Ok so I got an airbrush set, now what?

[tisaksen]

I'm new to airbrushing and I wonder where to start. I've got the airbrush and a compressor and I guess I need some paint now right?

What do I need ?

Primer?
Thinner?
Paint - what kind, what vendor, etc.

Thanks.

[Johnf]

Paint. I have used Vallego and Tamiya. Vallego do a range pre thinned for airbrush but I use regular thinned 50/50 paint thinners. Tamiya, I fill new pot to top with tamiya thinner. Tamiya pots seem to be only half full when new. Learn to clean your brush. I use window cleaner. Cleaning is very importand. Be very careful with needle tip. Very delicate. Do a search on utube for cleaning airbrush.

[caddyshack]

Practice practice and even more practice. Just have fun thats the main thing. Paint wise i only use Auto-air..( i always mix my own colours)have tried the others and found inconsistency in them.

[sparks]

As the others have said Practise First, the airbrush is just like any other tool, it needs experience to get good results, but enjoy practising on any old model you have or even a piece of card so you get the feel of it.
Personally I use Tamiya paints thinned with lacquer thinner.
As johnf says, cleaning is very important, blow through with thinner between colours and at the end of a session.
sparks

[FreakyDude]

when i first got mine i set up a few boxes in the garage and just painted them first with water only to get the feel of the brush and too save money, this will give you an idea how the brush acts. then i graduated to using paint with pencil outlines drawn on paper. I tried to fill in shapes with shadows etc.

Personally I use water based paints as I find they are way better to clean up and my nozzles never get clogged.
you will have to try out all the paints and decide for yourself.
Search the internet there are several how too sites that will show you how to do it.
wait till you do your first camo, your going to freak at how well it comes out.

[Abo]

Pretty much all what the previous posters have stated. I prefer Tamiya, Vallejo and life colour paints, all acrylics, they can be mixed with both thier generic thinners or water and give good coverage but its a personal thing, some prefer enamels, I happen not to. Those makes I mentioned produce some good sets for armour, weathering etc to give you a good start to your collection.

Online vendors I use are netmerchants ( next day delivery) scalemodelshop (two days delivery) but I'm sure the fella's on here have thier own preferences, check around though, prices can vary along with postage. White Ensign models have some great specialist colours but they don't put on the VAT until its time to pay the bill and that can come as a shock when its added!

Practice is the way to go, any old models you don't mind using, use them. You just have to practice with paint thickness/consistancy and air pressure and find whats right. Less is usually more as the old addage goes. Always, always clean the airbrush after, I'm obsessive compulsive and take the whole thing apart after a good session and clean it with Vallejo airbrush cleaner but again its a personal thing and some people just give it a quick run through with the cleaner of their choice, even water, no biggy, just have fun with it.

Once you've used one you'll see the difference in the finish between an airbrush and paintbrush is phenominal. I now have five airbrushes and over two hundred and fifty paints, my Mrs just roles her eyes everytime the postman calls with more stuff. I'm thinking of giving up tanks and just collecting paint.....

Abo.

[magmer]

Just to add to the comments above, when you thin the paint it should be the consistency of milk. If it is too thick it will clog the airbrush if it is too thin it just won't apply successfully. For doing fine lines back the air pressure off. As the guys say practice practice practice and have fun

[tisaksen]

Thank you so much for your replies, much appreciated

[tisaksen]

I'm thinking of giving up tanks and just collecting paint.....

LOL

[phill2452]

just have fun, lots of practice, more practice an more practice but just av fun with it