First Time Airbrusher Questions

Thank you all very much for your advice and wisdom.  I'm really excited about this endeavor, and it really takes some stress off my mind being able to learn from vets as yourselves.  You are all much appreciated!

Dan

I too have just started to airbrush and have found that Tamiya thinner X-20A is really good to thin their paints, add a couple of drops to the paint, mix and spray, Also I use Halfords automotive spray primer cheap about £5 for a medium can which will easily spray at least 6 models and sands really easy.

Scott

Since I don't AB my models yet, I can only relate info from my 1:1 auto painting experience.

As a starting point, most paints have a recommended thinning ratio. That would be a starting point.

The less air pressure you can spray with the better.

The spray gun (airbrush) your using has requirements also. Easier I think to adjust a spray gun (air & paint adjustments), where an AB has a set needle/nozzle size. A smaller nozzle (.02mm) requires thinner paint than a bigger nozzle (.05mm) or more air pressure.

Practice spraying on something, such as old plastic gallon milk jugs. Start with paint either thinned by the recommendations or of a milk consistency. Try adjusting the air pressure to the brush and experiment with the distance from the object.

With practice, practice, practice and keeping some notes, you should find your personal combination that works best for you.

Good luck and becareful what you spray. Cats don't like it...

If Vinny can quote from my article, so can I:

In my opinion there is only one reason to thin paint for airbrushing, and that is to lower the viscosity so that the airbrush can atomize the paint properly.  Given this, if the paint is already spraying properly and it is covering the model properly then there is no reason to thin it.  If not, thin the paint more or increase the pressure.  If it sprays properly right from the bottle then there is no reason to thin it at all.  If it's too thin right from the bottle, reduce the pressure and get close to the surface.

My advice is to pick a pressure that you want to use for painting and then thin the paint enough so that it atomizes and flows through the airbrush properly and covers the surface well at that pressure.

In my opinion pressure is more important from a painting standpoint.  The pressure in use, and distance from the surface, are what control overspray.  Pick the pressure that you want to use and then thin the paint so it will flow and provide good coverage at that particular pressure.  Sometimes it will not need thinning at all (as in when using PollyScale or Alclad paints).  Other times it will be necessary to thin it a lot just to get it to spray properly (as in when using most yellow or white paint).

As already mentioned; there is no 'specific' thinning ratio for any paint.

I've been using mainly Model Master colors in my modeling these days, and I thin them at a 2:1 ratio and it works great with my airbrush, a no-name brush, but it's a clone of a Iwata HP-C.

Try experimenting a bit with thinning and see for yourself which ratio covers and sprays best.

Dan,

Been using the same paints for about 11/2 years and have been using 70% Isopropyl alcohol as a thinner with great results.  It is cheap too!  As far a ratio, I have been using 2:1.  Two parts paint to one part thinner and I am using a Badger 155 airbrush.  This may affect thinning ratios also.

The best primer available is Tamiya Primer, Great stuff! But expensive. Sands very easily!

I'll give you a direct link to an article in Bgriggs suggested site:
http://www.craigcentral.com/models/thinning.asp

Excerpt:
"The question "What is the exact thinning ratio when using XYZ paint in an airbrush", or some derivative thereof, comes up frequently so I thought I'd try and provide a comprehensive answer once and for all.

Short Answer Number 1 - There is no such thing as an exact thinning ratio for any paint.  A particular manufacturer's paints will vary from one lot to another and even from one color to another.  Additionally, what worked with a bottle of paint today may not work a month from now when it has had some time to thicken in the bottle.

Short Answer Number 2 - It really doesn't matter anyway.  Asking about an “Exact Thinning Ratio” is similar to asking how much cream to put in coffee or how much oil to put in a car.  You use enough to do what you want but no more."

I would also add that you "should" prime. It helps with seeing seam imperfections, paint adhesion, and color balance.

First off...

to the forum! Pull up a keyboard and stay a while.

Secondly...

MusicCity's website is a great source of information on airbrushing and paints...

Admire his work, then scroll to the bottom of the page for a very extensive collection of articles that will help you.