The invention discloses a nano-crystal-whisker thixotropy thickening agent for a solvent-based coating and a preparation method thereof. The thickening agent is prepared from, by weight, 15-25 parts of halloysite slag, 14-22 parts of hectorite, 9-18 parts of cell quartz, 22-28 parts of dolomite, 10-15 parts of sepiolite, 17-23 parts of pseudo-boehmite, 12-18 parts of asbestos tailings, 6-12 parts of chalk powder, 10-15 parts of calcium silicon slag, 5-10 parts of magnesium trisilicate, 13-21 parts of ceramic waste, 4-7 parts of potassium acetate, 3-6 parts of anhydrous sodium sulphate, 5-10 parts of a modifying agent A and 10-15 parts of a modifying agent B. The prepared nano-crystal-whisker thixotropy thickening agent has the advantages of being high in thickening performance, good in thixotropy, good in stability and the like; a coating system can be endowed with excellent thixotropic performance, a leveling property and sagging resistance in the coating construction process are improved, spraying or batch scraping or rolling brushing can be carried out easily, the painting area is increased, opening time for the coating is prolonged, and film formation can be achieved easily.