Model Painting 101

[JudgeDredd]

Wait till you have to break it down to deal with a massive clog!  Then you will really be contemplating lifes choices

Don't listen to the naysayers JH - you get cracking and enjoy all the good (and the bad) that airbrushing will bring.

In the end, the results will speak for themselves.

A couple of 1/72 kits to practice on. Cheap, quick to knock up and practice spraying with no real waste of time invested.

[JudgeDredd]

Also it's an Iwata Neo - it's not a bad brush.

[Redwolf]

Stupid question: Can I use a full-size compressor like this for airbrushing?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UHNM1R0?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

[JudgeDredd]

I don't know - sorry. I guess it depends on two main things - connection type and psi range.

[Jarhead0331]

Question no. 3 (broken down into several sub parts)

Do acrylic paints, whether for brush or airbrush, need to be thinned before application? Specifically, Tamiya or Vallejo. If so, do you use just water or some kind of solution? What is the best consistency and what are some techniques to get there?

Thanks.

[JudgeDredd]

Thin for airbrushing. Don't thin for hand painting.

People say it should be the consistency of milk.

I put some paint in a plastic shot glass then add a few drops of Ultimate Models Thinner or Tamiya's own thinner (regardless whether its Vallejo or Tamiya paint). I then mix together with a piece of sprue or wooden cocktail stick and just drag it up the side of the plastic shot glass to see what the consistency is like.

AFAIK you can't use water. I think it's some sort of rubbing alcohol i use to thin.

When you're ready with your mix, put a bit in your airbrush and spray onto something other than your model to check what it comes out like. If it doesn't "spider", you're good to go. It it does, you need more paint and if nothing comes out, it's too thick and needs more thinner.

[Con]

Airbrush Flow Improver is a literal godsend
You only need a drop or two mixed into your paint
Agree with the plastic shot glasses I got a bunch of disposable plastic pipettes to use both as stirrers and to transfer
Use the psi regulator to adjust based on paint consistency and flow
Primers are thicker and don't need thinning - use right out of the bottle

[undercovergeek]

Ooooo now you're into the realm of the pros and cons of the wet pallete too

Never thinned my paints but big Duncan always says 'two thin coats'

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

Tamiya pots are premeasured for thinning.  Simply unsure the top and fill the air gap with thinner, mix it well and you should be good to go.

The Air Coloyr range ftom Vallejo is already thinned for airbrushing.  Other ranges need to be thinned.  Use airbrush thinner or, in a pinch airbrush flow improver. 

Best thing yo do is get a sheet of plastic and practice with your psi settings an mixing ratios until you can pit down paint without it splattering or bring excessively runny and spiderwebbing from the air.

Have a quick YT search.  There are a lot of how to guides that explain how to get a good mix.

[JudgeDredd]

Primers are thicker and don't need thinning - use right out of the bottle

I've heard that but if I don't thin my primer, it clogs my brush. I always put a small amount of thinner in there. 
Less than I would for paint but I still do add some

Is flow improver used as well as thinners,