Airbrushing Apple Barrel

[USSARCADIA]

Anybody have luck airbrushing these paints from Micheal's? Do they thin enough to run through? I've mixed up the appropriate color in these for the Jemmie BC but can't seem to get an exact match in Tamiya.

[mightymax]

Anybody have luck airbrushing these paints from Micheal's? Do they thin enough to run through? I've mixed up the appropriate color in these for the Jemmie BC but can't seem to get an exact match in Tamiya.

I tried once to paint an aircraft using these and my trusty Paasche H3.
They have a bad tendency to clog the tip frequently. I got it to work but had to constantly clean the tip.
I recently had a guy in my club come up with a trick for these and he said it works great. I have yet to try it myself.
Anyway instead of using windex, water, or washer solvent to thin use this.
Future Floor Wax. He said he thinned with future and they sprayed like a dream.

Cheers,
Max Bryant

[USSARCADIA]

Thanks, Max, I'll give it a try. I'll try it on some color I don't need. I have Future, so all I need is time and a sunny day. Thanks again.

[mightymax]

Thanks, Max, I'll give it a try. I'll try it on some color I don't need. I have Future, so all I need is time and a sunny day. Thanks again.

Please post your results.

Max

[USSARCADIA]

Will do, I'll try it this weekend.

[irishtrek]

Have you tried rubbing alcohol?

[big-dog]

I tried rubbing alcohol, disaster. The paint curdled, turned into lumps. I'll hafta try Future too, I love that stuff.

[USSARCADIA]

Same here with alcohol, got all gummy.

[Loachnut]

I use apple barrel paints for all my models now. Have been for several years now.
When airbrushing with them I use windshield washer fluid with good results. Occasionally, I use future, but the washer fluid works well.
Most of the time I use a 50/50 mixture, but some colors seem to need to be thinner.
The most important thing is to strain the paint after it has been thinned, before it goes into the airbrush. This stuff seems to get some serious lumps that refuse to be broken down. And you will have to wipe a clog from the nozzle once in a while.

Other than that they seem to work well, and the price can't be beat. I buy mine at Wal-Mart for .44 cents a bottle. (2oz. bottle)

Hope this helps
Jody the "Loachnut"

[USSARCADIA]

Yes that helps. I'll try both methods, thanks much.

[USSARCADIA]

Just got done testing both methods, results here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/u ... nttest.jpg

The Windex mix on the left was runny and spattered. The Future mix on right came out and applied like a dream. That is the way to go with these paints.

In the end I went with Tamiya paints for the Jemmie BC base coat and will probably stay with these for the whole ship. I'll use the Apple Barrel on another project.

Hope this is helpful to some of you.

[mightymax]

HI USSARCADIA,

Thanks for letting us know your results. So I guess the Future tip was a good one.
Thanks for sharing.

Max Bryant

[USSARCADIA]

Your welcome. Thanks for passing the Future tip along.

[Lt. Z0mBe]

Excellent work! I've had to do the same with Delta Ceramcoat paints. I think, though I am not sure they may be made by the same people.

Kenny

[USSARCADIA]

Not sure about that, but the Delta paints seem to be a bit thicker. They do brush on better, though. I use them for plastercast.

[Lt. Z0mBe]

Not sure about that, but the Delta paints seem to be a bit thicker. They do brush on better, though. I use them for plastercast.

I was wrong. Delta are made in California and the Apple Barrel paints are made somewhere down south.

While I've been able to airbrush individual Delta colors fine, I can't spray mixtures. The pigments are too course. Have you tried mixed Apple Barrel paints?

Kenny

[USSARCADIA]

I only just tried the one color. I'll probably try using them on a future project. If I have time I'll mix some and spray a test.

[Lt. Z0mBe]

I only just tried the one color. I'll probably try using them on a future project. If I have time I'll mix some and spray a test.

Cool. Me too. I couldn't help but notice how many of them look close to Luftwaffe colors and sci-fi colors. At 44 cents a piece for two ounces, I can't pass them up if this works.

Kenny

[JimPV]

I was wrong. Delta are made in California and the Apple Barrel paints are made somewhere down south.

Georgia, to be specific; by Plaid Enterprises. The co. I work for!

[Lt. Z0mBe]

I was wrong. Delta are made in California and the Apple Barrel paints are made somewhere down south.

Georgia, to be specific; by Plaid Enterprises. The co. I work for!

Cool! Have you tried airbrushing them after mixing colors?

Thanks,

Kenny

[JimPV]

I was wrong. Delta are made in California and the Apple Barrel paints are made somewhere down south.

Georgia, to be specific; by Plaid Enterprises. The co. I work for!

Cool! Have you tried airbrushing them after mixing colors?

Oh, I've never actually used the stuff...!

Not to bite the hand that feeds me, but I'd be hesitant about using a 44 cent (for 2 oz) bottle of paint on a kit I've spent good $$ on and a lot of time building. It's Liquitex tube acrylics or bottled hobby paints for me. But that's just me; if you've have good luck with 'em, more power to ya'.

[USSARCADIA]

Just another update. I mixxed a yellow with a green and thinned it down with Future(not too thin). It came out fine once it dried: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/u ... aytest.jpg

This is sprayed on top of the Tamiya purple I used for the Jemmie BC. Coverage was rather good. Next I'm using an AB dark purple mix on the actual model.

[Lt. Z0mBe]

Just another update. I mixxed a yellow with a green and thinned it down with Future(not too thin). It came out fine once it dried: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/u ... aytest.jpg

This is sprayed on top of the Tamiya purple I used for the Jemmie BC. Coverage was rather good. Next I'm using an AB dark purple mix on the actual model.

AWESOME!! Thanks for that. I'd hoped to custom mix some Luftwaffe colors, but I haven't been able to complete my 109 project.

Kenny

[Matthew Usher]

Liquitex makes a product called "Flow Aid" that extends the open time of most acrylic paints. I mix it with Tamiya acrylics occasionally and I've had good results.

Matt Usher @ FSM

[USSARCADIA]

Thanks Matt. I didn't think of that(would dishwashing soap do?). You're welcome Kenny, I would suggest mxing really well and maybe even strain it. Those paints tend to glob up easier than some acrylics. As soon as I spray the next bit I''ll post more pics.

[ModlrMike]

I too strongly recommend straining. When you mix in your thinning agent, some of the pigments will clump. You might also get some dried residue in your bottle over time that will clog your airbrush.

[Shinnentai]

What do you use for straining paint? Mesh, coffee filters, etc.?

[USSARCADIA]

Old panty hose(my wife's, of course ).

[Sparky]

Liquitex makes a product called "Flow Aid" that extends the open time of most acrylic paints. I mix it with Tamiya acrylics occasionally and I've had good results.

Matt Usher @ FSM

I used this in the test of one of the other brands that they had next to the apple barrel. they had pearlescent black which is what I want as a base coat for a space base. It changed the color on me, so I mixed in future, a lot till it was thin as it needed to be.