airbrushing for beginners

[wgflatliner]

So my sister decided to tell me what she was getting me for Christmas (which is nice lol).

it's an airbrush that i have no idea which one it is, but it costs like $159 or so.. (not sure if that helps telling you which one it is or not?)

anyways, i have never ever used an air brush before, so i need to ask the experienced folks what items i need to get, what i need to watch for, and any general "getting started" guidelines.

i know i'll need an air compressor, but not sure what else i need.

thanks everybody

[MikeMc]

My first thoughts are two names you need to know.

Bob Downie and Donn Yost. (I put them alphabetically). Bob (Zoom Zoom) has written 2 airbrush books and Donn (Old Man/Lonewolf) has a DVD out, both are made for us modelers. The best bargains out there and you can't go wrong...try them

Bobs is published by Kalmbach...get it from them or your LHS

Heres Donns: http://www.oldmansmodels.com/

I've never met either of these guys yet...so I'm not a paid schill...

although they are both welcome in my shop!!

Edited December 6, 2009 by MikeMc

[Sully]

Both of Mike's suggestions are spot on. These two guys are experts. .......

Here's a link for you that should give you some added help........

http://www.howtoairbrush.com/

Sully

[BigGary]

Both of Mike's suggestions are spot on. These two guys are experts. .......

Here's a link for you that should give you some added help........

http://www.howtoairbrush.com/

Sully

Another piece of advice, practice, practice, practice. Foam core board or plastic corrugated signs,(the back) are good to practice on. Acrylic paint is very cheap at Walmart to use for practice. Clean Acrylic with Alcohol, 91% and laquer thinner, thin with alcohol, 71%. You can also thin acrylics with water, but distilled is best.

Never let acrylics dry in your air brush. Its enough to make a grown man cry and says words you didn't know were in your vocabulary.

This is a question that is frequently asked, so do a search of the forum for all kinds of advice & info.

Gary

[crazyjim]

I have to start airbrushing too! I was wondering about storing the paint. If I were to thin nail polish with laqcuer thinner and didn't use all of the mix painting a model, how should the excess paint be stored?

[LoneWolf15]

I have to start airbrushing too! I was wondering about storing the paint. If I were to thin nail polish with laqcuer thinner and didn't use all of the mix painting a model, how should the excess paint be stored?

Jim ,

Contrary to popular belief , I do play with laquers ( Yo ! Mikey Mc , you hearin' this ? ) They will dry up , quite abit faster then enamel cut with laquer thinner . I'd pour it back into the bottle , seal it tight , and find another project I wanted to use the same color on within a month or so ! The cut enamel does last longer in the bottle but eventually , it too , will go south.

The Old Man

Lone Wolf Custom Painting

[Lownslow]

I have to start airbrushing too! I was wondering about storing the paint. If I were to thin nail polish with laqcuer thinner and didn't use all of the mix painting a model, how should the excess paint be stored?

i learned not to thin NP with laquer i found something that works great

[crazyjim]

Thanks Donn. I don't think paint storage was covered in your excellent video. I'll have to watch it again.

[MikeMc]

Jim ,

Contrary to popular belief , I do play with laquers ( Yo ! Mikey Mc , you hearin' this ?

The Old Man

Lone Wolf Custom Painting

Wide open ears Donn!! As I can't see your video until12/25....I love to hear your lacquer advice...and I love HOK!!!

[Kenny]

i learned not to thin NP with laquer i found something that works great

And that is...???

[LoneWolf15]

Wide open ears Donn!! As I can't see your video until12/25....I love to hear your lacquer advice...and I love HOK!!!

Yo ! , Mikey !

This is unbelievable ! You're not supposed to know what you're getting for Christmas ! Jeez laweez ! Santa's going to end up filling your stocking with coal and reindeer poop for that manuever !

As for the laquers ... Best to stick with Zoom Zoom ! He has that down to a science ! As for me , you know what my preferences are ! For me , the Testors enamels are always going to be a win win situation when they are cut with cheap laquer thinner , shine , shine , and more shine !

Do me a favor , don't start watching the dvd until the day after Christmas. This way, your significant other won't be beating on my door with the intention of cracking me upside my pointed little head with a coal shovel !

The Old Man

[Lownslow]

And that is...???

acrylic enamel thinner ive only found this stuff at body supplies stores

[Jon Cole]

Why practice on scraps? As long as you are learning to mix paint, work the airbrush, and clean it after, why not spray something useful? That's why God invented model kit engine blocks!

[BigGary]

Why practice on scraps? As long as you are learning to mix paint, work the airbrush, and clean it after, why not spray something useful? That's why God invented model kit engine blocks!

You practice on scrap so that you don't waste over-priced car bodies or engine blocks, and save a ton on Super Clean so you can do a really good job on your paint jobs. Airbrushing engines is not like airbrushing bodies. Unless your airbrush is the Badger paint gun, practice is essential. Anybody can do a messy job.

Gary

[MikeMc]

Yo ! , Mikey !

This is unbelievable ! You're not supposed to know what you're getting for Christmas ! Jeez laweez ! Santa's going to end up filling your stocking with coal and reindeer poop for that manuever !

Do me a favor , don't start watching the dvd until the day after Christmas. This way, your significant other won't be beating on my door with the intention of cracking me upside my pointed little head with a coal shovel !

The Old Man

I didn't know until your return address and name showed up on my door....and trust me mom will be happy if I'm out of her way!!!

[Kenny]

I ordered that DVD as a Christmas present to myself as well. I bet my paint skills show a lot more improvement than Mike's