and I'm not real happy with the results so far. I'm using a Badger 150 and MM acrylic paints. I thinned the paint with Polly airbrush thinner at about 1:1 ratio. based on the results that I got, I'm thinking that I thinned it way too much. The paint straight from the jar looked thin enough to spray. What I was left with was a very thin coating of paint and lots of puddling. A second coat will definitely be needed and I'll thin it alot less, if at all.

Also, I was spraying an olive drab color, which was way lighter that the same color in enamel. Should I darken it with some green or maybe black? By the way, the piece I am painting is an M3A1.

Thanks for any tips or suggestions you guys can offer.

I am not a specialist on the matter but with the paint from the jar being thin enough to spray-did you mix it well. If you didn't mix it REALLY good you will get the thinned out paint on top and the residue at the bottom.... then when you add the thinner.. all you are spraying is thinner.

Like I said though-I am not a specialist on the matter.

I use MM Acrylic paint without thinning it. I have an Aztek air brush and get good results. My son, using the same air brush swears by 1 part thinner to 3 parts paint.
HTH & welcome to Armorama.
Chuck

Mauserman. I also use Modelmaster acryl paints and you are right, they are pretty much thin enough to spray out of the bottle without thinning. I have found that it varies from bottle to bottle and color to color what thickness the paint is out of the bottle. As Chuck mentioned, try reducing the amount of thinner down to no more than 10% and see if that helps. Also, what pressure are you spraying at?

Keith

In general acrylics (water based) paints do not required much reductiion. I reduce 10% at the most with isopropal alcohol. Oil based enamels can tolerate a greater rate of reduction. 25 - 33% (4:1 or 3:1).

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to attempt a second coat tonight. This paint has a consistency that is slightly thicker than water so I think I am going to try it without thinning. And Keith, I was using the brush with 30# of pressure. Too much? Not enough? From what I've read, this is about mid-range so I figured I'd start there.

Mauserman, I think 30 pounds of pressure is too much. While not an expert air brusher by any means, I find that about 18 pounds is about as much as I need to use. I have even read one poster say he sprays at between 5 and 10 pounds. Best of luck!

Keith

Well I just finished putting on the second coat. This time I used the paint straight from the bottle and was actually using about 20#, not 30#. The results were much better this time. Good coverage and no puddling. I also used a medium needle this time instead of the large needle (couldn't get the large one to work for some reason). I found I had better control and used less paint.

I just wish that the color wasn't so light. I think Tamiya's OD was a much better look on the tank. Hopefully a little weathering will darken it up.

Thanks again.

Something else to think about...try doing a few coats as opposed to 1 or 2 thick coats. My biggest problem with spraying is " I want it done now"....I am slowly but surley learning patience with an air brush...take your time and do numerous lite coats!! It pays off in the long run!

It's true, MM Acryl is thin enough to spray straight, usually. YMMV, of course, depending on the color, or how old it is, etc. I spray it at about 15-18 psi, and it works well. If you think the color is too light, maybe an "all over" wash, or a filter may change the tone some. Have fun!

if i were you id just try testors enamel paint. you usualy dont have to thin it much and its not very $. i jsut sprayed soem green to paint my m-26 pershing and it dried up fairly fast also not all dry, but pretty well dry. it has awsome coverage. and its hte first time i get results this good. i use a badger 150 also, and i like it a lot.

Frank