pressure settings

Experimentation is the best way to find out, because different paints and different viscosities will come out different at the same settings. I find that most thinned model paints airbrush well at somewhere between 12 and 20 psi, with finer results with thinner paint at lower pressures.

I use a CH five gallon air tank, old school I guess. I use water based acrylics and a single action brush. I find that a 60/40 mixture with a few drops of liquid detergent works wonders. I start out at 80 pounds and have great results, though I don't recommend this, since my pressure drops with usage. With a compressor, 20-30 pounds will give you the best results. Try acrylics, I think you will like it.

I never use a pressure higher than 25 psi because of the excessive over-spray that it causes. All of that paint will settle pack on your model and give it a very gritty feel. My normal setting is 20 psi with Model Master at a normal thinning. If I thin it a little more then I can set the pressure down to 15 psi for real close fine work. If you don't have a pressure gauge then you should but one. Dixie Airbrush in New Orleans carries a lot of airbrush products and their prices seem very reasonable. I have never ordered from them so you might post to see if anyone has done business with them. They do have a website but I don't remember the exact address.

I mix my paints with about 30% thinner... depending...

I usually use about 18 -20 psi for acrylics and enamels, and about 9 - 10psi for lacquers (like Alclad).


naplak Modeling:
http://www.naplak.com/modeling

15-20 lbs more or less