Tamiya hand painting acrylics guide.

Most of the people I asked from online forums or even other modelers in my facebook group advised that the only way to hand paint acrylic in scale models is to not use Tamiya acrylic paints since it is much favorable to use them with an airbrush.

100% of the time they'll tell you to switch to Vallejo or Mr. Hobby Paints. But I'll have to say NO to that :) because I can and have my own method on how to hand paint these Tamiya acrylics.

First you'll need the following stuff.
-Tamiya Acrylic Paints (any color)
-Tamiya Mixing Bottle 23mL (recommended bottle size)
-Tamiya X-20A Acrylic Thinner
-toothpick or cocktail sticks
-Tamiya Acrylic Retarder (optional but not really needed, just put 1 drop and it will do.)

Tamiya hobby supplies you'll need.

Here's how I do it.
1.) The ratio of the thinner to paint should be 1:2.

2.) Put 5mL thinner and 10mL paint to the mixing bottle (depends on how you'll use the paint but I usually dump all the paint in the mixing bottle.)
Note: Don't put exactly 5mL thinner in the bottle. As I observed that some paints (especially ligher colors) are just too transparent when you paint them, you'll probably have several applications of brushing these kind of colors. The ideal measure of the thinner should be less than 5mL but more than 4.3mL.

3.) Mix the paint and thinner using the toothpick or cocktail sticks. If you find the paints too thick or hard to paint you can always add a little x-20A thinner to achieve milk consistency.
Note: Make sure with every use you'll have to tighly close the bottles.

4.) Voila!!! You're ready to hand paint Tamiya acrylics!!!
Note: When painting large surfaces or if the paint did not adhere too well. Make sure to leave the first coat dry before beginning with another coat.

XF-1 Flat black mixed with thinner and a small drop of retarder.

XF-1 Flat black painted on 1/35 Tamiya wheels (paint is still drying).

For best results I also use Tamiya paint brushes :) that's how I get the trick (I really haven't try other brushes thought but it works for me as some says they have trouble painting Tamiya acrylics with other brushes but I really dunno if that's true or not?) 

Tamiya is locally available here in my country :) I trust and commend their hobby supplies as the uses compliment with their model kit lines. Also not to be biased but I guess its purely personal preference on why I like Tamiya products so much and please note that I'm not anyway affiliated with Tamiya. I wrote this article to help others with their hobby.

PS: I never really tried using this mix with an airbrush since I don't own one. I paint my models with the Tamiya Lacquer Spray cans. That would be another review.

Thanks for viewing.