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I know I am going to sound like a fool for asking this...

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  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Kennesaw, GA
Posted by jdavidb on Thursday, September 2, 2004 9:46 PM
I've tested new formula Acryl too. Man, that stuff is durable when put directly on plastic. It beats every acrylic I've tried to scratch into with a fingernail.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Thursday, September 2, 2004 9:34 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by MagicMoonMonkey

I have been given a compressor by my local model store as a loan to assist me in learning how to use an airbrush without worrying about lost pressure from canned air. I am assured this runs at 15 psi.


I need to move to your city,,, My LHS looks at me strange bacause I never ogle their selection of RC cars and go straight for the plastic kits.... plus they sold their entire selection of MM acryls... ::sigh:: but I was so comfortable with them!!!!!!!!
---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 2:45 PM
Thank you all very much for your help. I am sure the information you have provided will help me greatly. Thank you again.

In response to the question regarding my airbrush, I have an Aztek A270. I felt it was prudent to buy a cheaper airbrush to begin with so I can get a feel for airbrushing by just using it for base coating. Hopefully if I become competent with this model I will purchase an airbrush more suited to all round modelling.
I have been given a compressor by my local model store as a loan to assist me in learning how to use an airbrush without worrying about lost pressure from canned air. I am assured this runs at 15 psi.

Thank you again for your time and help.

MMM
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 8:28 AM
I use the following acrylics - Gunze, Vallejo and Tamiya.

Gunze and Tamiya, I get the best results using 2 thinner to 1 paint (thinner = 1 water and 1 Isopropyl Alcohol-Tamiya thinner)

Vallejo, is best thinned with water (demin) but will work ok with tapwater .
The best ratio is 2 paint to 1 water
If you have the Citadel Skull white spray cans , these work well as a base - you will need a base if you are airbrushing acrylics.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 12:27 AM
before you get going to far... what kinda AB did ya get?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 11:09 PM
I concur with most everyone at 3 to 2 it seems to do the trick for my pasche.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 11:00 PM
Welcome to the forum, MMM! As these fine modelers have said, you can start with either a 3:2 or 2:1 paint-to-thinner mix ratio (specially for oil-based enamels). If you wish to be sure that it's a good-enough consistency, follow this visual check which I got from a Tamiya painting guide: after mixing the paint and thinner, lift the paint stirrer or mixing stick off the liquid and watch how the mixture drips from the stick. If it drips continuously in a thin stream as if you're pouring pancake syrup, then it's still thick, and you need to add more thinner. If it drips in drops, then it is good enough for airbrushing. The faster the dripping, the thinner the mixture is. Since you're just starting to AB and are not yet into detail work, I suggest that you avoid mixing your paint too thinly so as to avoid paint runs.

Take note that most water-based acrylic paints are already thin and can even be sprayed straight from the bottle, like Tamiya Acrylics. Usually they require only 10-20% thinner. But whichever type of paint you're going to use, I suggest that you practice AB'ing first on a scrap styrene sheet or model, and experiment with spraying distances, angles, etc. That way you'll get the hang of AB'ing and see what "surprises" or problems may come up when you AB the real thing. This will also save you the frustration of possibly botching your first AB job on a good model. Good luck and hope this helps.

Cheers,
onyan
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 9:25 PM
its really personal preference.....something you just have to play with. different airbrushes will spray different viscosities of paint differently. so, what type airbrush do you have? 3 parts paint to 2 parts thinner is an excellent place to start, then from there, just add a little paint or thinner and write down what you add until you tweak out your favorite concoction. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 8:07 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dubix88

HEY,
I have even heard of using 1:1, but that sounds too thick.


Randy,

A paint to thinner ratio of 1:1 is NOT thick, it is really thin. Big Smile [:D] Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: USA
Posted by MusicCity on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 7:58 PM
Like they said ... noboby is going to mock you.

Thinning paint is, in many respects, a matter of personal preference. How thin the paint needs to be depends on how much pressure you use and that, in most cases, depends on how far from the model you spray. If you spray close, at low pressure, the paint needs to be thinner or it won't spray properly. If you use a bunch of pressure (not recommended!) you can spray it thick. Find a pressure / distance / thinning ratio that you like and stick with it.

I usually spray at about 10 - 15 psi from about 4 - 6" from the surface, and I thin my paint about 3:1 (paint : thinner). If I am doing fine lines I'll reduce the pressure to around 5 - 8 psi, thin the paint more, and spray from about an inch away.
Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Melbourne, Australia
Posted by darson on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 7:02 PM
Hi there MagicMoonMonkey Sign - Welcome [#welcome] to FSM.

Nobody will mock you for asking a perfectly valid question. I also use MM enamels and I use a ratio of 3 parts paint to 2 parts thinner spraying at 15 -18 psi.

As a test to see if your paint is thin enough use a tooth pick to tap a little paint inside the airbrush colour cup, if it runs down straight away, the paint should be thin enough.

Don't be afraid to experiment with your paint mixes on a scrap card, you'll soon get the feel of how much thinner to add.

Cheers
Darren
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 6:53 PM
I have seen some the the mix is 3 parts paint to 2 parts thinner. I hope that this will help some. for I am in the same boat. New AB and not not the right mix.
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Maine,USA
Posted by dubix88 on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 6:52 PM
HEY,
I have even heard of using 1:1, but that sounds too thick. Fpr acrylics it works, but for enamels, its more like 2::1 or 3:1 like digger said. I wouldnt use craft paints in it, just because ive had nothing but problems so far but that might just be me. I use water for craft paints(in case you decide to anyway), mineral spirits for enamels, and denatured alchohol for acrylics, or if i want a glossy finish with acrylics, ive used future. Works nice for me. If you use future use like a 50:50 ratio i think. I just go by what looks right now.

Randy
THATS MY VOTE "If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base." -Dave Barry In the words of the great Larry the Cable Guy, "GIT-R-DONE!!!"
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Ozarks of Arkansas
Posted by diggeraone on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 6:15 PM
Well lets see,I use mm enamels to paint with and use a 3to1 ratio.Some use a 2 to 1 ratio with aycrilics and enamels.1 being the thinner.Digger
Put all your trust in the Lord,do not put confidence in man.PSALM 118:8 We are in the buisness to do the impossible..G.S.Patton
  • Member since
    November 2005
I know I am going to sound like a fool for asking this...
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 6:08 PM
I have recently started building models proper. In the past the only models I painted was the gamesworkshop range. The painting of these figures are done by brush and I have found that this technique doesn't translate well to models proper. I have purchased an airbrush but here is my problem, please don't mock my ignorance...

Could someone please tell me the percentages of paint to thinner as I am having a real problem with the whole 'consistancy of milk' thing that the airbrush instructions tell me to make.

Thank you for your help, time and patience.

MMM
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