Hello - Modeling/airbrushing noob looking for tips!

to the forums and to the hobby!

Ventilation is VERY important.  Especially when spraying lacquers and enamel paints.  Those fumes aren't good for the lungs.  If you can't get a spray booth to vent the overspray out of the room, you could open and window and use a fan to get the air moving.  That's what I did until I got a spray booth.  Most hobby sized spray boothes have an electric fan that pushes air out the back and you can usually attach a dryer vent to move the air outside.

Here is the one I use:   http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Paasche-22-HOBBY-SHOP-SPRAY-PAINT-BOOTH-HSSB-22-16-/190496959743?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a80ecff

Youtube has some scale modeling tutorials but the best way to learn airbrushing is to practice.   

For your work bench set up, go with whatever makes it easy for you to build.  Make sure you have some good light sources.  Some kind of magnifying lens is good.  I have an Optivisor and a desk magnifier.  Get good paint brushes and different types of glues like liquid cement, CA glue (superglue), and some putty.  That should get you going.  You may need to put up some money up front but it is stuff you (hopefully) only have to buy once.

I'm a noob who just got back into models let me offer 4 months of lessons:  They are from a novice to a novice:

Acrylic paints have much less fumes than enamel and for airbrush clean up all I have to do is rinse under a faucet and shoot some water through.  I don't have a vent system so I bought a good ventilator mask from Lowe's for $30.  The fumes you avoid using acrylics vs enamels is HUGE and the clean up is great.  I use model masters and mix it about 1 distilled water to 3 paint ratio.  One thing I have seen about acrylics is sometimes a priming coat is necessary because they don't cover as good as enamels. However, once you do a priming coat they go on awesome.

You will have to practice with your airbrush.  I am just now getting the hang of the basics.

Recommend getting a couple of scrap kits to build just to experiment.  I only did one then jumped into a 1/48th B-17 which I thought would be so perfect it could actually fly.  Too big a bite for my skill level although lots of lessons learned.

Also, go to a local model show (they publish some dates/locations on this forum.  They often have dealers that sell kits and books at fantastic prices.  You'll also have tons of experts around that would be happy to discuss any questions, etc you might have based on your skill level. 

I've also found this is a great site for techniques: http://www.swannysmodels.com/Tools.html

I've found a reliable, cheap supplier online at hobbylinc.com but try to support your local hobby store as much as possible.

Good luck!

Thanks!. What mag power is your Optivisor ?

macattack80

to the forums and to the hobby!

Ventilation is VERY important.  Especially when spraying lacquers and enamel paints.  Those fumes aren't good for the lungs.  If you can't get a spray booth to vent the overspray out of the room, you could open and window and use a fan to get the air moving.  That's what I did until I got a spray booth.  Most hobby sized spray boothes have an electric fan that pushes air out the back and you can usually attach a dryer vent to move the air outside.

Here is the one I use:   http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Paasche-22-HOBBY-SHOP-SPRAY-PAINT-BOOTH-HSSB-22-16-/190496959743?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a80ecff

Youtube has some scale modeling tutorials but the best way to learn airbrushing is to practice.   

Thanks!  I did order a paint booth.  I'm also reading I need a paint mask?

I found several good tutorials on Youtube.com and most all suggest practice practice practice.

I'm hoping to use 100% acrylics but I'm not sure thats doable?

Also, I not sure what percentage of the paint job is done with airbrush and what percent with brush?

Don KC

I'm a noob who just got back into models let me offer 4 months of lessons:  They are from a novice to a novice:

Acrylic paints have much less fumes than enamel and for airbrush clean up all I have to do is rinse under a faucet and shoot some water through.  I don't have a vent system so I bought a good ventilator mask from Lowe's for $30.  The fumes you avoid using acrylics vs enamels is HUGE and the clean up is great.  I use model masters and mix it about 1 distilled water to 3 paint ratio.  One thing I have seen about acrylics is sometimes a priming coat is necessary because they don't cover as good as enamels. However, once you do a priming coat they go on awesome.

You will have to practice with your airbrush.  I am just now getting the hang of the basics.

Recommend getting a couple of scrap kits to build just to experiment.  I only did one then jumped into a 1/48th B-17 which I thought would be so perfect it could actually fly.  Too big a bite for my skill level although lots of lessons learned.

Also, go to a local model show (they publish some dates/locations on this forum.  They often have dealers that sell kits and books at fantastic prices.  You'll also have tons of experts around that would be happy to discuss any questions, etc you might have based on your skill level. 

I've also found this is a great site for techniques: http://www.swannysmodels.com/Tools.html

I've found a reliable, cheap supplier online at hobbylinc.com but try to support your local hobby store as much as possible.

Good luck!

Thanks a mil!  Good pointers and links.  Can you buy acrylic paint that does not require mixing?

If you have a spray booth and use acrylics, I don't think you will need a mask.  I use one because I don't have a ventilation system.

I don't know if they have acrylics that don't require thinning to spray.  It's actually very, very easy.  I have a dropper of water or a bottle of water, put a few drops right into the airbrush, then pour the paint in.  The ratios of water to paint aren't set in stone and I only eyeball it.  I mix with a toothpick and then spray on a piece of scrap for a couple of seconds to clear out the water in the bottom of the cup (I have a gravity feed, if you don't you won't need to clear out the spray).  Then spray away.  This test spray tells me if the paint has too much water in it but that only rarely happens and when it does, I just put in a couple more drops of paint.

I almost forgot, you will need one of these:  http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/airbrush-cleaning-pot-620914/  This is great and cuts down on the fumes  and mess when you're cleaning your airbrush.  If you have a Hobby Lobby near you they very often have 40% off coupons or 30% off sales you can use.  When I'm done spraying and I don't want to save the paint (I never have had the need to), I spray into this cleaning pot until the paint is almost gone then drop in a few drops of water at a time while still blowing.  I then run the airbrush under the faucet, and spray a few more drops of water through.

Don KC

If you have a spray booth and use acrylics, I don't think you will need a mask.  I use one because I don't have a ventilation system.

I don't know if they have acrylics that don't require thinning to spray.  It's actually very, very easy.  I have a dropper of water or a bottle of water, put a few drops right into the airbrush, then pour the paint in.  The ratios of water to paint aren't set in stone and I only eyeball it.  I mix with a toothpick and then spray on a piece of scrap for a couple of seconds to clear out the water in the bottom of the cup (I have a gravity feed, if you don't you won't need to clear out the spray).  Then spray away.  This test spray tells me if the paint has too much water in it but that only rarely happens and when it does, I just put in a couple more drops of paint.

I almost forgot, you will need one of these:  http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/airbrush-cleaning-pot-620914/  This is great and cuts down on the fumes  and mess when you're cleaning your airbrush.  If you have a Hobby Lobby near you they very often have 40% off coupons or 30% off sales you can use.  When I'm done spraying and I don't want to save the paint (I never have had the need to), I spray into this cleaning pot until the paint is almost gone then drop in a few drops of water at a time while still blowing.  I then run the airbrush under the faucet, and spray a few more drops of water through.

Thanks!

Hokey

Thanks!. What mag power is your Optivisor ?

I use the Optivisor DA7 which has 2 3/4 maginfication at a 6 inch focal length.  Some modelers use a couple different lenses for different applications

Hokey

 

Thanks!  I did order a paint booth.  I'm also reading I need a paint mask?

I found several good tutorials on Youtube.com and most all suggest practice practice practice.

I'm hoping to use 100% acrylics but I'm not sure thats doable?

Also, I not sure what percentage of the paint job is done with airbrush and what percent with brush?

I have a respirator mask that I wear when airbrushing too.  Especially with lacquers.  I bought one at a home improvement store. 

You can use all acrylic paints if you wish.  Some modelers only use acrylics. 

As for the paint job percentage, that is up to the modeler.  Most use the airbrush for most of the painting except detail painting for obvious reasons.  Masking will be another skill you will learn if you plan on airbrushing.  It is a necessary evil. 

Thank you all for taking the time to help.  I'll prolly be back soon with more questions!

To the forums Ron

try this website it has a good how to video on aircraft which also includes the tools required

heres the first one

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try this again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlNWxwtqjdc&feature=player_embedded

ColGray

try this again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlNWxwtqjdc&feature=player_embedded

Great - perfect for me the beginner!  Thanks.