StevenGuthmiller Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 I know a lot of us heat up spray cans to help with the paint flow better. Does anyone know if it would be helpful to heat paint for airbrushing as well? Steve
Stray Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 I airbrush with AutoAir and Createx paints for canvas and aluminium art, as well as automotive. It is a waterbourne acrylic. I know in colder climates it is recommended to warm the paint a little to improve flow.
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) I don't know that, but I DO know we used to heat synthetic enamel before spraying in the bad old days painting real cars. God, what a stench. The reasons for heating rattlecans are twofold. 1) Heat raises the internal pressure in the can, resulting in finer atomization and 2) heat slightly lowers the viscosity of the paint product, again helping with atomization and "flow". Adjusting air pressure, and tuning paint viscosity with correct reduction should obviate any advantage from heating solvent-based paint to be airbrushed. Edited March 12, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 12, 2015 Author Posted March 12, 2015 Thanks guys! I thought it probably had more to do with the spray can than the paint itself. Just wondered if it might be beneficial to warm it up, or if it would just be a waste of time. Steve
High octane Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 It's not a waste of time, and works great for me.
taaron76 Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Steve, I tend to heat my acrylics up a little before I spray them with an airbrush. I usually put the glass bottles in the dehydrator and heat them up for a few minutes. Not sure if there is any advantage, but I usually have pretty good results with my technique(s). Tim
jwrass Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Steve, I too remember the days of heating Dupont Dulux enamel on a hot plate. I would say heating a spray bomb helps with paint flow and presure for the reasons Bill mentioned in his post. I see no advantage to heating any type of paint that is going to be airbrushed. Air pressure and paint reduction are the variables (technique) that should be worked on to get that ultra fine finish!
kitbash1 Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 It's not a waste of time, and works great for me. Works great for me as well. Gives a smoother finish on second and third coats.
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