Q. 4 MusicCity

My advice would be to stick with enamels. However if you insist on using acrylics (), maybe you're having a bad reaction between all the stuff you're using? IME using an acrylic retarder eliminates the problems you're having, but you're using one already... very odd...

You're problem has happened to me, but that was because the bottle of paint had gone bad, perhaps that si your problem?

I don't have problems like that, Bill, and it isn't natural for acrylics. I'm not familiar with Gunze acrylics but a lot of people use them and don't seem to have those problems.

It sounds like either the paint isn't thin enough, the thinner and paint aren't mixed well enough, or the paint is drying in the tip. Try thinning it some more and adding a touch more retarder and see if that helps at all. If it helps a little, keep going in that direction until you reach the point that it just isn't covering very well any longer, and then back up a bit.

I use Tamiya, Model Master, and Polly Scale acrylics and they never behave in that manner. For the Tamiya and MM acrylics I thin them with either alcohol or Golden Airbrush Medium. If I use alcohol I always add a couple of drops of retarder. The Golden medium already has retarder in it. For PollyScale I seldom thin them, but if I do I use plain old water as the bottle recommends. I usually thin about 3:1, but I'm not real accurate about it and don't worry a lot about the ratio. If it won't spray I up the pressure a little; if it's runny I drop the pressure a little. Also, like you, I keep a Q-Tip handy and wipe the tip off every time I put the brush down.

I don't particularly agree with the advice to go back to enamels, unless you find that those are what you prefer, but that's my personal opinion. Acrylics work very well once you get accustomed to them, and I personally would never go back. I like being able to clean up with water and mild cleaners, not filling my basement with fumes, and so forth.

Bad paint?? possibly, I know that everytime I open a new bottle of Gunze it is only half full, I hate that!, going to change brands for that reason alone.
Retarder? possibly I am not using enough? Or... what is retarder supposed to look like? it says a couple of drops, but.. it comes out as a semi- thick substance, maybe thicker than extra thick super glue, kinda hard to gauge a drop like that. Maybe I just haven't used enough to learn it yet, only used like 8 bottles since trying acrylics. Drat!!

QUOTE: Or... what is retarder supposed to look like? it says a couple of drops, but.. it comes out as a semi- thick substance, maybe thicker than extra thick super glue,

What the ..... ?? Mine is thin as water. Not sure how they expect that to mix properly unless you use an electric blender! Try some Createx retarder or Golden Airbrush Medium. I think youre retarder may be causing part of your problems, that just doesn't sound right to me.

OOps, sry Scott, I was replying while you were advising me.
Ok, will do, I like the acrylics also, just that little problem, for the same reasons. In my short modeling career I used enamels and while I like them, I have learned some of the advantages of acrylics. I am going to try your advice in 'bout an hour, will let you know.
I made that little paint fume trap that Swanny made, with the air filter in the Cool whip tub, works great, but.... tired of all the other stuff that goes with enamels, I will always use them once in a while I suppose , until I get really good and know exactly whats up with all the intracasies of A/Bing, but, it's a lot of fun learning anyway.
Don't get me wrong everyone, I am not knocking enamels, just like the quickness of cleaning and cleanliness of acrylics, not to mention the fumes even with a good vent hood.

Thanks for helping me out Scott,
Bill

Bill, it sounds as if you're using the wrong retarder. It shouldn't be thick at all. I've heard using a drop of plain old dishwashing liquid also works.

I use Tamiya Acrylics and Tamiya thinner which includes a retarder, and haven't had any problems with it. Well, other than operator error!

DRAT! did it again!!! LOL.
Aha, at least we are on the right trail Holmes!!
THX for coming back with that Scott, So.. I got bad retarder, figures!!!!

Going to take care of that first thing!!!

Bill

P.S. Thx Brigg, apparently you have learned more from Scott than I have, Drat!

I should have mentioned that I'm not familiar with the Vallejo retarder, or any of their line for that matter, but that just doesn't sound right to me from your description. I've been using Golden medium lately and like it a lot. It looks a lot like white dishwashing liquid in the bottle, but a little thinner. The Createx retarder is about the consistency of water, and Liquitex Flow-Aid is about the same. I just can't imagine anything as viscous as you make it sound blending very well.

Don't fret it, it's all about learning and making mistakes and then learning from your mistakes. I learn something new just about every day from the forums I visit. That's one of the good things about the electronic age, we can learn a lot from other people's mistakes.

Hi Scott, yes you are right, I am not one to get mad or quit, being a newb at this, you wouldn't believe the mistakes I have made, I read other posts and whatnot and hear bout really bad tantrums, can't learn that way. I also use mistakes as a learning process.
I am going to see if I can get the Golden medium, if not, I wiil try to get one of the other two. Only two places I can think of for that, My "not so local" hobby shop, or a good art supply store, which is sorta close.
No, the retarder I have doesn't blend very well, just thought it was supposed to be that way.
Thanks again for the help Scott,

Bill

Hmmm the Vallejo thinner/rertarder is like chalky water, and so is the bottle of liquitex retarder I use for other acrylics... kind of like VERY skim milk

It sounds like thinning a bit more and using a 'good' retarder might do the trick Bill... in fact the retarder might be the cause of this if it is thick as it sounds... it would be negating any thinning you are doing.

I use 95% acrylics in painting, love them and would NEVER go back to solely enamels... I find them easier to use, easier to clean up, and as you said... no smell!

I'd be interested to see how they turn out without the bad retarder. I use mainly Color of Eagles Aircraft Colors (made by Vallejo), MM Acryl and a smidge of the Tamiya paints and have had no huge problems with any of them.. in fact the first two have been great every time!

Good luck to you!! Once you get it down I think you will like them too!

P.S. I am in Houston too...(saw that in another thread you replied in) a great place to pick up paint and worth the drive is Hobby Island down on Richmond. They have an ad on here somewhere with directions. Hobby Lobby has a 'fair' selection of Boyd and MM Acryl but you're better off at Hobby Island. I recommend the Color of Eagles line they carry there... very economical as there is little waste with them, and easier to spray than the others IMHO, and that Vallejo thinner goes great with them as they are really Vallejo paints.... I've got nearly the whole line of them now... what I couldn't get there I ordered off www.greatmodels.com. Good luck again!!!

QUOTE: I am going to see if I can get the Golden medium, if not, I wiil try to get one of the other two. Only two places I can think of for that, My "not so local" hobby shop, or a good art supply store, which is sorta close.

The art supply store is the place to go. I doubt that any hobby shop would carry either one. I got both of mine at Plaaza Art Supply here, but I've also seen them in Michaels. If you can't find them let me know and I'll send you a little of each.

Okay boys, I'll fessup. I posted about many of the same problems a couple of weeks ago. My retarder is also thick as all get out. I bought the retarder made by Golden from the local Dick Blick. Maybe I'll try another brand and have better luck with acrylics.

E

Hi Tom, Yes, I go to Hobby Island, Heck of a drive for me but... no where else to go, unbelievable in a city the size of Houston!! Being new at ..well, all of it, but especially new to acrylics, I really didn't/don't know which is best, just got Gunze cause of posts I read, but , I am done with them, cheap skates!!
I didn't see a big selection of Vallejo paints there but when I go it is during the week, and it's some car guy who doesn't know alot bout the kind of paints I need. When I go again, I will go on a weekend and see what's up with the MM brand and Color of Eagles Brand, honestly never ever heard of that one!!.
I just became a member of IPMS, so, maybe I will see you around sometime!
I just joined hoping it would get me in contact with ppl in the hobby around here, but when I E-mailed the chapter close to me, (down in Webster) I still have not received an answer, . O well, I guess I got into a lonely hobby.
Scott, Yes, tomorrow I go to the Art supply store and see if they have at least one of those brands, they should at least have the Liquitex, cuz they have alot of their products, course , thats where I got the retarder I have now, LOL. but maybe that was just a fluke, anyway, I at least know what to look for now!!!! So.. Thankyou, thankyou! To think, I would have just kept on using it, DOH!

Thanks again guys!!!
Bill

Bill - the Color of Eagles paint is on the glass counter near the cash register. They are squeeze bottles in a rack, I don't think the display is marked real well. The Vallejo itself is on the right side of that aisle of paints at the back of the store (facing the aircraft models), you'll see the resemblence between the two immediately. Same squeeze bottle. The ones in a rack off to their own are the airbrush colors if I remember right, and are already thinned for airbrushing. If you dig around the store a bit you'll be surprised at what you find! Especially that back wall by the bathroom with all the tools and putty on it. I've found neat stuff there now and again.

I usually end up going Sat morning when there is the crowd of old timers drinking coffee there. If I have a question for the sales guy he can't answer, there's ALWAYS someone sitting there who jumps up and shows me what I need. That's how I got turned on to the Color of Eagles paint.

I understand about the drive, I am up in the Humble area. There's another hobby shop over on Chimney Rock near the Galleria, it's called M&M Hobby and they are supposed to have a decent selection as well. I think the website is www.mmhobby.com, there's a $5 off coupon at the bottom right of the webpage you can print out too.

Did that modeling store over on I-45 just north of Baybrook close down? (I used to live in Pearland and that's where I went when I was building a train layout) It's the one with the big outdoor RC racetrack. They had MM Acryl there if I remember right.

Anyway -- good luck!!!

oh yeah... I was thinking about joining IPMS here but the closest one I could find was down by Hobby Island.. that's just too far for me on a Fri or Sat evening... the traffic is a killer then... I might do it anyway because Hobby Island gives a 5% or 10% discount to IPMS members. I just wouldn't be able to make many meetings...

Hi Tom,
I understand about the traffic on those nights, I would not go either!! But... tell you what, I will be at Hobby Island this coming Saturday morning, as close to opening time as possible and staying awhile, I can easily stay there 4 2 hours at time when I go, time just flies as I drool all over the models, LOL.
Yes, I like the back wall also!. my "to-do" list has to do with learning to make Dios' and painting//re-posing figures! Should be interesting to say the least!![:0]. LOL.
Anyway, you can certainly E-mail me at anytime or MSN. If you want, whatever.
MSN name: blue_corsair@sbcglobal.net

Be good & have fun,
Bill

QUOTE: I know that everytime I open a new bottle of Gunze it is only half full, I hate that!, going to change brands for that reason alone.

Sonicboom same thing happened to me.. bought a bottle for almost $10. then when i got it it was almost empty. about 1/4 of the paint was left. it was laquer paint though.Super metallic..bummer

Hi Luis, well, apparently it is the norm for them to do that All Iknow is they lost a customer that would have almost kept 'em going by myself, LOL. Tough luck 4 them. Using a coupla bottles of Tamiya, it's ok, gonna try some of the onesTom and Scott mentioned, got plenty of time and plenty of air so...just more practice, which equals more experience, right?? Nice to hear from you Luis, be good & have FUN!!

Bill

Bill - have ya solved your problem? Just interested in how it went for ya. I was all gung-ho on going to Hobby Island this weekend but wives have a strange ESP of when you really want to do something, and are able to stop you... haha

Oh well I guess we needed to clean up the yard after the hurricane anyway... I tried explaining to her that it was ONLY a month ago, and I am sure the homeowners association hadn't noticed yet!

Hope it worked out for ya!