Well, you may have noticed my recent post, and I didnt start a new one to fill up the forums with duplicate posts, its jsut that now I have a completely different problem. Ive got an aztek a270, and It comes with an open toppen container and two glass jar type containers. I tried the galss jar containers and no paint reached the tip, but the opened topped one worked. I don’t know why, but it did. Anyways, Im using Model Master Enamels, and thinning it with ThinX-100% odorless mineral spirits paint thinner, and it either comes out splattery with blobs and lines, or watery and in little drops, and it never comes out consistantly, I get like 2 seconds of spraying, and then it stops, and I ahve to readjust stuff and turn up/down the pressure before it works again, and then it starts over. The thing thats most annoying, is that I also have some Model Master pre-thinned (airbrush ready) enamel paint, and it works perfectly, no blobs, no drops, so Im pretty sure its the thinning that Im doing wrong, since that works so well. What should my ratio be? Its white enamel paint if it matters. Thanks.
Ian,
Try to make sure the paint is the consistancy of milk and it should work fine for ya. I use MM enamels myself and had the same roblem untill I figured out that I wasn’t thinning the paint enough. Oh one other thing , make sure that the paint is mixed good as well.Good luck with your project.
Guido
Does the stuff Im usin’ for thinner sound alright? maybe thats my problem. thanks for the help.
Mineral spirits should work well with MM enamels - I’d try adjusting the mixture ratio (start with a 50/50 mixture and adjust as necessary). If that doesn’t work for you, you might consider changing to a laquer thinner - Or DuPont 8312S Enamel Reducer (check at an auto supply or an automotive paint supply store). I’ve used the DuPont for years and everything (including the smell) indicates it’s the same thing as MM enamel thinner.
Also makes sure you mix the stuff well, sounds like you have globs of paint that is not mixed properly and gets stuck in the AB. You have to be especially careful if you mix in the AB cup itself and you put the paint in first, as the think paint would have flowed in the AB first. If you dont’ want to mix outside first, put in the thinner first, then mix the paint in. Then when you first spray, do it on a scrap until the initial too thin paint is all gone and you get a nice flow before spraying on the model.
How do you know when its mixed enough/what/how do you mix with? I know its a samll detail, but these little differences drastically change my airbrushing experience. thanks guys!
I mix my paints in old MM or Testors bottles that I clean out. I stir the paint and thinner with flat style toothpicks. I’ve learned to tell the proper mix ratio not only by how much to pour in the bottles, but how it drips from the toothpick.
Thanks for everyone that helped, but I found the problem, I picked up a bottle of model master enamel thinner, which is made specifically for this kind of paint, and its worknig great. Thanks for the help, but now Ive got some paintin to do!