painting

[kardar2]

Hello all,

I am making some little cars for my grandcritter and I have been painting them with acrylic paints and was thinking it would really be nice to spay them. So do any of you use a airbrush on yours stuff? I guess airbrushing stains would work to. your thoughts

[Travis]

I haven't used an airbrush in years. I should dig it out and see if I can get it working again. I think it would work great for painting, especially toys. Solid color of acrylics would look great, as well as using inks to dye the wood. You got my wheels turning.

[Clayton717]

I've used one before on painting a few projects. It worked well for tight areas and getting in some detail, But like Travis its been a while. I also need to dig it out and use it some.

[kardar2]

Thanks I am going to go to Harbor frieght tools and pick me on up and give it a whirl

[Travis]

Not sure if you have a Hobby Lobby where you are, can find a pretty good deal for one if you use their 40% off coupon. I use their phone app that has the coupon, so I'm always ready when I need something.

[kardar2]

No I don't have one here. All we have is a Michael 's and a Joann. Is there a better brand one from another? I figure they are not all basically do the same thing. But I never used one.

[Travis]

Well, back in the day when I used airbrushes a lot, I used the Paasche double action siphon airbrush (I think it was the Paasche AB...not sure if they make it anymore, though). This looks similar to the one I used (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00397 ... ayzcach-20) Badger also was a popular brand. You could go to a hobby shop (models, trains, planes, etc) and get their opinion, since they use them all the time. But for casual use, I bet HF has one that probably work just as well.

[kardar2]

Yeah I will buy cheap and see how it works then I will have a better understanding of it.

[amazingkevin]

KARDAR i've airbrush since 1991,for copy paper sized projects any airbrush will give satisfactory results.Doing the side of a house is possiable too with the el cheapo but takes alot longer and the paints need to be thinned down like milk or water.I wish i had a place to set back up as airbrushed scroll saw projects would sell so much easyer .I've thousands of dollars of airbrush books and accssories and enough paint to last a life time.You make me cringe at the though of not being able to beautyfie my projects with the air brush.Hope this info help you.I used 30 pounds of air exclusively so you could run off a spare tire for air supply,you'll just need the proper fittings.they also sell canned air 16oz.size.I've made several quite compressors from refrigeraton compressors.They will pump up 400 pounds easy but finding a tank to hold that pressure is expensive.I used shut off switchs to regulate the pounds saved and used freon 30 pound tanks.with brazed on fittings .They have a factory blow pressure of 150 pounds so keep your pressure under that and your fine.

[kardar2]

Thanks for the info I bought a central pneumatic dual trigger from Harbor freight . A review by someone that sounded very knowledgeable Swayed me. Hey amazingkevin I was watching youtube videos and it looked like alot of people used their airbrushes in the house. Can't you do that? Thanks

[kardar2]

well I gave it a whirl and found it to be challenging and to when the acrylic paint dried it was very rough. I must look into this more.

[medic_149]

If the paint was rough when it dried it was to thick or you did not spray even coats. It should be smoth when it dries.

Also seal your wood prior to painting unsealed wood when painted tends to let the grains become uneven. Just somthing to think about.

[kardar2]

Thanks seal it with any clear coat?

[medic_149]

Yes i use spray on flat clear coat. Dont need gloss your just sealing it. Also omly a light coat. Dont spray it thick. After it dries spray your colors and seal when dry. Also dont forget the light sanding on the sealer before painting. If your sealer is smooth your paint will be too.

[kardar2]

Thanks for the help

[kardar2]

hello All

 

I just started to use a airbrush for painting my toys. So I googled / youtube on how to use it and using acrylic paints so they showed me how to thin it with all kinds of different stuff including water. Lets just say it did not turn out well. I went to my local paints mart store and told him about my new ind ever and needed help. so he said how about using oil base paints? I said they are for kids toys (woodworking). He told me that the oil base paint is safe after about a week for kids I asked him, even if a kid chews on it ? he said yes so I bought a Qt of red for $14.81 and a Qt.can of thinner for $10.79. I am thinking that I could have got a better deal from Walmart but this is a learning curve for me. I brought it home and tried it and noticed it sure goes a lot farther than the acrylic did. as I was playing with it I notice I really need a eye dropper for mixing. So Now I would like all your opinion and pointers. thank you Kardar2

[Travis]

Acrylic does dry pretty fast. Perhaps it's drying at the time it's being applied and that's what's creating that rough texture. You can add a retarder to slow the drying time.

 

I used to use an airbrush paint called Createx. It applies really nice. You might have good luck with that. You can find it at an art shop or hobby shop.

[kardar2]

Well I have been practicing with my airbrush. Man it is awesome to usE. I started out using acrylic paints and I did terrible. I went onto to use oil base enamel paint and thin it with thinner. I REALLY LIKE HOW IT GOES ON.

[kardar2]

I was wondering I have a gallon jug of mineral spirit the order-less it look like milk does any one know if I can use this in place of paint thinner in my air brush ? thanks