I tried to airbrush a boxcar but the paint ran on it . the car was well washed and rinsed.The paint is from trueline trains water washup and airbrush ready . did I add too much water or too much paint?or no water?Anyyway I cleaned the car down and I’ll start again after all it takes pratice I guess. rambo1…
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also do you lay the car on its side or just stand it up to paint?rambo1…
Sometimes you have to mess with the mixture a bit. I suggest you test on something else before hitting the car. Also try thinning it with rubbing alcohol instead of water.
now that thecar is dry from washing it with dishwashing soap I see there is a white residue left on the car .Can that be the soap or the water after rinsing?rambo1…
Soap residue or hard water stains. Rather than air drying try drying it off with a clean lint-free towel. Or use distilled water for at least the final rinse. I know the hard water issue is a problem I have around here, the drop of soap and water to thin glue for scenery method does NOT work for me, so I end up using alcohol to thin the glue. Left to dry on their own, things get a film of minerals that remain after the water evaoprates, and this will affect painting.
–Randy
Boy, that sucks. You’re absolutely right, that hard water leaves a residue. I never really thought about it affecting paint adhesion before, but I’m sure you’re right.
It does sound like the paint was running as he applied it, though, so I’m guessing he had thinned the paint too much, or let it dry in a bad position / orientation.
I have some decals to apply and posting that reminded me I need to get a container of distilled water so I don;t have any residue on the decals. You know how they say bottled water is a waste - around here the tap water really does taste that bad that it isn;t a waste for me to get jugs of spring water for drinking. Probably still not pure enough for decals so I will go with the distilled. Same with painting but I don;t have an airbrush, so far I have only used spray cans. I have some undec locos to paint but the paint scheme is super simple, the superstructure is all one color and the underframe is black. Spray cans will work fine there, too.
–Randy
I haven’t tried the paint from True Line Trains but from posts on other forums, the paint is airbrush ready. No thinning required. That could be the biggest problem.
I think so too ctv the thinning .rambo1…
and I will try the distilled water also.rambo1…
if that is hard water stains how to get rid of them?rambo1…
would alcohol wash help? rambo1… or just try it?
I would never think of thinning paint with water. Use a good paint thinner. You probably applied way to much paint and were way to close to the car when you sprayed it. Try spraying very fine coats about a foot away from the car. Start spraying about 6 inches away from the end of the car and slowly but steadily cover the car in one pass going 6 inches past the car. Let it dry and then repeat as required. If your still getting runs in the paint then your still spraying to much to close. I’ve sprayed probably over 100 1/24 scale model car kits and it took me a little while to master a spray gun. Next time your at a show pick up a few junk Life Like cars people are always trying to sell cheap. They are great to practice on.
I should have added that the advantage of paint thinner is it flashes off very quickly and helps to make the paint dry quickly. Water doesn’t do that, it will just sit there and evaporate over a longer period of time then thinner.
The white film now i remember my wife told me I used vim household cleaner on the car to remove the decalsand I forgot thank god for wifes( i think) rambo1…