Orange peel

avoid it...actually there are some good articles in the mag about airbrush basics just last issue there was a great spread,..

good luck

carlos

Orange peel is an effect that looks just like that of an orange peel. Not only does it happen when airbrushing but it also occurs when you use rattle cans as well.

Orange peel effect can be corrected post painting by simply wet sanding the paint to rub out the effect. Car builders do it even on 1:1 scale projects.

Its partially caused by paint not self leveling and drying at different rates.

When you wet sand you knock down the high spots and level the paint surface to a more even consistency.

It should be noted that orange peel is more prevalent when using gloss paints. It may be minimal or non-existent on flat paints painted under the same conditions.

You should not attempt to wet-sand the paint until it has completely cured, typically at least 2-3 days depending on the type of paint and ambient conditions (temp/humidity etc) . In the case of Tamiya gloss acrylics, it may take considerably longer, up to 10 days, perhaps longer.

Try to avoid it.  Two common causes are too much distance between airbrush and model surface, or too high an air pressure.  Improper thinning can also be a factor.

I use 15 psi for gloss paint, 20 for flats.