airbrush frustration

Actually, methyl hydrate does require careful handling, even though it’s readily available at paint and hardware stores, and home improvement centres. It’s extremely volatile, and with an only slightly noticeable odour, can fill a room with vapours pretty quickly. The fumes are readily absorbed by the eyes (as are many hazardous vapours) and the liquid easily absorbed through the skin, causing nerve damage and, eventually, liver and kidney damage. I don’t mean to sound alarmist, but it should be handled with all appropriate precautions.

Wayne

As far as stirring the paint, I picked up one of the battery operated paint stirrers from Micro-Mark, and it works like a dream. Just make sure it’s completely stopped before you take it out of the bottle. [banghead]

I use a Badger single action internal mix airbrush, mostly with PolyScale paints. I thin by eye around 1/3 or slightly more. with PolyScale thinner. I’ve never tried distilled water or Windex, although I’ve read that they work. The lighter colors (white, yellow and grey are heavier pigments) and I have had difficulties with these clogging up the air brush.

When I spray, I always use a Badger inlet screen and the only times I’ve had paint particles collected on it were with older bottles of the lighter colors. Now, I pour out what paint I need into a small mixing cup and close up the bottle immediately. BTW, I use small pieces of Saran Wrap over the mouth of the bottle to seal the bottle to the cap. Prevents having to use a pair of pliers to open it the next time.

I had an experience similar to yours recently trying to spray an older bottle of refer white. I finally gave up and screwed on a bottle of old Modelflex white (unthinned - never have needed to thin them) and it worked perfectly. My conclusion - I had an old bottle of paint that I threw out.

As to air pressure, I almost always spray between 15-18 psi, except when weathering; then I use 4-8 psi. Works beautifully.

ok evertone, i followed everybodys instructions ,i purchased a in bottle paint screen and this made all the difference. ive been painting for a couple days now whith no problems. thanks once again for everyones help.