Paint vs Thinner Ratios.....

[lesofprimus]

OK fellas, there seems to be several different opinions around the world concerning mixture ratios for airbrushing...

I think the details are where things get convoluted....

Im unsure as to what Ive been doing of recent, and need to get this down in a thread....

My details are as follows:
Badger Renegade Velocity gravity fed
.21mm very fine tip
air pressure @ 10-12 psi
Model Master Enamel Paints
Cheapo Charlie Thinner (Mineral Spirits)
ratio of 1:3 paint to thinner

Ive been told I am thinning way too much, and the last spraying I did was 1:2, but that was small bits and not a real basis for comparison....

What are ur specific thoughts on this and my details???

 

[109ROAMING]

'The devil is in the detail'

Good thread Dan , You seem fine but I'm far less experience than you

My details are ,

Aztek A470
Air pressure 40-50 psi
Multiple size tips
Humbrol Enamels , with
Cheap turps thinners

I do about a 50/50 mix , seems to work fine ( after much experimenting and F ups)

 

[B-17engineer]

I generally use 1 to 1 ratio as Wojtek has told me...but, I think I will start using 2 to 1


Badger 200
Model Master Enamels or Polly Scale Acrylics
Model Master thinner for enamel, water or windex for Acrylic
Psi@ 20-25
.21mm fine tip

Seems to work OK as of later.

 

[javlin]

Badger 150 D/A
fine tip @ 10-15 psi
60%-70% paint/ rest thinner
enamels MMaster

found it very easy to control a steady slow flow(no splatter).

 

[Crimea_River]

Paasche VL
MM Enamels or Pollyscale acrylics at the moment
10 - 15psi
Ratios are visual - til I get milk consistency but ranges from 30-60% thinner
Thinner is Lacquer Thinner

 

[Airframes]

AB double-action gravity fed
.35 fine tip
Humbrol enamel
Cheapo white spirit thinner (turps substitute - what enamel thinners is anyway!!)
Ratio, by eye, as for milk, normally 50/50 (or 60 thinner, 40 paint, in rare cases.)
PSI - haven't a $%^%£$ clue !

 

[B-17engineer]

AB double-action gravity fed
.35 fine tip
Humbrol enamel
Cheapo white spirit thinner (turps substitute - what enamel thinners is anyway!!)
Ratio, by eye, as for milk, normally 50/50 (or 60 thinner, 40 paint, in rare cases.)
PSI - haven't a $%^%£$ clue !

With ya on that T....don't have a clue on psi

 

[javlin]

With ya on that T....don't have a clue on psi

Snowday my boy is marginally hoping for tomorrow knowing how people around here do not know how to drive on ice.

 

[B-17engineer]

yep 2nd snowday in a row and we have Friday and Monday off too.

 

[kgambit]

Iwata HP-BCS Double action bottom siphon feed (x2)
Nozzle: 0.50 and 0.35 mm
Paints (Acrylic)/Thinners:
- PollyScale / Windex or Model Master Acrylic Thinner
- Model Master Acryl / 91% Isopropyl alcohol or Model Master Acrylic Thinner
- Gunze Sangyo / 91% Isopropyl alcohol
- Lifecolor / distilled water (!)
- Tamiya / Tamiya X20A thinner or 91% Isopropyl alcohol
(Note: If you are using Iso as a thinner, you should use the higher end stuff. The lower percentage iso's have additives that can cause problems with your airbrush.)
Pressure: 15 - 20 psi (normal) - occasionaly will run as high as 40 psi
Paint/Thinner ratio: ~70/30 (normal) (will run up to 50/50 on occassion but at a different pressure)

 

[lesofprimus]

Interesting stuff.... Most of u guys mix 1:1...

 

[Crimea_River]

Read or saw somewhere that a Luftwaffe a/c specialist goes like 70% thinner and very low pressures 5 to 10 psi.

 

[lesofprimus]

Thats about what Ive been doin.... All my models so far have been sprayed 1:3 paint to thinner with 18 psi or so, and Ive never had a problem with anything other than water spitting out....

I will try the mixes u guys use and see if theres a difference to my paint... Wonder about Wayne and Wojteks mixture....

 

[B-17engineer]

Wojtek always say 1:1. Curious about Wayne though too...

 

[dirkpitt289]

Badger 175 Duel action, bottom feed
Model Master/ Polly scale paints
10 to 20 PSI range
1:3 paint to thinners

 

[lesofprimus]

See Dirk, u use the same ratio I do...

 

[109ROAMING]

Ive never had a problem with anything other than water spitting out....

I occasionally get that too , bloody annoyinng and never know why it happens, or more importantly how to stop it happening

 

[parsifal]

I'm still finding my sea legs on this. I use water based paints, but generally dont exceed 1:1 on the acrylic thinner. Once I even didnt put any thinner into the mix. I have never really had a complete stuff up due to paint thickness, but the thickness of the paint obviously varies. I wont use Humbrol water based paints. I tend to stick to the tamiya range

 

[brandle]

Iwata Revolution TR0
Iwata Power Jet Pro compressor
Humbrol
Tamiya (no experience yet)
10-15 psi
1:3 paint to decorators turpentine thinner

 

[dirkpitt289]

I occasionally get that too , bloody annoyinng and never know why it happens, or more importantly how to stop it happening

The water is usually from condensation building up inside your compressor. Not that I follow this but the "RULE" is that you should have a water separator attached. I know I need one and so far it hasn't come back to bite me but I tell you what. The day it happens to me I'll be pissed beyond pissed.