What sort of Mix??

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DirtyBri - 22 Jan 2006 17:31 GMT

hi there,
i am new to the aircraft modeling scene (Airfix, Tamaya etc) and have
just bought a airbrush kit to try and paint my models by that instead
of by brush, the only problem is what sort of mixture should i use
50/50 paint (Humbrol) and thinners, i havent a clue and was wondering
if anyone could give me some advice
Thanks

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Greg Heilers - 22 Jan 2006 18:06 GMT

> hi there,
> i am new to the aircraft modeling scene (Airfix, Tamaya etc) and have
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> if anyone could give me some advice
> Thanks

50/50 is a good ratio to begin with...but there is really
no "right" answer; as there are far too many variables
involved. Just start tinkering, and figure out which
works best for you, in the environment you are painting in.

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William H. Shuey - 22 Jan 2006 21:38 GMT

> hi there,
> i am new to the aircraft modeling scene (Airfix, Tamaya etc) and have
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> if anyone could give me some advice
> Thanks

Well, that is a complicated question. First off, 50/50 is a place to
start. I have found over the years that matt finish paints take a bit
more thinning than gloss finishes. My favorite advice to a beginner is
to get a couple of empty plastic soda bottles to practice on. With air
brushes, it is a learning curve thing, both paint preparation/thinning
and using the brush/application.
There is a new Kalmbach paper back book out on airbrush use, saw it at
my local hobby shop the other day. Might be a worthwhile investment.

Bill Shuey

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Stephen Tontoni - 23 Jan 2006 07:11 GMT

> hi there,
> i am new to the aircraft modeling scene (Airfix, Tamaya etc) and have
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> if anyone could give me some advice
> Thanks

Check out the master's words, the late Ted Holowchuk. He's got a
beautiful airbrush primer here:
http://www.ipms-seattle.org/tips/hints.htm

--- Tontoni

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Pip Moss - 24 Jan 2006 00:27 GMT

In article <1137951113.483076.27700@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"DirtyBri" <Bri.n.vik@btinternet.com> wrote:

> hi there,
> i am new to the aircraft modeling scene (Airfix, Tamaya etc) and have
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> if anyone could give me some advice
> Thanks

Different colors will require different thinning ratios. I try to get
roughly the consistency of whole milk. After I've put some thinner in the
paint, I take a cheap plastic paintbrush and dip the handle end in the
mixture. I then touch it to the side of the paint container. I want the
mixture to flow quickly off the brush handle and down the side of the
container, but I also want it to leave a fairly opaque layer behind. If the
mixture flowing down the side looks watery, I'll add some more paint. If I
can't get the mixture to flow onto the side, I'll add thinner.

Pip Moss

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Don Stauffer - 23 Jan 2006 14:42 GMT

> hi there,
> i am new to the aircraft modeling scene (Airfix, Tamaya etc) and have
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> if anyone could give me some advice
> Thanks

I only airbrush enamels, but do indeed start with a 50/50 mix. More
important than the exact thinning ratio, however, is practice and
experience. Do NOT start by airbrushing a good model as a first time
use of the airbrush. Practice on a piece of scrap plastic or a bad,
cheap kit first. I'd recommend at least a half hour of practice- better
a full hour- before doing a good kit.

In addition to the thinning ratio, there are the adjustments on the
brush, the distance from the model and how fast you move the brush, and
the air pressure you use. And it is all interactive. Things like
pressure setting and distance from model affect the optimum mixture ratio.

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Model Forum / General / Models / January 2006

What sort of Mix??