New Airbrush Woes

[Jaime]

So, I finally took the plunge and splashed out on a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution CR Plus airbrush and a Sparmax AC-27 compressor.

Before purchasing I did a lot of online research, including the articles on this forum, and got advice from the suppliers.

However, I'm really frustrated with the results on paper. I can't get consistent output and have tried various pressures from below 10 to 40. Lines are never continuous and have horrible spidery edges, gaps and blots. I bought the airbrush to do new techniques such as pre-shading but no way I could do that with what's coming out of the airbrush at the moment.

The images below show what I mean - does anyone have any advice and is there anything obvious you can be gleaned from the output?

[montessa315]

What paint are you using and what size needle in the airbrush?

Being very close to the paper the paint looks too thin and too high a pressure.
If its acrylic I find it does not like too lower a pressure as it dries on the end of the needle and then spatters, could also do with a retarder in it.

The equipment you have is good quality.


Alan........

[Jaime]

Thanks Alan. It's a 0.4 needle and I'm using Humbrol acrylics thinned with Humbrol acrylic thinners. I tried to get the milky consistency but maybe too thin. I've tried all sorts of pressures. It's very frustrating.

[PaulBradley]

Firstly, I airbrush at between 15 and 20 PSI - anything over that is too strong.

Secondly, I thin paints to the consistency of skimmed milk - my rule of thumb is two drips off of the stirring stick when I lift it out of the paint.

Thirdly, I airbrush at between 4 and 6 inches from the model - too close and you will get the spiders, too far and it'll dry before hitting the model.

The other thing to remember is to start each spraying stroke off the model, then sweep gently across the model with each stroke, ending off the model. Starting ON the model will lead to blotches. And this is why masking is important to protect other parts of your model from overspray.

Practise on an old model first, so you can get the hang of it. And I always have an old model in my spray booth to test the consistency of the paint before committing to the real model. If I need to thin or thicken, I can do so without ruining my latest masterpiece.

[iggie]

I don't airbrush that often lately but irrespective of paint manufacturer (acrylic) I only thin with Tamiya thinner (X20A) to a milk like consistency, and add a drop or two of Winsor and Newton flow enhancer for good measure

[JohnRatzenberger]

What Paul says. Your test sprays are starting / stopping on the paper and causing much of that problem. Once you have got the start-off / keep moving / stop-off motion in hand then you can focus on something else, like thinness, air pressure, etc - too hard to change too many things at once.

[Jaime]

Thanks everyone - great advice.

As you can see, my latest practice effort is much improved & I was getting enough control that I could have a little dabble at a mottling effect.



The paint wasn't so thin this time and pressure was around 15psi.

Do you guys tend to mix your paint & thinners in the airbrush bowl or in a separare pot beforehand?

[iggie]

Separate pot for me

[JohnRatzenberger]

Happy that helped

If small volume, that is it'll be used for this application, then mix right in the airbrush bowl.

For more than that, hosing down something big, multiple coats, then I tend to mix a separate pot.

[Clashcityrocker]

A noticeable improvement. For cheap mixing cups I use the plastic shot glasses that you can buy from discount outlets. I think last time was 100 for $3

Nigel

[dogsbody]

I have returned to airbrushing after only trying it once over 20 years ago. My first attempt on a piece of file card didn't look great. After a little fiddling with the hose and the moisture trap, I did a little on my paint mule. Not too shabby! I'm quite happy with it now. I've been using Gunze-Sangyo Aqueous paints through my Badger 150IL airbrush. It only has a medium tip/needle.
I thin the paint about 40-60 with Mr. Color. Levelling Thinner.

Remember, I've only done this twice in the last week. Only on the right wing.







Chris

[PaulBradley]

That looks fine, Chris! And welcome back!

[dogsbody]

That looks fine, Chris! And welcome back!

Thanks, Paul.




Chris

[wokka]

I agree with Paul, that does look fine. Something I've learnt from experience and especially after using gloss white or red is to always check the gun is working OK before spraying. This I do by putting a bit of water in the bowl and seeing how it sprays, a couple of times I've found it wasn't spraying well and after stripping down found a bit of old paint or dust blocking the nozzle.