Airbrush paint

[BBdave]

I am gathering the bits to paint my next model which will be my first airbrushed, I have my airbrushes but no specific paint I was thinking Vallejo air paint do I understand correctly that I can use it direct from the bottle?

And what masking will I need?

Dave

[Richi72]

Hi Dave,

Vallejo Air is airbrush ready. But I like to thin it down a little more like 3 parts, paint and 1 part thinner but that's my personal preference.

For masking, you can use masking paint, masking tape, blue tack and masking foil. It depends for me how big the masking area is.

Hope this helps a little.

Cheers Richi

[Guest]

Model air is made to be sprayed directly from the bottle Dave, although in some cases extra thinning can be helpful ie close up work at low pressures.

For masking I use Tamiya tape, post-it notes & white tak. If there's a large area to cover, greaseproof paper fills in between the tape. Cheap & effective!

Cheers

Patrick

[eddiesolo]

I use VA and yes you can use straight from the bottle or thinned with water or AB thinners depending on your preference or if you're highlighting etc. I use Tamiya masking tape, have thin and a slightly thicker one. Do not use cheap masking tape, it is okay for large areas or form blanking-but if you're wanting to be neat and get a good nice clean edge then Tamiya works well.

Si

[Ian M]

I use the ordinary Vallejo Model Color paints and thin them with airbrush thinners.

The reason for this choice is two fold. Model color paint is very good for brush application, Model Air is at times tricky to use with a brush.

Reason two: One bottle of model air, three or four good sized models. One bottle of Model color... Good for at least 10 models of the same kind of size.

That will say you use a lot less of it...

I would also advise against thinning with water, buy a bottle of the thinners.

Ian M

[Guest]

Dave have a read of this. It is the Vallejo question and answers PDF. Contains a lot of inf. which is a great help whether a beginner or experienced in air brushing.

http://cdn.acrylicosvallejo.com/3125a70282d7ae1b26302b70f227e502/model-FAQS-CC001-rev03.pdf

Vallejo is a first class start for airbrushing as I found out. Mixing colours is easy. I just use the dropper and count the drops straight into the cup with a little thinner in the bottom whether you are going to thin further or not. Just gives a bit of lubrication before starting. I use a paint brush to mix the paint in the cup. I always have a preliminary squirt to get rid of any un mixed stuff in the base of the cup.

To thin or not to thin. It can be used direct form the bottle but I have found I have found it best to give two thinner coats rather than one heavy but this is a matter of experience then preference. A certain amount depends on the needle/nozzle size. I use a 3.5 needle and usually for top coats thin about 20%. But for first mist coat probably about 40%. A .35 or .4 needle I have found the best for me but I know others go down lower. The lower you will probably find you will have to thin in proportion.

As Ian has said best to use Vallejo thinner. As Vallejo say in the PDF the thinner is the same as that in the potted paint that is stickability agents and flow stuff to help in airbrushing. Also for cleaning I have found that the best as it is prepared for cleaning Vallejo Airbrush Cleaner.

Best thing is to get large empty plastic water bottles and just practice and practice before starting on your model. Pays huge dividends. Also push down on the trigger and keep it there before pulling back for paint. To stop release fully forward before letting up the trigger to stop the air. Like driving a car soon get the hang of it leaving you to think of what you are about.

Laurie

[Guest]

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Best thing is to get large empty plastic water bottles and just practice and practice before starting on your model. Pays huge dividends. Also push down on the trigger and keep it there before pulling back for paint. To stop release fully forward before letting up the trigger to stop the air. Like driving a car soon get the hang of it leaving you to think of what you are about.

Laurie

Yes, practice on plastic. My preference is for Asda's or Sainsbury's 2 litre lemonade bottles. They are smooth and shiny like model parts. Plastic milk containers have a knobbly surface not typical of models.

BTW, the typeface in this forum seems to have changed again, or is it my computer? I prefer this sans serif typeface.

[Guest]

Same with my computer Steve. Getting sans serif. Agree much better particularly for monitor clarity.

Laurie