Metallics and Airbrushing

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**Thamor**

Quick questions really, Would running a metallic paint like Boltgun metal through my airbrush cause any damage or problems at all? It will be properly thinned down. What about cleaning it afterwards, Should I be doing anything different than how I usually clean it? Is there any better paints that I could be using that work better which airbrushes?

Cheers

**hemlighest**

Valejo Model Air has a line of metallics paints, designed for airbrush uses.

**legoburner**

Yeah, the Vallejo Air metallics are hands down the best metallics in any range I've tried. They have such tiny metal flakes that they go through an airbrush perfectly and also look amazing on any model (painted on or airbrushed on).

**Thamor**

Which Model air is the same as Boltgun metal?

**AvatarForm**

Vallejo Model Air (VMA) contain a higher ratio of pigment then your regular "brush-on" paints.

Also, since the "sparkle" in metallics is from mica particles, metallics can be damaging to your air-brush over long periods of use. Ensure you use more than a basic acetone to clean your air-brush out after using metallics.

I use MEDEA airbrush cleaning solution. It cleans but also protects with an oil.

VMA "Steel" is what I use instead of Boltgun, and I paint it onto the metallic parts of Space Marines instead of spraying it. It will also give you a better result than GW metals when applied with a brush due to the higher pigment ratio.

**Thamor**

My airbrush is an Aztek one, After use I run it all under water and make sure there is no paint left to block anything, The nozzles and the cups are fine, Im just worried about the inside of the airbrush itself, Should I run acrylic thinner through it?

**AvatarForm**

Thamor wrote:My airbrush is an Aztek one, After use I run it all under water and make sure there is no paint left to block anything, The nozzles and the cups are fine, Im just worried about the inside of the airbrush itself, Should I run acrylic thinner through it?

For deep cleans you should clean the inside with the MEDEA solution or a similar brand.

The oil component will protect the inside from corrosion while not in use.

Aztek was a reliable brand and I do not know enough about them to comment.

I purchased a solid metal model from Runway13 and AUS-based company. The model design is similar to an older version IWATA, which is now one of the rave brands.

To be honest, so long as your brand doesnt have any cheap, nasty plastic parts in important places, you shoud be fine so long as you maintain the brush.