I know that everyone mixes paint a little different, and the type of airbrushes changes things, but I am curious what PSI you paint at? Laast night this was my setup:
Model Color paint mixed with Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 71% (3/2 - 3 parts paint, 2 alcohol)
We were running tests and test spraying on paper and painted a reaper miniature. Conan looked funny all blue
Does the 20-22PSI sound right? I am nervous about clogging, so I was afraid to go lower, but I don't know if I was too high, or low... Just looking for hints from other airbrush people with more experience.
Paasche D3000R compressor @ 20-22PSI....Does the 20-22PSI sound right? I am nervous about clogging, so I was afraid to go lower, but I don't know if I was too high, or low... Just looking for hints from other airbrush people with more experience.
Keep playing around with it. Sometimes I find that even at 10 psi is alot...depending on what it is that I am doing. If its fine detailing where you don't need lots of air pressure, then I will work with 10 psi. Other times, its usually around 20 or even 30 if I'm doing base coats. Heck, I've even tried at 5psi, but your paint needs to be thinned well or it will come out in clumps...had that happen before...
The one thing that I have learned with airbrushing is that it takes patience. If you don't have that...just stick with the usual paint brush its far easier and less stressful.
Model Color paint mixed with Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 71% (3/2 - 3 parts paint, 2 alcohol)
Vallejo Model Color?
When I use them, or pretty much any other type of paint for airbrushing, I found that water is good as well. Plus I also have their thinner, which I will add a drop or two. I even use it with my Model Air...which are already thinned for airbrush use.
Hope this helps...
Doug
A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
I'm stuck with a cheap diaphragm compressor at home which doesn't let me change the air pressure at all, so I get to do everything at about 30psi. Dang!
However, when I'm working with better equipment, the pressure I use depends on several factors:
The amount of paint I want to spray (area coverage vs. detail)
The consistency of the paint - thicker paint requires more pressure
Whether the brush is a gravity-feed, side-feed or bottom-feed model
A gravity-feed or side-feed brush will run acceptably at much lower pressures than a bottom-feed model, which allows for easier application of fine-detail sprays with less risk of blow-back and spidering.
Regardless of anything else, I can't recall ever going much over 45psi or below 5psi with an airbrush. A larger spray-gun will benefit from higher pressures.
dougeagle wrote:The one thing that I have learned with airbrushing is that it takes patience. If you don't have that...just stick with the usual paint brush its far easier and less stressful.
I believe it is worth it to figure this out. Most of the airbrushed miniatures I have seen just flat out look better than brush painted.
Vallejo Model Color?
When I use them, or pretty much any other type of paint for airbrushing, I found that water is good as well. Plus I also have their thinner, which I will add a drop or two. I even use it with my Model Air...which are already thinned for airbrush use.
Yes, Vallejo. I just got some model air, I am going to test to see how that does tonight.
Peter_Fitz wrote:I'm stuck with a cheap diaphragm compressor at home which doesn't let me change the air pressure at all, so I get to do everything at about 30psi. Dang!
The compressor didn't have a regulator, the Paasche water trap/regulator is how I am able to regulate.
Peter_Fitz wrote:However, when I'm working with better equipment, the pressure I use depends on several factors:
I am going to mess around tonight and probably clog the sprayer. I want to see how low I can go and how much it helps, or hurts.
