Airbrushing

[vintagestang]

How do I measure my paint and thinner for airbrushing? What are the ratios for model masters acrylics and laquers and testors enamels? Can I use a normal industrial air compressor or a portable air tank? How do I adjust the psi? I don't have a hobby compressor. My airbrush is a Paasche EZ-Starter.

[Mr. Moparman]

Youcould use a normal compressor, although you may have to make a manifold to adapt the Paasche hose to it. I love my Harbor Freight Airbrush Compressor, It gives great results, and has a regulator and pressure gauge. It will give better results thank from Propel or and air tank. I usually thin my paints 3 parts paint to 2 parts thinner. (General Rule is to thin to the consisity of skim milk.) If you decant spray paint, it is usually thin enough straight out of the can.

[vintagestang]

How would I make a manifold? What do I measure the Paint and thinner with? How would I adjust the psi?

[Mr. Moparman]

Mearsure with an eyedropper or a syringe. Visit your local hardware store for info the make a manifold.

[vintagestang]

Ok thanks! I have a few ideas.

[scalenut]

patrick ,

on the model master acryl , there is no set ratio . the different colors vary so much in thickness you almost have to go by each color as to how much to thin , some don't need thinning at all , some are so thick you have to heavily thin.

I just eyeball the MM acrys and do some test sprays, till it's flowing right.

they also separate easily and require a really good mixing before using.

it doesn't hurt to strain them also, you can use a small piece of pantyhose for that.

some of the colors are bad about forming tiny blobs over time that are hard to break up

Edited January 11, 2012 by scalenut

[vintagestang]

Ok thanks. Can I use generic thinner with testors and mm paints?

[crazyjim]

I do it the easy way and buy pre-mixed HOK paint from Coast Airbrush.

[JunkPile]

Just when you think you've got it thinned enough, thin it again. Several light coats is always better than one heavy coat. Air brush has created a huge learning curve for me, including but not limited to material handling, transfering paint, health and safety, airbrush cleaning

proceedures, proper thinners, paint types, disposal of by-products, and more. Good Luck

[scalenut]

Ok thanks. Can I use generic thinner with testors and mm paints?

I've always used the testors thinner for their acrylics,,works great

The mm acryls can be fussy but they really do spray great and brush very nice as well.

using a generic thinner is a toss-up. you can start having issues with tip dry,grainy texture...adhesion problems

considering your only using drops of thinner most of the time a bottle of the testors thinner goes a long way.

and I have not had any of those issues so far.

some of my bottles are 5 or more years old and still work fine , just need more thinning with them

Edited January 12, 2012 by scalenut

[vintagestang]

So yes or no?

[Monty]

For measuring exact amounts of paint or reducer, you can find pipettes and clear plastic cups with markings on the outside at online stores such as Micro-Mark. A well-equipped pharmacy may also have them.

[scalenut]

So yes or no?

15 years ago --yes

today---no

acrylics are a category

there are probably a couple dozen or more types of "acrylic" paints in that category

is the thinner interchangeable between all of them .. no

what works with one brand, will turn another to goo

there is no "generic acrylic thinner" across the board

the closest thing might be water

Edited January 13, 2012 by scalenut

[vintagestang]

What I mean is can I use thinner I bought from say Walmart rather than Testors?

[JunkPile]

Use mineral spirits (from walmart) to thin enamels. Lacquer thinner (walmart) will thin most enamels and lacquers the same. Test compatability on spare frames or bodys if you have any doubts . Krylon thins with lac. thinner just fine if needed(a drop or two never hurts). Careful with clearcoats ( no Tamiya gloss over Krylon). These are just some quick and dirty pointers to begin your journey into airbrush. All coatings of same brand (Testers Enamels, Tamiya, Krylon, etc.) should play well together. These notes have nothing to do with acrylics. Decanted canned paint sprays nicely. Decanted Krylon might be good for first test projects (these test cars may turn out kinda nice, so give it a try). Hunt around this website for many really good tips on painting. Hope this may help with some of your questions. Be safe. You will need adequate ventalation to safely spray any of these products. Use good sense. Do not expect glass smooth finishes right from the start. Practice and have fun.

[Jairus]

Thin to the consistency of milk regardless of enamel, acrylic or lacquer. Then it can be shot at 35 to 45 psi is the best rule of thumb.

[mikemodeler]

Buy Donn Yost's DVD and most of your questions will be answered! It is a great way to learn some easy techniques on how to use your airbrush, how to thin paint, and some great tips on keeping your brush operating properly.

www.oldmansmodels.com will get you to his website. The $20 for the DVD is money well spent as Donn explains it very well and he is a modeler like us. There was a post here back in November/December that went into detail about the DVD.