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Mornin', all.

Happy new year, an’ such.

Okay, so I actually got an airbrush and compressor for Christmas. Huzzah! However, I'm a little surprised to find that none of it came with instructions. Apparently anyone who orders an airbrush and compressor must automatically be an experienced artist who probably did art A-levels, has tattoos and piercing and it called Zach.

Anyway - I've searched the net but I cannot find an actual how-to-use-an-airbrush tutorial, only technical tutorials on how to paint this or that. It is very possible I’ve missed a very easy-to-find article. So apologies if true.

I’ve read the Dakka sticky/pinned threads and it states that I need to dilute the paint by adding water and car window wash, which is great, but I’ve also read that I should use White Spirit, so that’s contradictory right there. I assume it’s a personal taste thing, but as a proper newbie I have no idea what I’m doing.

I don’t even know how to the use the thing. If it helps, it an airbrush with a top mounted “paint well”, or hopper. You just pour the paint in. But, how do I dilute the paint? How much paint do I pour in? How do I change colours without mixing colours? I haven’t got a removable paint bottle.

I was wondering if anyone wouldn’t mind kindly posting an article, or video, or something to help me out. Remember, we were all virgins once.

Many thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPB7A5TlUsw

I'm relatively new to airbrushing myself so any advice I have is quite limited.

Thinning paint is really trial and error unless you have airbrush ready paints. I wouldn't use white spirit as a thinner, use a proper airbrush thinner. I mainly use Vallejo paints and they sell their own brand thinner which works wonders (even for citadel paints. Some airbrushes are a little more forgiving than others when it comes to consistency, but many people swear by the skimmed milk rule. If the paint acts like milk in the cup you're good to go.

For cleaning, get yourself something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airbrush-Cleaning-Station-Airbrushes-Hs-777a/dp/B00BHWRTP4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388925489&sr=8-2&keywords=Airbrush+cleaning+pot once you have used the colour rinse a load of water through it into the pot until the water comes out clean. Maybe rinse through a little bit of >90% isopropyl alcohol (or airbrush cleaner) then you can move onto the next colour.

Practice on an old model or pieces of sprue before moving onto something expensive to save from stripping and starting again. Metal models are good for practicing since stripping them is much easier.

As with all painting, don't expect perfect results from the get go. Airbrushing has a steep learning curve so take your time and enjoy it. Post up some pics when you've had a play.

First up congrats on your new airbrush purchase

Also congrats on having a question other than; what airbrush should I buy?


Using the airbrush is a bit of a learning curve, I suggest you start getting used to it on some scrap paper or models you arent bothered about

Some other basic things your going to want are;

Cleaner solution - this could be windex (car window cleaner NOT household), store bought airbrush cleaner, denatured alcohol, acetone etc etc

Thinner (or prethinned paints) - this ones wide open theres a lot of debate on whats best.
For me I like Vallejo Airbrush Thinner, or Liquitex Airbrush Medium. Both work great with citadel paints.
Premixed paints, Vallejo Model Air are very nice paints indeed, worth buying for colours your going to use a lot. I got the 16 colour basic set and plan to grab lots more of them)

Some pots/cups to mix in - disposable plastic shot glasses work well.

A stand for the airbrush - when its got paint in, you cant put it down without it spilling lol. These are often built into cleaning stations

Cleaning station - this is handy for spraying out the contents of the cup when cleaning it out, its a little pot with a hole in for you to put the nozzle in and spray so you arent getting it all over the place.

For starting out it might be easier to go with premixed paints, as it can be a headache getting it right to start out.
But for thinning your existing paints you want to mix it up in a separate pot using an old brush or something similar, and then pour it into the airbrush. Aim to half fill the paint well at the most, you will probably be surprised how far it goes when you get the thinning right.

Thickness... your aiming for skimmed milk.. which is rather subjective, find youtube vids on thinning paints for airbrushing to see what we mean, trying premixed paints first up can give you a hint as to what your aiming for.

.... lol I've rambled a fair bit probably covered nothing useful lol, if youve got questions post them here someone will probably post something pretty quickly.

Hi there!

I've been looking at YouTube vids before I get started with my own airbrush escapades and I've found that The Wargamers Consortium has a great line of vids about them.

LINK

Hope this helps!

Best advice I have is just use it! Start experimenting, painting, trying out various things. You'd be surprised how fast you can get the hang of it that way.

Who reads instruction manuals anyways?

Best tip I have is watch out for tip dry, which is always a problem with acrylic paints. As you use the gun, paint will accumulate and dry on the tip, causing spattering, blockage and general decrease of performance.

I always keep an old toothbrush at hand to scrape off dried paint from the tip. Be careful, as the tip can be VERY delicate and bend easily.

And good luck with your brush!

Hi, guys.

Many thanks for the advise and links. That clears up a lot, actually.