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JMuss posted an update in the group
Gundam Forums 9 years, 2 months ago Airbrush question. So I got a new airbrush for xmas and this is my first time giving one a try, I’m having issues with the needle and surrounding area constantly getting clogged by dry paint. It will work for a few really good sprays then just stops. I’ve been using Vallejo paints and windex as a thinner (which I’ve searched around on the internet and it seems like most people get great results). So is the most likely cause the windex? Should I switch to something else? Not really wanting to fork out the big bucks for a small bottle of “model” thinner. Would there be any other issue that may be causing the paint to dry? I have been making it to that milky consistency people suggest.
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Windex works great to clean my airbrush, but I’d not use it to thin. Get a bottle of Tamiya thinner – that works great – the larger bottles are not that expensive.
What type are you using? Model Color or Model Air?
Nope, that’s kinda common when thinning Vallejo with Windex. I have the same exact issue whenever I use it and so far, the only time I don’t get a bad case of tip-dry is if I’m using a bigger needle or I’m doing large-area base coats where I tend to have the trigger pulled back more than usual.
What’s the ratio you’re using? I’ve found a ratio of 2 parts Windex to 1 part paint worked well on an AB with a .3mm needle and running with 20 PSI. I don’t suggest using anything with a good amount of alcohol (like Tamiya acrylic thinner) to thin Vallejo. It tends to make it really goopy so a custom mix is best if you want to use alcohol. This may be a case where it’s best to go with Vallejo’s own AB Thinner. Haven’t tried it myself, but I hear it works wonders even at 1:1 ratio.
I’m using model color, and I’ve been around a 1:1 ratio give or take. Some people online have said that water works just fine with vallejo, but since I use those paints for the most part I’ll probably try to find a bottle of the thinner to give it a try. Was gonna go to my local hobby shop tomorrow but all they have is the tamiya stuff. Do you need to thin down tamiya paints? They’re pretty watery as is.
Tamiya acrylic? Yeah, that does need to be thinned down, at least at 1:1 ratio. It’s more flexible in terms of thinning materials, though. You can use their brand thinner (acrylic and lacquer) or just 90% and above alcohol. Even normal lacquer thinner works, but I haven’t tried it myself.
Personally, Tamiya is leagues better to airbrush than Vallejo. I know I certainly find them so much easier to work with.
Well Tamiya is a close second to most used paint behind Vallejo. My local hobby store has decided to stop selling Tamiya paint (no idea why)… so they don’t get much of my business anymore. Besides Vallejo paint thinner, what else works well with thinning Vallejo paint, like household items?
I’ve only heard of two other household items other than water and Windex. Some people had good luck thinning it with Future, but I never tried it myself. Water with a small amount of 90% or 99% alcohol might work too, judging by how well it can work when using it to thin for handpainting.
Non-household items you can also try are the airbrush mediums from Liquitex or Golden.
I agree with Dlinker. Tamiya is some really great stuff. I have some great results with it in my airbrush ventures. I have officially been turned into a Tamiya person. I can say that the Tamiya Gloss paints thinned at a 1:1 ratio with their own Lacquer thinner yields some amazing and durable results.
Just get a bottle of Tamiya thinner. It’ll last for a long time just thinning paints and they do have a retarding agent to prevent the paint from drying too fast. You should not be getting a tip dry situation unless you are spraying very fine lines or you did not thin your paint enough.
Tamiya X20A 8.5oz