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So I went in and bought an Iwata HP-CS/Smart Jet Compressor bundle and have worked on a handful of models this week using Vallejo Gamer Air.
My main question is in how much 'splatter' should I be expecting? At first I over thinned, now Im barely thinning, but I still get some spray thats disruptive to what Im trying to do. Could it already be gunked up and if so, what do you recommend I soak the brush in? (Ive read tons of different, sometimes contradictory advice) If its not gunked, then could it be too low of an air pressure? I am tending to try and 'ease in' to pulling the trigger back, and when I do that sometimes I get wide spray instead of a focused spray that I want.
1. I never soak my airbrush in anything. It's hard on the O-Rings. If you don't disassemble it, you're not going to get the insides clean anyhow.
Instead, I disassemble it, clean the pieces separately, and soak the metal pieces from the aircap forward in isopropyl alcohol.
2. I don't thin Vallejo game or model air non-metallic paints at all, when I'm using my HP-CS. I thin metallic gold/bronze/copper paints a bit.
3. When does it splatter? It should not splatter at all mid-spray -- I think this would indicate water not being caught in the moisture trap. If it splatters at the beginning, that's because the tip of the airbrush has some paint on it from the previous time you sprayed (seconds ago). Get in the habit of clearing the airbrush on a piece of paper before you use it on the model, or push down with the trigger all the way forward when you're done (but not with the airbrush pointed at the model) to clear any paint at the tip.
Your airbrush, especially when you're new to airbrushing, is going to need a LOT of cleaning. It's one of the things that sometimes turns people off of the tool altogether.
Treat your airbrush like you would treat your rifle. Clean it, clean it well, clean it often!
I do a quick cleaning between color changes (if just using acrylic paints). Which is basically cleaning out the paint cup and spraying a few cups of Isopropyl or airbrush cleaner through it till it shoots clear.
If I'm shooting inks and AFTER every session I break down the airbrush, give it a thorough cleaning and oil the parts that need it. Will keep your brush spraying as it should.
Iechine wrote: ^ Good advice. It may very well be old paint from in between sections...Ill pay attention to that next time and see if thats the case.
I have noticed that when I finish Im supposed to release the moisture trap to drain any liquid, but every time I do there is no liquid draining.
This depends a little on where you live. If you're in an area of humidity (like the UK or most parts of Canada) you'll get at least condensation in the moisture trap.
You will get splatter if you let paint build up on the needle tip. I have experienced the spatter issue when using white paint especially primer.
I run the same airbrush without the needle cap so I can easily see if any paint is built up on the needle tip and then pinch it off with just my fingers. You could also give the needle tip a swirl with a wet cotton swab every now and then.
I also suggest you spray on something else before you start on a pass on the model.
