I painted a Bell X-1 with Model Master International Orange. I put on about 5 thin coats and then I got a little heavier. When I was done it should have been a nice gloss finish with good coverage, but it is translucent around body lines and has pin holes in places. I think its a thinner ratio problem but this is my 1st time with MM paint. Also I lost the smallest piece of my cheap airbrush so it was my 1st time with a new Master airbrush. Also I had been using my wifes oxygen machine as a compressor and tonight I used a Luminess make up compressor for the 1st time, and it seems to pulse instead of have a steady flow. I was doing good with my old set up, not so good now. Any thoughts on the pin holes? P.S. It seems to not be drying to the touch
The translucency of the paint, as you related, may be an issue with thinning, but pin holes are usually traced to issues like moisture getting into the mix, heavy humidity, cold temperatures, poor surface prep, or insufficient air pressure which does not allow the paint to atomize properly. It’s hard to say what is taking place here without a photo, but those are the common culprits.
Paint pulling away from raised detail is a sign of so-so paint adhesion, quite common. That is one big purpose for primer. Next time try priming.
Pinholes can also be an adhesion problem. Usually it is overcome with succeeding coats,though.
Do you have a pressure gauge on the output of the compressor?
No regulator or gauge. I am going to try a few more coats this evening
What primer do you use?
Afew days later and a few more coats covered it nicely.