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So I bought an airbrush the other day, and today I finally had some time to sit down and test it out. Unfortunately I was not able to find a good consistency for my paints. Either they would come out too watery, or I would clog my airbrush. Now Dakka I have a question, what is the approximate ratio for thinning GW paints for airbrushing?

There is no proper ratio, that is a fact - regardless of any formula someone here might give you.

Every pot of paint, even from the same manufacturer, the same color, will likely be different from the next, thus requiring a different ratio of thinning. The age of the paint-pot will also typically affect its pre-thinned consistency, thus requiring a different thinning ratio.

I would recommend thinning in a clear plastic cup, and always thin to the consistency of 'skim milk'. The clear cup helps you get to know the right mix.

Also - what PSI are you spray at? Your ab should be able to handle incredibly thin mixes (like colored water)... perhaps you just need to lower the pressure to 15-20 PSI.

I have been having troubles too. My air brush clogs really easily with thin paint and I don't know how thin is good. It took like seven coats to get an okay red on white primer. Im probably having similar problems that OP is having too. The PSI is about 15.

I believe it is 20 PSI, it came with the airbrush. Also that you for saying the consistency of skim milk, I found that quite helpful, and was able to get a mixture that worked. Now painting my Landraider, preditor, and three rhino's white don't seem that intimidating!

Now I have a second question, for masking off spots that I have allready painted, but want to airbrush an other colour close by, what should I use? I know this may sound stupid, but is masking tape a good option? Or would it not work well with an acrylic paint? What about Plasticine putty? Or would that leave an unwanted oily residue?

If you are using GW paints through your brush you need to be using concentrated screen wash and not water to thin your paints. The paints need to be thinned until they have the consistancy of milk, and I run my compressor at between 2-3bar? depending on the job, though I am no expert. Also make sure you have plenty of cleaning materials to hand, airbrush reamer/blue roll and the like.

Have a look around to see if you can get colour matches from airbrush specific paints, I use a lot of 'Auto Air Colours' as they are water based and are pre-mixed (apart from the Candy colours if I remember rightly). They are also easy to clean out after completion.

Have a look in my gallery. The Eldar stuff is airbrushed, nothing fancy, and the 'nids/tau/guard vehicles were base coated using thinned out GW paints. Hope this helps some.