Problem Airbrushing MM Acrylic

Levon wrote:

Okay, I added 91% Rubbing Alcohol to an empty jar and then the Russian Armor Green.  It was a ratio of 80% paint and 20% rubbing alcohol.  I airbrushed it, and it looked amazing.  Nice clean finish, dried fast, and left a nice hard clean finish once it had dried.  The funny thing is, I tried the same thing but with Testors Acrylic thinner, and it was runny, and took forever to dry.  I don't know if the thinner was old because it had virtually no odor.  The rubbing alcohol which was ten times cheaper worked much better than the $9 acrylic thinner from testors.

I am glad I read this. I hav'nt air brushed since the mid 90's and don't remember thining out the paint. I will be using Testors not MM acrylic paints. I am gonna try the alcohol thing. My project is a difficult one. A NYPD car from the 1960's. Complex tri-color paint sceme including white top and a very hard to find green. 

thespaniard180 wrote:

I airbrush MM acrylics straight out of the bottle, but I do suffer from tip dry

That's the nature of the beast with acrylics.

Learn to pick the paint off the needle tip with your fingernails as you paint or use a Q-tip moistened with thinner and stick it into the aircap and clean off the needle tip now and then

ABARNE wrote:

usmc1371 wrote: MM Acryl is airbrush ready. I've heard enough people make that claim to believe that Testors' may have indeed produced some airbrush ready Acryls.  However, out of the handful of MM Acryls that I have purchased, none of the bottles had any indication on their labels that they were in any manner ready for airbrushing straight from bottle.  Additionally, although there is bottle-to-bottle variation on the paint viscosity, none of the MM Acryls that I have ever purchased were suitably thin for airbrushing straight from the bottle. Andy

When I used them most could be airbrushed straight from the bottle unless you were spraying at real low pressures. I normally thinned them about 3:1 but gave up using them as I did not like their adhesion problems.

I airbrush MM acrylics straight out of the bottle, but I do suffer from tip dry (I know you didn't ask about that, but I thought I'd mention it).

I used the MM Acryllic "Israeli Armor Sand" over the weekend to base coat my Academy Merkava III and shot it straight out of the bottle.  No thinning at all.

I must therefore concur with my esteemed colleague from the Corps!  :)

Richard S. 

Hmmm, strange.  I've used them for years.  Never had to thin for base coverage.  Like I said before, for fine line I thin a little.  I've been using an Aztek airbrush, Badger 100g, and Paasche H all around 15 psi.  Maybe I live in some strange universe or something.  Anyway, whatever works for you, do it.  I know what works for me...

 

Okay, I added 91% Rubbing Alcohol to an empty jar and then the Russian Armor Green.  It was a ratio of 80% paint and 20% rubbing alcohol.  I airbrushed it, and it looked amazing.  Nice clean finish, dried fast, and left a nice hard clean finish once it had dried.  The funny thing is, I tried the same thing but with Testors Acrylic thinner, and it was runny, and took forever to dry.  I don't know if the thinner was old because it had virtually no odor.  The rubbing alcohol which was ten times cheaper worked much better than the $9 acrylic thinner from testors. 

ABARNE wrote:

usmc1371 wrote: MM Acryl is airbrush ready. I've heard enough people make that claim to believe that Testors' may have indeed produced some airbrush ready Acryls.  However, out of the handful of MM Acryls that I have purchased, none of the bottles had any indication on their labels that they were in any manner ready for airbrushing straight from bottle.  Additionally, although there is bottle-to-bottle variation on the paint viscosity, none of the MM Acryls that I have ever purchased were suitably thin for airbrushing straight from the bottle. Andy

My experience with MM acrylic is sparse, but I too have found it not airbrush ready.  In fact, I have used the same Russian Armor green as was stated, and it needed reducing just like the Tamiya's I norimallly use.

Brian

usmc1371 wrote:

MM Acryl is airbrush ready.

I've heard enough people make that claim to believe that Testors' may have indeed produced some airbrush ready Acryls.  However, out of the handful of MM Acryls that I have purchased, none of the bottles had any indication on their labels that they were in any manner ready for airbrushing straight from bottle.  Additionally, although there is bottle-to-bottle variation on the paint viscosity, none of the MM Acryls that I have ever purchased were suitably thin for airbrushing straight from the bottle.

Andy

MM Acryl is airbrush ready.  If you thin it 1:3 or 1:2, you'll get horrible results.  The thinner should be used very sparingly.  The only time I use the thinner is for fine line work.  I agree you probably didn't mix the paint well the first time.  Try again, without thinning, and see how it works for you. 

-Jesse

Hey Levon,

A general number usually thrown out there for a ratio is 1:3, sometimes 1:2 if your paint is really thick, but this is ONLY a guidline.  It takes some trial and error, but eventually it becomes second nature.  Your using acrylic thinner is correct for acrylics (obviously enamels you use laquer thinner).  My guess is that when you did not fully mix the paint and added your thinner you watered down what was already colored "water", so-to-speak, this you got serious running.

Brian

Brian,

I did not use any thinner.  I have MM Acrylic thinner.  I should have probably used that am I right?  how much would the ratio be in regards to paint and thinner?  I am assuming the thinner will help it adhere and dry faster. That is probably why it was so loose on the paint.  Thanks Brian.

Did you reduce your paint?  I ask because you said you used the paint straight out of the bottle.  All paint, unless specifically made for airbrushing, requires reducing it.  As for the clumps at the bottom, that is usual for any paint sitting around for even a moderate amount of time.  This is why you must mix thoroughly.  What I do is start by giving the bottle a good shake for a minute, open, stir really good with a toothpick (make sure you get all the way down to the bottom and scrape good), replace lid, shake again for a couple minutes.  Pour into paint cup and reduce.  If indeed you are reducing the paint it sounds like you may be using too much reducer.

Brian