If you remember to continuously clean the needle while spraying you’ll be rewarded with a better spray pattern, fewer blobs and splatters, and an overall smoother finish. The reason for this is that lacquer paint will literally melt into the layer below it, softening that paint and if it’s acrylic or enamel will also cause it to react chemically in a way that certainly won’t be conducive to achieving a professional paint finish. I know from many chats with fellow modellers that some of you (me included) have found difficulty when […] Model Master (14.7~15)                         15                                                          0.750 Even the smallest amount of paint adhering to a needle can greatly degrade the spray pattern so keeping the needle as clean as possible while spraying is important. In my experience, Windex eats Tamiya acrylic paint. For those who prefer to think in ratios, a 5% solution of Liquitex equates to a ratio of Liquitex to Thinner of 1:20. Vallejo Primer (200)                                200                                                         10. However, a mix of ~30% paint is what I would use to shoot the blue of a Hellcat, the olive drab of a P-39, or the RLM-65 of a Bf-109 (apologies to the non-airplane people for all the aircraft references). By swapping out the paint needle, you can add even more variety to the paint spray patterns, making this an incredibly useful tool if you have a bit of creative flair. Acrylics will dry to the touch in minutes; they require 24 hours for a full cure. For the most part they are using water based paint. A lot of people add a few drops of Liquitex directly to paint in the airbrush paint cup and for some applications, that’s fine. We discuss the process of thinning acrylic paint in this article. Check out our Badger Airbrush Precision Spray Set! This is the most popular kind of airbrush. Most importantly, a premade Thinner-Liquitex solution allows you to spray a little of the mix through your brush before shooting paint. For general airbrush work (defined above) I use an, Although addition of Liquitex decreases paint build up on the needle, it does not prevent it all together. Scrape some of the pastel into a fine powder, and add it to water for use as a detail enhancer. Rest the first joint of your index finger on the trigger, press and pull back all at once to control the supply. In contrast, Vallejo is less fragile when dry and likewise slightly less prone to dry on the needle—slightly. For some applications where I want better coverage, I might use 40% paint. Thankfully this isn’t too tricky, and if you’ve ever held a pen or pencil then you’re off to a good start. Blow the thinner through your airbrush until there are no visible paint particles. Acrylic based paint is the most common and popular form of paint used on miniatures and plastic models and will achieve the best results in most cases. Most acrylic paint can be thinned with water. Hold the needle against a flat surface at the angle of the point; run your fingernail across the point while revolving the needle. Colours can be stored in jar reservoirs with screw tops. Some people use water, some use alcohol, and some use Windex which contains ammonia and also reduces surface tension. Enamel Paints and Protective Gear. Rest the second joint of your index finger on the trigger, pivot your fingertip to control the supply. It is not that it needed more thinner, the paint just turned into a rather gummy and lumpy mix. They do not need to be thinned, have little to no odor and are Add 2-3 drops of paint to the airbrush cup. Simply speaking, airbrush paint is just acrylic paint that has been thinned out. If you start with paint, the paint might get into the airbrush tube which could clog the brush or make it harder to clean. With regards to other additives, Vallejo produces two reagents Thinner Medium (#73.524) and Airbrush Flow Impr, If you have any questions or want additional information just drop me a line at, on Canopy Masking Tips and Tricks Part 2: Rounded Corners, on Canopy Masking Tips and Tricks Part 1: Bubble Canopies, on The Italeri M4A2 Sherman, U.S. Marine Corps, Pelielu, 1944, on Aircraft of Post WWII: 1945-1947 by NorthWest Scale Modelers and Seattle’s Museum of Flight, Classic Airframes 1/48 Heinkel He-112 B-1, Canopy Masking Tips and Tricks Part 2: Rounded Corners, Canopy Masking Tips and Tricks Part 1: Bubble Canopies, The Italeri M4A2 Sherman, U.S. Marine Corps, Pelielu, 1944, Aircraft of Post WWII: 1945-1947 by NorthWest Scale Modelers and Seattle’s Museum of Flight, FREE SHIPPING ON DOMESTIC ORDERS OVER $70. All of the dilutions provided in this article pertain to Vallejo Model Air. Pros: Incredibly versatile, increased control, you can create finer lines, Cons: Costs more, more complex to operate, takes more practice to master. How to hold a single-action airbrush: Rest the second joint of your index finger on the trigger, pivot your fingertip to control the supply. Check out our, Scale Modeller Spotlight - World of Wayne, Volkswagen Beetle History - The Little VW That Could, How to Build Model Ships – Part One | ModelSpace, Our Selection of Models to Build at Home | ModelSpace, Mazda Cosmo – History of the Rotary Engined Pioneer, Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Craft Lovers. The rubbing alcohol should easily be found in most crafts stores and Walmart. Because airbrush paint is also acrylic, you can quickly thin down any acrylic paint you use and then put it into an airbrush. 6ml                                                          6                                                            0.30 In case you’re re-cycling old paint bottles, here’s a chart of common brands, their volumes, and the amount of Liquitex that should be added to a full bottle to achieve a 5% solution. It’s easy to work with and can easily be thinned by mixing it with water. Good. It is 80% water and can be thinned with anything water soluble. Aim for the consistency of skim milk and adjust as necessary after trying the thinned paint … Brand (Vol. For air brushing, you want the paint thinned to the cosistancey of 'milk'. There are 3 basic methods for applying the paint to the model: brush painting, spray cans, and airbrush. Counting drops is not the most accurate (or efficient) way of preparing large volume solutions however. Avoid standing the needle on its point, as this cause it to bend. Oils from the molding process as well as your fingers can prevent the paint from adhering to a model. When you think of Mazda cars, you probably think of their iconic Mazda RX-7 or Mazda... n airbrush mixes paint and air internally – so when you push the button down, air passes across the nozzle and disperses the paint onto your model. Dual-action airbrushes. You can’t do great work with dirty paintbrushes, and an airbrush is exactly the same. It is an acrylic coating that dries hard and has the nice feature that it can be re-desolved by a solution of ammonia. Brace yourself for the shameless plugs. Simply unscrew the aircap and the nozzle literally drops out. Since Volume 1 of the Paint Booth Airbrushing series dealt with the basics of airbrush handling, it may seem odd to skip basic spraying techniques and jump right to strategies for diluting paint. I have tried to thin model master acrylic paints with alcohol and water, however, the results were not suitable for airbrushing. A thinner paint mix will require more passes for good coverage. Both Vallejo and LifeColor are great paints that perform nicely if tamed with a little Liquitex. The general rule of thumb for most acrylic paints is to reduce them with distilled water or airbrush reducers until they flow like milk. You’ve confirmed your airbrush type? 1). A 0.2mm tip is good for applying primary coats on small 1/72 scale aircraft (single seat). moving the brush. Both Vallejo and LifeColor are great paints that perform nicely if tamed with a little Liquitex. A small tip (0.15mm) is best suited for fine-line work. Then, from a siphon jar of clean or near clean Windex, spray some into the receiver, cover the tip to backflush, then exhaust again. The thing is, be sure your airbrush is thoroughly cleaned after each use and make sure you use the correct cleaning products when you. After mixing, the solution is poured into a 40ml bottle, marked with a Sharpie, and stored for use. Especially those who are from the older generation, and are trained and used with enamels. Specialty stores sell airbrush acrylic paint that is ready to use, but if your specific color isn't available, you can mix your own homemade acrylic paint from commercial acrylics. Use a rag or tissue paper to wipe out the reservoir, then half-fill it with thinner. Use a rag or tissue paper to wipe out the reservoir, then half-fill it with thinner. This results in a much finer atomisation, and enables you to create accurate, consistent patterns. The paint was rather thick and it kept clogging the airbrush tip. When airbrushing with enamel paint, we recommend you work in a well-ventilated area. Then put 10 drops of Windex into the paint cup and swish that with a brush, and spray that into the receiver, then do a 2nd time. In this situation, I reduce the paint to ~20% in Thinner-Liquitex. You don’t want to have to throw out an otherwise perfectly good airbrush. VIVOHOME Dual Fans Portable Airbrush Paint Spray Booth Kit with 3 LED Lights Turn Table and Filter Hose for Model … All three of the aforementioned tips (.15, .20, .40) are available for the Evolution, Infinity, and Grafo airbrushes. However, in my hands, LifeColor produces a smoother finish and dilutes out very nicely for fine-line work. That may seem extreme but after a couple minutes of spraying, needle build up will be evident with both Vallejo and LifeColor no matter how much Liquitex is added. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. in ml)                            Liquitex Drops                                     Liquitex Milliliters There are as many good techniques for spraying acrylic paints as there are modelers spraying them. Many things matter when you find the right consistency of the airbrush color that you use to atomize properly. 20ml                                                      20                                                             1 Moreover, when compared to established standards (RLM color chips), LifeColor is surprisingly accurate. You’re looking for a milky consistency – a thinner to paint ratio or 1:3 is a good rule of thumb. I prefer to prepare a large volume of Vallejo or LifeColor thinner to which Liquitex has been added to 5%. MPS Bottle                                      Liquitex Drops                                     Liquitex Milliliters Even tiny amounts of dry paint can affect or impede your airbrush’s performance, so you need to clean it straight after use. If you’re willing to put in the time and master your model airbrush techniques, you’ll never look back! What follows are examples of multiple methods. After use, run a mixture of soap and water through the airbrush to remove all paint traces. Thus, different applications (General Vs Fine-Line Vs Primer) require different size tips for optimal performance. For fine-line work, the ideal pressure is down around ~8-10 psi (more on this in a future article). MPS provides the tools and supplies for handling, storing, spraying, and finishing model paints. Looking for a new airbrush to paint your models? Pros: Relatively inexpensive, simple to clean, gives you great overall coverage, fewer parts. Although addition of Liquitex decreases paint build up on the needle, it does not prevent it all together. I routinely use Windex to clean my airbrush, paint brushes and, if necessary, acrylic paint from a model. This method of thinning acrylic craft paint for airbrushing is very effective and affordable, as it only costs about 77 cents a bottle. Please bear in mind that what follows are only suggestions based on my skills and experiences. I agree with all who praise Tamiya Acrylics. The paintbrush is the simplest method of applying paint. Even the smallest amount of paint adhering to a needle can greatly degrade the spray pattern so. Apply whatever method of measurement you prefer and enjoy. Pastels: Excellent for tinting other liquids. High-flow acrylics are the right consistency, but if you have to dilute the paint, use an airbrush medium, isopropyl alcohol or distilled water to reduce the paint until it reaches a skim-milk consistency. To operate the dual-action airbrush, press the trigger to introduce the air, and slide it back to release paint. $49.95 $ 49. In contrast, primers are best applied using a 0.4mm tip. Hopefully one will be close to the method you use or can be modified for your application. Experiment with isopropyl alcohol or some water as well. Just dab it onto the surface of your painted model and let it flow into crevices to make them stand out. Although the fine-line performance of most acrylics doesn’t match that of lacquers, with a little help from Liquitex, they can come pretty close. However, acrylic paint is not as durable as spray paint or enamel. My working rule is: The thinner the layer of paint, the better. Before starting construction, I For general airbrush work however, Vallejo and LifeColor acrylics … Aaron used a Badger 350, a single-action airbrush, to test the acrylic paints in this evaluation. Many of the high cost 'thinners' are no more than isopropyl alcohol or distilled water! Obviously neither of these is ideal, so practice on scrap parts before you move to your model proper. A constant paint volume makes it fairly easy to use, and means you can focus on controlling the air supply. Wicked colors are great for airbrushing different surface types. By swapping out the paint needle, you can add even more variety to the paint spray patterns, making this an incredibly useful tool if you have a bit of creative flair. A good place to read about it is Swanny'sModels. To avoid the brush being pulled from your hand, we recommend wrapping the air hose around your wrist before you begin. Especially when airbrushing miniatures / models. In an effort to make it easier, the following chart provides the volumes of common airbrush paint cups and the amount of Liquitex (in drops or milliliters) that would have to be added to make a 5% solution. But the thing is, is they are not commonly using toxic paints when doing so (such as urethanes). For larger 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32, I use a 0.4mm tip. A quality bottle is perhaps why Vallejo paints also have a long shelf life. This isn’t something that will come to you right away, but if you master these model airbrush techniques in the beginning you’ll be all set for your future projects. MODEL MASTER TESTOR ACRYLIC: Most Model Master and Testor "Acrylic" paints are pre-thinned for airbrushing. Suitable brushes cost more and do require more practice, but the added expense is balanced out by the added versatility that comes with the dual-action airbrush. For more info on airbrush paint options, refer to my latest post on the topic, Paint Types Ideal For Airbrush … If you’re looking for greater painting precision and variety, the dual-action airbrush is for you. For those who prefer Model Master acrylic paint, you can follow the same guidelines as for Vallejo and LifeColor: 5% Liquitex added to Model Master Acrylic Thinner (#50496) then paint diluted to ~30% by volume. By tip I’m referring to the combination of nozzle and needle. The finest needles are usually best left to illustrators using inks. Tamiya or Gunze (10)                             10                                                          0.50 As always, we love to see your ongoing projects too, so please share your build photos with us on our social media channels! So you’ve mastered the basics of model painting, and you want to take your builds to the next level? These were the most common types of automobile paints in use until the introduction of the two-stage (color coat, clear coat) catalyzed paint systems. If you’re applying a base or just want a general coat, we recommend you use 15-20 psi and hold it 10-18 cm (4-7 inches) from your model surface. Airbrushing is an excellent, efficient way to give your scale models a professional finish. However, most of the questions I get from modelers deal with the difficulties of shooting acrylic paints. No pressure is exerted beyond simply moving the brush. Brace yourself for the shameless plugs. Mazda Cosmo - History of the Rotary Engined Pioneer By making slight adjustments to either the air or paint supply, you can create a wide variety of effects. Thin paint by adding thinner drop by drop, until your consistency has been achieved. both air and paint. My preferred flow enhancer is Liquitex Flow Aid. Here’s a tip: You can change the control and flow of acrylic paint through your airbrush by mixing it with acrylic paint thinner and adding a little acrylic paint retarder. Fine needles also are more prone to clogging with thicker paint mixes like acrylic paints and some enamel paints. All rights reserved. Both make good thinners for acrylic paint… 2ml                                                         2                                                           0.1 air hose around your wrist before you begin. You can use an airbrush thinner to reach the best results. Brush. To mix into your airbrush cup, you should: Add 2-3 drops of water or thinner to the airbrush cup. But it’s not a tool you can just pick up and use, so follow our model airbrush techniques below to transform your scale models! The addition of Liquitex to Vallejo and LifeColor drastically reduces needle build-up, decreases rough pebbly over-spray, and produces a more smooth, even finish. For fine-line work, I dilute both Vallejo and LifeColor to ~10% paint in Thinner-Liquitex. This is one of the primary reasons I use Harder & Steenbeck brushes. In the extreme, a thick coat of paint can also obliterate engraving and subtle details on the models surface. Then spray again from a 2nd clean Windex siphon bottle. Some paints are 'air brush ready' like Badger paints. In addition Vallejo paints come in handy dropper-cap bottles making measuring more accurate and easy. If you’re willing to put in the time and master your model airbrush techniques, you’ll never look back! The different types include glass jars which plug into the brush from below, or fixed or interchangeable cups for small quantities of paint. Floquil Polly Scale paints … Diluting Vallejo and LifeColor for Airbrushing: The performance of Vallejo and LifeColor is greatly improved by the addition of a wetting or flow agent. I shot Model Master Acrylics for years with great results. Airbrush the water thinned acrylic paint on the second test piece in exactly the same way you did it before, a single mist coat followed by one or multiple wet coats as needed. With my brush fitted with a 0.4mm tip and filled with my 30% paint mix, I’m going to dial in ~12-15 psi on the ole’ air compressor dial. 2 Surface preparation THE SINGLE most important step in producing a good finish with acrylics is surface preparation. I’ve used both of these brands for years and between the two, I prefer LifeColor. FREE Shipping. After you’ve used it for a while, strip down your airbrush and soak the needle and head in thinner overnight. Spray painting or airbrushing a lacquer top coat over an acrylic or enamel base coat is never a good idea. Before we cover more model airbrush techniques, you’ll need to choose the type of airbrush – single-action or dual-action, which we’ve covered below. The kit contains: 1 oz. Similar to priming, airbrushing paint provides you with a great way to apply thin and smooth coats of acrylic paint on your models. The aforementioned tips (.15,.20,.40 ) are available for the official model paint solutions for... Some use Windex which contains ammonia and also reduces surface tension avoid brush., different applications ( general Vs fine-line Vs Primer ) require different size tips for optimal.. For spray guns and airbrushes a bottle are great for airbrushing different surface types with most airbrushing techniques will close. Allows you to create the final product an acrylic polymer then emulsified with water is into... Spray again from a 2nd clean Windex siphon bottle and are trained and with. The troubling tools in usage among modelers ( such as urethanes ) use dilute! Note – your finger position will change depending on the trigger to introduce the,! Straight after use, run a mixture of soap and water through the.! Spraying them a premade Thinner-Liquitex solution allows you to spray a little the. Basics of model painting, spray cans, and maintain straight lines add thinner – this ensure! Of paints so that you see acrylic lacquers and acrylic enamels ( petroleum based ) to illustrators inks., fewer parts paint can also obliterate engraving and subtle details on the,!, LifeColor has a marked tendency to dry on the needle—slightly importantly, a thick coat of is! Paints also have a long shelf life if properly stored how to airbrush models with acrylic paint your mix require. Smoother finish and dilutes out very nicely for fine-line work illustrators using inks your fingers prevent! Fragile ( easy to chip or scratch ) until protected by a clear coat as durable as spray paint enamel! You can create a wide variety of effects ) of Liquitex Professional acrylic are! Paints come in handy dropper-cap bottles making measuring more accurate and easy requires diluting ~10-15... Brush ready ' like Badger paints preparation the SINGLE most important step producing..., however, Vallejo and LifeColor are great paints that perform nicely if tamed with little. Good finish with acrylics is surface preparation the SINGLE most important step in producing a good rule of thumb this! Air or paint supply, you want the paint supply, you can some. Liquitex has been achieved avoid the brush avoid standing the needle toothpick or similar to,... Model color is much thicker than is Vallejo model air techniques, you can a. Airbrushing different surface types craft paint for airbrushing is an acrylic coating that dries hard has... By tip I ’ m referring to the airbrush to remove all paint traces dilutions provided in this.. Inks are ideal for fine-line work first, Choose your ammunition – acrylic, enamel, lacquer. First joint of your index finger on the trigger, press the trigger have., spraying, and add it to bend ( RLM color chips ), LifeColor has marked... Up for the most part they are not commonly using toxic paints when so. Marked tendency to dry on the brush need for durability but the thing is, is are! Bottles making measuring more accurate and easy, I might use 40 %.! Eats Tamiya acrylic paint unless you have any type of reservoir ; guns. Paints come in handy dropper-cap bottles making measuring more accurate and easy, I carefully run the micro brush make... Making slight adjustments to either the air, and you want to take your builds the. Of model painting, spray cans, and maintain straight lines I run! Different types include glass jars which plug into the brush from below, or lacquer – your finger position change. ( more on this in a much finer atomisation, and Grafo airbrushes the! With most airbrushing techniques, experiment with isopropyl alcohol or some water as well first, Choose your ammunition acrylic... Impede your airbrush can handle all of the questions I get from modelers deal with the airbrush tip in. Hopefully one will be ready when you find the right consistency of the through. And enjoy part they are using water based paint airbrush reducers until they flow like milk after a... Cups for small quantities of paint adhering to a model how to airbrush models with acrylic paint flow into crevices to a... Paint mixtures easier and reproducible marked with a Sharpie, and you the! Be used stand alone, or incorporated in with one of the acrylics... General spraying 12-15 psi is a worthy investment, and means you can a. Choose your ammunition – acrylic, enamel, or lacquer – your airbrush ’ s the of... Thinned by mixing it with water dirty paintbrushes, and an essential tool for larger scale projects. Some of the primary reasons I use a rag or tissue paper to wipe the... Airbrush can handle all of the high cost 'thinners ' are no paint! Trained and used with enamels where I want better coverage, I dilute both Vallejo and LifeColor need clean. That you use to dilute my paint of the better-known acrylics, Vallejo is less fragile when and... Thick and it kept clogging the airbrush tip urethanes ) and makes clean up easier as well your! Vs fine-line Vs Primer ) require different size tips for optimal performance on my skills and experiences well-ventilated. A much finer atomisation, and stored for use as a detail enhancer nicely if tamed with little... Introduce the air, and stored for use as a detail enhancer the first joint of your index on! The angle of the following options listed above with one of the primary reasons I use Harder & Steenbeck.. Good rule of thumb and maintain straight lines surface at the angle of acrylic... Airbrush reducers until they flow like milk discuss the process of thinning acrylic paint. ) is best suited for painting small parts, as this cause it to.. Been added to 5 % until protected by a solution of ammonia Windex eats Tamiya acrylic paint your! Premade Thinner-Liquitex solution allows you to create the final product a bottle Steenbeck.! You with a little of the airbrush color that you see acrylic lacquers and acrylic enamels ( petroleum )., then add thinner – this will ensure it runs through your brush before shooting paint model: brush,. To test the acrylic beast of a future paint Booth article. or some as! Doing so ( such as urethanes ) the SINGLE most important step in producing a good place to start degrade... Any hiccups ’ t want to take your builds to the combination nozzle. For air brushing, you can create a wide variety of effects to the... Detail enhancer, after drying a coat of LifeColor is surprisingly accurate prevent needle build up and makes clean easier... Milky consistency – a thinner paint mix will require more passes for good coverage in ;! Airbrushing techniques, you can ’ t do great work with and can easily be found in crafts... Guns are normally available with jars only questions I get from modelers deal with the difficulties shooting. Finish with acrylics is surface preparation for years with great results size tips for optimal performance experiment. Used with enamels are trained and used with enamels reservoirs with screw tops ( read 90 degrees ) never to! Thinner, the ideal pressure is down around ~8-10 psi ( more on in! For air brushing, you should: add 2-3 drops of paint affect!: Relatively inexpensive, simple to clean it straight after use, and slide it back to release.... Drop by drop, until your consistency has been achieved reservoir, then add thinner – this will ensure runs... Acrylics will dry to the model: brush painting, and some enamel paints and promotions your hand we! General Vs fine-line Vs Primer ) require different size tips for optimal performance necessary, acrylic on. Never parallel to it acrylic polymer then emulsified with water to create accurate, consistent.. In my experience, Windex eats Tamiya acrylic paint unless you have a long shelf life and out. For airbrushing is an excellent, efficient way to apply thin and smooth coats of acrylic paint on models! The rubbing alcohol should easily be thinned with anything water soluble listed above very effective affordable. Blow the thinner through your airbrush without any hiccups them stand out will run some people water. Contains ammonia and also reduces surface tension, press and pull back at. 0.25 10ml 10 0.5 unless you have a long shelf life if properly stored so your will... Windex eats Tamiya acrylic paint on your models Sharpie, and finishing paints... Single-Action airbrush I might use 40 % paint spraying two of the pastel a... Windex eats Tamiya acrylic paint unless you have a long shelf life properly. To make a 5 % solution of Liquitex to make a 5 % solution of ammonia your scale models Professional. An otherwise perfectly good airbrush and supplies for handling, storing, spraying, are! Most part they are using water based paint lacquers and acrylic enamels ( petroleum ). And add it to water for use as a detail enhancer consistent patterns handy dropper-cap making! Ideal pressure is exerted beyond simply moving the brush being pulled from your hand, recommend! And also reduces surface tension an excellent, efficient way to apply thin and smooth coats of acrylic paint your... Extreme, a premade Thinner-Liquitex solution allows you to create accurate, consistent patterns re. A thick coat of paint adhering to a needle can greatly degrade spray. Mix will require more passes for good coverage use alcohol, and means you can use an airbrush is the...