White spirits

[Red Dex]

Can I use white spirits to thin Humbrol enamel paint for airbrushing? I have never used an airbrush before so this is a new experience. Sorry if this question has been previously asked.

 

[stillp]

Yes.
Pete

 

[Ian M]

A far better idea as A) its a lot cheaper and B) it does not smell as bad as the Humbrol thinners.
Remember to wear a mask and ventilate well.

 

[Red Dex]

Is the mix ratio 50/50?

 

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Derek. This can vary with the colour of the paint. I would thin to about fifty/fifty to start with. You can always add more paint if it seems too thin, and obviously add thinners if it seems too thick….you will need to experiment a little to get a mix that works for you…..
Also, just to reiterate, white spirit is quite nasty, so as Ian says, wear a mask and ventilate the room.
To make the paint ready for the airbrush do something like this…..
Mix the humbrol very well. Take some paint out of the tin and put it into to a separate container. Then mix with thinner/white spirit and add this mix to the airbrush. Humbrol paint can be quite lumpy so don’t make your mix in the airbrush cup. You could easily get lumps that block the nozzle. This isn’t terminal for the airbrush but it can be very frustrating when you have to strip and clean it all out

 

[Red Dex]

Hi Derek. This can vary with the colour of the paint. I would thin to about fifty/fifty to start with. You can always add more paint if it seems too thin, and obviously add thinners if it seems too thick….you will need to experiment a little to get a mix that works for you…..
Also, just to reiterate, white spirit is quite nasty, so as Ian says, wear a mask and ventilate the room.
To make the paint ready for the airbrush do something like this…..
Mix the humbrol very well. Take some paint out of the tin and put it into to a separate container. Then mix with thinner/white spirit and add this mix to the airbrush. Humbrol paint can be quite lumpy so don’t make your mix in the airbrush cup. You could easily get lumps that block the nozzle. This isn’t terminal for the airbrush but it can be very frustrating when you have to strip and clean it all out

Thank you very much Tim

 

[eddiesolo]

As mentioned, yes you can use it for thinning and as Tim has pointed out, it also depends on the make of enamel paint and the colour-the pigments used can change the density. As stated a 50/50 is a good starting point and just go from there.

 

[Red Dex]

If I make a mess of things what’s the best way to remove the paint? I’ve never airbrushed before and I have a rather large hull to spray, the USS Arizona 1/200, I’m a bit nervous about this to be honest.
Is there such thing as airbrush ready paint?

 

[eddiesolo]

If I make a mess of things what’s the best way to remove the paint? I’ve never airbrushed before and I have a rather large hull to spray, the USS Arizona 1/200, I’m a bit nervous about this to be honest.
Is there such thing as airbrush ready paint?

Derek, do some practise first, get a plastic pop bottle, prime by using a rattle can of grey or white plastic primer, do two coats, 15 mins between coats leave to dry for 24 hrs and then use it as a practice subject. This why you can get the mixture right, airbrush pressure and technique prior to doing it for real.

 

[rtfoe]

If I make a mess of things what’s the best way to remove the paint? I’ve never airbrushed before and I have a rather large hull to spray, the USS Arizona 1/200, I’m a bit nervous about this to be honest.
Is there such thing as airbrush ready paint?

There's ModelAir but that is another can of worms to get adjusted to being acrylic and waterbased so stick with the present paint you have now until you're ready to experiment with other types of paint and their formulas. There's no way to mess up if you test on a piece of scrap before applying to the model. Practice a few runs first.
On a lighter side anything that's in a bottle that says 12 Years and above, save it for drinking.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

There is a rule I always follow and that is to give the airbrush a little squirt of air just before pointing at the actual area you want to paint then gradually pull the lever to release the paint. Sometimes I hold an index card next to where I want to spray and do the squirt on it or my thumb to clear any paint that may have built up at the needle tip to avoid splatter.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

Your kit is huge so by the time you finish with the hull it'll be like riding a bicycle and you'll be airbrushing anything you can get your hands on. Have fun.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Red Dex]

Thank you Richard and Si.

 

[Peter Gillson]

hi

here is a link to an article I wrote about airbrushing which may be of help. https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/airbrush-practice.32531/


it is important to keep the airbrush moving to avoid getting a build up of paint in one place. Assuming you have a twin action airbrush the order is to: start the airbrush moving, start the airflow, start the paint. All of these before getting to the model. At the end of the run, and after comig off the end of the hull, stop the paint, stop the air and then stop moving the airbrush. It is easier than is reads.

it is a long time since I painted with Humbrol, and I think they may have changed their formula, but \i used to thin the paint then pour it through a bit of my wife's old tights to filter out any lumps.

finally - clean the airbruSh very well, and when you think you have cleaned it - clean it again!

Peter