Well my loving wife and my sons got me an airbrush for my birthday. Now I have to figure out how to use it, and hopefully do some painting.:mrgreen::thumb::mrgreen: Any suggestions or pointers on using it are welcome!
Got an Airbrush for my b-day
- Thread starter Scoobie
- Start date
Happy birthday, Scoobie. 
My first tip is: if the airbrush came with an instruction booklet, read it! It should have info about the type of compressor you'll need, proper thinning of paint for spraying, pressures, adjusting settings for different types of spraying, and so-on. My Paasche VL also came with some simple practice tips: one of the most useful taught some basic control exercises. I used a piece of corrugated cardboard to practise on, as it's cheap and sturdy and can be recycled when you're done. :mrgreen: The exercise involves making a grid of "dots", trying to get each one as small and spatter-free as possible - try different pressures, different distances from the target, etc. When you're comfortable with that, try connecting the "dots" with straight lines, spraying as accurately as possible and keeping the lines as fine as you can. Again, vary your distance from the subject, and also note the difference as you vary your speed. You need to learn both your capabilities and those of the tool before you start painting anything valuable. :mrgreen::mrgreen:
Wayne
My first tip is: if the airbrush came with an instruction booklet, read it! It should have info about the type of compressor you'll need, proper thinning of paint for spraying, pressures, adjusting settings for different types of spraying, and so-on. My Paasche VL also came with some simple practice tips: one of the most useful taught some basic control exercises. I used a piece of corrugated cardboard to practise on, as it's cheap and sturdy and can be recycled when you're done. :mrgreen: The exercise involves making a grid of "dots", trying to get each one as small and spatter-free as possible - try different pressures, different distances from the target, etc. When you're comfortable with that, try connecting the "dots" with straight lines, spraying as accurately as possible and keeping the lines as fine as you can. Again, vary your distance from the subject, and also note the difference as you vary your speed. You need to learn both your capabilities and those of the tool before you start painting anything valuable. :mrgreen::mrgreen:
Wayne
Thanks for the info. Wayne. To be honest, I hoped that you would reply, because I look at your photos all the time. I hope to start practicing this weekend. I have a couple old engine bodies to paint after I get the basics down. I can only dream that I can get 1/2 as good as you and others here at the Gauge
Wow. Great gift!
I really want an airbrush but I'm not sure exactly what I'd use it for.
Of course, I could go back to doing T-shirt graphics like I did in high school.
I really want an airbrush but I'm not sure exactly what I'd use it for.
Of course, I could go back to doing T-shirt graphics like I did in high school.
Given time and alot of practice using a airbrush will become second nature.
Also remember that different paints require different mixing protocol's and techniques, practice'practice'practice....:mrgreen:
Also remember that different paints require different mixing protocol's and techniques, practice'practice'practice....:mrgreen:
I'll second that.
Just get an old shell and start experimenting. I started off with simple schemes and went from there.
There's nothing like the satisfaction of superdetailing a locomotive and painting it in a scheme not commercially available.
Go for it!:thumb:
Happy Birthday.balloon6
I have a pache vl and I take it out and just practice on paper , boxes and stuff that don't matter. I usually use dollar store paints mixed to the consistency of milk. Main thing I found is to clean it real good using thinner when I'm done by backflushing into the jar, and taking the needle out real carefully ( when pulling it out and placing it bak in the pen i spin it ), when I put it away after using I spin in the needle until it just seats( bottoms out) then I pull it back a bit. Hows this all sound guys am I doing things right maintenance wise? 
I have a pache vl and I take it out and just practice on paper , boxes and stuff that don't matter. I usually use dollar store paints mixed to the consistency of milk. Main thing I found is to clean it real good using thinner when I'm done by backflushing into the jar, and taking the needle out real carefully ( when pulling it out and placing it bak in the pen i spin it ), when I put it away after using I spin in the needle until it just seats( bottoms out) then I pull it back a bit. Hows this all sound guys am I doing things right maintenance wise?
Sounds great' nothing will ruin your painting experience faster than a air brush plugged up with 6 months of old paint.
2nd rule rule of airbrushing is to have a squeaky clean piece of equipment. I will go through the cleaning process as many times as it takes to assure my airbrush is ready for the next paint session be it the next day or a year from now! also don't forget your other paint utensil's , I like the drugstore type eyedroppers for measuring paint if they get to bad'throw'em away and get another one,i keep a half doz. with my paint supply's, 6'' single end cue tips for cleaning those really tight small parts even the color cups , spray tips ect.,another important step ,keep your paint jar and its gasket absolutely clean..clean...clean! again having several on hand is a smart move...
Yeah we all know painting is fun and the results can be something to truly be proud of but cleaning up is always a bitch.....but like I said above.....!
Now get'er Done
You know, I just experimented with Floquil paints. Previously I used water based paint exclusively. I was very surprised first on how smoothly it sprayed because it didn't cake on the tip like water based paints, and found it wasn't as difficult to clean up as I thought.
Thank you for all info. OK I have to ask, "why milk" what does it do? Also, what do you guys use for paints and cleaner? I haven't had time to practice yet, looks this weekend hopefully. It funny, I get this airbrush from my wife and the next thing I know, I'm putting up a retaining wall for a new gardenI have a pache vl and I take it out and just practice on paper , boxes and stuff that don't matter. I usually use dollar store paints mixed to the consistency of milk. Main thing I found is to clean it real good using thinner when I'm done by backflushing into the jar, and taking the needle out real carefully ( when pulling it out and placing it bak in the pen i spin it ), when I put it away after using I spin in the needle until it just seats( bottoms out) then I pull it back a bit. Hows this all sound guys am I doing things right maintenance wise?
O well, It's worth it. She great lady.The reason for consistency of milk is it tends to not spit out the paint compared to a nice mist.Trust me I really no nothing about air brush painting my buddy who is an artist and has been using an airbrush for at least 25 years gave me the starter course.Thank you for all info. OK I have to ask, "why milk" what does it do? Also, what do you guys use for paints and cleaner? I haven't had time to practice yet, looks this weekend hopefully. It funny, I get this airbrush from my wife and the next thing I know, I'm putting up a retaining wall for a new garden
As for floquil paints I have the entire set thats needed for building the wood kits as I have many to build, I don't plan on using the flouquils in the airbrush until I'm comfortable with it although I hear floquils in an air brush are indeed superior.I use paint thinner to clean my airbrush, pipe cleaners are also a handy little tool for cleaning inside the pen case.
What ratio is use to thin the paint and do you use an airbrush spray box to vent the paint and fumes.
I don't use a spray box because I'm just using dollar store paints. Its hard to describe ratio for thinning all I can really say is the consistancy of 2% milk , and yes that was 2% sign1
Thanks Wickman, can't wait to get started. So are Senators going win tonight? Ottawa is one of the fastest teams I've ever seen.
I think so too. The Ducks are 7-0 at home for playoffs and Pronger will be back. It will be a great game either way.
For thinning, a good place to start is the paint manufacturers' recommendations, then adjust that according to your results. For thinning Floquil, I like lacquer thinner, which is cheap and also works for ScaleCoat, Testors, Humbrol, and SMP Accupaint, and is, of course, also useful for cleaning the airbrush. It also makes an excellent cement for styrene. When using an airbrush for weathering, I like to use a greater proportion of thinner, (up to about 90%) as this allows greater control over the degree of weathering. There are some tips concerning this in the Weathering Forum
Use a spray booth for airbrushing, or paint outdoors, especially when using lacquer-based paints, and in either case, wear a proper two-stage respirator. This will remove both paint mists and the harmful vapours. A good quality paper filter mask should suffice for spraying water-based paints, although I find the respirator more comfortable to wear.
Wayne
Use a spray booth for airbrushing, or paint outdoors, especially when using lacquer-based paints, and in either case, wear a proper two-stage respirator. This will remove both paint mists and the harmful vapours. A good quality paper filter mask should suffice for spraying water-based paints, although I find the respirator more comfortable to wear.
Wayne
Wish I knew the answer to that Scott I could retire sign1 I keep saying I'm going to watch the games but the hobby has been getting the attention :mrgreen: