Back from the CSS event with a shiny new Iwata HP airbrush. After working with an Aztek for 15 years, its like going from a Honda to a Mercedes Benz. I enjoyed torturing my Aztek, and got very good service from it, but this thing will do stuff an Aztek can't. Like very thin, pencil like lines, with zero overspray. :o
I'd like to experiment with some different types of acrylic paints in the airbrush. So far, I've only used Tamiya paints for airbrushing, and some craft paints thinned with airbrush medium.
So, here's a wide open question-- what else is out there, what's your preference, and where to buy it?
Dave
Congrats on the acquisition. I too love the IWATA (hint...their compressors are sweet also ;) ;D )
Here are the paints that I have in my repertoire....and have shot through the AB. I am one of those guys that does use only the mfr. thinner with their specific paint. Several of the paints below have their own pro's/con's and little tricks to get them to mix and spray better or differently. These days I primarily shoot only acrylics...except for the rare need of a color, finish, or surface adhesion only an oil can provide.
ACRYLICS:
Tamiya,
Vallejo (Model Color, Panzer Aces, Model Air)
Life-Color
Agama
Games-Workshop/Citadel
Model Master
...also have a few random bottles of other paints, such as Polly-Scale, etc.
OILS:
Humbrol
Model Master
All-Clad
Floquil
Gunze
I have also shot MIG, and AK filters/washes through the Iwata.
Below is the store I consider as Hobby Paint Nirvana.
Marc
Yep ;) that's a huge selection. Craig H
I'm pretty new to modeling, but have airbrushed for a while. I like to use PPG Omni paint. It's Urethane not Acrylic but it's easy to use.
It's for automotive use but it's awesome to airbrush rust effects. They have a good red oxide that works great. It dries really fast but you need to clear coat it afterward.
I painted THIS (http://www.j6x2.com/IMG_CUSTOMS/build_bic09.jpg) with it. I have an IWATA Kustom CS.
Once I set up my garage, I want to start trying some of the paints Marc listed.
Hey Jester
Tried your link but I got a "403 - Forbidden Error" message. Top Secret rocket project? :)
Dave
Oh Snap! I forgot I turned on the hotlink feature! :o
Here's the full thread
(http://www.j6x2.com/2010/03/bic-buddy-custom-sneak-peak/)
Quote from: DaKra on November 16, 2010, 10:08:44 AM
Hey Jester
Tried your link but I got a "403 - Forbidden Error" message. Top Secret rocket project? :)
Dave
That's some crazy imaginative figure modelling with beautiful weathering effects. You've found the right forum here!
I also got bit like Dave. I've never used an airbrush even though my wife has a newer Aztek. But I ried the Iwata at Scott Mason's booth during the show and when I get the cash together, that's the one I want. Meantime I've broken out the Aztek and am going to give it a try.
There's people who swear the Aztek is unusable, junk, etc. Don't believe it. I think some of the newer replacement parts aren't as good quality as the old ones, or don't quite match the old ones, but its still a good general purpose airbrush.
I got to the point with mine, where I pretty much stopped cleaning it, just blew some water through after a session, and just left the unused brush in a jar of water till the next time. :-X :P :-[ Seriously.
It soldiered on under conditions like these, till recently when I replaced the original, 15 yr old nozzle with a new made part, due to a crack. Seems to be a slight mismatch which prevents it from working as before.
Dave
Holy crap Marc! Where's that store located? I gotta stop by sometime.
It's not quite at the end of the earth...but you can see it from there. ;) ;D....it's out toward Fontucky..err Fontana, off the I-10 at 5515 Moreno St. Montclair, CA.
It's called Pegasus Hobbies http://h1070012.hobbyshopnow.com/ (http://h1070012.hobbyshopnow.com/) ...it's is definitely one of, if not THE, strangest hobby shops I have ever been in....they have some to a lot of everything..all crammed in, and it feels completely schizophrenic.....their plastic kit selection seems to have no rhyme or reason...they go from really old oddeties..to really high end Armorscale...with only a small amount and odd selection of mainstream stuff tossed in. Looking at the place one would never think they have this kind of paint selection. It's a great place to just wander around, gawk and explore all the different stuff (except for the sniveling, noisy, disease infested walking petri dishes, known as "children", that are all over the place).
Marc
Quote from: JESTER on November 16, 2010, 12:04:47 PM
Oh Snap! I forgot I turned on the hotlink feature! :o
Here's the full thread
(http://www.j6x2.com/2010/03/bic-buddy-custom-sneak-peak/)
Tim, That is really sweet!. Too cool. I would be really interested in some info or an SBS as to how you went about the painting and finish.
Marc
Jester, that rusty little robot thingy looks great! If I didn't know it was a model, I'd have thought it was a painted metal sculpture that had been allowed to rust.
Do you guys prefer single or double action airbrushes? When I was doing illustration I always used a plain old Pasche H, single action. Not the greatest airbrush, I know, but I managed. At one point I bought an Aztek but the double-action was something that took some getting used to, and I never had the time. It's just been sitting in the cupboard ever since.
Vallejo Paints look very interesting. I like the dropper jar format, too. I see there is a regular and an "air" type. Is it worth getting only the "air" for airbrushing, or is it just a thinned out version of the regular?
I got my Aztek working and thinned out some paint and sprayed my first kit. Worked OK but I still need to experiment some. I do like the finished look of siding spray painted instead of brushed. If this keeps up I may splurge. And cleanup seems so much easier, no running to the kitchen sink each time. The Iwata compressor with the auto start feature is real nice too.
OK so I'll get an Iwata- my old Badger single action is, well, old and single action, and it clogs, and it's output is variable, and the needle is inconvenient etc.
If you find a good hobby shop, support it. That place with all of Marc's paint is remarkable. Stocking paint to that depth is very expensive with few "turns" per year to make money. I ran a hobby shop half of a big local old toy and hobby store once. There is no money in selling paint, no matter if it is $7 a bottle. Buy a kit or to when you are there.
Jester's stuff is cool. Concept, design, finishing- imaginative and very well done. And he is making a rocket out of PVC plumbing. With lights inside! Fun!
Question: who uses what to thin acrylics??
John
You could use water (but shouldn't) or 70% rubbing alcohol but the best thinner is usually the stuff the manufacturer makes. -- Russ
I sort of figured Russ. I was wondering if there was a secret weapon that makes the paint flow easier and dry quicker. Maybe something I could drink too :P
John
John, Liquitex makes a Flow-Aid. It's a fluidfiant .. label says "Increases flow, surface penetration, and workability of thinned acrylic colors. I haven't played with it yet to any extent.
Dave,
I use the regular ones...(though I have several Air as well)...because I buy the paint for the color I need, and Air does not have all, nor the same, colors as the "Model Color", or "Panzer Aces" line.
You want to ake sure you shake/mix the paints well, and the paints are pretty thick/dense (that's why they work so beatifully for detail brushwork) When using Vallejo, I recommend you use distilled water for any thinning you do with water for brushing or shooting. There is also a trick to thinning them that will help with spraying; in a mixing container/cup, mix any paint colors first, then add and mix in well the Vallejo thinner (basically a clear carrier medium), and lastly mix in the distilled water. The reason for using the Vallejo thinner, rather than water only or windshield-washer fluid only, is because the paint "generally" requires from 30-50% thinning....and water or fluid only can/will affect the coverage and adhesiopn ability of the paint. (now, all that said, you can use washer fluid only..I did today...but I would recommend you test experiment first to see in what conditions, application and in what ratio it works and doesn't.
Note that the Vallejo paints will dry very fast when shooting...and you will get build-up in the nozzle, which may/will need to be cleaned off every now and then during use. I use 90% Iso Alc. on a soft rag to do this, and 95% Iso Alc. or Acetone, to do the final cleaning and reaming when I am done spraying.
Another thing to note about the Vallejo paints ( and sim small dropper bottle paints such as Andrea and Game Color), is that they are a very different type from Tamiya, and unlike the Tamiya, they will form more of a "skin" type layer (sim but far finer than normal acrylics)....this becomes apparent or comes into play, if you want to do the hairspray chipping, or sand them...then if you have areas that are applied to heavy/thick, you will encounter problems/issues.
Marc
Which HP do you like? There are quite a few of them. What would you recommend?
Quote from: eTraxx on November 21, 2010, 07:41:16 PM
John, Liquitex makes a Flow-Aid. It's a fluidfiant .. label says "Increases flow, surface penetration, and workability of thinned acrylic colors. I haven't played with it yet to any extent.
I like Flo-Aid, it's one of those things I get with a craft store (Michaels, AC Moore) 40% coupon. I keep a pull-top water bottle of Flo-Aid solution handy (clearly labeled, so I don't drink it.) Even better, I got an eye drop bottle, pulled off the top, cleaned it out really well, and then put some Flo-Aid solution into it. That's what I use to thin paints (e.g. craft paints, artist acrylics, Vallejo) since I get drop-by-drop control of the water.
dave
Dennis,
Sorry for the late response, just saw your question.
I have/use the IWATA Hi-Line HP-CH
http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=H4100 (http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=H4100)
But am scrimping to hopefully also get the HP-BH
http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=H2100 (http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=H2100)
As it has more fine of a needle, and a smaller cup for those fine details and quick spritzes of paint.