what is the proper mixing ratio for Polly Scale paints when airbrushing a major item like armor. I am painting an m1a1 abrams with desert storm sand and I am having trouble finding the right ratio. In fact I need more paint due to experimentaion of the right mixture.
When using any acrylic paint, not only Poly-S, I start with about 2/3 paint and 1/3 thinner (half distilled water and half denatured alcohol). Then add two or three drops each of Airbrush Medium (retards drying in airbrush spray tip) and Kodak Photo-Flo to eliminate the paint surface tension that can cause orange peel.
You may have to adjust the paint/thinner ratio depending on the color and/or how thick the paint is. [;)]
Pete
I usually add some flow aid to Polly Scale paints to help stop tip clogging
Swanny, what is flow aid? I have some testors air brush thinner, would that help or be of some use
Flow aid is a mild detergent solution availible in most craft stores. I bought mine at Pat Catan’s craft store. It will slow down the drying time a little so the paint is less likely to clog the gun or build up heavily on the tip of the airbrush. It will also reduce to surface tension of the paint so it can flow easier and improves it’s ability to level out on the surface of your model. It can help to prevent the dreaded “Orange Peel” effect also. It is not neccessary for all acrylics. I use it only on some Model master acrylics and Polly Scale acrylics. Have not found it neccessary with Gunze-Sangyo or Tamiya.
Thanks, next week I will go to the craft store and check it out, I have to go to work for it’s the start of my shift. Thanks again.
Swanny, where in the craft store would the flow aid be located at? I am guessing in the paint sections?
Are you having coverage problems with thinned paint? You might want to consider priming your model first. I’ve found that the sand colors don’t cover as well on bare plastics. Primed, you won’t have any problems covering it with a 50/50 mix of paint thinner spraying a couple of thin layers of paint. I don’t have clogging problems with Polly Scale when it’s thinned this much. A drop of Windex into the mixture will also function like a fow release agent.