Camoflage Spraying

Rich,

Unfortunately, there's no sure-fire method outside of experimenting.

If the paint "spiders", then it's too thin, if it splatters, then it's either too thick, or you don't have sufficient air pressure coming from your compressor. I assume you have the ability to control the psi.

I don't spray enamels anymore (wife has bad asthma), but the consistency of the mix should be like milk if you're spraying between 25-30 psi. Higher pressure, you can go a little thinner, but understand you'll need more coats, and there's always the risk that the paint will dry too fast, in some instances, even before it reaches the model.

Also, when you spray, make sure you practice on a surface that's similar to the plastic of your model. Spraying on cardboard (unless it's the glossy coated variety) will give you different results than your model will.

Fine lines can be achieved with the proper mix and lower air pressures.

It takes some practice to nail this down with a dual-action airbrush.

Jeff

I use mainly acrylics so I always have distilled water nearby.. either as a thinner or as a follow up flush to Windex through my brush... I primered up the outside of the distilled water bottle, got to spraying.. I got better so I primered it again and went and attacked it once more.. it is a lot better than spraying on cardboard.  One, it has compound curves on the bottom corners that mimic many models, flat surfaces to practice on.. and simple curves along the sides.....

the best thing is it can be primered over and over without fear of losing the engraved detail! 

Can't beat that for only 86 cents cents at the local grocery store!!! 

I'd echo Jeff's comments on practice.  I think the most difficult thing that I have had trouble with is to hit the right thinning ratio.  When I've gotten down right, the painting goes like a breeze, and when I've missed, then I get the spatters and runs that you experienced.  The main thing to remember is to always have some plastic that you can test upon.  If it doesn't paint right while testing adjust the thinner/paint ratio until it does. 

As far as ratios, I use mostly ModelMaster enamels, and I find that they vary so much out of the bottle that it is useless to discuss a ratio of paint to thinner.  For example, once I had a bottle of Sand that was so thin, that it sprayed perfectly straight from the bottle without any thinning.  I have also had a couple of bottles that were the consistency of heavy cream and required considerable thinning before they could spray.  For me, it has just come down to a matter of thinning until it looks and feels right, and then spraying on a test piece and adjusting if needed.  With a bit of experience, you'll probably find it not too difficult. 

 

 

I don't use a specific ratio, but judge it mostly on consistency and how it comes out of the airbrush.  If your mix is too thin, you can try reducing your pressure and that might help.  Just a thought. :)