Aztec air brush technique

snobrd13
Generally speaking, I use Tamiya and MM Acryl paints, and you are correct, sometimes I find that the paint does dry in the nozzle way to quickly. Between coats, I'll usually spray a small cup of thinner to clear the nozzle out. When finished airbrushing, I'll leave the nozzle soaking in a film canister full of Windex (the blue window washing liquid). After 24 to 48 hours (doesn't matter how long really) just rinse the nozzle, and it should be ready to go. The Windex really has no problem in cutting through any acrylic paint.

Tamiya acrylic thinner has a retarder built in and works well, I've used it with Tamiya & Model master paint. I just shoot water, followed by acryl paint clearner to clean the tips. Afterwhich is good enough to shoot a new color. After I'm done for the day, just drop the tip into a small container of windex (ammonia window cleaner). I dump it out the next day, and its perfectly clean.

snobrd - if you have problems with acrylics drying too fast you can pick up an acrylic retarder at any art store (hobby lobby and michaels as well) ... it will slow the drying time...

if you use an all metal airbrush such as a badger or Iwata etc... you can use needle lube to help eliminate tip dry as well... and it also makes it even EASIER to clean.. I rarely have any paint on my needle at all at the end of the night when I remove the needle and wipe it!

Hi there Zokissima,
Your last statement caught my attention......"acrylic is easy to clean". I stay away from acrylics because I'm afraid they will dry in my airbrush before I get it thoroughly cleaned. What's your cleaning method of choice? It sure would be nice to be freed of the oil based vapours.
Mike

Sounds like you have too much paint residue left on the nozzle.
BTW, just a friendly suggestion, but you may wish to consider trying some acrylic paints. I've switched to acrylics and don't ever intend to go back to enamels. You get just as good results, but the paint dries quicker, and you don't need to worry about as many dangerous chemicals. Also, much easier to clean, and this will be something you want to take into consideration with an aztec.

I would wipe down the nozles thoroughlky and take them apart and wash them witrh lacquer thinner. after that I would go by myself a badger 155 Anthem.

Hello guys,

Thanks for the tips most appreciated

TRISTAN

Another thing to do is periodiacally look at your tip while painting. An Aztek tip is quite small in diameter at the end which places the needle guard extensions close to the spray. Sometimes paint will collect on the on the needle guards and either drip or get splattered onto your model. If some paint does collect, give a quick wipe with a paper towel.

Tristan -

The Dec or Jan FSM mag had a section on air brush problems. Find the picture that matches the issue you're having and check the fix. Large blobs and splattering can be two different things. Causes can be anything form too much air pressure, to water in the line, to not having the air brush nozzle clean enough, to not mixing the paint/thinner throughly .

I've used Aztek air brushes with Acrylics for decades without problems.

Archer out.