Airbrush problem

[Guest]

I have recently returned to modelling after quite some years "rest" and need some help.


I have experienced a problem I cannot recall having when I last used an airbrush and would welcome any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong.


Whenever I use the airbrush the result always leaves a "satin-like" finish and not the matt finish I want/need.


This happens with either the Humbol Enamel, Revell Aqua Acrylic, Revell Enamel, or Ammo by MIG acrylic paints I have been trying to use.  All these thinned with the manufactures thinners.


Any thoughts on what I could be doing wrong?

[Guest]

Hi Richard from another old one. Bet I beat you 1938.


Just know about acrylics not enamel. It is nothing to do with airbrushing it is just the paint. Matt has a sheen on it that is it is not matt matt.


If I use for instance any of those you have mentioned they are all much the same including Vallejo. However if you put a coat of matt varnish over the paint the difference is chalk and cheese. I use Vallejo Matt Acrylic Varnish and I call the finish matt of matts.


Usually this is not a problem as if you are applying decals you need to use a varnish of some sort to stop "silvering" then to complete for a matt finish apply the varnish.


Laurie

[BarryW]

Laurie is spot one. 


Richard, if you are getting a good level smooth coat of paint then you are doing more right than wrong.  You need not worry about whether its matt, satin or gloss as, after painting, you need to use varnishes to get the effect you want.   Try first applying a good gloss varnish as a base for the decals, after the decals do a sealing coat of gloss varnish.  Once that has cured is the time to apply washes which get sealed in with a matt varnish (if it a matt finish).  You might have some additional weathering to do then that is best on a matt(ish) surface such as pigments before a second final varnish sealing coat.


You might find it best as well to apply a very light sanding between coats of paint/varnish using a very fine or polishing sanding sponge or stick (not over decals!!)


.

[Guest]

Thanks gents for your reply and the advice.  I will order some matt vanish and give this a try in a few days time (what ever happened to local model shops? - or am I just old now?)

[Guest]

In my experience, acrylic PAINTS (I have experience mainly of Vallejo) always dry with a dead mat finish, never a satin. (Ignoring decals), if you want the completed finish to be matt (or satin or gloss) you need to cover the paint coat with a mat (or satin or gloss) varnish, to protect it from handling. So, the satin finish you are getting should be no problem because any surface effect you get after the first paint spraying will need another coat - matt, satin or gloss.


I have no experience of enamels. I guess that if enamel paint is subject to handling problems like acrylic paint, the above would also apply to enamel paint.

[BarryW]

Some  Vallejo are satin Steve.  The similar AKI acrylics allmost all dry with a bit of a gloss so, in theory, you can apply decals and weather without glossing, but it is still best to gloss in the usual way.