thinning paints

QUOTE: the wait for my compressor is killing me... the can of air only lasts so long.... i picked up a 1litre can of satin black automotive paint so ive got lots to practice with, i know ill get it sooner or later i just wanted somewhere to start...

I understand the problems with the cans. I used them for about a week many years ago and that was enough for me. My compressor is going to have to go in the shop with some motor problems, but luckily it's still under warranty and there is a service center here. I'm relegated to spraying with my old no-tank compressor and I hate it.

QUOTE: btw, i went to the model railway expo and i didnt find a touch n flow applicator(but i did pick up this cool small item holder) so im gonna give it another go...

I still don't understand why my hypo applicator works well and yours doesn't. Oh well, such is the way of things I guess.

thanks again music city!

the wait for my compressor is killing me... the can of air only lasts so long....
i picked up a 1litre can of satin black automotive paint so ive got lots to practice with, i know ill get it sooner or later i just wanted somewhere to start...

btw, i went to the model railway expo and i didnt find a touch n flow applicator(but i did pick up this cool small item holder) so im gonna give it another go...

QUOTE: how do u guys test ur paint?

I spray mine to test it. If it sprays at the pressure I want to use and covers properly then it is thinned properly.

I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again. Thinning is, in my opinion, very much a matter of personal preference; there are no rules. Pick a pressure that you want to spray at, within reason, and thin the paint enough so that it sprays properly and covers properly at that pressure. If you don't have to thin it at all to get it to spray, so be it. If you have to thin it 1:1, so be it. What counts is how the paint looks on the model, not how much you thin it.

Start about 15 psi and get the paint to do what you want at that pressure. When painting very close, as when doing soft-edged camo, reduce the pressure a little and thin the paint a little more.

hey
ive been reading some posts here and ppl say that they dont thin tamiya acryl's at all or add 2:1 thinner. and i feel that im using to much, although the paint comes out nice....
i was just wondering how u guys test the paint to see if its thin enough? is what i said in my last post a good methiod? ( im not sure coz in the video the guy was using a aztec ab with a plastic cup, and the anthem has a metal cup)?
how do u guys test ur paint?

HI tominator i have found a one to one mix of thinner to paint ratio nessary in my new iwata hp cs air brush,it also depends of if you are using flats ,semi gloss or gloss.also it depends on air pressure range,i personally use arount 30 lbs and controll pressure from that point on how much i press down on the trigger .I hope this is helpful to you willie65