discussion Using Model Air for the first time ...

[Guest]

Well, I've finally taken the plunge & had a go with acrylics!


For those who don't know, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool enamel painter, but I wanted to see how acrylics fare.


One swallow does not a summer make, so a quick squirt with Model Air won't have me chucking out my Humbrol & Xtracolor collection


But so far .... I think I could live with acrylics!

 

[PhilJ]

I reckon you could too mate

 

[papa 695]

I use it all the time Patrick but there's room for both types of paint in our world of modelling

 

[PaulTRose]

since i discovered some where local selling vallejo i havnt bought any thing else....only time i use enamel is to make washes

 

[john i am]

Well, I've finally taken the plunge & had a go with acrylics!
For those who don't know, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool enamel painter, but I wanted to see how acrylics fare.


One swallow does not a summer make, so a quick squirt with Model Air won't have me chucking out my Humbrol & Xtracolor collection


But so far .... I think I could live with acrylics!

Result converted you'll never look back. I put all my enamels in a carry case over 200 tinlets they make a great doorstop.

 

[monica]

the reason why I don,t use enamel,is the smell of it and even the orderless cleaner ,thinners,still smell,


and the others at home will complain ever more with it,


so I use ,mostly vallejo,and some others but there is always a place for enamel ,but I will tend to go for an oil,


but still the same the clear or thinner still smells and I get whined at


so welcome to the world of acrylics

 

[Guest]

I use it all the time Patrick but there's room for both types of paint in our world of modelling

Correct answer apparently. Some of the best modellers use both to get subtle variations in textures and finish between parts. It's enough to make the models look that wee bit more realistic apparently.

 

[Guest]

Result converted you'll never look back. I put all my enamels in a carry case over 200 tinlets they make a great doorstop.

Converted? Ha! That's a way off yet mate!

 

[BarryW]

Patrick - the big mistake people can make is to treat acrylics in the same way they treated enamels. It does take some work in converting over and I would recommend a couple of things:


1/ Prime first - the new Badger 'unpronouncable' primer is superb. http://www.barwellbodyworks-shop.com/144-primer-under-coat?


2/ Apply with light coats, whatever you do dont use heavy coats


3/ Don't mask over the acrylic paint immediately, allow it to cure idealy 24 hours.


4/ Use the thinner made for the brand you are using.


5/ Experiment with your airbrush for pressure etc. Model Air does not require thinning but some do like to add a drop of thinner and do so for some specific purposes such as applying effects such as a filter.


And as always, practise....


Welcome to the dark side of acrylics!!!!


Oh, by the way .... I would suggest also trying the new AK Interactive acrylics which are similar to Vallejo but I think spray a bit better. I also prefer their range of colour sets for WW2 aircraft they do RAF, Luftwaffe, IJN, Modern USAF currently but are expanding the range. Here is the RAF set: http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/raf-camouflage-colours-set-ak-interactive.html


The colours, but the way, are different to the equivilent Vallejo.

 

[Guest]

Patrick - the big mistake people can make is to treat acrylics in the same way they treated enamels. It does take some work in converting over and I would recommend a couple of things:
1/ Prime first - the new Badger 'unpronouncable' primer is superb. http://www.barwellbodyworks-shop.com/144-primer-under-coat?


2/ Apply with light coats, whatever you do dont use heavy coats


3/ Don't mask over the acrylic paint immediately, allow it to cure idealy 24 hours.


4/ Use the thinner made for the brand you are using.


5/ Experiment with your airbrush for pressure etc. Model Air does not require thinning but some do like to add a drop of thinner and do so for some specific purposes such as applying effects such as a filter.


And as always, practise....


Welcome to the dark side of acrylics!!!!


Oh, by the way .... I would suggest also trying the new AK Interactive acrylics which are similar to Vallejo but I think spray a bit better. I also prefer their range of colour sets for WW2 aircraft they do RAF, Luftwaffe, IJN, Modern USAF currently but are expanding the range. Here is the RAF set: http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/raf-camouflage-colours-set-ak-interactive.html


The colours, but the way, are different to the equivilent Vallejo.

Thanks Barry, that's a useful bunch of tips


I can already see that it'll take a while to get used to acrylics. As you rightly say, they behave differently to enamels - it's weird spraying at relatively low pressures!

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately, in this part of the world, the Model Air is really hard to find . So Tamiya enamel and Mr. Color Lacquer is still the only choice I have

 

[Guest]

Well, I've finally taken the plunge & had a go with acrylics!
For those who don't know, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool enamel painter, but I wanted to see how acrylics fare.


One swallow does not a summer make, so a quick squirt with Model Air won't have me chucking out my Humbrol & Xtracolor collection


But so far .... I think I could live with acrylics!

Patrick. A couple of paracetamol hot water bottle switch off the light close curtains and into bed. Close eyes and think enamel. This may take weeks but you will eventually return to abnormality


Laurie


PS Barry has given first class resume on using water based acrylics. I would just add Vallejo Flow Improver. I use it most of the time but especially for effects with .2 needle/nozzle and low pressres

 

[Guest]

I've just started using it as well and I love the stuff, brush paints well too.


Scott

 

[yak face]

Ive had mixed results with model air patrick , ive seldom found it thin enough to spray straight from the bottle , in fact sometimes its thicker than the normal model colour.


I still use it a lot though mainly cause theres loads of colours and the dropper style bottle is easy and clean to use. If im honest though i'd say ive had my best results with Tamiya acrylics - so easy to spray and get a nice finish . The drawback with Tamiya though is the limited colour range , often i have to mix colours i need , plus if i need to brush paInt any small parts it doesnt brush well at all . So like Ian said theres scope for using both enamel and acrylic i wouldnt say ones better than the other .


As for the lower pressure , i just blast everything out at about 35-40 psi only turning it down a bit if im doing a fine effect ( even then it never goes below 20 ). Tony

 

[Guest]

Ive had mixed results with model air patrick , ive seldom found it thin enough to spray straight from the bottle , in fact sometimes its thicker than the normal model colour.
I still use it a lot though mainly cause theres loads of colours and the dropper style bottle is easy and clean to use. If im honest though i'd say ive had my best results with Tamiya acrylics - so easy to spray and get a nice finish . The drawback with Tamiya though is the limited colour range , often i have to mix colours i need , plus if i need to brush paInt any small parts it doesnt brush well at all . So like Ian said theres scope for using both enamel and acrylic i wouldnt say ones better than the other .


As for the lower pressure , i just blast everything out at about 35-40 psi only turning it down a bit if im doing a fine effect ( even then it never goes below 20 ). Tony

I'd agree that even Model Air can use some thinning - I've got some Windsor & Newton flow improver which helps to do that & reduce clogging.


I also love Tamiya acrylics, although I thin mine with cellulose thinner - it gives a much smoother finish & avoids that gritty finish many people seem to get.


One thing about pressure that I've noticed since using my H & S Ultra is that the paint goes through much quicker, even with the 0. 2 set up.


The comparison with my cheap Chinese airbrush is remarkable. Using that I can't go below 20 PSI, but with the Ultra, much lower pressures work better.

 

[BarryW]

Needle size is important and I know many use Model Air successfully with a 0.2 needle, I have done so for detail, but with these needles it does need thinning about 20%. Day to day I use a 0.4 needle through which I never have a problem with MA or AKI.

 

[Guest]

Since using Vallejo flow improver I have been able to use a .2 needle/nozzle without any thinning.


Also with 20% thinning and flow improver at 8/10 PSI. Found this first class fo effects..


Laurie

 

[Guest]

I use it all the time Patrick but there's room for both types of paint in our world of modelling

Amen to that, I've come to the same conclusion!

 

[Guest]

I use Model Air with a brush. Being thin I find that three coats give a good finish. I put very little on the brush and it works well.


I use Humbrol spray primer before applying Model Air. Not sure if the primer is the best but it works for me.

 

[Guest]

Ive had mixed results with model air patrick , ive seldom found it thin enough to spray straight from the bottle , in fact sometimes its thicker than the normal model colour.
I still use it a lot though mainly cause theres loads of colours and the dropper style bottle is easy and clean to use. If im honest though i'd say ive had my best results with Tamiya acrylics - so easy to spray and get a nice finish . The drawback with Tamiya though is the limited colour range , often i have to mix colours i need , plus if i need to brush paInt any small parts it doesnt brush well at all . So like Ian said theres scope for using both enamel and acrylic i wouldnt say ones better than the other .


As for the lower pressure , i just blast everything out at about 35-40 psi only turning it down a bit if im doing a fine effect ( even then it never goes below 20 ). Tony

Something wrong there Tony. If you take in each hand model and model air the weight difference is very distinct.


Model Air is much finely ground than model. Model Air also has a different thinner/dryer which is better for air brushing.


My experience is that model air is perfectly airbrushed unthinned with a .4 or .35 needle. Model I have difficulties and to get some results thin 40%.


Laurie