what kind of paint do you use to air brush on blanks, and is there any tips about air brushing i should know. thanks, Jon
Water based acrlyic or tempra paint works best. Multiple light coats make sure you don’t go to thick or the paint will crystalize when the board is glassed. Andy
Hey Jon: I use tempra paints thinned slightly. Several light coats is better than one heavy one. Best investment I made was in an inexpensive HVLP spray gun with a small stainless cup mounted on top. It isn’t anything special, got it from an auto parts house, E-bay has them too. Better quality acrylic paints come from art supply stores with brands like Createx etc. There is an issue of dye stability in sunlight with cheap paints, tempra paints use the cheapest types of paint dyes but so far I haven’t had any noticeable fading on those I’ve done. Once again the quality of your tape off and masking is critical. Do a test and see what you need to do to keep from getting a “bleed” along your tape ooff line. Tom S.>>> what kind of paint do you use to air brush on blanks, and is there any > tips about air brushing i should know. thanks, Jon
How much did you pay for your paint spray gun? Would I need to buy anything else to operate it? -NM
what kind of paint do you use to air brush on blanks, and is there any > tips about air brushing i should know. thanks, Jon When using an airbrush make sure you filter your paint good before you spray or you will get sputtering. I use an old nylon stocking (my wife wonders where her nylons go). I use acrylic artist paint and have a paint job on a kneeboard that’s 30 years old (no kidding) that hasn’t faded. The paint to water mix is crucial too. To thin will bleed. Too thick will sputter. Test before spray. The air to paint ratio in the brush is touchy too. Use glycol (antifreeze) in the paint if it dries to quickly and cloggs the nozzle. I use a Pasche for detail work. Also, make sure the blank is dust free (duh!) or you’ll see half your paint job blow away or lift. And the other guys advice on thin coats is dead on. To thick a coat and the paint will melt under the resin.
I paid about $70.00 for mine. You need a compressor and hose of course. I’m able to use a pretty small comprssor with this, like 1.5 hp. but it is stretching it for large areas. I WANT a 5-6 HP. with a big tank to hold the pressure steady with air sanders, grinders, larger sprayers etc. Here is a link on an e-bay gun similar to mine. Stainless paint cup is easier to clean than plastic. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2043090198) Tom S.>>> How much did you pay for your paint spray gun? Would I need to buy > anything else to operate it?>>> -NM
I paid about $70.00 for mine. You need a compressor and hose of course. > I’m able to use a pretty small comprssor with this, like 1.5 hp. but it is > stretching it for large areas. I WANT a 5-6 HP. with a big tank to hold > the pressure steady with air sanders, grinders, larger sprayers etc. Here > is a link on an e-bay gun similar to mine. Stainless paint cup is easier > to clean than plastic. > (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2043090198)>>> Tom S. Watch out for these cheap spray guns…a lot of the time the interior components such as the needle are made of cheap metal…when you use water base paints they can rust or corrode.Unless you are using the gun daily I would flush it out with water and then run lacquer thinner or acetone through it.When you store the gun fill it up around 1/3 of the way with lacquer thinner and store the spray cap in the cup.
How much do small compressors sell for? -NM
How much do small compressors sell for?>>> -NM They have a website as well as walk-in locations. I got a small 1.5 horse on sale for $89.00. I also got two spray guns for a steal as well from them. One is for detail work - dual action; and one is for bigger patterns. There is a lot of info in the archives on this one. Herb gave a great tip on setting up an air flow with 2 inexpensive box fans that works like a charm. Magoo