Good day all. I have been out of the scene due to working three jobs to get out of debt. While I have been out, my girlfriend gave me an aircompressor for my airbrush on Valentines Day. I set it up last week and experimented with it a little and this past sunday I shot my F-4 phantom with the base color of my camo scheme. I think it came out great, but I noticed that the finish feels a rough (gritty sandpaper like) and not smooth. Is this cause it is a flat enamel and not glossy enamel? My compressor has a regulator, so was my psi to high?
Also, is there a good book or website I can read that give the basic on using the air brush. I am interested in knowing how much air pressure is required to get certain desired results. How to get large, med, or thin lines. (is this done by changing needles?) Hope fully this all makes sense.
most likely your paint was not thinned enough. Generally speaking you want to thin the paint about 30% to 50%. Some modelers talk about having the consistency of milk. Air pressure should be around 15 to 18 psi for general work, lower for up close detail work. Here is an article on airbrushing that may be useful to you.
Swanny, thanks for the super quick response. I uses MM enamel. I would of used acrylics, since it is easier to use and clean, but I am trying to cut back on costs and all I have are enamels at the moment.
The model was primed first using Tamiya acrylic primer.
As for thinning the paint, I did not. I just mixed my paint really good, let it sit a couple of minutes and the poured the paint straight into my brush and sprayed.
This will be my first model using the air brush. I hope to learn a lot of the basics from this experience. Thanks for the help.
As for thinning the paint, I did not. I just mixed my paint really good, let it sit a couple of minutes and the poured the paint straight into my brush and sprayed.
Theres your problem. Mix the paint with thinners and always test before squirting on your model. I`ve found variations in paint consistancy in the same range, and experience as you go aslong will help here. Remember practise makes perfect.
Question… If your girlfriend gives you a compressor, and my Wife barely ever remembers (except of course if I forget), should we ever get married?
Thanks Gary and Swanny for the help. One more question. What is the needle on the air brush for? Can I move it forward or back to get different results? This is all new to me.
Basically, the needle lets the paint flow or not. It Kinda acts like a cork when the button is not pressed. This is a double action brush you have i assume? If so, if you just pull the lever back a small amount, only a tiny bit of paint can get through, so you get a thinner line, but if you pull it way back, a lot of paint comes out so you get more coverage. When you just pull it back a little, you need to be closer so you get a good line, but when you want coverage, hold it farther away.
needle/nozzle sizes can help get fine lines, but you can get good lines with lower airpressure and thinner paint, and practice! Try using a fine needle with a medium tip, that will help give you a thinner line. Most nozzle sizes are based off of the thickness of the material your spraying. Straight thinner will go through a fine nozzle no problem, but thick paint wont, you would have to use a heavy (large) nozzle. Medium is about right for basic model paint spraying. Good luck!
I would agree and add that by using a glass eyedropper, you can meter out precise amounts of paint to achieve a satisfactory consistency. Generally I dip the dropper in the paint first, then the thinning agent. I squeeze the bulb repeatedly until it is well mixed. I then drip a little down the inside of the color cup. If it runs slightly opaque but thin, I usually get good results. For enamels, I generally use a 1:1 ratio thinner to paint.
Guys, I just bought a Paasche VL. I never used a air brush before but I want to kick things up about 5 notches. I normally use Testors Model Masters Enamels when I paint. What kind of cleaner should I use for the brush. (e.g. Any specific brand) What are your prefrences. I want to start practiceing with it, but I want to make sure I take care of it when I use it. THANKS!