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Where to begin with Airbrush Painting
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27-04-2012 12:01pm#1Ok guys, time to hold my hands up & ask for any sagely help/guidance/wisdom yee might be able to offer a airbrush noobie
I've made a couple of starter Airfix kits at this stage & have the basics of that down. I'd like to progress a little further into the painting end of the field, by airbrushing.
I'm looking to get better finishings, & tackle some bigger models eventually.
Here's what I have to work with:
Iwata Eclipse CS
Compressor
Is there anything else I need to get started? I know nothing at all about it, & have never held an airbrush in my life. So any help at all is appreciated. I have this model to do
So assuming I have enough kit to begin, I have the model & paints...what's my first step? Do I need to dilute the paint or can it be used straight from the model packaging?
I can practice on old plastic once I'm up & running, but I don't wanna ruin the gun by putting in paint that I shouldn't be using etc.
Cheers guys0
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Grand so, the paints that came with the kit are all acrylic so I can begin on those. Is there a specific way of measuring out the paint & mixing, or do I just do it by eye into a small beaker & then pur it into the canister on the brush?
Sorry, I know these are really basic questions but this is all brand new to me 0 -
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"Ok I got the base coat done, & have the top coat done now. I think the paints that came with the kit are not really ideal for airbrushing, as I can't get a consistent flow out of the gun.
Most of the time it will begin spraying & then stop, until I release the trigger & then go again. Normally from what I read that'd be paint being too thick & clumping in the brush, correct? However, thinning the paint with water any more will result in the paint being far too wet & rolling off the model. I can't seem to get a nice balance or consistency"
Your paint is too thick.
Personally, I mix my paint in the airbrush, as with models you often use so little paint its a waste to mix it in a container and pouring it in. I put a couple of drops of paint, a couple of drops of thinner with an eyedropper and then mix with an old brush. The paint should be thin enough to run down the side of the airbrush pot leaving almost no paint sticking to it. (usually Paint:Thinner 30:70)
You also need to prime your model. I use Halfords type primer (just a mist of it), or somtimes just a very light coat of light grey acrylic. This will make your paint adhere much better.
"What brand of paint would be recommended for airfix, standard type aircraft modelling? Also, staying with acrylics, should I continue to thin with water or should I use actual thinners...if so, brand/type recommendations would be really appreciated! "
Throw that rubbish paint you have in the bin!!
I didnt realise you were actually going to use it! Any time ive seen it, it reminds me of when I was little and tried to paint my model with poster paint, it just rolls off.
also if u thin with water it is harder for the paint to adhere to plastic, fine using water if you were painting paper.
Acrylic paint is bes thinned with an alcohol based thinner, the manufacturer will provide one.
Personally I use mainly Tamiya paint, and thin with tamiya thinner. Or vallejo with their thinner. This is somthing thats a personal preference, and id advise try one or two different brands and see what you prefer. You can order both from Netmerchants in Larne.0 -
The Doktor wrote: »"Ok I got the base coat done, & have the top coat done now. I think the paints that came with the kit are not really ideal for airbrushing, as I can't get a consistent flow out of the gun.
Most of the time it will begin spraying & then stop, until I release the trigger & then go again. Normally from what I read that'd be paint being too thick & clumping in the brush, correct? However, thinning the paint with water any more will result in the paint being far too wet & rolling off the model. I can't seem to get a nice balance or consistency"
Your paint is too thick.
Personally, I mix my paint in the airbrush, as with models you often use so little paint its a waste to mix it in a container and pouring it in. I put a couple of drops of paint, a couple of drops of thinner with an eyedropper and then mix with an old brush. The paint should be thin enough to run down the side of the airbrush pot leaving almost no paint sticking to it. (usually Paint:Thinner 30:70)
You also need to prime your model. I use Halfords type primer (just a mist of it), or somtimes just a very light coat of light grey acrylic. This will make your paint adhere much better.
"What brand of paint would be recommended for airfix, standard type aircraft modelling? Also, staying with acrylics, should I continue to thin with water or should I use actual thinners...if so, brand/type recommendations would be really appreciated! "
Throw that rubbish paint you have in the bin!!
I didnt realise you were actually going to use it! Any time ive seen it, it reminds me of when I was little and tried to paint my model with poster paint, it just rolls off.
also if u thin with water it is harder for the paint to adhere to plastic, fine using water if you were painting paper.
Acrylic paint is bes thinned with an alcohol based thinner, the manufacturer will provide one.
Personally I use mainly Tamiya paint, and thin with tamiya thinner. Or vallejo with their thinner. This is somthing thats a personal preference, and id advise try one or two different brands and see what you prefer. You can order both from Netmerchants in Larne.
Super, super advice...many thanks! Ok, I'll pop into town & pick up some Tamiya paints & thinners, & the vallejo too. Good idea re mixing in the brush too, I was gonna do it but wasn't sure if putting the brush into the pot was detrimental.
The paint in the kits is absolute muck! I know the brush is fine because when I'm cleaning with water it's perfect. Thanks again!0 -
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Super, super advice...many thanks! Ok, I'll pop into town & pick up some Tamiya paints & thinners, & the vallejo too. Good idea re mixing in the brush too, I was gonna do it but wasn't sure if putting the brush into the pot was detrimental.
The paint in the kits is absolute muck! I know the brush is fine because when I'm cleaning with water it's perfect. Thanks again!
Not a bother
Im not sure where you will get either brand of paint in town, maybe someone else on here knows?
And just to be aware, you can blow out the airbrush with water to clean it with tamiya paint. Or even better mix water and windowlene in a bottle at about 50:1, I keep a mix of this in a bottle and find it works well. Though usually when I finish a model its best to give it a wipe with thinner and blow a full pot of it through the brush (at higher pressure to give it a good clean.
You can buy "airbrush cleaner", but its just the above mix that i mentioned sold a high price.
heres a tip.... get a two litre plastic milk container, put 3 sheets of kitchen paper in it, and you can blow waste paint into it and blow your cleaning solution into it with out making a mess
Oh and look at IPMS ireland for a few tips, look at the build guides, the two motorbikes are mine
http://www.ipmsireland.com/models/kitbuilds/index.htm0 -
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Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 25,271 CMod ✭✭✭✭
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Hi Enternow marks models in hawkins st. and toymaster upstairs corner of jervis st. mary st. have all the tamiya paints you need and they are by far the best on the market in my opinion for their finish and coverage as my model dios are on average 2ft by 4ft by 3ft high and one little tin goes a long way have a look at some of mine to see what i mean and good luck with your modeling.
To expand on this a little, the Tamiya paints can be thinned with isopropyl alcohol. I've found they airbrushed pretty well as is, but it seems to be widespread opinion that adding about another 50% isopropyl works well, i.e. fill a fresh jar up to the top with IPA. Tamiya do their own brand thinner, which is mostly IPA, but the stocking of it is unpredictable, whereas IPA is easily available in my local chemist.
My Tiger was done with an Iwata Eclipse CS and Tamiya paints mostly:
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To expand on this a little, the Tamiya paints can be thinned with isopropyl alcohol. I've found they airbrushed pretty well as is, but it seems to be widespread opinion that adding about another 50% isopropyl works well, i.e. fill a fresh jar up to the top with IPA. Tamiya do their own brand thinner, which is mostly IPA, but the stocking of it is unpredictable, whereas IPA is easily available in my local chemist.
My Tiger was done with an Iwata Eclipse CS and Tamiya paints mostly:
][/URL]
Yes you can use IPA, water, Cellulose thinner.. loads of stuff. But the actual thinner for the paint isnt just IPA, it has flow agents and a retarder in it which make the paint behave better. Its not expensive, and in my opinion gives a different finish to other thinning agents. It also gives a better surface if you want to use things like oil washes. Saying that, If i want to get a better rust effect on things like exhausts i use cellulose thinner and you get a slightly dustier finish
When I started using tamiya acrylics years ago, I used IPA. Then one day got some tamiya thinner, and when i used it, thought "oh, thats why you use it!"
You will really see the benifit of using the correct thinner on 1/72 aircraft and when you go down the road of shading.
Youll generally get it in hannants or netmerchants, though ive two litres of it so havent had to look for it for a while!! the 250ml container will last you at least 10 models
heres my last tiger(s)...
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toymaster upstairs corner of jervis st. mary st. have all the tamiya paints you need
Sweet! I know it well, cheers man :cool:I've found they airbrushed pretty well as is
As in without any thinner at all?The Doktor wrote: »Youll generally get it in hannants or netmerchants, though ive two litres of it so havent had to look for it for a while!! the 250ml container will last you at least 10 models
Much appreciated man!
Fantastic modelling lads, I'm a long way off that level in your pics, but it's seriously good to have advice from people who can do it to that caliber! I thank you all so far 0 -
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