Tamiya Paint Question

Tickmagnet

Thanks great tip, and looks like the answer to my problem.

Good to know it's working out for you. 

Phil_H

I usually like my Tamiya paints very thin, but I find that the metallics are a different animal.

The metallic particles in Tamiya's paints don't seeem to be as fine as those in other brands. When I thin to the same extent as the regular non-metallic paints (up to 80% thinner) the metallic particles settle very quickly. When poured into the airbrush cup, the particles very quickly settle in the bottom. When this happens, if anything comes out at all, you get rough silver splatters with a tiny amount of the coloured carrier.

I'd suggest thinning the paint no more than 2 parts thinner to one part paint and up the pressure (around 20PSI seems to work for me) till you get a consistent spray pattern.

BTW: I use a 0.35mm Sparmax so your 0.3 should still be able to handle this.

 

Thanks great tip, and looks like the answer to my problem. 

plasticjunkie

I remember a while back using my Badger Renegade with Xtra fine tip to spray Tamiya flat aluminum on a Jap plane and it sprayed very smooth and even. I diluted the paint with the Tamiya thinner like 60-70% thinner.

But for metallic paints Alclad is hard to beat delivering a very realistic metallic tone.

 

Thanks for the info but I am avoiding lacquers and enamels. Well basically anything with strong odors. Neither the wife nor I can tolerate them. Guess my smeller has changed since I was a kid and brush painted everything with testors enamels. I saw a video of some acrylic bare metal paints I think they were mig brand. I may look into those but I am getting this silver to spray better for me now thanks to all the tips.

Phil_H

I usually like my Tamiya paints very thin, but I find that the metallics are a different animal.

The metallic particles in Tamiya's paints don't seeem to be as fine as those in other brands. When I thin to the same extent as the regular non-metallic paints (up to 80% thinner) the metallic particles settle very quickly. When poured into the airbrush cup, the particles very quickly settle in the bottom. When this happens, if anything comes out at all, you get rough silver splatters with a tiny amount of the coloured carrier.

I'd suggest thinning the paint no more than 2 parts thinner to one part paint and up the pressure (around 20PSI seems to work for me) till you get a consistent spray pattern.

BTW: I use a 0.35mm Sparmax so your 0.3 should still be able to handle this.

 

Thanks Phil, I'll give that a try and see what I get.

I remember a while back using my Badger Renegade with Xtra fine tip to spray Tamiya flat aluminum on a Jap plane and it sprayed very smooth and even. I diluted the paint with the Tamiya thinner like 60-70% thinner.

But for metallic paints Alclad is hard to beat delivering a very realistic metallic tone.

I usually like my Tamiya paints very thin, but I find that the metallics are a different animal.

The metallic particles in Tamiya's paints don't seeem to be as fine as those in other brands. When I thin to the same extent as the regular non-metallic paints (up to 80% thinner) the metallic particles settle very quickly. When poured into the airbrush cup, the particles very quickly settle in the bottom. When this happens, if anything comes out at all, you get rough silver splatters with a tiny amount of the coloured carrier.

I'd suggest thinning the paint no more than 2 parts thinner to one part paint and up the pressure (around 20PSI seems to work for me) till you get a consistent spray pattern.

BTW: I use a 0.35mm Sparmax so your 0.3 should still be able to handle this.

@ Greg

You are welcome. I am sure I will be wanting of a newer better airbrush before long. I think then I'll change this cheaper airbrush to a slightly larger needle for area spraying. I'm still on my starter kit for airbrush.

Rambo

I use to use iso91% but started having problems with the paint drying before reaching the surface, changed over to the Tamiya brand thinner and problem went away, the Tamiya thinner also has a flow improver and retarder in it so I've heard, don't know for sure but my problem went away by using it.

 

I was having my problem when using the thinner. switched to alcohol and it worked better, have no idea why but it did. Maybe atmospheric conditions, who knows. But, this issue is just the silver paints. All the other paints work great for me with their thinner.

Tickmagnet

 

 

Greg

It might be the thinning ratio as Clint said.

And I wonder, could it be the .3mm nozzle is a bit small for Tamiya acrylics? I'd try .5 or even .7 if you are able to.

 

 

 

 

Thanks but I don't believe it's the needle since all the other colors of Tamiya Acrylic I have work just fine. I tried some 91% alcohol instead of Tamiya X20A and it made an improvement at a 50/50 mix I don't know why it did but it did better than the x20a at that mix. I'm going to try a 30/70 which was suggested and see what that does.

 

I'm glad thinning is helping you.

I would prefer to be wrong about the needle/nozzle size if you cannot change it out easily. I have read that certain metallic paints have contain metal flakes. I don't know much about paint chemistry and have no idea if this pertains to Tamiya metallic acrylic or not.

Thank you for acknowledging my post even though my suggestion did not help you. This is a rare courtesy in these parts lately, and one I truly appreciate.

GMorrison

To me, "metallic" and "acrylic" are a tough combo. I use Alclad II or Testor's; both thin well (Alclad works as is) and spray well.

Try thinning it way down, go higher pressure, and if you can get an even coat be prepared to do lots of them.

 

I believe that is the fix along with using alcohol instead of the thinner. For some reason The alcohol in place of thinner made an improvement. I'll keep playing around with it.

Greg

It might be the thinning ratio as Clint said.

And I wonder, could it be the .3mm nozzle is a bit small for Tamiya acrylics? I'd try .5 or even .7 if you are able to.

 

Thanks but I don't believe it's the needle since all the other colors of Tamiya Acrylic I have work just fine. I tried some 91% alcohol instead of Tamiya X20A and it made an improvement at a 50/50 mix I don't know why it did but it did better than the x20a at that mix. I'm going to try a 30/70 which was suggested and see what that does.

Rambo

For metal paint I use alclad II so not to sure about the Tamiya, but I always thin Tamiya 3:7 3 parts paint to 7 parts thinner using Tamiya brand thinner.

 

Thanks for the info I actually went down to the spray booth after I posted this and thinned it with 91% alcohol and it made and improvement. Don't know why that made a difference but it did. It's not where I want it, but close enough at a 50/50 mix. I'll try a 3 to 7 next time I'm down there.

To me, "metallic" and "acrylic" are a tough combo. I use Alclad II or Testor's; both thin well (Alclad works as is) and spray well.

Try thinning it way down, go higher pressure, and if you can get an even coat be prepared to do lots of them.

It might be the thinning ratio as Clint said.

And I wonder, could it be the .3mm nozzle is a bit small for Tamiya acrylics? I'd try .5 or even .7 if you are able to.