Airbrush paint, How to mix thinner & paint

I use Tamiya, MM acrylics and MM enamels for paints and Tamiya thinner for acrylics and generic thinner for enamel. For mixing ratios I use a set of measuring spoons with really small amounts any good kitchen supply store should have them. As far as ratio while stirring the paint I check the consistancy of the paint is it thick or thin? That gives me a good idea how much thinner to use. For Tamiya acrylics I use very little thinner like maybe 5 or 6 paint to 1 thinner for the MM acrylic and enamel usually 3 or 4 to 1. But if i dont like the way its painting Ill add more paint or thinner as Im going. Air pressure is normally like 16 to 18 psi. I use a paasche H single action and constantly tweek the air and paint flow as Im going. I wish I could help more but Im no expert. This method works very well for me anyway. Good luck.

mossieramm,
I usually mix up my paints and thinners in a separate glass container. First I put in a bit of paint, and then I use a small plastic pipette to drop in the thinner. (You can get them at any decent hobby shop or you can use a glass eyedropper). I usually just "eyeball” the level in the small glass container when I’m adding thinner to get the correct ratio. As a rule of thumb, I try to get the paint to a consistently of milk. (Realize that different consistencies will do different things and your airbrushing technique will also affect your finish, so you might have to experiment with PSI, technique, thinning ratios and different paints to get to what you prefer.) Mix and then pour it into my airbrush.

I noticed that you’re having another common problem…runs and build up. Solution: Patience! Patience! Patience! Even with the most thinned paints, you can achieve proper coverage; it just takes many light coats.

I still have to teach myself this lesson: 1st light coat, wait, wait, another light coat, wait, wait a little more, another light coat, wait…you get the picture. For me, its nerve racking but patience will pay off.

One other thing, you can, if you want, use alcohol to thin Tamiya paints. Be warned, sometimes alcohol makes the paint mist dry in mid air, leaving you with a gritty finish. Tamiya thinner has some sort of “flow” agent that prevents this from happening.

I usually use a colorcup on my airbrush and just adjust the thinning by testing it on the paper covered bench. If it looks too thin, just add more thinner. Too thin, add a little paint. It is always easier to add thinner though.

I usually add paint using plastic straws cut in half. They act just like pipettes plus they are cheep, come in boxes loads, and you can throw them out after they are used. I preffer to use actual clear plastic pipettes for thinner because it gives me finer control over how much thinner I use.

Unfortunately I only have a single pressure aircompressor (I need to change that) so I don't get to play with the air flow much, but can have an impact. The the thinning ratio, air pressure, spraying distance and the rate that you move the airbrush around all affect how well the surface turns out. It is something that just comes with experience, it isn't something people can just be told how to do and expect to get it right the first time.

Don't be afraid to mess up a few models in the name of knowledge. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Thanks for the help. I knew it would take practice, so I've got a few models that if I make a mess of them, it would not be the end of the world. Now if I could only find the patience.

I usually premix colours in glass beakers, they come in different sizes.
When I am happy with the colour I pour it into spare paint bottles and store it.

Visit your local lab/arts supply store and check for glass beakers and glass stirrers, very easy to clean and most of the beakers got measurement marks printed on them.

For smaller amounts it is either the Mk1 Eyeball method, pippette or using small paint bottle that also have measurement marks on them (Tamia, Gunze)

Having a motorized paint stirrer handy also helps, mine is battery operated.

I usually use acrylics and work on a mix of around 6 parts paint to 4 parts thinner.

The best tool I have found for measuring paint is a small plastic syringe of the type used for giving babies and little kids paracetamol, having kids I have lots of these! These are graduated so that you can both mix accurately, and also mix very small volumes usefull if you're using a colour cup.

I always go for a series of light coats, and the first coat is often little more than a misting coat, ie you just make a quick pass with the brush just leaving a very thin layer of paint, that you can see through easily. I find this then gives later coats something to adhere to.

Hope this helps.

Karl

I usually use acrylics and work on a mix of around 6 parts paint to 4 parts thinner.

The best tool I have found for measuring paint is a small plastic syringe of the type used for giving babies and little kids paracetamol, having kids I have lots of these! These are graduated so that you can both mix accurately, and also mix very small volumes usefull if you're using a colour cup.

I always go for a series of light coats, and the first coat is often little more than a misting coat, ie you just make a quick pass with the brush just leaving a very thin layer of paint, that you can see through easily. I find this then gives later coats something to adhere to.

Hope this helps.

Karl

I use enamels and usually use 45 to 50 percent thinner. I mix in the small cups that hospitals use to give patients medicine in. I usually buy them in a hospital supply store in Topeka, but have noticed that some LHS and Hobby Lobby stock them in packets of 100. They are usually graduated in teaspoons, tablespoons and mililiters. I use eyedroppers to transfer the paint and the thinner.

When I spray, I usually have the pressure set between 12 and 18 psi, depending on how it flows. The thinner the paint the lower the pressure.

Anyway, it works for me.