Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Paul Taylor on March 22, 2006, 06:34:24 AM
Title: AirBrushing
Post by: Paul Taylor on March 22, 2006, 06:34:24 AM
I was wondering if someone could give some tips and tricks on how to use an airbrush.
With pics?
Thanks Paul
Title: Re: AirBrushing
Post by: Bill Little on March 22, 2006, 07:22:34 AM
Hi Paul, When I started using an airbrush close to 40 years ago, I found out that the paint really likes to be thinned more thanwith a regular spray gun, and just be patient applying a few more coats. If it is trim work, the difference is neglible. With our dope products, the tips tend to clog faster. A touch of retarder might help. I try to spray at the lower end of the pressure range, maybe 15 lbs. This allows me to control the application a little better. The best tip is to get some cardboard and start playing with it! I use the $6.95 a gallon lacquer thinner from Wally World to spray through it after each use and pipe cleaners to run through the easily accessable openings. Abut once a year I tear them down and put them in a sealed MAson jar filled with lacquer thinner. Then go through all the passages with a pipe clearner before I put it back together. I have a Badger still in use after 35 plus years. I have painted omplete "60Size" stunt ships with an airbrush. Even though it took a while longer, it DID come out lighter! ;D
Title: Re: AirBrushing
Post by: airbrush on March 22, 2006, 09:44:03 PM
Hey Paul, I whole heartedly agree on practice. It does get a lot easier after a while. One of the main things to learn is how to keep the gun "working". A lot of inexperienced people will blame themselves for their problems when 98 out of 100 times it's the gun, the paint, the paint holder, humidity, and good ol' murphy. He really likes to mess with someone airbrushing. Things that usually happen :
Tip dry -- paint dries on the tip of the needle, causing uneven spray pattern, or even no paint at all to come out.
Stopped up vent hole in the paint holder.
Paint that is old, or needs straining. -- I don't thin paint unless it's called for by the makers of the paint.
Water in the airline.
Bent needles, bad tips or other mechanical malfunctions.
A good place to learn airbrushing is : http://www.westcoastairbrush.com/
Check out their their site, there is a ton of good infor there. Most of the site concerns Tshirt, Auto Tags, and Helmet painting, but a lot of the infortmation should be usefull to you. There are often links, articles. and posts in the forums that have plenty of pictures.
Good luck! later, air (james)
Title: Re: Airbrushing
Post by: Jay on March 23, 2006, 07:05:37 PM
I bought one of these today. Although I have the bigger HVLP gun I needed another dedicated for clear only.
Not a bad price. Now I have the viscosity gage I needed as well.
Jay
Title: Re: AirBrushing
Post by: Randy Powell on March 23, 2006, 10:51:49 PM
I use a Paasche and an Iwata. The Iwata is really good for tight detail work, but I use the Paasche mostly. Has a small gravity feed cup for little stuff and a suction cup for trim. Just have to play around with the setting to learn how to use them.
Title: Re: AirBrushing
Post by: madhitter on March 23, 2006, 10:57:18 PM
Practice, practice, practice - and keep the brush clean, and in good repair - no clogs, bent needles, etc.
SB
Title: Re: AirBrushing
Post by: Paul Taylor on March 24, 2006, 07:04:06 AM
Anyone willing to post some pictures of there handy work? ;D