Hi all

Just starting putting paint onto my HMS Hood and have run into a snag...

I'm using a double action airbrush (for the first time), it's an AB-180 no-name model, has an air pressure regulator at its tip. Anyway, thinnned Tamiya acrylic 60/40 with windscreen washer and away I went. However am getting a lot of paint splatter and the finish looks awful, frankly.

Can anyone point out what I'm doing wrong? Tried varying air pressure but doesn't seem to help. Am I right in thinking I need low pressure for this, and perhaps to thin the paint more? Say 50/50?

Also, I will need to use the same brush for enamels (for the anti-fouling, couldn't find the right colour in acrylics). What is the technique for these?

Finally, would have uploaded some pics, but at the moment I get an error 'We're sorry, but the system experienced an unrecoverable error. Please try again later.' Anyone else getting this or am I having a jinxed day?!

The two possibilites I have came accross with paint splatter...

1. Your paint might still be a little bit thick. I would try thinning it down a bit more first. I use a ratio of 2/3rds paint to 1rd thinnner, you might have to go from there and thin it down a little more than that. A suspicion with Tamiya paint, is it will not blend with all thinners... I have personally found (and I use Tamiya paint for all my airbrushing) is for best results with Tamiya use their thinner.

2. Moisture in your compressor, or the hose. Do you have a moisture trap? A moisture trap on your compressor should take care of that.

a third possibility to add - you have some small dried paint chunks in your paint - strain your paint after thinning and before using it in the airbrush.

but good bet it is water in your airline if you live in a humid (or rather, not really dry) area and don't have a good water trap.

Thanks for all the answers gents. I've experimented with different air pressures and paint thickness, but am still getting splatters...

They seem to happen regularly, every 3 seconds or so. Paint is collecting at the tip of the brush, and I wipe it away with a damp cloth. Not sure if this is the culprit - if so how do I cure it please?

Failing that water in the airline sounds a possibility - I only have a cheap compressor with no air regulation or moisture trap. I'm considering getting one of these and would appreciate your opinions. thanks!

I would clean the brush thourghly... Try that first...
My guess at this point, is you have moisture in the line...

Yep, I've stripped and cleaned it. What do you think of the compressor I linked to previously? Up to the job?

I have a similar type of compressor, and while it works okay, I wish it had a holding tank for the air. I think you get better control of the air pressure that way. But, other than that, I have no complaints with it.

I don't use acrylics, but the only two reasons I've found for paint splatter with my enamels are moisture in the line, or paint too thick. Sounds as if you are on your way to solving those issues.

As for working with enamels, I thin with either Model Master paint thinner, or a generic lacquer thinner. Both seem to work fine so far with Model Master enamel paint, which is pretty much what I use. I thin to a ratio of 70/30 or 60/40ish.

Mike

Graham there could also be another reason your getting paint splatter make shore you press down for air before pulling back on the trigger for paint if you pull back for paint first a small drop of paint may collect on the tip than when you press for air you get the splatter. This seams to hold true when you are covering a large area not so much on detail work because a lot less paint builds up on the tip.

Thanks I'll watch for that - first double action brush I've had so I still need LOTS of practice with it

I think it is a combination of two factors - a cheaper airbrush (Not throwing rocks at you - you said it not me ) and acrylic paints.

With cheaper airbrushes, the surface finish of the needle, nozzle, and other parts are usually rougher, not as polished as high quality brushes. This surface finish will catch paint, and cause premature build up while you are spraying.

The other factor is that your acrylic paint is too dry. You need to add more thinner and a retarder. START at 50/50 and you may have to go to 40/60 paint/thinner. Also, use a retarder, which will "wet" the paint and keep it flowing better in the brush and onto the model. If you cannot find acrylic retarder, then use a SMALL drop of liquid soap or hand soap to your acrylic thinner. Don't use too much or you will get bubbles.

I would try these things, then spray at low pressures - I use about 20 PSI or less. Experiment and eventually you will get the right mix. Bottom line is, if you are spraying rough texture or spatters, your paint is too thick or too dry, if your paint moves or puddles easily then your paint is too thin or too wet.

If you are like me, you will have a lot better experience airbrushing enamels than acrylics. I use about 90% enamels for this very reason - acrylic paints have thicker pigments and tend to dry much faster than oil based enamels.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Scott Gentry