airbrush problems HELP!!!!!!

[Vaughan]

Hi guys need some more advice regarding airbrushing paints. I have been using the model air range with no problems since I received my replacement airbrush, but as soon as I stated using the model colour gloss which i thinned with model colour thinner medium the brush clogs up and a droplet appears on the needle tip. I then wipe it off but it reappears almost straight away and the brush clogs up again. Is there an alternative to using thinner medium like screen wash? or what else could I use? Help.

Vaughan

[Ian M]

All I ever use for Vallejo is distilled water. Works fine for me. You should be aware that acrylic paints do dry very quickly. Have you tried thinning the paint more and turning the air down?

I have also found that the gloss medium does this some times. In fact turning the paint into liquid plastic almost. I just play with the mix and air pressure. If it is only a little bit that needs spraying I live with the problem. (It's easier than adjusting things all the time).

Also a little tip there. don't buy the gloss black, just buy the glossy medium. You can add it to any colour to make it a gloss. Mind you, it is often better to just spray with gloss varnish afterwards.

Ian M

[Vaughan]

Hi Ian

Thanks for the advice will try the distilled water. As you say they dry very quickly. I was spraying yesterday in quite a warm room (my garden room does get hot when the sun comes round) do you think this also might be responsible for the clogging?

Vaughan.

[Vaughan]

Thanks for the info Ian

I have tried all the above but still having problems with paint drying too fast. Weather seems to be the key issue I have found that as soon as the weather gets warmer like yesterday and today my paints have been drying very fast and a droplet of paint is forming on the needle tip every few seconds. I have tried thinning the paint with thinning medium/ distilled water increasing the air pressure decreasing the air pressure to no avail the only common denominator is the weather as soon as the temperature drops in the evening things run better. I have just finished spraying part of the undercarriage (11.45 PM) and things are running fine. So it's going to be an early morning or later evening hobby at the moment.

Vaughan

[The Migrant]

Hi Vaughan, have you tried adding a retarder to the paint? This slows the drying time and should prevent the paint drying as quickly on the needle tip. Vallejo make a retarder for their own paints (#597)

[Vaughan]

Hi Mike sounds like a good idea will try it. I had been thinking about going down that road thanks for reminding me. I'm using a Iwata BR at the moment with a 0.3 needle and thought that might be a cause in conjunction with the warmer weather. It's a bit frustrating as I've only been able to work early in the morning or late at night. Thanks again.

Vaughan

[John]

I have a .02mm needle and have never had any problems with the warmth of the room what psi are you running

[Vaughan]

Hi John

running on 20psi but have tried reducing it down to 15psi what would you recommend as far as thinning the modelair paint distilled water? model air own thinners ? it says on the bottle use sparingly I have tried both. I have bought an ultrasonic cleaner to make sure that the nozzle and needle are as clean as possible. I'm thinking should I try a different acrylic paint such as xtracrylic from Hannants but I have spent over £40 on modelair already as they worked fine when I was building the BF109F 4 weeks ago so not sure what road to go down it's very frustrating. I love the finish that an airbrush gives it raises your model building to another level.

Vaughan

[stona]

I think someone already mentioned that lowering your pressure will help prevent paint drying at the tip. Don't swap to Xtracrylix! I use them a lot and they are great paints but I did find it tricky to get them to spray properly. I used a lot of trial and error with a liberal sprinkling of swearing.

I strongly suggest that you try adding a drop of retardant to your paint in the paint cup. Some proprietary thinners already contain one but I thin with water (which is free) and add retardant (which is cheap).

Here's the one I use.

Artist supply and hobby shops will have it or an equivalent. That bottle cost less than six quid and I've had it for literally years.

Cheers

Steve

[Vaughan]

Hi there Steve

I took your advice and bought some retarder by vallejo not sure if the stuffs ok as seems rather thick but maybe that how it's supposed to be. Tried it but still had problems. Saying that I sprayed a spare fuselage half, this morning, the clear plastic one from the BF109G6 Trumpeter kit using modelair with no retarder and it worked fine. The mystery deepens as to why the airbrush is working ok now. Maybe it's down to how I'm cleaning the airbrush.

I don't know.

Vaughan

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[Guest]

Noticed the other day that I was not pushing the air button down as far as it would go & I was not getting the normal results until I came to.

Just a thought Vaughan to make sure that is not the problem you have experienced.

Laurie