discussion Flow Improver: Which One?

[Guest]

Hi all, I've seen a few posts mentioning the use of "Flow Improver" for use when airbrushing acrylics.

I've seen Winsor & Newton Flow Improver mentioned, but on searching there's 2 types...

Winsor & Newton Flow Improver 125ml @ £8.15 for 125ml

Winsor & Newton GALERIA Flow Improver for Acrylic 250ml @ £7.99 for 250ml

The second one (Galeria) seems better value, but has anyone here used them or knows if one is better than the other?

I'm planning on using it with Xtracrylix & Vallejo.

Many thanks.

Andy

 

[Guest]

The links above are from ebay, I think I'd prefer to buy from a reputable online dealer if anybody knows of one that stocks them. Unfortunatley SMS doesn't stock them.

 

[Ian M]

Are you sure it is a flow improver you are after and not a retarder...

A thinned paint should flow well with out any additives, they can how ever dry on the nozzle. A retarder will lengthen the drying time and thus reduce the amount of stoppages due to paint drying around the needle and blocking the nozzle.

Ian M

 

[Guest]

Are you sure it is a flow improver you are after and not a retarder...Ian M

You've got my attention there Ian, I've never come across a "retarder" before and keeping my nozzle moist (ooh err!) is definitely a must.

I assume you use it... How do you use it generally?

Do you know what is available and what brand would you recommend?

Many thanks

Andy

 

[Guest]

Andy Vallejo do their own retarder for use with their products. It is in this list of their products. http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/model-paints/auxiliary-products/3

ExtraCrylix no idea if it mixes.

One question Andy are you having problems & having to resort to a retarder ? I have some but used it only once to see what happens.

Laurie

 

[Ian M]

lol- pretty much what Laurie said.

I used the vallejo one for a while, when I was thinning with distilled water. Now I only use their thinners and have never really found a need for it in the airbrush. I just used to add a small blob (its quite thick) to the water and mix it out, then use that to thin the paint.

One thing I found it rather good for is figure painting. Giving more drying time = more time to blend. In fact it can make an acrylic behave like an oil paint.

If you are having dry nozzle problems, it could be that the paint is not thinned enough and the air pressure is to high..... It might just be a case of adjusting your mix a bit.

Ian M

 

[Guest]

One thing I found it rather good for is figure painting. Giving more drying time = more time to blend. In fact it can make an acrylic behave like an oil paint.

If you are having dry nozzle problems, it could be that the paint is not thinned enough and the air pressure is to high..... It might just be a case of adjusting your mix a bit.

Ian M

Nice tip about the retarder/figures Ian. Had that problem.

Laurie

 

[Guest]

Andy Vallejo do their own retarder for use with their products.One question Andy are you having problems & having to resort to a retarder ? I have some but used it only once to see what happens.

Hi Laurie, I still haven't sprayed a drop yet (lol). I'm just trying to get prepared for when I do, so I have what's needed and don't have to wait a week for something to be mail ordered.

Thanks for the info Ian & Laurie on the retarder. I've now got a bottle from John's SMS shop incase I need it.

 

[Guest]

Andy you need flow improver for brush painting, its basically a detergent that brakes down the surface retention of water. the more you thin a paint with water the higher the retention gets. Where a little confusion comes into play is where people are making ther own air brush thinner. Basically distilled water, Matt Medium and flow improver. if your worried about dry tip, dont be its easy to pinch off and easy to clean. Look at air pressure and paint thickness and adjust things slowly. it is trial an error, spend a day wasting paint on paper ( better than wasting paint and a model). Your trying to achieve the best effect by balancing so many variables.

Air Temp

Air Humidity

Air Flow

Air Presure

Paint thickness

Paint cure times

Paint Opacity

Arm Speed

Technique

once you start getting things dialled in it just all pulls together, you will painting and spraying without thinking about it.

hope this helps and does not add to the confusion

matt