Airbrushing

**Jack Sparrow** on Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:08 am

A quick help post for those new to airbrushing. This is a guide only and should in no way be taken as gospel, everyone has their own views, methods and techniques, but this is how I go about it.

Using acrlylics.
There are a few things you can do to thin acrylic. The best way is to use the original thinners for the paints your using, i.e Tamiya paints, Tamiya thinners. This is the brand I use. Acrylic paints are water based, so water can be used, and to break the surface tension of the water, one small drop of liquid soap. This works well, but to many sharp movements with the brush can cause foam, not too good. Another way is to use windscreen wash, cheap and works well. My personal choice is the compatible thinners, cant go wrong, a little more costly but perfect mix and finish, dries very quickly. I use Tamiya spray primer and decant it into pots for the airbrush, less wastage. It is also perfect for metal parts as well as plastic, it sticks to anything!!! For normal painting I mix 1 part paint to 2 or 3 parts thinners, but it depends on the paint viscosity. When mixed it should be about semi-skimmed milk viscosity. For washes and filters I mix the paint to 95% thinner, put some thinners in your pot and clean out a brush once or twice with the colour you want. If you want a good gloss varnish then I swear by Johnsons Klear floor lacquer. Bullet proof when dry and you can paint over it for weathering and washes and such. I use for a Matt finish the Vallejo Matt Varnish.
For cleaning I empty the pot and spray through copious amounts of lukewarm water, remove the needle and tip and make sure there are no deposits still present. If so a toothbrush is perfect. Reassemble and then I spray through rubbing alcohol. It cleans any water out and dries instantly leaving nothing in the airbrush to damage it or ruin your next paint job. Keep your brushes and compressor in a room temp place otherwise condensation can occur in both!!!!! Learned that the hard way Crying or Very sad

!!!
Practice is all I can say for pressure and coverage. Be prepared to waste some paint and thinners and play around with your mix and technique. You will soon find a pressure and distance from subject that gives you the best finish. If you look through my Tiger Tank post you will find a Tiger I Aufs E I have built using my set up.
Hope this helps. Happy painting.

**Captain Barbossa** on Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:45 am

Excellent mini tutorial mate, much appreciated!

Airbrushing

Airbrushing

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