primer to use with airbrush

I didn't mean that I can use Future as a thinner and then spray without a primer coat first

I am a firm believer in using a primer,,,,,it's the only way I can get LifeColor to adhere to plastic,,,and I need something to cover up the putty from my "modeling skill", lol

the Future should work the same with the tube Acrylics as with the Folk Arts,,,,just make sure to only use it for part of your thinner, it won't evaporate, too much could leave you with not enough opacity

I did just think of something for a cheaper primer, though

Future mixed with Tamiya Flat Base,,,,,,after dipping a canopy, the paint sticks well enough to the Future coating,,,,,maybe mixing a few drops of white in with Future and Flat base will give an Acrylic mixture that adheres well to the model, and has "tooth" for the color coats

Doog, you have a point about different results for each person,,,,,I watched the owner of my LHS brushpaint Model Master Acrylics directly from the bottle onto his model, without a primer at all,,,,I sort of winced when I saw it,,,,the next week, the model was decaled and setting on display with his others in the case,,,,,,no way I would try that

Interesting about the Windex attacking the paint, maybe it is time for me to experiment with some different thinners.  I have only been airbrushing for a little while, and when I first began, I think I tried using windshield washer fluid, but not with great success.

Other thinning suggestions?  Keeping in mind that I am spraying indoors, which limits me to acrylics.  

 I am just about ready to prime an A-10, which is one of the main reasons I am looking for a primer I can airbrush, it has so many nooks and crannies to try to get into.  I have carried pieces outside in the past and rattle-canned them with primer, but difficult to get a decent even coat (for me) when working with odd shapes. Unfortunately I have had to put the model on hold for the last week or so, but hope to get it at least primed over the weekend.

Thanks for the help here. 

mgh

Interesting about the Windex attacking the paint, maybe it is time for me to experiment with some different thinners.  I have only been airbrushing for a little while, and when I first began, I think I tried using windshield washer fluid, but not with great success.

Other thinning suggestions?  Keeping in mind that I am spraying indoors, which limits me to acrylics.  

 I am just about ready to prime an A-10, which is one of the main reasons I am looking for a primer I can airbrush, it has so many nooks and crannies to try to get into.  I have carried pieces outside in the past and rattle-canned them with primer, but difficult to get a decent even coat (for me) when working with odd shapes. Unfortunately I have had to put the model on hold for the last week or so, but hope to get it at least primed over the weekend.

Thanks for the help here. 

I'm with ya on rattlecanning. Even with the really good spray heads I feel like it's a bear to control. It's a hammer when you need tweezers.

As for other thinners, I've had great luck with Testors' universal acrylic thinner. In fact, it's what I use now for both Lifecolor and Vallejo. Not entirely convinced as to durability, but it sure makes them spray well and alleviates most tip-dry issues.

Just...whatever you do...beware of thinning with alcohol-based stuff. It can work great on some acrylics, but it can cause others to clump badly and really mess up your airbrush.

Still have not managed to find any model acrylic primer locally.  I did some experimenting with no primer, with gray rattle-can primer, and even mixed up some hardware store latex primer.  No question in my mind that the rattle-can primer was most effective.  After carefully wiping down the model with rubbing alcohol, spraying the acrylic straight on with no primer appeared to work, though the only test I did was to stick some blue masking tape on it after a couple of days cure time.  I will say that I thought it was a little more difficult to airbrush with no primer; I thought it took a little more care and patience, building up thin coats.

If I ever decide to make an internet order for supplies, I will order some Tamiya acrylic primer and see what kind of luck I have with that.  It's either than or try to fashion a DIY paint booth, but I am trying to tame my spending on supplies.  I only came back to the hobby last May, and it is truly frightening the amount of money I have spent on supplies, kits have been a minor expense in comparison (but then my 'stash' totals 7 kits still untouched). 

At any rate, I appreciate the help here, and thought I would post an update.

mgh

Interesting about the Windex attacking the paint, maybe it is time for me to experiment with some different thinners.  

This is something I would like to experiment with as well.

Yes Windex is normally used for cleaning the airbrush, not as a thinning agent, but so is Isopropyl alcohol for that matter or any other thinning agent. I am no chemist so I don't know the differences in ammonia and alcohol as far as attacking the paint goes.