Using blue Windex as acrylic thinner, cleaner?

[Cajonpassfan]

My local hobby shop no longer carries Vallejo Color thinner/cleaner. I was advised by a very enthusiastic salesman that blue Windex works just as well, and costs a lot less. I like the costs a lot less part, but does it work? Anyone here have tried Windex, or have other suggestions? IPA thinned with distilled water? Supposedly Windex does not create a color shift, either.
Advice appreciated,
Otto

[learmoia]

I've heard that (i think for Model Flex) but never tried it...

[Vince Gortner]

I use it regularly as a preliminary cleaner, followed by a shot of proper acrylic airbrush cleaner as a final step.  Works very well.  Have not tried it as thinner.   

[MK]

I have heard of it as a thinner but never tried it myself.

[SAH]

In a pinch I have used Windex as an acrylic thinner Otto.  Since it seems nearly everything hobby is now in short supply, "in a pinch" is becoming standard procedure I'm afraid.  One thing to remember though:  Stirred, not shaken.  The stuff foams like crazy.
Steve

[bman]

I use dollar store glass cleaner to clean my airbrush when spraying Vajello Model Air and Game Air paints. I've not tried thinning their normal paints and spraying though.  I will give that a shot as my son and I have what seems like a million of those paints.

[mark dance]

I use Windex as both a preliminiary cleaner and thinner for Vajello paints. I use my airbrush for painting buildings and weathering. i.e. I have never painted stripped rolling stock.  But Windex works great for me in both my applications!

md

[fhmac]

I have found that Armor All Auto Glass cleaner #32024 works very well to clean and thin acrylic paints. On sale it can be found available for $1.00 in a 32 oz  manual pump spray bottle. Check your auto supply stores.

[wm3798]

I use auto washer fluid.  It doesn't foam as much.  Cheaper by the gallon (my nickname).

Lee

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks guys, feedback much appreciated!
I did try the Windex we had at home with Vallejo Color, and it does seem to work pretty well, although it foams like a sonofagun.
Lee, just what do you mean “auto washer fluid”? Windshield washer fluid? Auto washer?
Thanks much,
Otto

[bbunge]

Lee, just what do you mean “auto washer fluid”? Windshield washer fluid? Auto washer?

I've been using blue windshield washer fluid as a thinner with good results.  To my eyes, even tints the wet paint a bit when I stir them up, but I don't see the tint after spraying.  Certainly low cost!

Bob

[carlso]

Otto,

I too have used the "plain" blue auto windshield washer fluid. It worked but I couldn't learn how to airbrush with the thinned acrylics. My bad, so I just use TCP, great stuff.

Be well,
Carl

[Frank Amato]

Just take care of yourselves, given the methanol in most brands of windshield juice (chemists weigh in here).

I use Vallejo thinner except when spraying Tamiya, where I use isopropyl alcohol.

  Frank

[fire5506]

I have found that Armor All Auto Glass cleaner #32024 works very well to clean and thin acrylic paints. On sale it can be found available for $1.00 in a 32 oz  manual pump spray bottle. Check your auto supply stores.

 Joe Fugate of MRH in the April Running Xtra issue said that Armor-all changed the formula of the Armor-all auto glass cleaner and it is no longer suitable for use in his thinner.

This is his new formula. Here’s the new formula (makes 1 liter or just over 1 quart):
█ 200ml butyl cellosolve
█ 50 ml propylene glycol
█ 50 ml Flow enhancer
█ 50ml acrylic retarder
█ 650ml Distilled water (Fill to make one liter)

The link to shopping list is here.  https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/running-extra/2021-04/publishers-welcome#shopping

[fhmac]

Fire 5506 thanks for the up-date. Glad I'm well stocked with the old formula #32024 stuff. At least for the near future.