Amount of paint used for airbrushing

This is the place to get answers about painting, weathering and other aspects of finishing a model.

Moderators: DasPhule, Moderators

Post Reply
ulvdemon
Posts: 532
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:10 am
Location: Alpharetta, GA

Amount of paint used for airbrushing

Post by ulvdemon »

This may be added to the silly question column, but I was wondering, exactly how much paint is used to airbrush say a base coat of a model? Do you find yourself going through a whole 1/2 oz bottle for a model the size of say BSG Viper or any of the Star Trek/Star Wars ships?
I have an idea when I have to use a rattle can, but I am going to be starting airbrushing and I do understand the need to thin the paints. I have the feeling I may go overboard and mix too much then is needed. Since I will need to order most of the colors I need I am trying to get a general idea as to how much I need to order/use.
Thank you in advance.
Current build: 1/32 Hasegawa F6F-5 Hellcat

Completed: 1/48 Hasegawa F-16CM<,1/48 Revell Mig-21PFM, 1/48 Revell/Monogram AH-64A, Revell/Monogram 1/48 F-14D, AMT 1/420 USS Defiant, AMT 1/650(?) USS Enterprise, 1/72 Bandai VF-1J, AMT 1/537 USS Reliant, Academy 1/35 M1-A1 Abrams, Academy 1/48 F-86F30, Linbergh's USS Gato
User avatar
Fokker Ace
Posts: 1988
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:52 pm
Location: Vibrating like a fruit mixer.

Post by Fokker Ace »

You won't need a whole bottle for what you mentioned unless you put the paint on too thick. If you are using a straight color, ie no mixing colors, just thin enough to get a bit in your airbrush and see how far that gets you. Then continue on until the job is finished.

The reason to airbrush in the first place is to be able to apply very thin layers of paint and build up colors. If you are using too much paint you are defeating the purpose of the airbrush.
ulvdemon
Posts: 532
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:10 am
Location: Alpharetta, GA

Post by ulvdemon »

Thanks for the info, once I get started on the first model I will see how it goes. Now to pick the first one. :) :D
Current build: 1/32 Hasegawa F6F-5 Hellcat

Completed: 1/48 Hasegawa F-16CM<,1/48 Revell Mig-21PFM, 1/48 Revell/Monogram AH-64A, Revell/Monogram 1/48 F-14D, AMT 1/420 USS Defiant, AMT 1/650(?) USS Enterprise, 1/72 Bandai VF-1J, AMT 1/537 USS Reliant, Academy 1/35 M1-A1 Abrams, Academy 1/48 F-86F30, Linbergh's USS Gato
User avatar
TER-OR
Site Admin
Posts: 10531
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2002 7:05 pm
Location: Conjugate imprecision of time negates absolute determination of location.
Contact:

Post by TER-OR »

Get a cheap kit to use for practice. You can clean it off - windex works great for most acrylics. Don't be a noob on your first kit, get the feel of the airbrush and paint first.

One of the sticky topics is on airbrushing, it's worth a read.
Raised by wolves, tamed by nuns, padded for your protection.

Terry Miesle
Never trust anyone who says they don't have a hobby.
Quando Omni Flunkus Moratati
nanook177
Posts: 174
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:52 pm

Post by nanook177 »

This looks like a good, similar topic to enter this discussion. I've a Paasche VL and I'm painting a AMT Refit. I'm using Tamiya white and am going through the stuff like it's going out of style. I read that Tamiya can be airbrushed directly out of the bottle, but I'm gonna go bankrupt buying so many bottles of paint. What would be a good suggested ratio to start thinning the Tamiya to? I normally run my compressor at about 30 psi for painting.
User avatar
Joseph Osborn
Posts: 1323
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:22 pm
Location: Alabamastan
Contact:

Post by Joseph Osborn »

nanook177 wrote:This looks like a good, similar topic to enter this discussion. I've a Paasche VL and I'm painting a AMT Refit. I'm using Tamiya white and am going through the stuff like it's going out of style. I read that Tamiya can be airbrushed directly out of the bottle, but I'm gonna go bankrupt buying so many bottles of paint. What would be a good suggested ratio to start thinning the Tamiya to? I normally run my compressor at about 30 psi for painting.
A VL can push a lot of paint. You can probably thin the paint as much as 50:50, drop your pressure to 20-24psi and still get decent coverage. What kind of primer did you use? White really needs to go over a white or light gray primer so that you're not building up too much paint in an effort to achieve your color.
nanook177
Posts: 174
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:52 pm

Post by nanook177 »

Joseph Osborn wrote:A VL can push a lot of paint. You can probably thin the paint as much as 50:50, drop your pressure to 20-24psi and still get decent coverage. What kind of primer did you use? White really needs to go over a white or light gray primer so that you're not building up too much paint in an effort to achieve your color.
I used Model Masters Acryl medium grey primer. I initially tried MM Acryl White, but it airbrushed HORRIBLE, runny and "Frosted". Tamiya sprayed great, but wow, I'mg going through a lot of it!
User avatar
TER-OR
Site Admin
Posts: 10531
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2002 7:05 pm
Location: Conjugate imprecision of time negates absolute determination of location.
Contact:

Post by TER-OR »

White is the worst. It's best if you can use a white primer or a very light gray primer. I had this same issue with the Meteor Sweeper - talk about a LOT of white hobby paint.
Raised by wolves, tamed by nuns, padded for your protection.

Terry Miesle
Never trust anyone who says they don't have a hobby.
Quando Omni Flunkus Moratati
Post Reply