I’m fairly new to airbrushing and have a question:
I use mostly acrylic paints, thinned with water or Windex, in my Iwata Eclipse airbrush. And when I shoot the thinned paint through the airbrush it paint appears on my models as tiny little strings, already dry.!.
My friends tell me the paint is actually drying as it’s shot from the nozzle and is landing, dry, on my models giving it a rough texture.
Is there something else I should be mixing with my acrylic paints to prevent them from drying too fast?
When I use ready made paints such as ComArt my airbrush works fantaskticly. But when I cut my acrylics with water or Windex (1:1) they come out… well, glopy. I use a Squadron paint mixer so I know the paints are thoroughly incorporated.
thanks for your help
Mark Fannin
[:(]
I use Tamiya thinner with both Tamiya and ModelMaster Acryl paints, and have no problems with the paint drying in air. How far away from the model do you paint? Usually I paint from from no more than six inches whne doing broad coverage, and within an inch when doing detail. I usually paint acrylics at 15PSI. give or take.
Andy
You don’t say what brand of paint you are using. I would stay with the Windex if you are using Gunze products, and I would switch to Isopropyl alchohol with a drop of dish soap for Tamiya acrylics. The tamiya thinner is excellent, but is very expensive. The paint should have the texture of 2% milk when thinned properly.
Steve
Acrylics dry absurdly fast, and having them dry in the air between the airbrush and surface is a common problem. The other guys have put you on the right track, what presure are you using and how far from the model? My recommendation would be around 15 psi and about 4" from the surface. I’d also recommend adding a drop or two of acrylic retarder to your paint cup. You can find it at most good art supply stores.
I use DI water and Gunze Retarder - so far it worked, though I’m a newby to airbrushing.