Air Brush Problem,

[Show Case Studio]

I have just got my first Air Brush and compresser, but i am haveing trouble with paint dillusion, can anyone tell me if there are any good DVDs out there for beginners or any ideas as to paint to water mix needed for use with air gun, the paints i useare GW, Vallejo, and rackham, any and all help is very much welcome as i realy want to get in to air brush work, thankyou for your time,

 

[Ritual]

I would just try my way to something that works. That\'s what I did... took me about 15 minutes.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Show Case Studio
I have just got my first Air Brush and compresser, but i am haveing trouble with paint dillusion...

Try stuff! Trust me, you can go a long way just by trying different dilutions.

Originally posted by Show Case Studio
...any and all help is very much welcome as i realy want to get in to air brush work...

Are you looking to do just undercoats or something more involved?

Einion

 

[Rab]

For thinning acrylics, I use a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol 1:1 ratio with a drop of flow enhancer.

Some people manage with plain water, but I can never get a decent finish that way.

As for the ratio of paint:thinner, it depends how thick the paint is, but I generally add thinner until it\'s the same consistency as milk, that\'s proper full fat milk, none of that pansy semi-skimmed 2% rubbish.

 

[airhead]

I go for the 2% milk, then use more coats.
(personal preference)

@Rab, Be careful with the rubbing alcohol, it has glycerin in it. That will tend to inhibit paint adhesion for the subsequent layers. Use 98% or use Everclear (180 proof drinking alcohol) just don\'t breathe a lot of the fumes.

 

[Show Case Studio]

thanks for your responce guys, i am wantinting to do both undercaots and detailed work, with the air brush useing different masks for detail and camo that kind of thing,

 

[Rab]

Originally posted by airhead

@Rab, Be careful with the rubbing alcohol, it has glycerin in it. That will tend to inhibit paint adhesion for the subsequent layers. Use 98% or use Everclear (180 proof drinking alcohol) just don\'t breathe a lot of the fumes.

Hey Airhead.
I don\'t know about the US, but over here IPA isn\'t generally the same as rubbing alcohol, the stuff I use is 99.something % , the stuff they use in the electronics industry basically.

I didn\'t know about the glycerin in rubbing alcohol though, interesting.

Oh yeah, and I do wear a mask when spraying (I use cellulose stuff too, so a good mask is vital).

Rab.

 

[airhead]

Originally posted by Show Case Studio
thanks for your responce guys, i am wantinting to do both undercaots and detailed work, with the air brush useing different masks for detail and camo that kind of thing,

What gun you got? That level of detail will not be the easiest to acheive. A production gun will not do (think painting a mini with a mop.).
Any of them will paint basecoat, primer and clears. ( I have a separate gun for clear coats - not mini related).

 

[JaPizzy]

Masking on a miniature will be a nightmare. Vehicals aren\'t so bad. On a 28mm figure masking fluid will be your best bet I think.

I use an airbrush to prime, varnish, and on things like one color armies, the basecoat. Good for space marines and necrons and the like.

It\'s also great to prime black and then let loose from 45 degrees with white to make a zenithal \"prelighting\" effect to see where shadows and highlights will go.

They are great to paint vehicals and do weathering on them.

For thinning, the milk standard is a good jumping off point as has been said here. Some hobby paints thin well with windex, although a lot of airbrushers say not to use it because the ammonia is bad for the brass of the airbrush, and the chrome, but I\'ve never had a problem. I\'ve also had good luck with airbrush medium from the art store.

Cheers

James

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by airhead
I go for the 2% milk, then use more coats.
(personal preference)

I think that\'s about the sweet spot for most spraying of the type we do. Coats dry so quickly (especially with a hairdryer on hand ) that you can put down multiple coats in only a few minutes.

Originally posted by airhead
@Rab, Be careful with the rubbing alcohol, it has glycerin in it.

??? Generally rubbing alcohol is just alcohol with a small amount of water in it (less than 3%) plus denaturing ingredients so it\'s not drinkable.

Originally posted by Show Case Studio
thanks for your responce guys, i am wantinting to do both undercaots and detailed work, with the air brush useing different masks for detail and camo that kind of thing,

On minis, 28-32mm?

Just masking between different parts can be a little tricky (and tiresome!) if you want to do camo you\'re in for some major masking sessions.

Einion