Up until today I was doing the best I could with what I had for a airbrush. I was using a cheap copy of something that I picked up at Harbor freight for a few bucks. It worked more like a paint sprayer with no ability to do any type of serious detailing at all without masks. The necessary thinning ratios for any type of paint were such that it had to be the consistancy of water to come out of the brush, which means nothing but runs everywhere.
Yesterday I finally picked up the Iwata Revolution that was sitting at my LHS all by itself on the shelf. Got a pretty good deal on it as the owner has not been able to move it since everyone was buying the cheap starter sets for Christmas. He pretty much said to name my price. So $45.00 later I have this fancy new thing at home. I was outside today and trying to get used to it when I found that I have the ability to actually paint something the right way and not just pour paint over it. I broke out a couple of junker kits and began to spray away on them like no tomorrow. I can not believe what I have been missing. It took only a little practice to get used to the double action and I was actually able to sort of paint a mottle pattern on an old ME 110 that I never finished. Never mind what colors the plane is. I even found that Lifecolor Paints can actually be thinned with tap water and sprayed on armor.....WOW-needless to say I am really happy right now. Now I may actually be able to build and paint something worthy of posting here.

Thanks for listening

Mark:

I'm happy to hear of your new found discovery. It really is amazing what the right tools can do once you learn how to use them. You are off on an adventure that I'm sure you'll enjoy. Get creative! Try all sorts of patterns and gradiations.

Just remember above all else - take care of your new airbrush! A well maintained airbrush will bring you years of painting pleasure. A poorly maintained one will bring you heartache and frustration. Keep that baby clean. And most of all, have fun!

John

Glad to hear you jumped into the double-action bandwagon with both feet. Some people find the transition from SA to DA somewhat difficult, but it isn't really. What I did to get some practice, was purchase on clearance at an art shop an already diluted acrylic paint (red-brown or sienna, I think), especially formulated for airbrush use. Then I got some pieces of cardboard (I guess discarded boxes of cereal would work just as well) and started spraying X's, and O's, then placed a dot inside the O's, sprayed my name, my signature, and, well, you get the point. It's easy and fun and you will get the hang of it in no time.

To paint the mottle camouflage, other forum members will be better able to provide you with more accurate pointers. In my case, what I did was dilute the (modelling) paint a little more than usual, set the pressure somewhat low, and placed the nozzle very very close to the surface (and by that I mean REALLY close; I only model in braille) and sprayed the mottles.

Do practice first with a cheap paint (the one I purchased for practice didn't even cost me a buck, and it came already diluted and with an eyedropper to fill the paint cup! What's more, it was a breeze to clean. I haven't done that mottle camouflage in years, but those points I do remember.

Anyhow, best of luck with your new Stradivarious, enjoy it, and remember that just because someone bought a guitar that doesn't turn him into Eric Clapton.

I enjoy my Aztek DA a lot, but I have a loooong way to go to make the best of it.

Happy New Year to all!

Martin

I picked up the same AB a few days ago. A huge step up from the Badger 350 Single Action I have. Errm a couple of accidents in the shop today got in the way of me trying it out... but I can't wait to get it going tomorrow.

Hard to believe the price of the thing when you put it side by side with the badger, seems to be a much better quality piece of kit.


Martyn