I spent all day last weekend painting a passenger platform. The time was spent trying to figure the right mix of paint to blow out the air gun. What was frustrating was that I got to a certain point where the spray was just how I wanted it and it would blow chunks just often enough to make me want to start over.
I’m using a Badger 150 by the way. And window washing fluid as thinner.
Off the page with no replies. I must be slipping.
You are airbrushing artists tube acrylics thinned with window washer fluid?
Have you considered trying a paint that’s made to be airbrushed thinned with the thinner reccommended by the manufacturer?
Dave H.
Yes. I have black I use for everything and it works quite well. However, in my town there is only a Michaels that sells air brush paints and their selection is limited to a primary colors set for artists for $25. Acrylics are everywhere and I have access to a zillion as my wife is an artist. I hate the idea of mail-ordering paint, because I can’t see the color I am getting.
Books I’ve read, say that with the proper mix, acrylics can be used–just not recommended for beginers–which I am. I’m just hoping someone has made the trip and can tell me which direction to head–thinner, thicker, more pressure, less pressure. Etc.
Also, my choice of words above really wasn’t accurate. The glob I refered to is fluid paint, not a chunk. It just wasn’t a fine spray.
BTW: Window washing fluid works quite well and is CHEAP.
I hope I don’t **** you off with this obvious question, Chip, but could it be a simple as inadequate mixing? I have used the plastic bottled stuff from Walmart, and found that my most intense mixing (and thinning) were often inadequate. Also, after some time of the mixture being immobile, there will be some settling of the solids, fine though they be. You have to keep the mxture in motion pretty much constantly to be assured of homogeneity.
BTW, I sure am happy to hear that you are beavering away at this. [:D]
chip…
you can also get a filter attachment for the paint bottle pick up tube…it’s a small screen that fits over the tube and inside the paint bottle which can drastically cut down on the brush picking up paint chunks…another suggestion is the paint you are using…you can mail order for poly-s and floquil paints…I like the floquil the best because it’s a bit more forgiving when mixing the paint / thinner ratio but you need to spray it using a paint booth …(unless you’re into having only 3 functional brain cells left over when you’re done painting)…chuck [:D]
Maybe puting the paint through a sieve into the paint bottle will help to minimize the larger particles in the acrylic paint, before you thin it. I am sure that the manufacturer had no idea how creative you were going to be with their product. I would assume that the pigment size was not intended to be airbrushed at its inception, so it is probably a little “chunky” which is the cause of your blobs.
Wives are very useful supply sources for modeling materials, in your case the acrylic tubes, but old panty hose on the way out due to runs etc. can make them selves into interesting useful things like sieves/strainers. One word of caution, you may want to explain this proceedure to your bride, to avoid the commitment to a state facility.
Good luck with the “Blobs” ( are you sure it isn’t just a late October “Thing”?)
Will
Hey Chip, I don’t have any insight on your problem, but doesn’t the Ace hardware store downtown do MR stuff any more? I imagine the hobby store next door is long gone by now. Otherwise, I’d recommend a drive down to Adam and Eve’s in Greensburg to get some paint. As you indicated, the “specialized” paint seems to work for you.
-Tom
Those suggesting acrylics for airbrushing are usually referring to the liquid acrylics - Apple Barrel, Delta Ceramcoat, etc.,and the other craft products. Trying to use thick tube acrylics is a whole different matter. Michaels should have tons of other stuff.
Bob Boudreau
Thanks guys,
I don’t think the problem is “blowing chunks” per se. The paint is liquid when it come out it’s more like the spray combineds to form dropplets, if that makes sense. I have the both the liquid acrylics and the tube and I prefer the liquid, but with a little mixing of the thinner, I can’t tell the difference. It works like when the paint settles at the bottom of the jar and you mix it up.
I’ve heard of paint doing this if the pressure is too low. I have a Badger compressor and I think that I am running the pressure down too fast–which takes only a few seconds. Maybe what I have to to is figure a way to run it off my pancake compressor.
I would agree with your assessment. We have a pump (Regal or Avon, or something) liquid oil dispenser, the kind you use to coat baking tins, like you would with Pam. It is my job to do the pans when Barb bakes, and I have found that only three or four pumps does not allow sufficient atomization of the oil. Once I add an additional three pumps, I get better spray.
If your reservoir is small, and pressure set high, then yes, you will run it down pretty quickly.
Do we get to look over your shoulder some more in the days ahead?
Can it wait until I stop blowing chunks?
Do you have the right nozzle for spraying acrylic? I notice in my Aztec set there is a range of different sizes and the acrylic seems to be quite a deal larger in aperture than the others?
Chip, maybe the problem is that tube acrylics aren’t meant to be used that way. They have no real binders or solids to speak of once you dilute them for spraying. They act like water colors, so when they hit the plastic surface, they bead up and run.
You might do better using the acrylics to tint regular latex paint, then thin that for spraying. The latex paint has the right stuff for sticking and drying. I suspect that regular water based hobby paints are pretty similar to this in composition.
Chip,
You may also want to try a different thinner. There may be a reaction that is not keeping the particulate in suspension. I have never tried airbrushing with those type of paints, but you could give it a try.
Bob K.
Hmmmm…that doesn’t seem to be a problem. I can get a fine even spray for several seconds that covers well. It is just those intermitent drops that spoil the finish.
I have just started using an airbrush. The badger compressor costs as much as my 20 gallon Husky compressor. You can hook up your air bru***o a bigger compressor, just need a good pressure regulator and step down fittings to fit the air brush line. Use brass fittings with the teflon plumbing tape, and all will be good.
I just knew my bigger compressor was good for more than impact tools and airing up tires!
Would it help to watch the nozzle to see if a drop is forming over time that eventually gets picked up by the spray and hurled towards the target? Sounds like a nozzle problem the more I think of it.
(notice I used the word “hurled”…in reference to your reply to me?)
Now, why would you want to go and deprive us of every bit of the fun? [:D]