first airbrush attempt

What kind of paint, airbrush, compressor/propellant, paint to thinner ratio, thinner, and air pressure were you using? how far were you spraying from the subject? answer these and the fine members of this forum will provide a wealth of information for you. you must answer most of these questions first. later.

I was using testors acrylic, thinned with water 1:1, using my badger 150 AB and 80-2 compressor. Im not sure what psi it was because i dont have a regulator and I was spraying probably about 2-4 inches from subject.

You are probably running too high on the PSI, compensate by not thinning the paint so much. I usually thin about 25% to 30%. Move back to about 6 inches. Don't try to get solid color on first coat - don't pull back all the way on the trigger, only about half way or less, just dust it then wait a few minutes then dust it again. Build up a few layers to get color density. I've used a Badger 150 for many years and it does take a little while to get the hang of it but it is a very good brush. Do not lose patience - keep at it and you will get better. Another thing to try, take a piece of card board and try to draw fine lines, squiggles or circles. Do things like they teach little kids that are learning cursive.

excellent advice swanny! nothin's gonna replace the importance of hours of practice and patience logged on your ab. ive never seen the compressor you're talking about but regulators are very useful in this hobby. a general working psi is usually anywhere from 10-25 lb range. you should be able to find a sweet spot with the 1:1 ratio in that range. read some of mikeV's posts, he's very familiar with badger equipment. he'll probably get around to posting on this subject, so keep you're eyes peeled. he has very useful and helpful advice. later

QUOTE: Originally posted by saltydog read some of mikeV's posts, he's very familiar with badger equipment. he'll probably get around to posting on this subject, so keep you're eyes peeled. he has very useful and helpful advice. later

Who? Me?

Swanny gave all the advice he needs.
I have yet to use a Badger 150 but I am getting one to try out here in the near future along with a Badger Anthem 155 and a Badger 360. I will test them all out and give my impressions in a future post.

Mike

Mike, I'll be flying into S.F. on April 12 - any hobby shops that I should be looking for while I'm there? I'll have the wife with me so can't buy too much stuff.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Swanny Mike, I'll be flying into S.F. on April 12 - any hobby shops that I should be looking for while I'm there? I'll have the wife with me so can't buy too much stuff.

Matt,

I don't know any in San Francisco but if you drive south on highway 101 you can hit San Antonio Hobby Shop in Mountain View, CA. It is about 1/2 hr from the SFO airport I would guess.
It's 15,000 sq ft! But since you have your wife with you then that might be a bad idea.

http://www.sahobby.com/

Mike

Thanks guys for all the help, today I practiced with squggly lines and writing my name and then tried to paint another old car body. Much to my surprise the results were much improved. Still nowhere near a decent paint job, but its a step in that direction. once again thanks for the help.

QUOTE: Originally posted by caseyn5 Thanks guys for all the help, today I practiced with squggly lines and writing my name and then tried to paint another old car body. Much to my surprise the results were much improved. Still nowhere near a decent paint job, but its a step in that direction. once again thanks for the help.

Keep at it my friend. It will get better and better and you will become less and less tempted to throw that airbrush in the garbage can.

Mike

ain't it the truth mike!

I started out with a Paasche VL which was much more difficult to use than these nice new Omni's, Vega's, Eclipses, etc.
You are more fortunate.

Mike