Is this orange peel?

Looks like orange peel to me.

I may have an idea/advice, but a question first: What airbrush, needle/tip size if you know it, and pressure did you use? (for the Alclad Aqua, I mean)

Hi Greg,

I am using a Paasche H-series (siphon) with a 0.45 mm tip.  I played around with the pressure, from 10 to 20 psi or so, and kept seeing the same result on practice plastics.  I settled on 15 psi for the picture above.

Maybe too far from the surface?  Try a practice model/spoon/plastic.  Also try putting the last coat on wet.

keavdog

Maybe too far from the surface?  Try a practice model/spoon/plastic.  Also try putting the last coat on wet.

 

I agree.

Thanks for the info on your gear and technique. I had wondered if you were spraying through a small needle/nozzle, but .45mm isn't so bad.

That said, however, I never did figure out how to get consistent results spraying Alclad Aqua (or any other acrylic clears including 'Future' using the biggest tip (.5mm on my Iwata) I had.

I've since added an airbrush with a fan tip for clears and primers, problems went away.

As John said above, last coat needs to go on wet, "right to the point of running, but not quite" to quote as member Don Stauffer always says. The fan pattern brush makes this a no-brainer even for the all-thumbs me.

I think can make it work. Think of it as a rattle can. Lay it heavy and keep that airbrush moving. I'm not familiar with your airbrush. If it is a double action, don't 'baby' the trigger with clear coats. Go full bore on the wet coat, and that's why you have to keep the brush moving.

keavdog

Maybe too far from the surface?  Try a practice model/spoon/plastic.  Also try putting the last coat on wet.