Spraying acrylic paint

[dragstk]

Im pretty new to using an air brush. I think I have a handle on enamel and lacquer, but have struggled to spray Vallejo Model color. But I thought I had a handle on it and sprayed my first body. The paint went on pretty well, and other than a couple of small issues,I was happy.

I then set it aside for a week. I wanted to deal with the small issues before clear coating. I wet sanded the body with 4000 grit. And right away, the paint felt soft. I went as light on pressure as I could but the paper actually cut/gouged into the paint.

So my question(s) is- Did I not let it dry long enough? Is this how acrylic dries (really soft). Would a dehydrator help this?

Any help here would be appreciated. Thanks for reading

[Dpate]

Model color isn't an airbrush paint even though it can be thinned down for airbrush it's best for brush painting.  If you didn't thin it before airbrushing? That's why you were having issues with it spraying.  If you have a handle on enamel and lacquer why are you trying to airbrush model color? If 4000 grit cut/gouged into the paint than it wasn't either dry prop or it's just too soft of a paint to sand as it's pure water based acrylic paint.  A dehydrator will help everything, but if i was you i would pick your favorite between the two enamel or lacquer and use one of those two to paint bodies etc, and use model color etc for detail painting small parts etc . 

[Kit Basher]

I don't know it this applies to Model Color, but I use a different water based paint (AutoAir), and they recommend dry sanding it. I wet sanded it the first time I used it, with the same results you got. Dry sanding works much better.

[dragstk]

@Dusty- Im trying to go to acrylics because of the chemicals in enamel and lacquer. I know Model color is not air brush ready and that has been my problem. But I thinned the paint 50% paint/25% Vallejo flow improver/25% Vallejo thinner. It sprayed pretty well.

I wondered if the paint is just to soft to sand, maybe its just the nature of the beast? Hence the questions. I may get a dehydrator.

And I may go to using enamel and lacquers for bodies, but being new to air brushing, I was curious  and wanted to learn how to spray acrylics. As far a models go, I like stepping into areas I dont know and trying new things. 

Thank you for your thoughts

 

@Hugh-Ive never heard of dry sanding acrylics. Ive had bad luck dry sanding enamels and lacquers. It just loads up the sand paper. But this is something Im going to try.

Thanks for the tip.

[bobthehobbyguy]

If you are using water-based paint you can't wet sand as that is going to soften the paint no longer how long its dried. You have to dry sand.

[jaymcminn]

Some people get great gloss finishes on bodies with water-based paint and clear. I'm not one of them. I airbrush Vallejo, Tamiya and Revell acrylics for interior and mechanical parts, but still rely on lacquers for exterior paint. I do have a decent respirator and a spray booth for painting inside as well as using nitrile gloves while holding parts during painting, no point in taking any chances with my health!

[TransAmMike]

Simple craft paint works just fine.  Multitude of colors. HL has huge stock.

[dragstk]

@Bob-Your reply answered one of my questions. Dry sanding it is.

@Jason- I think Im going follow your path. I think Ill lay off trying to spray acrylics for bodies, or maybe I just get better...?

@Mike-Ive heard that craft paint works well. And at some point I may try them. But until I get better at the air brush, I dont want to add another variable.

Thank you to all who took the time to write. I appreciate it

Edited February 23, 2023 by dragstk