# Best Model Paint Thinners: Match the Right Thinner to Your Paint Source: https://modelbuildlab.com/best/best-model-paint-thinners Updated: 2026-10-20 Publisher: Model Build Lab. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://modelbuildlab.com/how-we-research#our-score More airbrush problems trace back to thinner than to the airbrush itself. Paint straight from the bottle is almost never ready to spray, and the thinner you cut it with controls atomization, drying speed, adhesion, and whether the nozzle clogs with dried paint mid-session. The rules are chemical: lacquer thinner bites into surfaces and levels beautifully, acrylic thinners vary hugely between water-based systems, and enamel wants mineral-based solvents. Cross-matching brands sometimes works and sometimes curdles paint in the cup. Retarder-laced formulas fight tip-dry in dry climates, and some thinners double as airbrush cleaners. This guide compares thinners across the major paint systems, with practical mixing ratios and notes on which combinations are proven safe. ## Picks ### 1. Tamiya 81040 Acrylic Paint Thinner X-20A 250ml Bottle Our score: 8.3/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Tamiya 81040 Acrylic Paint Thinner X-20A 250ml bottle, a large bottle of thinner for Tamiya acrylic paints. Pros: - 250ml bottle is economical for frequent airbrushing - Matches Tamiya acrylic chemistry for smooth flow - Also useful for cleaning brushes and airbrush parts Cons: - Alcohol-based thinner has a noticeable smell - Not ideal for thinning water-based acrylic brands Details: https://modelbuildlab.com/product/B000X1JSEA ### 2. Vallejo Airbrush Thinner for Acrylic Paints 200 ml Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Vallejo Airbrush Thinner for Acrylic Paints 200 ml, a thinner formulated for Vallejo acrylics in the airbrush. Pros: - Designed to thin Vallejo acrylics without breaking them down - 200 ml bottle lasts a long time for regular sprayers - Helps reduce tip dry and improves paint flow Cons: - Less effective with lacquer or enamel paint brands - Too much thinner can cause paint to bead or run Details: https://modelbuildlab.com/product/B002X6DTHK ### 3. Mr. Color Thinner T104 GSI Creos Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Mr. Color Thinner T104 from GSI Creos, the standard thinner for Mr. Color lacquer paints and airbrush cleanup. Pros: - Standard match for Mr. Color lacquer paints - Strong solvent also cleans airbrushes thoroughly - Faster drying than leveling thinner for quick coats Cons: - Can cause orange peel without the leveling additive - Check the bottle size in the listing before ordering Details: https://modelbuildlab.com/product/B0013ES7KW ### 4. AK-Interactive High Compatibility Thinner Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) AK-Interactive High Compatibility Thinner, a universal-style thinner meant to work across many acrylic brands. Pros: - High compatibility helps when mixing paint brands - Useful for AK's own acrylics and many others - Reduces need to stock multiple brand-specific thinners Cons: - Check the bottle size in the listing before stocking up - Results can still vary with some paint formulas Details: https://modelbuildlab.com/product/B0793Q2Q42 ### 5. Tamiya America Acrylic/Poly Thinner X20A 46ml TAM81030 Our score: 7.1/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10) Tamiya Acrylic/Poly Thinner X20A 46ml TAM81030, a small bottle of Tamiya's acrylic thinner for occasional use. Pros: - 46ml size suits brush painters who thin sparingly - Same X20A formula as Tamiya's larger bottle - Compact bottle fits easily in a small paint station Cons: - Poor value per ml compared with Tamiya's larger thinner bottle - Runs out fast if you airbrush regularly Details: https://modelbuildlab.com/product/B0000WRZ3I ### 6. Tamiya LP-10 Lacquer Thinner 10ml TAM82110 Our score: 6.8/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10) Tamiya LP-10 Lacquer Thinner 10ml TAM82110, a lacquer thinner for Tamiya LP lacquer paints and fine brushing. Pros: - Formulated for Tamiya LP lacquer paints - Tiny 10ml bottle is handy for touch-up work - Helps lacquer paints level smoothly when brushed Cons: - 10ml is far too small for airbrushing sessions - Lacquer thinner fumes demand good ventilation Details: https://modelbuildlab.com/product/B0815B14JC ### 7. Mr. Hobby - Mr. Aqueous Color Thinner 110ml, GSI Creos (T110) Our score: 6.7/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Mr. Hobby Mr. Aqueous Color Thinner T110, 110ml, a thinner for diluting and cleaning aqueous hobby colors from GSI Creos. Pros: - Made for the GSI Creos aqueous color range, so it is a matched thinner for those paints. - 110ml bottle is a handy size for a bench. - Listing states it is used for both diluting and cleaning aqueous paints. Cons: - Only for aqueous paints, not for lacquer; it replaces a leveling thinner, which is a different job. - The listing has just one line of detail, so mixing ratios are not given. Details: https://modelbuildlab.com/product/B001VFX1HW As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.