First airbrush attempt

This is my first attempt using an airbrush (Iwata Revolution CR). The paint splatters somewhat. Is is too thick or is the compressor not strong enough? It's only 20psi. Feel free to critque and advise. BTW the kit will be OOB. I'm using it as a learning kit to spray so I won't detail it at all.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DSC00921.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DSC00917.jpg

Give us more info, what paint were you spraying and what ratio did you thin it?

Tamiya metallica blue (X-13) and mixed it 50/50

Tamiya metallica blue (X-13) and mixed it 50/50

You need more pressure to spray acrylics because they are heavier try 40-45 lbs.

What is that in psi? Excuse my ignorance?

It is 40-45 psi. PSI stands for Pounds per Square Inch I believe, so you can either say 40lbs or 40psi. They mean the same thing.

Good first try, I haven't done any with my airbrush yet, still trying to figure it out.

Time for a new compressor then. I was borrowing one with a view to purchase. I guess that won't happen now. This model is two firsts. First airbrsuh build and first build for a friend who has the car in 1:1 in the same colour.
Should I clear coat it and polish it up? ( What would one use for these procedures?)

what? to clear coat you spray some clear coat, then use super high grit sandpaper, compound, and then wax. should give you a nice finish. clear coat should be treated like normal paint, so the last coat of clear should be "mirror" like, just like when you paint colors.

With these acrylics you could thin it even more at the end of the painting session leaving you with almost pure thinner by the end. This will help you level out the paint as the thinner will dissolve the surface and if done right not let the paint run either. I've done my acrylics with as low as 25-30 psi without problems, just thin the paint more and put on more coats to build it up slowly.

Niclas

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to give you credit for the car. Looks good to me, I've seen a lot worse coming from my workshop :grinno:

Thanks for all your advice guys. I will try it tonight and update you.

Your first attempt does'nt look that bad.

I've been a bit delayed on my update. I had a problem with my airbrush but I've fixed it now (I didn't clean it properly after my first usage! :screwy: ).
I tried thinning the paint a lot more (Thanks Niclas!) and this is the result. I think it looks OK except for the piece of dust that is sitting near the rear window! :banghead:
I'll be using rubbing compound and seeing the effects of that are. Let me know what you think. Thanks again to everyone for the advice.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DSC00925.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DSC00924.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DSC00922.jpg

Well, it looked alright from the begining but now it's even better!
Glad that I could be of assistance.
Now let's see the finished car.
Take care and test the compound on a scrap piece first as some automotive stuff will make the paint go all soft and gum-like. Tamiyas compounds are safe to use on their acrylics though.

Niclas

that paint looks great I wish my first airbrush attempt was that nice.

I'd say you have the hang of it so far. just remember, don't polish metalic paint. if you do the metalics will lay flat and look like crap. always use a clear over metalics before you polish.

Finally an update!! Decided to customise this for a friend. She has one the same colour so I decided to mod the doors as suicide doors and added in the exposed hinges from an old credit card! I also tried masking for the first time and this was the result. Not great but I'm satisfied for a first attempt. Just need to finish some small detailing around the window frames before the last coat of clear and I'll then polish it up. Comments and criticisms are welcome!
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/3.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/2.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/1.jpg

Nice color!

Here is the 'template'. Final update will be next week.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DCP_1601.jpg

I've been late again in replying. Here is the finished product. I need work on my window masking and my putty skills. I was too nervous to try panel lines.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DSC01022.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DSC01020.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/pirata12/DSC01019.jpg

Sweet litle car! Looks sweet!

what a cool little car. what kit is this? pretty good airbrushing for the first attempt, much better then my first attempts. and the result is one really nice model. i love it. keep up the good work.
cheers!

Turned out great!
Good looking little bugger.

Niclas

What an awesome little car! You did her justice!!! Great job! :bigthumb:

lookin' great! hey, by the way what do U use for thinner? Is it mere alcohol or water for acrylic? Or what is recommended to use for acrylics? I'm having "some" trouble with my airbrush (i'm using boyd's acrlylics). Or should it be plain thinner? Thanx in advance for any help!

Was an old Gunze kit which was hidden away in the back of the Hobby Shop. It was very basic (no engine or interior detail or steerable front wheels!). I've got the Tamiya 500F and 659SS. Those are a bit more detailed so I'm looking forward to that. Uninen, I used alcohol thinners. The Tamiya one is quite pricey and wasn't as effective as the local superrmarket variety i tried. I mixed about 3 parts paint to 7 parts thinners. I forget how many countless coats I sprayed but it was worth it in the end. I'm not familiar with boyd's acrylics. I only use tamiya enamels. I would think you would have to thin that with water but I have never tried an acrylic so I may be wrong.

Nice colour and nice job :)