So i was using my airbrush just spraying a piece of primed cardboard today.
I was using acrylics since they are nice to the airbrush, but i was having a lot of trouble with clogging and drying paint on the needle.
The clogging is easily fixed with sum thinner, but what do i do about this drying paint problem? Wait until summer is over, which at the rate this stupid SoCal weather is going may not be till after christmas?
Its a bit of a pain, especially when im just trying to learn techniques, like spraying a plain old thin line. Anybody have any suggestions?
I know i could use enamels, but even then would they be safe to airbrush with if they were gonna dry so quickly?

Even enamels will build up on the tip on a long spray session. I just keep thinner handy with a swab and clean the tip off every now and then. Is it building up every few lines or after a few minutes of spraying? When you practice you can do a lot of sustained spraying unlike doing detailing or camo where you stop repeatedly to check the work. Are you using heavilly reduced paints or less then 50% thinner?

I deal mostly with enamels but if you post the ratio of thinner/paint and the brand of paint and what thinner you are using, someone can probably tell you in no time how often it builds up.

You can get a liquid 'retarder' to mix in with the paint that extends it's drying time somewhat. Liquitex makes one called 'Slow-Dri' (No.6704). They also make a product called 'Flow-aid' (No.5620) Both mentioned are clear liquids that don't effect the color or intensity. They work well and the acrylic paint flows well through the AB and takes a few seconds longer to dry. You will still have to ocasionally clean off the tip of the needle of build up

Cheers,
Charles