Hi, I am so much problems painting this model I have painted it seven times now and keep getting the same result, I haven't used a airbrush in decades, but whatever I try I seem to be getting a uneven mat result the paint I used is Humbrol mat enamel with there own thinners at a ratio of 50/50, Also I have adjusted my psi from 15 to 25 with no difference. I also tried Revel enamel but it came out exactly the same. I am trying to make this for my daughters birthday who is a big star wars fan but am running out of time. Thanks.
Having a problem airbrushing this model
- Thread starter errol
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Crimea_River
Marshal
Hard to say what is causing the issue but I kinda like how it looks actually. 25 psi is getting up there for pressure so I'd go back to the 15 you started with. Recoating over a problematic first coat often won't solve your problem as the first coat sets the tone for the rest. Normally I'd recommend stripping all the paint, thoroughly cleaning the surface, and restarting but the texture is going to be an issue for that and it may just make things worse.
I'd suggest you leave it alone. It will look much better once the decals are on.
I'd suggest you leave it alone. It will look much better once the decals are on.
fubar57
General
First off, welcome to the site. For me personally, I would call it weathering but I'm not sure what its really supposed to look like
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- #4
Thank you for the welcome, the model is Darth Vader's tie fighter by MPC. The solar panels with the texture pictured, are supposed to be mat black but I can not for the life of me get this right. I even tried a layer of mat clear before painting again and it still came out with the same result.
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Crimea_River
Marshal
I hope your matte coat is also an enamel like Humbrol. If the matte coat is acrylic then you may get a reaction if you paint enamel over it.
Years ago, there were quality issues noted with Humbrol paints. Maybe you have a tin from that old batch?
Applying more paint over bad coats may make things worse as I said. So either live with it or strip it all off and start over is all I can suggest.
Years ago, there were quality issues noted with Humbrol paints. Maybe you have a tin from that old batch?
Applying more paint over bad coats may make things worse as I said. So either live with it or strip it all off and start over is all I can suggest.
Depending on the time the Humbrols were produced it may be needed to think them more than 50/50. The older enamels had the talc grain thicker than these newer. The same is with the Revell coats. So it is not a matter of the pressure but the nozzle diameter. IIRC.
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- #7
fubar57
General
Possible. I've built over 100 model and washed one that had obvious mold release agent on it. I just wash my hands before touching the parts and where medical gloves when handling the painted model
Not sure exactly what size the subject is but I would try a Tamiya spray can. Their stuff atomizes beautifully and covers evenly. The other possible issue is whether you are using an airbrush directly from the compressor - not a good idea - or from an air tank which would give you even pressure through the gun. Last, depending on the size of the subject, your airbrush may be too small - either the nozzle size or the gun itself. You may need an intermediate size gun like the Iwata touch up HVLP gun. And, if the airbrush is dirty, it will not give you an even spray.
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- #11
This is what I used.
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- #13
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- #15
That's because of the number of variables that go into painting something. Temp, mix, pressure, quality of equipment, cleanliness, type of paint, type of reducer, spray size and pattern, technique, distance from the subject blah blah blah. Sorry.
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- #17
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Given that most possibilities have been discussed, then perhaps it's the paint itself.
Did you give the paint a good stir before mixing with thinner, and then ensuring the thinner/paint was fully mixed in ?
Matt black enamel, in particular, always needs a thorough stir before use, to ensure all of the pigment is dissolved into the carrier. As previously mentioned, there were definite quality problems with Humbrol enamels a few years ago, with some colours being particularly bad, including black, red, blue and some of the greens. Since a change of manufacturing source, this now seems to have been sorted, although a few colours are now different totally to what they once were, with Number 11 Silver, for example, now being dull and "speckled" in appearance.
I would suggest obtaining a new tin, stir thoroughly, thin to around 40/60 thinner to paint and test this in the mixing jar by allowing it to flow down the jar with the consistency of milk. If it doesn't, then sparingly add thinner, drop by. drop, testing between each addition until the desired consistency is achieved.
Once satisfied, test spray at around 15 psi, from between one to three inches, varying the distance until a satisfactory spraying range is achieved.
Although it's tricky to ascertain from the photos, to me the results so far suggest over-thinning and spraying from too far from the subject.
Hope this helps.
Did you give the paint a good stir before mixing with thinner, and then ensuring the thinner/paint was fully mixed in ?
Matt black enamel, in particular, always needs a thorough stir before use, to ensure all of the pigment is dissolved into the carrier. As previously mentioned, there were definite quality problems with Humbrol enamels a few years ago, with some colours being particularly bad, including black, red, blue and some of the greens. Since a change of manufacturing source, this now seems to have been sorted, although a few colours are now different totally to what they once were, with Number 11 Silver, for example, now being dull and "speckled" in appearance.
I would suggest obtaining a new tin, stir thoroughly, thin to around 40/60 thinner to paint and test this in the mixing jar by allowing it to flow down the jar with the consistency of milk. If it doesn't, then sparingly add thinner, drop by. drop, testing between each addition until the desired consistency is achieved.
Once satisfied, test spray at around 15 psi, from between one to three inches, varying the distance until a satisfactory spraying range is achieved.
Although it's tricky to ascertain from the photos, to me the results so far suggest over-thinning and spraying from too far from the subject.
Hope this helps.
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- #19
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
With the same results with a different paint source, then it's almost certain to be a thinning ratio along with pressure and distance problem.
