Acrylic paint help

redstang423 · 07-12-2005, 09:22 PM

Hey guys, I've been having a problem spraying my acrylic paints. I use an Aztek A320 or whatever the cheap model is with the testors blue mini compressor. Ok, now stop laughing at the setup, I have a serious issue! Every time I try to spray acrylics, it comes out really funny. I'm using Model Master acrylic with thinner 3 parts rubbing alcohol to 1 part water. I can't get it to spray unthinned - doesn't surprise me - and by the time I can get it to spray, it is VERY runny.

Am I thinning the paint too much? Or am I just using a crap thinner. I don't have problems when I use enamels, just acrylics. Thanks!

SteveK2003 · 07-12-2005, 09:58 PM

It MIGHT be the thinner. Which airbrush are you using specifically, and which tip are you using it with? Are the acrylics the ones with the white labels (Acryl)? Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol?

Acrylics generally require a more open tip: For the Azteks use a white tip at least. I can spray the Acryl unthinned with it at about 15-20 PSI, I use an A300 compressor. The flats and semi-gloss ones go down beautifully, but I'm still fiddling with gloss paints, might start thinning them depending on how I can get them to lay by varying my technique.

mike@af · 07-13-2005, 07:20 AM

I think Model Masters acrylic require Model Masters Acrylic thinner. Its the Tamiya's that can be thinned with alcohol.

bvia · 07-13-2005, 07:24 AM

I thin my Acryl colors with Tamiya thinner for gloss and IPA for flat colors...no problems with either using an A470 with the white (or uncastellated) tip.

hth,
Bill

redstang423 · 07-14-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveK2003

It MIGHT be the thinner. Which airbrush are you using specifically, and which tip are you using it with? Are the acrylics the ones with the white labels (Acryl)? Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol?

Acrylics generally require a more open tip: For the Azteks use a white tip at least. I can spray the Acryl unthinned with it at about 15-20 PSI, I use an A300 compressor. The flats and semi-gloss ones go down beautifully, but I'm still fiddling with gloss paints, might start thinning them depending on how I can get them to lay by varying my technique.

Exact model is the Aztek A270 (Single action, external mix), and it is the regular Acryl paint with the white labels. I normally use the yellow tip - 1.02mm, but I've also tried the red tip (.46 mm). It came with three tips - yellow, orange, and red, with yellow being largest spray area and erd the smallest. As for the alcohol, thats a good question. I think, but only think, its isopropyl (thought that was the same as rubbing, but maybe not). I got it from a bottle under the sink labeled alcohol.

SteveK2003 · 07-14-2005, 11:07 PM

That could be the problem, both the type of alcohol and alcohol itself. Tamiya's thinner is basically 91% iso, there's debate as to whether or not there is more in there, but a friend used the more common 70% iso and his Tamiya acrylics reacted a bit funky.

Have you sprayed it unthinned? It's worked fine for me that way. A guy on another forum said an airbrush 'guru' he talked to uses distilled water with his Acryl, about 70/30 paint/water mix.

Scale-Master · 07-15-2005, 10:13 AM

Isopropyl and rubbing alcohol are the same thing. It comes in different strengths, (normal stuff on the shelf at the drugstore is only 35%).

Denatured alcohol works with Tamiya acrylics and does a good job of stripping Tamya lacquers too.

There is Ammonia in addition to alcohol in Tamiya X-20a Thinner. I'm sure there is some other "mystery" chemical in there too.

I use Lacquer thinner for all acrylics when I spray. Do not put the leftover mix back into the paint bottle or it will go bad in a couple days.

For the Testors, either use what they recommend, or try lacquer thinner.

Better yet, switch to enamels if you are going to use Testors... - Mark

Vric · 07-15-2005, 11:04 AM

I use Model Masters acrylic, mainly flat color for interor. I use simple water for thinning.

btw Don't use Lacquer paint or thinner with this airbrush !!! I had that airbrush before too (a320) and it died after 2 or 3 use of lacquer paint. Instruction clairly say that this airbrush is for Acrylic ONLY. Don't do the same error as me. It's not a very bad airbrush, but it's very limited for paint.

btw, here is a good read

Scale-Master · 07-15-2005, 11:38 AM

Sorry, didn't know about the limitations of that airbrush... - Mark

redstang423 · 07-15-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vric

Don't use Lacquer paint or thinner with this airbrush !!! I had that airbrush before too (a320) and it died after 2 or 3 use of lacquer paint. Instruction clairly say that this airbrush is for Acrylic ONLY. Don't do the same error as me. It's not a very bad airbrush, but it's very limited for paint.[/url]

Hmmmm... I guess I didn't read the instructions with it very well.

Its worked pretty well with enamels so far, but we'll see how well it lasts.

I bought some actual acrylic paint thinner today, so I'm going to give it a try. My LHS didn't have Model Masters Acryl thinner, so I had to get some other brand. They don't carry Tamiya paints (and very few Tamiya car models) either, and I hate having to spend $10 on shipping or I would've gone that route already.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Vric · 07-15-2005, 01:53 PM

Yes Enamel is working too. Just use enamel thinner to clean it, not lacquer..

Lacquer will kill this airbrush. I used Testor enamel paint with it and it was ok. but it died when I used Model Master Lacquer paint.

For Acrylic Model Master, try simple whater to thin. it work. But you need Acrylic thinner to "clean" since the paint is drying fast and water can't "melt" the paint and clean the airbrush.

Btw it's not a bad airbrush you have. Many others have worst. I think it can be a good second airbrush (I wish mine was still working, since sometime I would use both my Badger Anthem and this aztek.

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