Newbie here.
I decided to get back into modeling to commemorate my relatives' experiences during WW II (Uncle-in-law - worked in the Gloster Aircraft factory making Albemarles [Valom kit]; mother-in-law's first boyfriend flew Swordfish [Revell and Airfix kits] in the Mediterranean).
I've read as much as possible on airbrush techniques via FSM 'The Basics of Scale Modeling', the Osprey Master Class 'Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models', and this forum. I've bought the airbrush (Aztek 470), compressor, and all the Model Master enamel paint needed for the kits above. I have the thinners, cleaning tools, etc. I watched the Aztek DVD three times.
So, here are the questions that I can't find the answers for:
Q1: The above material discusses laying down several coats when airbrushing. Light coats separated by x minutes, then wet coats separated by y minutes. How long are x and y?
Q2:
- Between each light coat, am I supposed to do a full airbrush cleaning cycle?
- Between the last light coat and the first wet coat, am I doing a full airbrush cleaning cycle?
- Between each wet coat, am I doing a full airbrush cleaning cycle?
Q3: Does it matter how much paint I sprayed with respect to the volume of mineral spirits I need to use to clean out the air brush? For example, if I'm spraying just the cowling or the tires, do I need to use the same two siphon bottle's worth of mineral spirits as I would for spraying the fuselage/wings?
Basically, the forum and all the written material has put the requisite fear into me that if I don't clean my airbrush thoroughly, I'll be endlessly frustrated.
Thanks for the advice (and yes, I've read the forum posts blasting the Aztek so no need to revisit that topic here)