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Ever since I started doing commissions, I felt like the big thing that's held me back is how much I abhor basecoating. So after months of research and saving money, I finally got an airbrush! You guys were immensely helpful in answering my personal questions, as well as all the posts and articles that have been created. I recorded my first true airbrushing experience, and I've got to say that I'm really happy with my decision to get one. So thanks to everyone of the DakkaDakka community for being so generous with your knowledge!




edit: Despite what I say in the video, I feel like my paint may have still been too thick. You can see it early on in the video - it seemed milky to me, but I feel like my primer highlights were drowned out.

Few tips for ya. I suggest you back off the model when spraying. Properly thinned paint will pool and bead away over the model as if water on a windshield. The time you want to be in that close is for fine detail or if you're spraying a ultra bright color over a very dark color and your paint starts to dust.

What pressure are you spraying at? Sounds like 40lbs
Otherwise good job, you're really going to enjoy this new tool. What airbrush do you use? And which compressor?


Thanks

I thought I was fine during filming, but when I went back to edit I thought I was on the verge of stabbing the model with the brush! But the windshield example really explains why I want to stay back - thanks for that!

It's an HP-CS, you're correct. I think the compressor is the TCPGlobal in-house brand, which I purchased as part of a bundle. The instruction manual for it was hilariously translated

My PSI is actually about 18. It probably sounded so loud because I was sitting my phone in a wooden box, so everything was probably amplified.

Well done brother. 18-30 is a good range. I spray almost everything at 30lbs.

If matte paint gets shiny when it dries, you're too close to the model. I know you're using it for base coats but I think you'll find yourself using it for all sorts of detail once you get used to to it, you're going to love that thing!

What are you using for paint and thinner?

I have a decent range of paint that I purchased from a guy in our group. VGC, VMA, P3, Citadel, and I think a few Reaper paints. I'm thinking about buying a big range of airbrush-specific paints after the new video camera, but I'm going to try to get better at thinning normal paint first.

The stuff I've been thinning with was unlabeled, but I purchased Testor's Acrylic Thinner, which seemed to work well when I was testing the brush on a piece of wood and that piece of terrain. http://www.testors.com/product/0/50496/_/Universal_Acrylic_Thinner_4_oz.

I also purchased Createx Airbrush Cleaner, which seems pretty underwhelming so far. It cleans the cup pretty well if I let it set, but I'm having the hardest time cleaning my needle without a lot of gentle rubbing with a soaked cotton swab http://www.dickblick.com/products/createx-airbrush-cleaner/

I use tamiya airbrush cleaner or tamiya paint thinner to clean the brush. When you're done with a color I blast 1/4 cup of the cleaner through and it cleans up everything no issue. Just beware of it getting on o-rings - as o-rings like to swell.

For the needle during spraying if you're encountering tip dry, cotton swab is the only way or you can tilt the brush 90 degrees down and pull the needle out to clean it. This method is very effective, but can pull paint through past the packing screw and the chuck assembly.

I want to move over to createx and start mixing my own colors, but I can't switch until this army is complete. The createx line doesn't need to be thinned at all. I have a few colors and they work wonderfully.

Does Createx have colors for our miniatures? I was browsing their stuff at Hobby Lobby, and it all looked like colors you'd use for spraying intense t-shirts. I may need to check them out and see how they compare to VMA.

You'd have to mix your own colors old school. That's why I'm waiting to finish my army. I currently use model color and model air from vallejo.

I saw your army in the forums - those look really great! Did you hand-paint the weapons, or use an airbrush for that crisp effect?

I'm a scale model guy, and I'm not too handy with the hand brush. I did that effect with my airbrush.

I just recently ordered some nice hand brushes and I'm trying to work on my skills and thanks for the comment I appreciate it

Createx aren't the best brand for painting miniatures - as they need to be heat cured for maximum durability. You also need to thin them unless you're shooting at around 60psi - Createx recomment 3-1.

I mean, they're fantastic paints, but fit for different purposes.

Stick to Vallejo, P3, Citadel, Badger etc and work out how to thin them (only if they need it, obviously)

Good to know, thanks Ag