Percentage of model that is AirBrushed??

[Mike 04' RS]

Hey guys.

Just starting my first model up in many years (Tamiya Subaru WRC 05'), and i was wondering what percentage of the model you guys airbrush??

I am really trying to use my airbrush on as much as i can, because i want that pro look. Tamiya Acrylic paints are really bad to brush i have found, however they are great to A/B...

There is alot of fiddly masking etc with very small details and im not that good at doing that, so i end up brushing it.

Should i persist with this masking or is there better paints to brush with than Tamiya??

[935k3]

I usually use a spray can for the body and main chassis but every thing else gets airbrushed except very small details. Nothing beats an airbrush on small parts. Another thing when airbrushing there are things you can do to control sheen, consider in an engine bay there are many black parts but they have different amounts of shine. I have used the airbrush for body s like the Subaru Blue on the rally carsand I always use an airbrush for the second color on two or multi color paint schemes.

[Stubeck]

I'm just starting out myself, but I'll only airbrush main parts, and brush paint the little bits that you won't see much. Its just too much of a hassle to spend 5 minutes masking everything when I can get 90% of the way there with a brush.

[Zonic2001]

I airbrush, spray can and paint brush about 95% of the kits. I do more motocycles than any other kind. Not much is left unpainted except small pieces like 935k3 said an other pieces I carbon fiber with decals. I use mostly Tamiya paints and so far so good. Also use some AlcladII like to chrome parts (with an Alclad black base)... since is so readily available in the USA.

[racer93]

Originally Posted by Mike 04' RS

Hey guys.

Just starting my first model up in many years (Tamiya Subaru WRC 05'), and i was wondering what percentage of the model you guys airbrush??

I am really trying to use my airbrush on as much as i can, because i want that pro look. Tamiya Acrylic paints are really bad to brush i have found, however they are great to A/B...

There is alot of fiddly masking etc with very small details and im not that good at doing that, so i end up brushing it.

Should i persist with this masking or is there better paints to brush with than Tamiya??

I think that there are a lot of myths about airbrushing, especially achieving that "professional" look.

Not to toot my own horn but I have won several Best of Show awards at large (600+ entry) model contests and NOT having used an airbrush at all. I use rattle cans. However, I polish the HELL out of the bodies and ONLY hand paint the smallest of parts. Almost everything is sprayed. *That* is the most important part.

Tamiya acrylics are fine to paint by hand *IF AND ONLY IF* you thin them heavily! (Using water or Tamiya acrylic thinner.) When done this way, you will not leave brush marks. Trust me.

Best thing to do is to practice, practice, practice. Try something new on every model. I still do after 25 years of doing this. Push yourself. Read. Ask questions (but search first, lest Drunken Monkey remind you of this...). I'm willing to help wherever I can.

Good luck!

Daniel