Anyone airbrushing acrylics....?

[bigmikevee]

Hey Gang,

Been using Testor acrylics last few weeks just to see what the pro's and con's are. the pro's far outweigh the cons....except for the fact they dry really, really fast, and clog up my airbrush. I have to clean needle and tip over and over, also, they splatter as they thicken up, right before they clog all the way, and that messes up what had been done so far.

Here is a breakdown of what I have tried so far....First, Testor says they don't need thinned, but then they said to try their acrylic thinner? I have tried different items to thin, tap water, filtered water, distilled water, 91% alcohol and 97% alcohol, haven't tried their thinner yet. Also experimenting with distance to subject, experimenting with pressure on compressor, tried warming the paint a little bit, tried warmer days vs.cooler days, just been trying all the little things I can think of, but it always seems to get to the point where parts have to take E-Z OFF bath, and that is just so discouraging. Doing well spraying enamels and lacquers and clear lacquers, but just cannot get competent with acrylics.

What am I missing or doing wrong? Also, I keep my airbrush super clean, no matter what I've sprayed I always clean with lacquer thinner, and break apart and thoroughly clean after each session. Think I am doing the right steps, called Testor's for advice, and except for using their thinner, agreed I was taking the right steps. Called Iwata and Badger, and they both said I am taking the right steps too. Well, I think I am missing something along the way, but don't know what to do next. Thanks in advance for those that care to reply, and for what it is worth....brushing by hand, acrylics are pretty good, ez to clean, dry hard as a rock and can polish out nicely. Thanks again and happy holidays.

Mike

[MikeMc]

What psi....sounds like a bit more pressure and thinner....if it splatters....

acrylics need multiple THIN coats..I use Tamiya and have to use their thinner for airbrushing only..never for brushing..

[935k3]

Acrylics do spray better at higher pressure, I use about 30 psi. Also try using windshield washer fluid, it works well withh acrylics and it's cheap. You should be able to strip them with 91% alcohol and Tamiya's strips with ammonia.

[Agent G]

I find Testors acrylics spray well when cut with Windex. I usually spray this mixture at about 15-20 PSI.

Tip dry is a common problem with acrylics. Keep a qtip soaked in Windex nearby and periodically swab the nozzle.

I thin Tamiya acrylics with their laquer thinner exclusively. I can turn the pressure down to about 10PSI for tight camo patterns. Rarely do I experience tip dry with this combo. It's almost like spraying enamels.

Multiple light coats are the way to achieve a good finish with acrylics.

What's the humidity like in your neck o' the woods? Where I'm at 30% is high, and paint seems to dry in the jar! I must thin any paint about 20% more than what I was used to back in the midwest.

G

Edited December 21, 2010 by AgentG

[Mike Kucaba]

Go to an art supply store like Hobby Lobby or Michael's and get a bottle of acrylic retarder, and flo-aid,(two different additives) Liquitex is one brand I've used. Use these as directed and should solve the problems.

[my66s55]

I spray a lot of acrylic. My method: I use craft paints-Liquitex, Apple Barrel

Liquitex Airbrush medium 10% of mix volume

water

25 psi

Paasche H airbrush - if the airbrush starts to clog, adjust the needle up and down until paint starts to flow again

light coats at first, one wet coat to finish

This works for me every time.

[Brendan]

I use denatured alcohol to thin acrylics. And shoot it at anywhere between 20 and 30 PSI. Like was said above, you need to do several thin coats to get the paint to look good. If I'm doing a gloss, I usually do two to three light coats and then thin it a little more and do a wet coat.

[Ddms]

When using Tamiya acrylics for regular brushing, I've found that they flow more smoothly and actually dry slower when thinned with the "official" Tamiya thinner. If I were you I'd break down and try the stuff. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Edited December 22, 2010 by Ddms

[EH225M]

Mike,

I think you've already answered your own question.

Acrylic thinner.....

I don't have an airbrush, so my models are sprayed with rattle cans, although I've sprayed my own 1:1 which looks just the car in my avatar with acrylic, and the only way to thin the paint was with acrylic thinner.

Testors said you were doing everything correct, except you weren't using acrylic thinner.

Maybe it's a cost issue, but if you've been able to fork out for an airbrush and compressor already, surely a can of acrylic thinners wont set you back that far?

Perhaps the only product you haven't yet used to thin the paint is exactly what you need. Perhaps. ??

[bigmikevee]

Hey Gang,

Well, today had the weather and the time to try Dale's tip on windshield washer fluid with acrylics, and man, was I impressed!! Dale, thank you thank you thank you! Shot three different colors, no airbrush-tip drying too quickly, no splattering, just flowed and flowed. I was worried about the blue color in the fluid, did not seem to make any difference. Lacquers have their place too, but I have really been enjoying the acrylics, cheap, easy to find, lots of colors, dry super quick and clear-coat really nice. Give them a try.

Mike

[Dr. Cranky]

Mike, I've been using Vallejo Model Air acrylics these last few months, and I have to say I love them. Easy to use, clean, and store . . . my only complaint is that they should have more colors out in the Model Air line. I have their GAME COLOR set, so I've been thinning some other colors. They flow smooth and give you great coverage without too much paint going on . . .

I still love my Floquil railroad colors too. Lots of good choices.

[bigmikevee]

Hey Cranky,

Want to use up all the Testor Acrylics I bought when I decided to get back into the hobby, bought about 55-60 bottles at a local hobby shop thinking I would try them (based on what I had read about them combined with the fact they were on sale) versus using the enamels. This was before I discovered lacquers. Got a lot of cool acyrlics that I just hate to waste/throw away, now that I have discovered the secret for spraying will use them up first, then I can't wait to try the products you have mentioned. Baby steps, ya know?

Mike