Painting disability!

Daywalker wrote:

Sorry to hear painting is causing you so much disappointment.  I used to feel the same way, always nervous to commit paint to a model for fear of wrecking all that previous hard work.  I ended up getting an all new AB setup, then went through quite a few jars of paint practicing on old models to get the feel for it.  Now, I enjoy the process.  I hope you find something soon that helps before you lose interest compltely in the hobby.

Hi Frank,

I dont plan on giving up. I have a lot of fun building. Im not bad at the building process, I guess the painting will come along. I have way too many kits to give up the hobby.

I feel your pain—and I qualify as a paint professional! It only gets better with practice, but I find myself getting anxious, mainly because I know almost everything that can go wrong! That is one of the great advantages of acrylics—easy to strip if you're unhappy with the results.

Practicing on scrap is a great help. When I feel rusty, I have several large plastic trays that I use as practice surfaces for airbrushing. Once I'm done, I just set them on the table and pour a little Windex into them. Five minutes later the paint and Windex are in the settling jar and the trays are clean. 

Triarius wrote:

I feel your pain—and I qualify as a paint professional! It only gets better with practice, but I find myself getting anxious, mainly because I know almost everything that can go wrong! That is one of the great advantages of acrylics—easy to strip if you're unhappy with the results. Practicing on scrap is a great help. When I feel rusty, I have several large plastic trays that I use as practice surfaces for airbrushing. Once I'm done, I just set them on the table and pour a little Windex into them. Five minutes later the paint and Windex are in the settling jar and the trays are clean.

Thanks for the great tip Ross, I need all the help I can get. I use accrylic quite often and usually I have good results. Not great ,but passable. This time around I sprayed some old Humbrol, I would like to think that the paint was bad and my skills are o.k...I think it was a bit of a two sided problem (poor to adequate skills and old,bad paint).

I mask.....close my eyes and shoot it!

Not really..........but your trouble has been mine. I think I've conquered it by doing as Ross did.

Spray the hell out of a testbed.....strip it and spray it again! 

Spiral,

There's a good book on airbrushing by Kalmbach (FSM's parent company) that might give good guidelines on things like thinning ratios and air pressure which could improve your finish.

Dave 

Glad to hear you're not giving up!  I have a few test paint hacks that I always shoot some paint onto before commiting it to a model.  Here she is:

I want to thank everyone for the replys.

I was considering buying a good airbrush book or dvd. Perhaps this will help get me to the level I would like to be at.

Thanks all.

Paint! Paint like you've never paint before! Paint like your life depends on it! But seriously... paint.  The nice thing about paint is that is you can paint over it - unless you've globbed on so much that you've killed and hidden the details.

For about three years, I had a Crescendo airbrush that sat in a box, collecting dust. I had built about 5 models that had no paint because I was concerned about my ability to get paint on them and that my painting efforts might ruin them. Then, I had an epiphany. I realized that nobody cared. That when I die, all of my models will only become so much detrius that my family will have to get rid of, regardless of how well they may be painted. So, I decided to paint. And, I must say that my efforts please me a great deal. I think that get better with each model.

Most importantly, I really enjoy painting models! Over the past couple of years, I've gotten five airbrushes and a great compressor. I'm not suggesting at all that I'm a master. I am saying that I realy like painting. At this point, the building process is only a means to an ends - painting.  As soon as I figure out how to reset Mozilla, I will post pics of my latest build, a Panzer Mk. IV Bergepanzer. I think the build is OK. However, the painting really brings out the model. Again, it's not perfect, but the difference between the unpainted and painted models are huge.

Go for it! Pull out your AB. Use brushes if that's what you have and are comfortable with them. Start painting your models. Heck, if it turns out poorly, so what? Let's face it, the only people who care are you and a few people on these forums. I'm not aware of too many plastic model museums and I know there are no recognized  awards for painted models. Have fun.  

scrambler8 wrote:

Paint! Paint like you've never paint before! Paint like your life depends on it! But seriously... paint.  The nice thing about paint is that is you can paint over it - unless you've globbed on so much that you've killed and hidden the details. For about three years, I had a Crescendo airbrush that sat in a box, collecting dust. I had built about 5 models that had no paint because I was concerned about my ability to get paint on them and that my painting efforts might ruin them. Then, I had an epiphany. I realized that nobody cared. That when I die, all of my models will only become so much detrius that my family will have to get rid of, regardless of how well they may be painted. So, I decided to paint. And, I must say that my efforts please me a great deal. I think that get better with each model. Most importantly, I really enjoy painting models! Over the past couple of years, I've gotten five airbrushes and a great compressor. I'm not suggesting at all that I'm a master. I am saying that I realy like painting. At this point, the building process is only a means to an ends - painting.  As soon as I figure out how to reset Mozilla, I will post pics of my latest build, a Panzer Mk. IV Bergepanzer. I think the build is OK. However, the painting really brings out the model. Again, it's not perfect, but the difference between the unpainted and painted models are huge. Go for it! Pull out your AB. Use brushes if that's what you have and are comfortable with them. Start painting your models. Heck, if it turns out poorly, so what? Let's face it, the only people who care are you and a few people on these forums. I'm not aware of too many plastic model museums and I know there are no recognized  awards for painted models. Have fun.

Hi,

I have and use my airbrushes. My problem is I havent taken it to the next level. I paint and 70% of the time Im not satisfied with the finish. I always notice the imperfections and it drives me crazy. Today was a bad day, not only was my finish grainy but it was also uneven. I really believe the paint was bad. It was an old can of Humbrol that was thick on the bottom.I mixed the paint and removed the sludge hoping it would spray. Well it sprayed but it also looked like crap. I will reshoot the bottom of the I-153 Sunday with some darker blue from Tamiya. This should cover the finish but it isnt the color I wanted.

Spiral,

A thick, grainy surface could be caused by an improper mixture ratio of paint and thinner.  It could also be caused by not enough air pressure coming from the compressor (or whatever air source you use).  The paint in the airbrush should have about the consistancy of milk.  One thing that can cause a thick and grainy surface is paint that isn't thinned enough.

The distance at which you hold your airbrush can have an effect.  Too close to the model and the paint may lay on wet and heavy.  Too far away and the finish could be rough.  

Also a clean model is important for the paint to adhere properly.

I took the above information from "How to Use an Airbrush" by Robert Downie, 2001 Kalmbach  pages 14-15.  I didn't quote anything but the above is information I derived.  Very good book and I recommend it.

I hope this helps!

Dave 

djrost_2000 wrote:

Spiral, A thick, grainy surface could be caused by an improper mixture ratio of paint and thinner.  It could also be caused by not enough air pressure coming from the compressor (or whatever air source you use).  The paint in the airbrush should have about the consistancy of milk.  One thing that can cause a thick and grainy surface is paint that isn't thinned enough. The distance at which you hold your airbrush can have an effect.  Too close to the model and the paint may lay on wet and heavy.  Too far away and the finish could be rough.   Also a clean model is important for the paint to adhere properly. I took the above information from "How to Use an Airbrush" by Robert Downie, 2001 Kalmbach  pages 14-15.  I didn't quote anything but the above is information I derived.  Very good book and I recommend it. I hope this helps! Dave

Thanks Dave,

I'll look into that book.

I already know about the paint being the consistency of milk. My problem probally comes from the distance I spray. I usually shoot far from the model. (Im always affraid of sider webbing.)

What kind of airbrush do you have? What is your air source? What brand of paints are you using and how are you thinning them? Lots of variables come into play when airbrushing. Again, I don't claim to be a master. I'm far from it. I just really enjoy using my AB's. Painting, for me, has become the most enjoyable aspect of getting a model to completion.

Books help some, but experience comes from using the tool. I reiterate, start painting. Enjoy the learning process. You state that a book or dvd might help you get to the level that you would like to be at. You can read and watch all you want, but doing it is what will get you to the level you want to be at. 

It also helps if you have a good tool. There is no "Extenze" for airbrushing, and the AB equivalent won't make you "better." Do it as much as you can. Make sure you have a good airbrush, get familiar with it and paint with it. I really think that in short order, you'll be turning out models you're quite happy with. 

scrambler8 wrote:

What kind of airbrush do you have? What is your air source? What brand of paints are you using and how are you thinning them? Lots of variables come into play when airbrushing. Again, I don't claim to be a master. I'm far from it. I just really enjoy using my AB's. Painting, for me, has become the most enjoyable aspect of getting a model to completion. Books help some, but experience comes from using the tool. I reiterate, start painting. Enjoy the learning process. You state that a book or dvd might help you get to the level that you would like to be at. You can read and watch all you want, but doing it is what will get you to the level you want to be at.  It also helps if you have a good tool. There is no "Extenze" for airbrushing, and the AB equivalent won't make you "better." Do it as much as you can. Make sure you have a good airbrush, get familiar with it and paint with it. I really think that in short order, you'll be turning out models you're quite happy with.

Dont get me wrong, I know how to paint Im just not happy with some of the issues I have to deal with. I use my airbrushes as often as I can. I own 3.( 2 Badgers and a VL.) I know that practice is the only cure but a good book or dvd can be of great help.

scrambler8 wrote:

Paint! Paint like you've never paint before! Paint like your life depends on it! But seriously... paint.  The nice thing about paint is that is you can paint over it - unless you've globbed on so much that you've killed and hidden the details. For about three years, I had a Crescendo airbrush that sat in a box, collecting dust. I had built about 5 models that had no paint because I was concerned about my ability to get paint on them and that my painting efforts might ruin them. Then, I had an epiphany. I realized that nobody cared. That when I die, all of my models will only become so much detrius that my family will have to get rid of, regardless of how well they may be painted. So, I decided to paint. And, I must say that my efforts please me a great deal. I think that get better with each model. Most importantly, I really enjoy painting models! Over the past couple of years, I've gotten five airbrushes and a great compressor. I'm not suggesting at all that I'm a master. I am saying that I realy like painting. At this point, the building process is only a means to an ends - painting.  As soon as I figure out how to reset Mozilla, I will post pics of my latest build, a Panzer Mk. IV Bergepanzer. I think the build is OK. However, the painting really brings out the model. Again, it's not perfect, but the difference between the unpainted and painted models are huge. Go for it! Pull out your AB. Use brushes if that's what you have and are comfortable with them. Start painting your models. Heck, if it turns out poorly, so what? Let's face it, the only people who care are you and a few people on these forums. I'm not aware of too many plastic model museums and I know there are no recognized  awards for painted models. Have fun.

I'm dyin'........I swear......dyin'!

I love painting. Its the last and most gratifying next step to finishing a model when everything comes to life! Practice makes 'almost' perfect. And having a good airbrush helps too. You could probably start in areas of the model that are almost concealed or less noticed and work your way up from there to the major areas. Or starting on a separate part and see how it goes before taking on the whole thing.

rafael80 wrote:

I love painting. Its the last and most gratifying next step to finishing a model when everything comes to life! Practice makes 'almost' perfect. And having a good airbrush helps too. You could probably start in areas of the model that are almost concealed or less noticed and work your way up from there to the major areas. Or starting on a separate part and see how it goes before taking on the whole thing.

Understood and I think we all have benifitted from this post. I am of a similar school where if I see a lump, glitch, hair, spiderleg.......whatever, It wrecks things for me!

Ow!......Swmbo has finally shown. Going golfing!

Anything that you paint may turn out crappy. Its all part of the process. I too will have the occassional painting disappointment...so what...paint it again. Rarely do I strip, instead just rub out the rough spots and repaint. Here is an example:

I painted this kitbash in white over gray it didn't have the look I wanted so I redid it. 

To this:

Just like when the wife doesn't like the color she picked for the living room walls, just repaint it. Lightly sand where necessary to knock down the high spots, prime if required for even consistancy for a base color before applying translucent or light colors.

Some make this process harder than it has to be. Everything gets repainted from time to time in the real world...many a time I've seen aircraft with the previous scheme bleeding through.

Practice makes perminent (perfection). Keep it simple, fun and yet effective. 

I faced the same thing you describe. I finally found the secret: Lower your standards.

OK, I'm kidding, but only halfway, really. Give yourself some grace. Most folks are their own worst critics.

You mentioned the gritty look.... I face that from time to time. I started lightly sanding it with a paper coffee filter, and was amazed at the result. the surface went from a gritty mess to looking like the plastic was cast in that color.

But don't reuse the filter for it's intended purpose.... makes the coffee taste odd.