**** DONE: 1/48 SH-3A HS-4 - Carrier Aircraft GB

[N4521U]

Aw sh!t....... compressor is just too weak, 15lbs is it's MAX. getting dry spray, clogging. Got it all. Have to work tomorrow, but will try and get some more on before I leave. Just crap is all, not used to it.

 

[Crimea_River]

15 psi should be ok. Maybe too thick?

 

[Airframes]

I agree with Andy. My little compressor normally works at around 15 psi, and I thin at around 60/40, always using enamels (acrylics are like toy town stuff to me!).
This might mean you have a slower coverage, but it should also be very smooth, and is great for fine work.

 

[N4521U]

Way too thick.
And it stinks.
I don't have a place away from the house to paint, so it's drying inside and Im getting a splitting headache!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Do you have a small balcony or outside area Bill, if so can you spray outside in a makeshift spray booth with a cover that you can drop down after spraying and where the model can dry confined in the booth.

Just thinking!!

 

[Rogi]

That sucks, I used to spray in my driveway in the summer when we didnt have a garage. When I started airbrushing with my first air brush, I used to stick it out our window and paint, until my parents caught me lol

 

[N4521U]

I do paint out of doors. But it was wet and sticky last night so I had it in the toilet room with the fan on. Its outside now. Looks like I will be a no show for this one. Just too bluddy long to dry. Sorry

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Sorry to hear this Bill you've put in a lot of effort and pain for this build.

 

[Wayne Little]

Aw man...that's just not fair...

 

[Airframes]

This sounds like one of the 'Humbrol Problems' - heavy, sticky paint, rather rubbery looking, which goes patchy whilst drying, and takes around three days to fully dry, sometimes longer.

 

[N4521U]

Just not used to the enamels and not happy with my results. I will give it my best shot to finish. No work today, even if he calls I will go in when I bl00dy well want from now on.
Anyway, I digress. Here's where the choppa is at the moment. It Is close. The door is the biggest thing to tackle.

 

[meatloaf109]

It doesn't look bad, I can see some "pebbly" stuff, but , on the whole it looks saveable.
One of those learning things. I have them all the time.

 

[Airframes]

That is looking the canine accoutrements Bill!
I forgot you normally use acrylics, which dry almost before they hit the model. Depending on thinning ratio, sprayed enamels should normally be touch dry within one hour at most, and fully hardened in around 12 hours. Sometimes, with certain pigments, and again depending on thinning ratio, it can take around two, maybe three days to be fully hardened, but this is rare with good quality (i.e. not 'faulty') paints.
Might be teaching Granny to suck eggs, but it's absolutely essential to ensure the paint is fully stirred before use - the more stirring the better - then ensure the thinner is fully stirred in and mixed before pouring into the airbrush. NEVER try to mix the thinner and (enamel) paint in the airbrush cup!

 

[N4521U]

I stirred and stirred till I was blue in the face.....

I think I may do the same thing I did with sign painting enamels, add just the smallest drop of lacquer thinner to accelerate the drying. When I lettered cold concrete walls I would add LT to keep from getting runs in the paint, surface would set fast enough to prevent them. But not enough to make undercoats, or second coats soften and run. We called it "a coat and a half" when painting a second coat over the first before it was dry. Like, white letters over red backgrounds!

Likewise, we used a product made by Flood, Penetrol, to slow drying time and prevent surface drying. Just a drop to 3 oz. of paint, this lessened the brush strokes in the finish. So if you plan on painting enamels in your house, doors and brushed woodwork, if you want that glass smooth finish pros get, add a bit of Penetrol to the paint.

Just sayin

 

[Airframes]

Experiment first Bill - the pigments and oils in modelling enamels are of a much finer grade and lighter viscosity than 'commercial' enamels. It should work, but it's just possible that LT might cause separation of the pigments.
One way to check if the paint itself is OK, as opposed to being faulty (or just plain cr@p, as most current Humbrol is these day) is to stir as normal, load a paint brush (medium sized, probably No.3) and transfer this to a pallete, such as a coffee jar lid, give it a quick 'swish' around, without thinner, then paint onto some scrap, laying off the paint properly. If the paint is OK, it should start to dry almost immediately, and be touch dry (but not fully safe to handle) in under an hour.
If it isn't - then bin it!

 

[N4521U]

Advice taken........
So far. I may have jumped the gun regarding not finishing. We'll see.

 

[Wayne Little]

I like it anyways Bill!

 

[Vaughan]

Looking good Bill. Close to the wire but there's Still time yet.
Vaughan

 

[Wurger]

 

[meatloaf109]

I'm on board too!
Love to see it finished!