Thinning and Brushing Silk RAL Enamels: 1028 and 3000
By Modellbau & Plastikmodellbau | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to thin Revell Silk enamel for brush work, judge the right consistency, and apply RAL 1028 Lufthansa Yellow and RAL 3000 Fiery Red without flooding details.
Quick answer
Thin Revell Silk enamel with Revell Color Mix, not water, and aim for a milky consistency that flows off the brush without pooling. Add thinner a drop at a time and test on scrap plastic before touching the model.
Why Silk Enamel Needs a Different Thinning Approach
Revell Color is a synthetic resin enamel that does not attack the plastic surface of models, so you can brush it directly onto bare polystyrene without a primer barrier. That same formulation means water will not thin it; you need Revell Color Mix or a compatible enamel thinner. The 14 ml can is small, so mixing in a separate palette or cup keeps the tin clean and lets you control the ratio without contaminating the whole batch.
Silk colors sit between matte and gloss, which makes them less forgiving of uneven coats than flat enamels. A slightly over-thinned mix can look streaky as it dries, while a too-thick mix leaves brush marks that are hard to sand out of fine detail. The goal is a consistency that self-levels but still covers in two thin passes.
When Not to Thin: Small Details and Touch-Ups
Not every job needs thinner. For tiny cockpit knobs, instrument bezels, or a single chip repair, a small amount of Silk enamel straight from the can often gives better control because it will not run into adjacent recesses. Thin only when you need a smoother flow for larger flat areas or when the paint has thickened in the tin.
If you are painting a broad surface such as a wing or fuselage panel, thinning helps reduce visible brush direction marks. But on raised detail, a thicker mix stays where you put it. Keep a separate unthinned drop on your palette for detail work and a thinned batch for larger areas.
Step-by-Step: Thinning and Brushing Silk RAL Enamels
- Stir the tin before measuring: Open the 14 ml Revell Color can and stir from the bottom with a clean stick for at least 30 seconds. Silk pigments settle, and pouring off a thin layer from the top gives a misleading consistency. If the paint still feels lumpy on the stir stick, it is not ready to thin.
- Decant a working amount: Drop a small amount of enamel onto a clean palette or into a mixing cup. Work with no more than you can use in 10–15 minutes, because thinning shortens the open time. Never thin the entire 14 ml tin unless you plan to use it all in one session.
- Add Revell Color Mix one drop at a time: Add thinner in small increments and stir after each drop. For brush work, stop when the paint flows off the brush in a steady ribbon and levels out on the palette within a few seconds. There is no universal ratio; the starting point is roughly one part thinner to four parts paint, then adjust. If the mix beads on the palette instead of leveling, add one more drop of thinner.
- Test on scrap plastic: Brush a thin stripe onto a piece of sprue or scrap polystyrene and let it dry for a minute. A properly thinned coat should show faint brush marks that fade as it levels, not puddles at the edges. If the test coat looks watery or transparent after one pass, it is over-thinned; add a drop of neat enamel.
- Apply two thin coats rather than one thick coat: Load the brush lightly and brush in one direction, then cross-brush at 90 degrees while the coat is still wet. Let the first coat dry fully before adding the second. For RAL 1028 Lufthansa Yellow, expect three thin coats over dark plastic because yellow is naturally low in opacity. Stop brushing as soon as the paint starts to drag; overworking a drying enamel leaves texture.
- Clean brushes before the enamel sets: Rinse the brush in Revell Color Mix or a compatible enamel cleaner immediately after use, then wash with soap and warm water. Enamel that dries in the ferrule ruins the bristles. Keep a separate labeled jar of thinner for cleaning so your mixing thinner stays clean.
Product facts
- Silk "Lufthansa Yellow" (RAL 1028)Email Color 14ml: Revell Color Silk Lufthansa Yellow (RAL 1028) is a 14 ml synthetic resin enamel that does not attack plastic model surfaces. You can brush it onto bare polystyrene without a protective primer, but it still needs an enamel-compatible thinner such as Revell Color Mix.
Silk "Lufthansa Yellow" (RAL 1028)Email Color 14ml - Silk "Fiery Red" (RAL 3000)Aqua Color Acrylic 18ml: Revell Aqua Color Silk Fiery Red (RAL 3000) is an acrylic in an 18 ml container that can be diluted with water and has a mild odor. If you prefer water-based cleanup, use this acrylic for red areas instead of thinning an enamel; do not mix the two systems in the same cup.
Silk "Fiery Red" (RAL 3000)Aqua Color Acrylic 18ml
