Airbrushing gloss paint problems

[oldcat]

I guess I've had it too good building WWII tanks and planes in flat colors...tried to paint my L700 flatbed and universal jeep load and came up with a semi/flat finish! I thinned what I thought was the right amount....
I'm using model master acylic paint, thinned with model master thinner for acrylics and was shooting roughly 12psi thru my Aztec AB. I may have to go back to rattle cans if this keeps up!

[chevymaniac]

Did you use clear coat. I find the Model Master Acryl paint don't have the gloss needed for automotive projects. A coat of gloss clear coat should do the trick.

Dan

[oldcat]

Dan, no, just the paint itself...clearcoat will have to be added for any shine to happen.

[dieseldoc]

it will also be a semi gloss if you don't have enough paint down. Also the stuff does polish out nice.

[Deleted]

Also don't do a 50/50 with Acryl paint and its thinner. Only a couple drops of thinner needed or the paint gets too thin. I've found this from experience.

[oldcat]

It was rather humid when I painted, but I run the dehumidifier on the high side downstairs here...where I work. I went with a 1 part thinner and 2 parts clear...I'll have to try your version. One thing I know about MM acrylic paint...it's not all the same consistancy from color to color nor bottle to bottle.

[chevymaniac]

I posted this a while back on another board, I think it might help you.

Many screwed up paint jobs have tought me this:

Tamiya paint - Thin with Tamiya thinner, I tried many things with no luck
Testor Enamel - thin with regulal paint thinner and for gloss finish, don't be shy with it...at least 50%
Humbrol - Iso alcohol to about 60% paint and 40% thinner mix and do not shake...stir
Model Master Acryl (my favorite) - Use Methyl Hydrate or denatured Alcohol and mix at least 50%. sometimes even 60% thinner

Now for the airbrush. make sure you have a #3 tip, Make sure you have a filter on the airline
and spray at about 12 psi and rule of thumb is:
1 light coats of Primer ( I use Duplicolor sandable primer in spray bomb)
Sand, fill, sand ect
2 dust coats primer
wet sand 1000 grit or buff with toothpaste
2 dust coats color
1 wet coat color
wet sand 2000 grit (body only)
1 dust coat clear
1 wet coat clear
Polish with paint polish (fine)
Wax

If you want to add some shine to acrylic, mix 50% paint, 30% alcohol and 20% clear for your last color coat but make sure the paint and the clear are from the same brand.

Hope this helps
Dan

[oldcat]

Dan, nice job! Where are you finding the denatured alcy or methal hydrate?

[chevymaniac]

oldcat said:

Dan, nice job! Where are you finding the denatured alcy or methal hydrate?

I find it at Walmart.

[b s express]

Can I ask how long between coats, to sand and etc.. to make sure paint is dry?

[chevymaniac]

Depends on the environment, we have a lot of humid air here. I usually have to let mist coats dry for 4-5 hours but I don't touch wet coats for a week at least. Tamiya clear takes forever to dry, sometimes 4 weeks.

[b s express]

Thanks for the info..... 4 weeks to dry for clear.. better be done by then ,I will totally forget about what I had planned for the kit. Clear goes on after decals and all stripes are applied, is this correct?

[chevymaniac]

Yes, after decals. The only clear that takes that long is the Tamiya. I use Duplicolor gloss clear and extract it from the spray bomb to spray with the aibrush and it's ready to polish the next morning.

Later
Dan

[truckpup]

For an easy and great protective gloss clear coat try using Future floor wax. Just wipe it on evenly and wait about a day for it to dry. It covers well, keeps its shine and even helps protect from light.

[b s express]

Wow, I use that stuff on my truck tires to make them shiney so the white letters do not turn yellow like when I use the tire dressing junk. ON MODELS COOL !!!