retarder

Paint Retarder – Extend Drying Time for Perfect Results

When working with fast-drying acrylic paints, controlling the drying process is key to achieving flawless results. A Paint Retarder is a medium designed to slow down the evaporation of water or solvents, giving you more time to work the paint on your model. This prevents issues like visible brush strokes, clogging in the airbrush tip, or uneven coverage. Whether you are hand brushing fine details or airbrushing large surfaces, Paint Retarder helps you achieve smoother, more consistent finishes with less effort.

What’s in this collection

Here you will find high-quality paint retarders from trusted brands in the modeling world. AMMO by MIG Acrylic Retarder ensures better flow and fewer marks when painting figures, armor, or vehicles. Tamiya Acrylic Paint Retarder is perfect for preventing brush marks and keeping layers thin and smooth. IONIC Thinner with Retarder combines thinner and retarder in one bottle, making it ideal for both brush painting and airbrushing. Each product has been formulated to work seamlessly with acrylic paints and supports different techniques, from base coating to advanced weathering.

Benefits, tips, and practical applications

Using a Paint Retarder allows you to extend your working time, which is especially valuable when blending colors, applying washes, or shading figures. For airbrush users, just a few drops mixed with acrylic paint will reduce tip dry and improve atomization, resulting in finer lines and even coverage. Hand painters can enjoy smoother brush strokes and more control, avoiding the patchy finish that often comes with quick-drying acrylics. Always add sparingly—usually 5–10% of the total mix is enough. For very hot or dry climates, a slightly higher ratio may be necessary to keep paints workable. After application, paints dry to the same durable finish, but with the advantage of having been easier to manipulate. This makes retarders indispensable for both beginners seeking control and advanced modelers perfecting complex effects.

Upgrade your painting experience

Don’t let fast drying ruin your work. With Paint Retarder, every stroke and spray becomes easier to control, resulting in professional-looking finishes on any scale model. Add it to your toolkit and notice the difference in flow, blending, and precision. Shop now at SprayGunner!