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Airbrush Microgloss Problems

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  • Member since
    June 2015
Airbrush Microgloss Problems
Posted by Phre4k on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 8:46 PM

So my color coat for my model is acrylic paint (vallejo). I'm applying my gloss coat and because the microgloss doesn't work so well through the airbrush, I dilute it with alcohol (91%). Suddenly I notice that my color coat is stripped away and my primer is showing through in blotches. I'm sure the problem is the alcohol, but what should I dilute with? Water dissolves acrylics as well. I imagine I'd have the exact same problem

I think this model is dead in the water....

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, June 25, 2015 9:39 AM

Try tests with a lower percentage of alcohol.  91% is pretty wicked stuff.  Water may not dissolve properly cured acrylic that easily.  I don't think you can immerse an acrylic-painted model in a tank of water for a long time, but something that goes on in a thin coating and evaporates fast may not harm it that much.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Thursday, June 25, 2015 10:00 AM

I have never encountered an acrylic paint which is water soluble after it has cured. You could leave it immersed in water for years and it wouldn't wash off.

If your gloss coat is dissolving the underlying paint, regardless of thinning medium, I would think that you are applying it too heavily. Apply in mist coats, allowing each to dry before recoating.

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Thursday, June 25, 2015 10:57 AM

My 2 cents....

Vallejo doesn't play well with alcohol, period. I just went to the bench and hit a test piece of 2 week cured Vallejo with a 71% ISO dampened Q-tip. Vallejo lifted off with only minor rubbing.

Alcohol + 'wet' Vallejo = globby mess, BTW.

What is Microgloss, BTW?

  • Member since
    April 2013
Posted by KnightTemplar5150 on Thursday, June 25, 2015 12:01 PM
The instructions from the manufacturer are pretty clear - thin the solution by 10 - 15% with distilled water and airbrush at 25 PSI. That should prevent any problems with the Vallejo lifting off in the future.
  • Member since
    June 2015
Posted by Phre4k on Saturday, June 27, 2015 6:01 PM

KnightTemplar5150
The instructions from the manufacturer are pretty clear - thin the solution by 10 - 15% with distilled water and airbrush at 25 PSI. That should prevent any problems with the Vallejo lifting off in the future.

Thanks for the advice. I don't see this listed anywhere on the bottle. Can I ask where you found those instructions? Anyways I think I was able to repair the paint job (it'll never be quite the same). I grabbed a bottle of Liquatex High Gloss Laquor and airbrush medium. So far those seem to be working really well. 

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