Help, new to airbrush.

[JR]

So you see Steve there are as many thoughts as how as there are methods . Don't be put off if you go down the acrylic route and find you suffer from stoppages through tip dry .Jump in by all means but be prepared to learn and practice and practice as Tim says.

[Gern]

Ask any dozen modellers what they use in their A/B and how they spray it and you'll get a dozen different answers. Try a few alternative paints and experiment with different pressures. Patience and practise will get you where you want to be - just don't be surprised or disappointed if your first efforts are poor; you will improve.

[PaulinKendal]

I've been airbrushing for a few months now, and I'm not very good at it. But, after zenithal priming and varnishing over a hundred 32mm miniatures in that time, at least now I have some idea what it is that I might be getting wrong when I get it wrong - to begin with it's all pretty mystifying.

Things don't go right, and you haven't a clue what the root of the problem is. So you ask, and watch videos, and get tons of conflicting advice.

There is no substitute for just using it, over and over and over again, until the airbrush starts to feel normal in your hand, and you notice things going slightly wrong immediately, and have some feel for how to correct those problems.

My one piece of advice would be - avoid all prescriptive advice apart from this: air on, paint on, paint off, air off. And practice.

[Tim Marlow]

I've been airbrushing for a few months now, and I'm not very good at it. But, after zenithal priming and varnishing over a hundred 32mm miniatures in that time, at least now I have some idea what it is that I might be getting wrong when I get it wrong - to begin with it's all pretty mystifying.

Things don't go right, and you haven't a clue what the root of the problem is. So you ask, and watch videos, and get tons of conflicting advice.

There is no substitute for just using it, over and over and over again, until the airbrush starts to feel normal in your hand, and you notice things going slightly wrong immediately, and have some feel for how to correct those problems.

My one piece of advice would be - avoid all prescriptive advice apart from this: air on, paint on, paint off, air off. And practice.

Amen to that brother….

[stillp]

My one piece of advice would be - avoid all prescriptive advice apart from this: air on, paint on, paint off, air off. And practice.

That's two pieces of advice!
Pete :tongue-out3:

[Jim R]

The only way to figure it out is grab the bull by the horns and enjoy the ride

Ask any dozen modellers what they use in their A/B and how they spray it and you'll get a dozen different answers

Hi Steve
I'm afraid that Ian and Dave are right. Sometimes the more advice you get the more confusing it all becomes. Have a go and remember what you did so that you can build on what works for you. Above all, as Ian says, "enjoy the ride"
Jim

[Roadie]

Thanks to you all for your comments. Have read them all through many times and put it into action this morning.
Unfortunately my first colour choice may not of been the right one, Red.
Had already hand primed and rubbed down with w&d to a good finish. Sprayed twice rubbing down in between and think a third coat will tljust about do it. Mix was 50/50, sprayed well, gun cleaned well after.
Thanks again for your help, I expect it will be wanted again in the future.
Cheers Steve.

[Tim Marlow]

If you needed to spray something red, then red was a good choice Steve :thumb2: Trouble is, most reds are transparent so take an age to cover, as you found out…..

[adt70hk]

If you needed to spray something red, then red was a good choice Steve :thumb2: Trouble is, most reds are transparent so take an age to cover, as you found out…..

It's funny I found that with my Huey...thought red would be the opposite given that it's such a strong colour and yet it was almost as bad as yellow in that respect!

[Roadie]

If you needed to spray something red, then red was a good choice Steve :thumb2: Trouble is, most reds are transparent so take an age to cover, as you found out…..

Yes , it a boat hull so needed to be red. As soon as I started spraying my motor vehicle apprenticeship kicked in and my sprayer mates teachings came back to this old brain.

[Tim Marlow]

It's funny I found that with my Huey...thought red would be the opposite given that it's such a strong colour and yet it was almost as bad as yellow in that respect!

When brush painting I start from a base of Vallejo cavalry red (duller reds) or amaranthe red (bright reds) because they cover better. Highlights are hard work as well. They can either go pink if you add white, or orange if you add scarlet. I tend to just use the base red for mid tone and highlight. They don’t even photograph well :angry:

[Bugatti Fan]

I have been using airbrushes for many years and still get the occasional disaster. It is par for the course I am afraid as already said there are so many variables that come into play pointed out in the above replies from other posters.
Paint and thinner, consistency of, airbrush cleanliness, the list goes on.
It just comes down to practice and experiment in the end of the day.
My only advice to anybody contemplating investing in an airbrush is to take a cold hard look at what you want to use it for. Overall spraying, fine detail work or both will determine what best to buy, and always go for the best quality airbrush you can afford. Remember that it is a high precision instrument and possibly your most expensive investment, so treat it accordingly