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I Just got a Badger Krome for Christmas and I'm having trouble with paint beading when I try to do detail work. I'm no sure what to do here. I thought maybe just layering or using a lighter base coat so the color shows up easier. I use a small compressor and generally keep the psi between 20 and 30. Any advice?

I would also like to know where to get some metallic air paint. I can't seem to find any online and none of the shops around here carry it.

With paint beading it sounds like your paint is too thin and maybe spraying too much of it. Try turning your pressure down. With very thin paints you can probably get away with a 12-15 PSI range and get a smooth glazing affect.

The other thing is what are you using to thin your paints. If it is just water you need something added to break water's surface tension. I personally like using thinner for this reason. I useTamiya acrylic thinner.

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=81040

Well and good covered.

What happens is if you are thinning your paint with water - the water eventually becomes the dominant substance and it begins to behave like water is prone to do (that is to form droplets, bead up and slide off the surface). If you want to really thin your paints - use a proper airbrush thinner...for that matter, just use a proper airbrush thinner anyway, especially with acrylic paints.

Thanks guys. I use vallejo model air and I did think it was a little too thin. I haven't tried to thin my own paint yet. I've heard to use windex or pledge but I would feel more comfortable using a formulated thinner like you have both suggested.

hold the phone for a sec.....Are you using Vallejo Air straight from the bottle? If so, I find the VA paints to be a bit thick if anything. Milk consistency is what paint should be.

Now if you are talking about paint beading I would be curious what type of surface prep you are doing. are you priming, cleaning, ect....

I would also strongly disagree with Sean, nothing wrong with water as a thinner. It can create some issues at lower PSI. I used windex for a long time, and now a run a mix of distilled water, matte medium and airbrush medium. This helps the paint lay flat, and takes some of the shine out of the paint that results from airbrush medium.

Once you answer that then I could advise you a little better

Ashton

Yes. I use it straight from the bottle. As I stated in the subject, I'm new to airbrushing. I prime clean up and fill all the gaps on the models after they're assembled then I prime with krylon primer followed by a base coat of black.

Ok, can you further explain what you mean by the paint "beading" is it like an oiul and what effect,is it the way it is drying, is it possible to post a picture?

Ashton

I added a picture. I guess it pools AND beads but It only pools when I try to paint over the beading.

IMHO I would say that you are spraying at too high a PSI, to close to the surface, and too high of a paint flow, you can fix this by;

spraying from a further distance
dont pull back as far on the trigger
wait between coats for paint to dry.

Ashton

As Ashton said:

Beading happens when you're just too close and got the trigger back too much. When you spray a lighter color over a darker one, it'll take 5-6 layers to get the color you want. Spray a line, pass back over it with just air a few times rinse and repeat. Don't expect the color in your pot to be the color you initially spray, you need to work it up.

I've found higher pressure for brighter colors work best.

I concur with what others have said here.

It's likely a combination of errors. PSI being too high, being too close & too trigger happy.

Your PSI should be 10-15 when doing detail work (just remember that you paints do need to be thin). I normally spray around 5-6 inches from the model.

Don't worry though, it's all part of the learning curve. I would recommend to practice on cardboard and the like before you jump in and spray any expensive new kits that you've spent ages building and cleaning

Thanks for all the tips guys. I'm learning slowly but surely.