Help

Ok I tryed it out for the first time and it all came out so so. Yeah mixing the paint just right will take some practice! Now would you guys it would be better to mix the paint alittle thick or thin?

I'm far from an expert, but I clean my AB with an enamel thinner when I use enamel paints and then follow up with a short run of lacquer thinner.  To clean out acrylics, I do the windex treatment followed by a short run of plain old tap water.  I use Testor's enamel thinner to thin my Model Master paints, but a generic enamel thinner from a house paint store for cleaning the AB- a gallon of the thinner/cleaner is much cheaper than shooting the Testor's for cleaning.

After every few sessions I break down the AB (make sure to remove the seals and O-rings!) and give it a lacquer thinner soak to remove the built-up and dried crud from the AB's guts.  After the overnight soak, I air dry everything with an airhose from my compressor to blast out whatever may be lurking and then reassemble.

Good luck and happy building. 

Thanks for your service SSgt!

Been watching your thread..........everyone must still be sleeping.

Aside from just searching this forum for hints on cleaning......I can say that when cleaning acrylics......windex (or some ammonia formula and water).....with enamels.....I hesitate to offer hints......so many compounds can damage parts of your brush (O-rings, seals etc)

Wait for some more input, or research back in this forum.

So now can any one tell me how to clean an airbrush after I use enamel in it?

and that it is

SSgt_Burgin wrote:

As far as i can tell all brands are enamel.

Just in regard to your bottle of Tamiya paint, if it's in a round bottle, it is acrylic. If it's in a somewhat rectangular bottle (similar in shape to the old Testors bottles) it will be enamel.

As far as i can tell all brands are enamel. The Acadeny paints are very thin to start with so it looks like I could just spray them the way they are but i am not sure. I found Testors enamel thinner at the BX for 5 bucks so I picked it up. Like Hawkere said I could look for aftermarket stuff in Korea. Yeah you know how it goes if you help teach me some stuff I will see what i can find for you. Oh and I asked around about a arts and crafts center be on one knows if we still have one or not.

Dustin,

MWR probably has someone at the Arts & Crafts Center that can help you, it would be worth stopping by to see. You might even run into a few other modelers in the process. I know Osan has changed since I was there in 83-84, but MWR always was able to accommodate most everything hobby related.

If you haven't yet, tour some of the various factories MWR sponsors...I got to see Samsung, YKK  (zippers which is just a few minutes away north towards Suwon), Stainless Steel, Fishing Rod & Reels, DiaYoung (bicycles...yeah it is pronounced Die Young!), Daewoo and several others. Also a MANDITORY tour is Pammonjon. It really explains why you're there.

Hey guys we now have a source to get some of the aftermarket stuff from Korea...that is if Dustin is willing to be the middle man! 

Osan, huh?  I'm AF myself, going to Kunsan in a couple of months. 

For thinning, each brand generally has their own thinner that is used with their paints.  You don't necessarily have to use it, though.  For acrylics, I usually use plain ol' distilled water (or if I'm feeling extra lazy. . . tap water.)  You can also use denatured alcohol.  The 'rule of thumb' I use for thinning is get it to a milky consistency.  Depending on which Testors brands they have available, you may have to thin a little more or less.  Personally, I've found that the Model Master Acryl line doesn't take as much thinner as the 'standard' Testors paints.

If you're mixing custom colors, then you should always mix acrylics with acrylics, or enamels with enamels. 

 

For painting one on top of the other, I've never had any issues with painting acrylics over enamels.  Just make sure your base coat is nice and dry first.  For enamels over acrylics, I've done that too.  I just put a clear coat in between to avoid any potential issues.

Eric 

Dustin,

My experience level is on the low end, but I'll give you some info I have assuming that the Tamiya paint you have is acrylic.

There was a supplement (no. 618188) in FineScale Modeler Magazine five or six issues ago titled Airbrushing Acrylics that would be a great help if you could get your hands on one. The info under the Tamiya Color Acrylic states the following -

Recommended thinner: Tamiya Thinner (X-20A)

Thinning ratio: 30-40 percent thinner to 60-70 percent paint

Suggest AB pressure: 22-25 psi

I'm sure members of the forum with more experience than me will make good suggestions and offer advice on the brands of paint you have. Be sure to mention when asking about the paints you're using whether they are acrylics or enamels. Some of the brands can be purchased in both formulas.

Stay warm!

Patrick