Airbrush spitting... paint runs... A MESS!

A lot of variables here.

What pressure are you using?

Are you using a compressor or canned air?

What brand paint?

How thin? What thinner?

How far back are you pulling the trigger?

You should be a lot closer ini general to your subject. I'm going to guess your pressure is too high and the paint is too thin. Pressure should be no more thah 10-20 psi and the paint should be milk thin. If you're using acrylics, you should be priming since their bite is less and may be next to nothong on some plastics.

Before working on a good project, get some scarp palpstic or a junk kit and practice withthe brush.

Thanks! 

So sparaying at 15-20cm is too far?

How close should I be to the subject? 

I am using Testors tiny blue compressor (I bought the kit with airbrush and compressor, so I guess they should work together), instruction says it runs around 15-25 psi, there is no regulator on it... I should probably get my own.

Paint  is Testors Acrylic, and I thin it with Testors thinner. 

After frustration with caps (these foil sealers that are sticking and drive folks crazy) just bought my first can of Tamiya acrylic (I didnt use it in the airbrush yet). 

I thin it to a consistancy.... of.... I guess this is the main problem. I don't know if it's me, but the whole concept of 2% milk or whole milk is... well I don't get it!  I can only tell water from oil:) by consistancy:D. 

I try to make it run down the walls of a gravity cap (I saw this on Testors workshop video).

I thought of taking a scrap piece of plastic and make a drop of milk run against the drop of thinned paint to see who goes down faster thus to get the proper ratio... but I think it is insane for some reason.

As for the trigger, I've used single action mode this time, and it was open all the way.

I am not at all comfortable with double action mode, and for just pain covering single mode is ok.

If your paint is splattering and running, sounds like thin paint with too much pressure.

This is something you need to practice with. try lowering the air pressure with the paint consistency that you are currently using. Move the pressure up or down until the paint seems to flow and lay consistently smooth.

Also, the closer you spray to and object the less pressure you will need.

A good lesson is to practice spraying dots on paper. Start at about an inch away and spray a few dozen, then move a bir further away. You will begin to see how the distance and air pressure affect the size of your dots. You'll also notice that it takes quite a bit of practice to spray nice even dots when your shooting very close to an object.

Pressure and paint thickness are usually the biggest culprits for causing your paint to run or splatter. Practice is the best way to get the feel of your AB.

Hi,

I assume you're using the A470 since you stated you're using single action mode.   I use the A470 with Testors Acryl line paints also.  With the compressor you have, air pressure should not be a problem.  I think you might be over thinning and/or using the single action mode incorrectly. 

Testors Acryl line of paints are prethinned for airbrushing.  If you need to add thinner, usually only a drop or two is needed.

In regards to single action mode, if you're using it full-open, then a lot of paint will come out.  Here's the correct way to use single action mode:

• Roll the dial in the back so that the airbrush is in full double action mode, ie. no paint at all coming out when the trigger is pressed
• Press and hold down the trigger without pulling back on it
• Next, roll the dial slowly until paint starts coming out
• Keep rolling the dial until you get the amount of paint coming out you want, ie a little for detail work; a lot for base painting

I rarely use the single action in full-mode, it's too much paint at one time but it really depends on what you're doing.

Hope this helps,

Jesse

Thanks for your help guys!

Tryed it yesterday, I WAS thinning too too much (There are so many different advises on the net! 10% thinner, 30% thinner, 70!!!% thinner ). I've added a few drops this time - Now it coats the plastic instead of pouring paint on it.

I still have to get a hang of an airbrush, the instructions were kinda poor for this kit. But I am getting better almost each time I use it.

Hello, i have a question for you and some answers as to part as to what im looking for as far as answers, If you could help me that would be great. i have a mini air compressor up to 15 psi but its perfect cause im just using it for nails, but ya i have a dual action airbrush... ive been using two different brands, there both water-based but one is called Craft Acrylic Paint (retail for $1.00 CND) something like that and a specific paint called "Airbrush paint" ($7.50CND) more pricier. But i find they both work the same, but i have a couple questions i would like to try and solve.

#1 QUESTION = when i first turn on my air compressor no air or paint comes out... but eventually after 10 mins of trying some come out. Is my paint too thick? Even tho ive thinned it out with water? When i use a bit of alcohol paint comes out but really watery and it sprays... It spits it doesnt come out like "airbrushing" so please help i really need this to work ASAP

Im doing these on nails for nail designs..

SARAHh.xo

#1 QUESTION = when i first turn on my air compressor no air or paint comes out... but eventually after 10 mins of trying some come out. Is my paint too thick? Even tho ive thinned it out with water? When i use a bit of alcohol paint comes out but really watery and it sprays... It spits it doesnt come out like "airbrushing" so please help i really need this to work ASAP

Im doing these on nails for nail designs..

Hi Sarah,

It does sound as if your paint is a little too thick. 

Many of the "craft" type acrylic paints are formulated to work with water and some are not compatible with alcohol. If not compatible with alcohol, when mixed, the paint tends to clump and turn into a sticky ball of goo - perhaps this is what's happening with your paint?

 I suspect that when you thin your paint down to a usable consistency, it's going to have insufficient adhesion for your particular application. You may need to investigate what other paint options are available. 

ANYHOOTS......to the subject at hand, it is also a good idea when spraying to start and stop off the piece. In other words, start to sweep across the area to be painted pressing the trigger before reaching the edge and then not releasing it until after you have passed over the opposite edge. Airbrushes  can tend to spit and spatter a bit when starting and stopping.

Jim,

It's a spambot which has visited (and polluted) the forum several times this week. Already reported it as spam, but it may be Monday before the mods get around to cleaning it up so you may wish to edit your post above and remove the quoted part so as not to clutter up the thread.

Phil_H

Jim,

It's a spambot which has visited (and polluted) the forum several times this week. Already reported it as spam, but it may be Monday before the mods get around to cleaning it up so you may wish to edit your post above and remove the quoted part so as not to clutter up the thread.

Done.....