I have just started painting Japanes Navy planes in their late war squiggle cammoflages, the trouble is I am having trouble geting my Paasche VL to draw a small enough line, or to draw a line that is not to heavily spattered. I am usin a #1 tip and needle, and I have tried changing the paint mix rations, but that has only improved the spatering problom not the line size.
Ideas would be appreciated.
I’m not too familiar with the VL, that’s a single action right? Try dropping the air pressure and thinning out the paint. External mix ABs are limited in how thin a line they can do.
I’m just starting to figure out thin lines with my Badger 150 double action and I have to drop the pressure down so low it barely picks up the (extremely thinned out) paint. Thin lines are why I’m angling for a 100LG in the future!
The VL is actually a double action unit. The “H” series is the single-action external mix.
That aside, agree with the above - thin the paint (some more), lower the pressure and practice… [:)]
I have to concur, thin paint, low air pressure, and lots of PRACTICE. [:D]
Hey Bill, that’s why I’m aiming for an Iwata HP-CS… Oop’s… did I say that out loud? [:-^]
LOL
[swg]
I recently got a VL (courtesy H20_MARK). I can’t recall if he told me this or I read it, but the tip size you use is more dependent on the viscoscity of the paint, not the line size.
In practicing with mine, I’ve settled on pretty much using the #3 tip with just slightly thinned paint. I control the line size through varying the air pressure and distance from the surface being painted.
I’m not sure how fine you want the line, but maybe try lowering the pressure to 10-15, and varying the distance to the kit.
I’m sure there are folks out there with more VL experience- love to hear from them, as I’ve only got a liitle bit of time with mine.
Ah the VL fineline delema! Paasche airbrushes often require higher pressure for the desired effect. Try boosting the air pressure to 30 psi and thin your paint to a ratio of approx. 1:1 (paint to thinner). I know this seems to go against what you come to expect or the general rational, but the instruction manuel recommends 30-40 psi for medium to heavy fluids- that falls in line with our thicker viscosity hobby paints. I was able to spray a 1/32 inch fine line on a model with this setup with great results, to my surprise. Higher pressure is the name of the game with Paasche airbrushes, especially if you are not to exacting with your paint mixes, like I’m sure most of us are not. The same can be said for those Paasche H users out there. My “H” set up is similar, 30 psi, 1:1 paint ratio, regulate (turn knob) to spray a tiny dot. Then spray away on a practice piece, such as a scrap model or sheet of styrene until you are satisfied with the line, and atomization. Others may have other useful tips. Practice, keep experimenting and good luck!
In addition to boosting the pressure, should I use a number 1 tip and needle, or some other combination.
Thanks for the help.
I’m going to give that a try plasticmod992. I’m just getting used to my VL, and when I used it tonight… well, it weren’t pretty. I’m not sure why, but it started blowing small “chunks”, and eventually I got bubbles in the paint cup. Gave it a good cleaning- got late and so I’ll have to test it tomorrow.
Yeah, chuck-in the #1 tip and watch your handling, I bent mine with very little effort by accident. Another technique with the VL, is to adjust the knurled wheel (just in front of the trigger) to set the dot size. This way you don’t have to worry about pulling back on the trigger, attempting to get the precise paint volume and line width. This is vurtually setting the VL up as a single action and will take some of the stress out of your experimentation untill you are comfortable with your trigger action. Give 'er a try!