This is for those that are using Vallejo Model Air. I’ve been pretty much using MM and Tamiya acrylics for AB’ing. This will be first go around with Vallejo.
Picked up the gray scheme set for the 1/48 Eagle I’m doing. Also grabbed a bottle of their thinner and retarder.
AB will be NEO. I know they say AB ready out of the bottle, but has anyone found the need to thin more, or add retarder. Spray temp will be in the high 60’s in the shop. Primer is MM Laquer, scuffed with a fine gray scotchbrite, a week ago, so is outgassed really well.
Planning on a couple of days at least before masking for the second color.
I’m curious to see how this turns out, so I look forward to your updates. I picked up a set of their USAF Modern Grays at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago for 40% off.
BTW, I have been told by a guy in my AMPS chapter who uses Vallejo paints that Model Master Acrylic Thinner works well with Vallejo. He builds some gorgeous models, so when I go down the Vallejo rabbit hole, I’ll use that combo.
I’ll be spraying Vallejo air here very shortly…its for the D9 dora underside …ill let you know how it goes on …and how and what I did to mix it …im just in the middle battling the flu that i got in rules class …ive haven’t tried mm thinner with Vallejo paints …but I have had great success with modelmaster acrylics thinned Vallejo airbrush thinner and a drop of liquitex…like you this will be a first for me …ill keep you all updated
So got the Retarder, medium, #70.597, sounds like I’ll set it aside for now. The thinner is marked airbrush thinner, black top, #71.261. Have a limited availibility here, being HL 15 miles away and a LHS 40 miles away, that only carries mostly their washes.
Will swing by HL on the way to VA tomorrow and check to see what they have.
Your Airbrush thinner is fine, just a different size bottle than I happened to grab. You are golden on the thinner.
Right, set the retarder medium aside. It is for making Model Color (one of the the brush painting Vallejo lines) dry slower so it stays wet on the pallette longer. Not knowing any better, years back I thought it was ok for airbrush. Wasn’t.
IMO, Vallejo changed the whole ballgame witht the Airbrush Flow Improver, which was pointed out to me here a year or so ago by a fellow forum member.
Sorry for the delay in your getting what you need, hope this helps though.
I should have mentioned that Model Air will spray ok without the Airbrush Flow Improver, but the flow improver helps with dry-tip so much I’d be almost tempted to say it makes dry-tip go away.
Anything to do with Vallejo is a help. Just like changing our paint system in the body shop. Wasn’t planning on painting until later in the week or next w/e anyway. Doing it at work, and schedule is pretty full at the moment.
One thing to note, Vallejo specifies that the maximum ratio of flow improver to paint is 5-10%. Now I’ve never tried exceeding that, but apparently, your paint will never dry if you use too much.
Edit: Also, normally, what I do, since I’m in California and it’s dry here, I just go ahead and do the math and mix the appropriate amount of flow improver directly into my thinner.
your advice helped me too!Im just getting back to the hobby after 15 years, relearning airbrushing( properly this time) and going acrylic after being focused on Model Master enamels. Imusing Vallejo since its locally available !
Absolutely, M3. Welcome back to the hobby (and the world of acrylics…in our cases). That has been a transition for me too, from the enamels in my past.