Just got a Badger 300

Airbrushing or brush painting, yellow is one of the more difficult colours to use (along with white and red).

If it's running, it could be one (or a combination) of the following:

• Painting too close to the surface
• Too high a paint flow
• Air pressure too high
• Paint mixed too thinly

When airbrushing, there's no rule which says that you have to achieve full coverage first time every time. If your paint is going on translucent, it will require several light passes to build colour depth. Some colours, like the aforementioned yellow and red, will benefit from a white primer coat, particularly if the base colour of the styrene is dark.

It would also be helpful to establish what actual model of airbrush you have, because as far as I am aware, there's no "300". There is a "200" which is a single-action, internal-mix brush and a "350" which is a single-action external mix unit.

Phil_H wrote:

Airbrushing or brush painting, yellow is one of the more difficult colours to use (along with white and red). If it's running, it could be one (or a combination) of the following: Painting too close to the surface Too high a paint flow Air pressure too high Paint mixed too thinly When airbrushing, there's no rule which says that you have to achieve full coverage first time every time. If your paint is going on translucent, it will require several light passes to build colour depth. Some colours, like the aforementioned yellow and red, will benefit from a white primer coat, particularly if the base colour of the styrene is dark. It would also be helpful to establish what actual model of airbrush you have, because as far as I am aware, there's no "300". There is a "200" which is a single-action, internal-mix brush and a "350" which is a single-action external mix unit.

Phil, your advice is excellent. The AB could be an 200 and "300" is a typo. However, there WAS a Badger 300 airbrush. It is a single action, external mix type with a plastic body. You have to go way back to get hold of the Badger 300. The Badger 350 is similar, but much better constructed. It will be interesting to know how AmateurModeler got hold of the Badger 300. If the AB is the old 300, it could be the problem of the AB not atomizing well due to wear and tear.

Ok, I wasn't aware there was a 300. My first "real" airbrush was a 350, some time back in the late 70's, so it must pre-date that.

PS: AmateurModeller, are you using a compressor or are you working with Propellant cans? If you are working with propellant cans, life will be somewhat more difficult due to the lack of precise pressure control. If you haven't got one, I'd suggest acquiring a compressor at your earliest convenience - it makes a huge difference.

AmateurModeler wrote:

Compressed air and to clarify, it is a Badger 350. Any ideas on where to keep pre mixed paint or do you generally just mix it in the funnel thing when needed then to change colors spray lacquer through the brush?

Never premix it and store it as the thinner will make it unstable. 

Just mix it and use it as needed.