How much paint?

No way to really estimate that since it will depend on how thick you spray your coats, how much overspray you get, how many coats you use, etc.

When I get in a situation like that, I usually mix up more than I think I'll need. In your case, probably 2 or 3 cc thinned properly (that is really just a very rough guess). Just put what you don't use in a bottle, and use it later.

As long as the paint is thoroughly mixed each time and thinned the same each time, you should be able to mix more without any noticeable delineation between the different mixes.

i purchased some extra paint bottles (and i save the ones i empty as well) and i have the general colors already loaded, with a 10% ratio of white added for scale effect, and thinned to a common ratio. i usually keep white, black, interior green, and colors that you use all the time but only a couple of drops. i keep them pre-mixed and just drop a couple of drops in my airbrush and spray away. later.

QUOTE: Originally posted by saltydog i purchased some extra paint bottles (and i save the ones i empty as well) and i have the general colors already loaded, with a 10% ratio of white added for scale effect, and thinned to a common ratio. i usually keep white, black, interior green, and colors that you use all the time but only a couple of drops. i keep them pre-mixed and just drop a couple of drops in my airbrush and spray away. later.

Same here

If you're like me and model a particular period or country's aircraft, in my case WWII Luftwaffe, you end up using the same colours over and over again, so I find it makes sense to have them pre-mixed and ready to go.

It also helps with consistency if you have to go back for touch ups, you won't have touch ups a different shade to the original due to differences in the mix.

Karl

My method makes everyone else sweat but what I do is I mix mine right in the airbrush. yes... in the brushes color cup. I use an omni 4000, I drop a few drops of paint in straight til the bottom of the chamber and needle are covered. I then thin with whatever medium is neccessary using a very thin, flat, long wooden toothpick. Very very carefully mix the paint being mindful of the needle, and make sure the flat part of the toothpick is parralel to the needle so you dont jam up and spatter paint around. Works like a charm, I say my wasted paint is down around 2% of my total paint usage.

Jeff, I don't know what's scarier, the fact you mix paint in the brush, or that you've calculated your paint wastage!!!!

Karl

I usually do the same as Jeff and mix in the color cup, although the paint doesn't get mixed as well as it should sometimes.

Mike

Heh Karl... waste is money and money is something I have little of at the moment

I too mix my paint in the airbrush. I use a decent paint brush ( one that the hairs don't fall out) to mix the paint. If I am going to spray a large amount of color I will mix in an old film container. Very little paint gets wasted.
John

Jeez, I mix in the cup by using my eye dropper. squirt and swish - works fine for me.

QUOTE: Originally posted by woodbeck3 Heh Karl... waste is money and money is something I have little of at the moment

Join the club!

I just do things the Walmart way, and mix in bulk!

Just got to stick to Luftwaffe AC for the moment.

Karl