Paint & Thinner parts?

I have a real issue with proposing mixture in percentages, somehow it just isn't a good guideline IMHO. Depending on the brand of paint and the thinning medium, airbrush/compressor set up and capability, broadstroke percentages really don't help. I use the very simple adage that the thinned paint should be equal to the consistency of 2% milk. For some colors, I progressively add the thinning medium in increments until I get that consistency and then I'm ready to paint. It is sort of a "seat of the pants" method, but it never fails for me.

Regards,

Steve

ok, i did 1 part (1ml) paint and 2parts (2ml) thinner. It worked fine, but it will need another coat as its a bit patchy, although i could have swore i did it all correct first time! Though i though pressure was a bit high, but when i twist the regultor to lessing the pressure, it stops altogether lol some practice ill get, this was my first time :) very happy with results and its easyness in using :)

thanks for ur reply...sasarchiver

QUOTE: ok, i did 1 part (1ml) paint and 2parts (2ml) thinner. It worked fine, but it will need another coat as its a bit patchy, although i could have swore i did it all correct first time!

One part paint to two parts thinner is very, very thin. The other way around, 2 parts paint to one part thinner, would be more realistic. That's also why it dried patchy. As the thinner evaporated there was not much paint left to cover the parts.

I agree with Steve in that there is no cut and dried forumla for thinning paint. I normally start at 3 parts paint to 1 part thinner and work from there. Keep in mind that the only real reason for thinning paint for airbrushing is to get it to flow through the brush at a particular pressure. As long as it flows properly and covers properly then it's thinned properly.

Take a look at this page on my web site:
http://www.craigcentral.com/models/thinning.asp

hi musiccity, thanks for ur reply. I thought the mixture was a bit thin when i mixed it. Was more the consitency of water lol
So 1part thinner to 2 parts paint ;) ok ill give that a go tonight.
Thanks for the tip music city, appreciate it ;)

regards gordon J

great...i did about half, 1 part paint - 1-1 1/2 thinner...Worked great on the model but i did notice that it stopped spraying once or twice, maybe not enough thinner. But it worked great though. Practicing on a 1/800 of uss enterprise (Aircraft carrier) before i start on the 1/400 of the same model, So ill have it right ;)

thanks for advice on this subject... Gordon J

QUOTE: Worked great on the model but i did notice that it stopped spraying once or twice, maybe not enough thinner

Quite possibly it was some build-up on the airbrush tip. That's a common problem with acrylics but it also happens with enamels. Use a Q-Tip dipped in thinner to wipe off the tip from time to time and that should help.

I normally thin about 3:1. I've found that with that ratio I can spray most paints at around 10-12 psi which is about what I prefer to use. At 2:1 or 1:1 I tend to not get the coverage I like but I can spray at lower pressures. It's all about preference. Find what you like and use it.