hammerite paint thinner

Not really,

Most people just get a cheap brush and throw it away, as its pretty much impossible to get a great finish with treacle, sorry hammerite anyway.

Incidentally, make sure you get the new livery thinners for the new livery paint, especially important if you are going to spray with it.

Its different you see

Tom

Wire brush the brush with parrafin immediately after use and while it is still wet. I find that's enough to allow the brush to be reused. If you want it even cleaner, a final swish in a small amount of Hammerite thinner. A tablespoonful or 2 is enough, or give it a rinse in cheap 'cooking' cellulose thinner. Mike.

Xylene

IIRC that's what has been removed from the new livery hammerite.

If by "new" you mean the last few years it was 1,1,1 trichloroethane (Genklene) that was the traditional solvent but its use was barred by the Montreal Protocol some years ago.

Genklene (originally made by ICI) was a wonderful universal solvent when it was available. I always had a supply in my garage (courtesy of my work - I'm a qualified industrial chemist). It's a pity it was banned. Never did me any harm and I used it for about 30 years. It was great for removing tar spots from cars and cleaning engines and a multitude of other uses, even thinning Tippex. Thanks to the worldwide nannies, we are now denied the benefits of this useful solvent. There are many more hazardous chemicals available over the counter which have not yet been banned.

Terry D.

What a load of cobblers in the replies so far.

Cellulose thinners, buy the cheapest variety you can get.

Not for Hammerite

With just a dash of oil it also made a good tap lubricant

Um, yes for Hammerite. Always works with the tins of Hammerite and Smoothrite I've got - they're only a year old so I doubt a different formula. Cheapo cellulose thinners from a 25 gallon drum, Autopaint I think.

The message from Dogbert contains these words:

I do hope that's thread cutting taps not drinking water taps!

Yes possibly 2-3 yrs ago... time flies when your having fun!

I'll ask the rep next time I see them!

Cellulose thinners works well.

Rob Graham

I just use washing up liquid, failing that if the paint is dry on the brush then paint stripper - followed by washing up liquid!

David.

Acetone - even works if the paint has hardened, but if you use cheap brushes (less than a UK pound) just throw them away after use. It's not worth the time / effort / expense of cleaning them.

Petrol works ok with hammerite paint. or go to a car paint distributor and ask for thinner from them. A gallon costs about £7.00

Norman