best paint for airbrushing, and how to thin it?

UltraMagnus · Post by **UltraMagnus** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:42 am

ok, i have been fiddling around trying to get my badge 155 to paint camo schemes for my sci fi tanks. anyway, i have just about given up trying to pump gw and vallejo paint through my airbrush, it either wont come out or ends up turning into droplets on the tank and giving a spotty look, not to mention with the small amounts gw give you, you end up using up the entire pot just to get enough paint in the airbrush pot.

so, my question is, what is the best paint (that can be used without needing to wear a respirator, and is mail order able in the UK) to put through an airbrush for this sort of thing? i have heard tamiya are pretty good, but i have no idea of what ratio of tamiya thinner to paint i should use to thin them.

thanks in advance!

caveslug · Post by **caveslug** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:35 am

What are you using to thin the GW and Vallejo paints?

And yes Tamiya paints from my experience airbrush very nice, also any paint no matter if its enamel or water based you should use in a well ventilated area or wear a mask.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:43 am

Vallejo makes a series of paints that are made for AB. I use Tamiya & Gunze acrylics thinned about 2 to 1 with Tamiya thinner.

May I ask what you're using to thin with?

irishtrek · Post by **irishtrek** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:53 pm

Model Master acrylics need not be thined to run through an air brush.

Jonas Calhoun · Post by **Jonas Calhoun** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:07 pm

Both GW and Vallejo should be able to go through the airbrush...we'll need some more detail on a few things though:

What pressure?
How much did you thin? (if at all?)
What did you thin with?
How far away are you holding the brush?

Dan

UltraMagnus · Post by **UltraMagnus** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:09 pm

thanks for your replies all

Jonas Calhoun wrote:Both GW and Vallejo should be able to go through the airbrush...we'll need some more detail on a few things though:

What pressure?

i am not exactly sure, i am using a hobby diaphragm compressor, i think it runs at about 10psi - 15psi. it was the one the guy in my hobby shop where i bought my airbrush recommended i buy.

How much did you thin? (if at all?)

about 1:1

What did you thin with?

simple, ordinary, tap water (its water based, right)

How far away are you holding the brush?

about 30cm away

thanks for trying to help.

edit: just checked the catalogue, it says it runs at 37 psi max

caveslug · Post by **caveslug** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:44 pm

UltraMagnus wrote:
What did you thin with?
simple, ordinary, tap water (its water based, right)

I would add a drop of say windex to the mixture as it will help break the surface tension of water.

Jonas Calhoun · Post by **Jonas Calhoun** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:13 pm

UltraMagnus wrote:
Jonas Calhoun wrote: How far away are you holding the brush?
about 30cm away

That could be the issue. Move in a bit--maybe 5-8 cm. Everything else sounds OK.

Dan

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:50 pm

As a note, most hobby compressors run closer to 30-40 psi out of the box. You can paint at this volume but it's tricky.

Try reducing your thinning. With some paints it's tricky finding the sweet spot where it's thin enough to srpay but not so thin the paint particulates don't pick-up.

As Caveslug said, try a little windex or surficant (Called Jet-dry here, made for dishwashers). Plain tap-water can make a mess of some paints, despite being water clean-up (not neccessarily water based). I use Tamiya's thinner for all my acrylics but there are some homemade thinners available.

robgmun · Post by **robgmun** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:30 am

I've always been told that the best is Tamiya paints with Tamiya's thinner in a 1 part paint and 2 parts thinner ratio.

Is this ok?

caveslug · Post by **caveslug** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:51 am

robgmun wrote:I've always been told that the best is Tamiya paints with Tamiya's thinner in a 1 part paint and 2 parts thinner ratio.

Is this ok?

The best... that is subjective really, I can say this and not being a airbrush guru I have never had a bad experience using there paints airbrushing they always come out smooth.