Future wax airbrushing

Absolutely true, Don!

However, I presumed that the OP was using an H, though I wasn't sure. I've used the Harbor Freight Badger 350 clone airbrush for my gloss coats using Future, and that style of airbrush needs higher air pressure to correct atomize the paint.

I use 15 psi myself, but only for detail work. In fact, I've gone as low as 12 psi with my trusty Badger 100LG, but flood coats seem to lay down better closer to 20 psi.

Distance, air pressure, paint type and color, temperature and humidity, and most importantly how you hold your teeth can all affect how an airbrush performs, and there is not one specific answer to satisfy the OP's question, other than experiment and practice.

Dave, you  could also try thinning the Future with Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or better) which will allow a bit less pressure. Some people have reported good results with thinned Future, though I've never had the need to try that myself.

Bgrigg

How far from the surface are you spraying from? Sounds like the paint (Future is really nothing more than a clear acrylic paint, and it's not a wax) is drying before it hits the surface and that is commonly caused by being too far away, try getting in closer, 3-5" away.

It may also be caused by insufficient air pressure, you don't say what Paasche you are using, but 15 psi is a bit low for most airbrushes, unless they are doing very detailed and fine lines. Turning up the pressure to 20 or 25 psi might be an idea.

I sometimes get that effect from having too high a pressure. I find 15-20 about right.  I find the higher the pressure, the further away I hold the airbrysg, so distance and pressure are related.  Essentially,  you want the equivalent of a wet, glossy coating when using paint, so use the pressure and distance you would use if you were applying a wet glossy coat of paint.

Thanks for the quick response.  I'm definitely in the 3-5" range but will try with the higher pressure.  The airbrush is single action (model H??)  I've used it or one like since 1973 but have never worked with Future.  I always just trimmed my decals very close but I'm doing a JU-52 and the corrugated wings and sides need a gloss coat for the decals.

How far from the surface are you spraying from? Sounds like the paint (Future is really nothing more than a clear acrylic paint, and it's not a wax) is drying before it hits the surface and that is commonly caused by being too far away, try getting in closer, 3-5" away.

It may also be caused by insufficient air pressure, you don't say what Paasche you are using, but 15 psi is a bit low for most airbrushes, unless they are doing very detailed and fine lines. Turning up the pressure to 20 or 25 psi might be an idea.