bits of pigment out that would have surely caused problems, and all the paint sprayed lovely!

[@barbatosrex9473]

Awesome buddy, a whole new world has opened for you now 👍glad everything worked out.

[@Repairyman]

I was going to go with the Simple Green, but as its £15.99(about $20) for under 1 litre in the UK I decided on Mr Muscle Glass cleaner. Looking forward to trying it later. Cheers🍻

[@christian2809]

How did your cleaner work out? Also dont have simple green here.

[@petermotta1623]

Great video Thxs !

[@barbatosrex9473]

Your welcome buddy 👍

[@wilzdart]

I used to use a similar recipe for cleaning out my Air brush. Now I just use Fantastic, no mixing and mess. I shoot mostly shoot Acrylics . Been using it for 2 years and no damage to finish on the AB or the seals. Will try your thinner recipe .

[@wilzdart]

@Mishgun2K no just regular Fantastic kitchen cleaner in a pump sprayer

[@charleseshenbaugh4651]

I just ues carberator cleaner sprayed through the gun. It's quick and easy. Works for every kind of paints.

[@Gnomenutz]

I love your recipe, For cleaner I have been using L.A.'s Totally Awesome at 100% for a few years now. This is available at the Dollar Tree. I don't go in the store without buying at least 4 bottles.

[@allenevans8182]

Hi Eric, is the T.A instead of the Simple Green or by itself with no other additions? Thx

[@Gnomenutz]

Allan, I use TA in a condiment bottle and squeeze a little into the cup and run it through. No watering it down. But I pour out the paint first. I wouldn't use TA for thinning paint but it is great for cleaning.

[@jonharrison8780]

I found out from Simple Green that the "ready to use" product that is mentioned in the video is a 10:1 dilution of the concentrate. No store in my area (Portland, Or.) sells the diluted version and someone posted that it is the most diluted , which would imply 30:1.

[@ErgonomicChair]

Thisis an amazingly thorough guide but ahh... I think I'll probably use aibrush thinner from Vallejo as it SHOULD always be formulated exactly the same and I know what to expect. These cleaners are cool though, IO have a ton of simple green for stripping acryllic paint.

[@allanlowe9346]

Thanks for sharing some more of your tips. Could you also do one in your recipe for a home made lacquer thinner and cleaner

[@jaretmoskal5558]

Lacquer thinner from Home Depot will thin and clean lacquer. I spray a lot of lacquer for woodworking

[@heitormercaldi4753]

Great recipe, i was testing some homemade thinner for days. This one give me good control of thin lines. I adapted some materials from local market (Brazil) and use 9:1 (water: glicerin) as a retarder. Works great, just some dry at needle...

[@sonofthanos5663]

did u use all recipt for making thinner or just water n glicerij ?

[@brianwalker7771]

Talk about timing I am sitting here cleaning an airbrush when BAM out of no were a recipe for homemade airbrush cleaner pops up.

[@iancarlin4694]

Good money saving video thanks. Quick tip - after tipping each measured ingredient into the bottle, mark the level with permanent marker or tape (permanent marker will come off if the solution gets onto the marks.). Next time no need for measuring again. 🙂

[@jewellguitars]

That's so simple it's brilliant! Thanks, Man!

[@andrewkeeney701]

Another super video. Thank you for spending the time to really cover the subject. I'm about ready to make my own. A question, do you know if Badger "Extender" is the same as "Flow Improver?" Also, where did you get that filtered funnel and do you know what size screen it has, or what size I should be looking for as I search for one? Thank you, Andy K

[@lancelehman1105]

Good video. Subscribed.

[@barbatosrex9473]

Thanks friend, welcome aboard 👍

[@L-owl]

There's a vital ingredient in a couple of the acrylic airbrush cleaners and thinner such as Vallejo airbrush thinner: butyl cellosolve. You can make a DIY version of Vallejo airbrush thinner with 20% volume butyl cellosolve + distilled water. It even smells the same. The butyl cellosolve is also the same thing as Solvaset. It greatly decreases surface tension (better wetting/flowing), allows for much higher dilution because it actually dissolves the acrylic paint, and increases adhesion significantly as it is like decal solution.

[@barbatosrex9473]

Great info, where can I purchase it?

[@L-owl]

@@barbatosrex9473 I got a liter off of eBay from a company called Sierra Chemical. Was a bit pricey at I think $25, but makes a lot of diluted solution.