Hello, three quick, hopefully, newbie questions

1) just sprayed a 50/50 ipa to tamiya clear satin gloss, used a 3mm nozzle and needle so don't think I got quite the coat I need prior to applying decals. Also got these white marks in a few places. What are they?

2) in the future for applying gloss coats and base coats would it be best to invest in a single action airbrush, maybe something similar to the badger 350?

3) with my iwata clone double action with the 3mm nozzle and needle am I completely restricted to this width of spray. Is there anything I can adjust on the airbrush to alter this width or just look at getting a 5mm nozzle and needle?

Thanks in advance, just need to resolve these minor blocks before I progress with my kit.

I would recommend sticking with the double action airbrush. The best gloss coat that I've found is Pledge Future. I can't recall what it currently goes by. I'm sure someone else will post this. Don't thin the Future. It is self leveling. I apply about three coats at 25psi, slow passes one inch away. Just let it dry between coats. You can also apply it by brush. I have a Badger Krome with .3mm nozzle and needle. You shouldn't need an larger. Spring for the .5mm nozzle and needle, if you are determined to go bigger.

The questions may be quick, but the subject matter is very subjective as I were, so the answers may take awhile to sift through.

Good luck on your quest for knowledge as it is power.

Thanks for the advice. Any suggestions over the white marking/ reside that formed in a few places? Wondering if a bit if water got in the airbrush.

When applying a clear gloss for decaling, I judge the dried finish to determine if it's good enough or not. I don't go by any particular number of coats.

Once the gloss has dried, I hold it up to the light and sight along it at an angle. If the finish in the area for the decal is completely smooth and level, then it's good. If the finish has any rough or dull-looking spots, then I give it another coat.

The object of the exercise is to create a totally smooth surface for the decal. Any irregularities are potential trouble spots where silvering could occur. Check to see if you have this, and if not, then you need more gloss clear.

I don't know the source of the trouble that you have with the white spots, but in the future, I would suggest using clear gloss and not a clear satin for this purpose.

BTW: I also use Future, undiluted and sprayed neat for this. However, I have used other clear gloss (Floquil Crystal Cote, Testor's Gloss Coat, Tamiya clear, etc) and I judged the results the exact same way, by visually checking the smoothness of the gloss coat once it's dry.

HTH and happy modeling!

The current product name in the US is "Pledge Floor Care Multi-Surface Finish", and there is a primer on the various alternate products available in other countries at The Complete Future at swannysmodels.com.

Here are the white marks left across the model after I have gloss coated it. 50/50 tamiya clear with ipa. Pretty gutted that I keep getting these marks.

Have you tried using X20A thinner instead of IPA , your using the alcohol out of a bottle from say CVS ? When you say Tamiya clear is X22 ?

Used the suggested tip of putting the undiluted gloss on the patches and this cleared it up. Invested in some vallejo gloss varnish, will thin it slightly and give a go.