I just have one thing to say to everyone that may stumble on this board wondering wether or not they should airbrush. DO IT!!! It’s well worth the money and time. I couldn’t wait any longer and since I had everything ready, I took a test run on a finished model that I had attempted to paint using brushes. (rather than ruining a so far perfectly assembled unfinished model)
I can honestly say that it looks 100% better with only one coat of airbrushed paint that with several paintbrushed coats. Overall I think it was a pretty good session, although I probably sprayed too much for one coating (I kept on spraying and spraying)
there’s a few things that I will need to address in the near future…
I tried to paint a fully assembled plane, but did the topside only, I have to figure out if and how I should spray one coat all around somehow
I have to cut down on the paint I use for each coat, It’s something that even with brushes I always found hard to control, I overdo it on everything.
I also learned a few things while attempting this for the first time… (which I should mention were covered on this board more than once)
Airbrushing will NOT cover up imperfections left unattended. I can clearly see the dust particles that had settled on the previous coat of paint I had applied with brushes. (how they got there to begin with beats me)
Either I was spraying too much of a mist or I didn’t make enough, I needed to stop halfway to mix another bottle. (maybe I should use the big bottle that I never thought I would need to) point said… Always make more than you’re gonna need.
All the work I put into assembling a work space totally sealed from the rest of the closet obviously paid off since the fumes did get pretty bad. (I underestimated that aspect, but good thing I did pick up a painter’s mask)
sorry for the long post, just excited to have finally tried it… [8D]
You can hold it and paint the whole thing in one sitting.
Try to do light coats and your paint will go a little farther. Start at one end go to the other, then go back and so a second light coat, etc till you get good coverage. You’ll also avoid runs that way.
As you discovered, an airbrush paint job will show more imperfections in the kit than a brush job will.
Hey, nice to hear that. Welcome to the world of invisible toxic paint fumes. LOL.
Some other matters you will need to address:
The airbrush requires as much care and attention as the model youre painting.
Try to master the ins-an-outs of your airbrush.
The nozzle and needle are among the most sensitive parts of the airbrush. Keep it clean and straight.
Most importantly: Enjoy!
/quote]
Yeah, i’m not taking any chances, I literally took the thing apart and dipped the nozzles in thinner, and cleaned the needle thoroughly. I had a bit of a problem cleaning the paint intake tube (where the bottle attaches) so I just poured thinner in there as well (Q tips were too big to fit in)
Otherwise it’s not really that complicated or time consuming to clean the brush thoroughly (as much as i thought it was going to be anyway)
i just use qtips (the actual brand name ones) with a bit of the cotton pulled off so they arent so fat…they work awesomely for cleaning those tight spaces…
