The steps are a little different in order to keep the airbrush as clean as possible. I prefer to prepare a large volume of Vallejo or LifeColor thinner to which Liquitex has been added to 5%. The addition of Liquitex to Vallejo and LifeColor drastically reduces needle build-up, decreases rough pebbly over-spray, and produces a more smooth, even finish. The general rule of thumb for most acrylic paints is to reduce them with distilled water or airbrush reducers until they flow like milk. Airbrush Paint Cup                        Liquitex Drops                                     Liquitex Milliliters That may seem extreme but after a couple minutes of spraying, needle build up will be evident with both Vallejo and LifeColor no matter how much Liquitex is added. Moreover, including a flow enhancer will decrease pebbly over-spray and increase leveling: both of which produce a smoother, finer finish. Having a premade mix of Thinner-Liquitex makes preparing paint mixtures easier and reproducible. Here are the two most common ways of thinking. Mixing paint for airbrush Posted by Dadret on Thursday, January 21, 2010 6:31 AM I'm just getting started airbrushing - I bought a Paasche VLS set and a Kalmbach book on airbrushing but I can't find any references to the ratio of paint to thinner when mixing paint for use. I also happen to run this site and write the majority of its content! On the down side, LifeColor has a marked tendency to dry on the needle. Moreover, when compared to established standards (RLM color chips), LifeColor is surprisingly accurate. I put in enough flow improver or thinner to give the bottom a full but thin coat, then add a few drops of paint, depending on what kind of paint it is. Here’s a tip: You can change the control and flow of acrylic paint through your airbrush by mixing it with acrylic paint thinner and adding a little acrylic paint retarder. This has worked really well for me. Note you need to use Tamiya Thinner with Tamiya paints, don’t use acrylic thinners or flow improvers to thin it. Both make good thinners for acrylic paint. What follows are examples of multiple methods. The substances you can use range in price from free to around $15. Model Master Acrylic Cleaner 50497A 4 oz. Vallejo Paint (17)                                     17                                                          0.85 I keep it very close at hand because after 1-2 minutes of spraying (depending on the % paint in the mix), I stop and clean the needle. Vallejo Model Color is much thicker than is Vallejo Model Air and requires diluting to ~10-15% paint. If you are willing to spend a little more money, airbrush thinner is the best way to go. Air pressure should be approximately 18-20 PSI. Neither glazes nor shades (also commonly called washes – more on washes in this article) need to be thinned. Add 2-3 drops of water or thinner to the airbrush cup. Conversely, I usually spray clear coats and primers at a higher pressure of ~15 psi. Liquitex Airbrush Effects Painting Medium is specifically formulated to thin acrylic colors for airbrush application. This will cause a backflow that will further help mix the paint and thinner. Model Master (14.7~15)                         15                                                          0.750 Some people feel that using a cup is an unneeded step. Step 3. I have been using Flow Improver for thinning more often lately. I've enjoyed painting miniatures for a while now but remember being overwhelmed when starting out! Acrylic paint can be thinned for airbrushing by adding distilled water to the paint until it has the same consistency as milk. As an Amazon Associate, TactileHobby.com earns from qualifying purchases. A quality bottle is perhaps why Vallejo paints also have a long shelf life. Most importantly, unlike other airbrushes, the novel socket design of the Harder and Steenbeck nozzle makes them self-centering; there are no fine threads or tiny wrenches to deal with. Use an old, cheap brush to mix the two. So, let’s dive into some techniques for spraying two of the better-known acrylics, Vallejo and LifeColor. Acrylics will dry to the touch in minutes; they require 24 hours for a full cure. The whisk should be available in the home section of stores. Even if you don’t plan on using an airbrush, you should still be thinning your paints. A small tip (0.15mm) is best suited for fine-line work. Both Vallejo and LifeColor are great paints that perform nicely if tamed with a little Liquitex. It is a very usable option, but if your tap water is too hard and filled with minerals, it might affect the color of your paint and how the paint behaves. Typically I’d thin Tamiya acrylics with the purpose made Tamiya acrylic thinner X20-A to a ratio of around one part paint to one part thinner (1:1), and airbrush the paint at around 18 psi. Airbrush Paint Mixing. Copyright © 2021 Model Paint Solutions. With regards to other additives, Vallejo produces two reagents Thinner Medium (#73.524) and Airbrush Flow Impr, If you have any questions or want additional information just drop me a line at, on Mr. Hobby Mr. Masking Sol R? For larger 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32, I use a 0.4mm tip. Best Airbrush Paint for Miniatures and Models, The Best Airbrush for Painting Miniatures and Models, You don’t have to thin these paints at all. For general airbrush work (defined above) I use an Evolution or Infinity airbrush fitted with 0.2 or 0.4mm tip depending on the size model I’m spraying. Just as the other posters listed it must be thinned out to about a 1:1 ratio with water. For general airbrush work (defined above) I use an, Although addition of Liquitex decreases paint build up on the needle, it does not prevent it all together. Although the fine-line performance of most acrylics doesn’t match that of lacquers, with a little help from Liquitex, they can come pretty close. The only thing that is going to perfect the process for you is experience. Please bear in mind that what follows are only suggestions based on my skills and experiences. How to move from novice to pro in no time. Acrylic medium is commonly much thinner than acrylic paint by itself. For air brushing, you want the paint thinned to the cosistancey of 'milk'. These days I eyeball it and mix it in the airbrush cup, largely because I’m impatient and Tamiya paints are amazingly forgiving. The kit contains: 1 oz. Available in Transparent, Opaque, Fluorescent and Pearlized Airbrush Colors. Mixing colors with Airbrush Medium will ensure that the colors do not lose their flexibility, durability and adhesion. LifeColor (22)                                           22                                                           1.1 Many of the high cost 'thinners' are no more than isopropyl alcohol or distilled water! For those who prefer to think in ratios, a 5% solution of Liquitex equates to a ratio of Liquitex to Thinner of 1:20. Sep 3, 2012 - This video shows my method for thinning Vallejo acrylic paint with Windex for use in an Airbrush. Dried Paint Solvents Model Master Dried Paint Solvent 50495 1-3/4 oz. For general airbrush work however, Vallejo and LifeColor acrylics are just as good as lacquer/enamels and they don’t stink the house up. It can be tough to mix a specific color using acrylic paint, so if you are looking for the perfect tone for a large piece or an ongoing series, make notes of the colors that went into the mixture. Airbrush Dilute paint. Don’t be afraid to experiment, because the more you see what different mixtures do, the better your ability to create the right consistency for your paints will become. moving the brush. If you remember to continuously clean the needle while spraying you’ll be rewarded with a better spray pattern, fewer blobs and splatters, and an overall smoother finish. Vallejo Primer (200)                                200                                                         10. It is important to take the time to thin out all your airbrush paints (I list the best here) before you use them to get the best looking miniatures possible, but what should you be using to thin your paints? Most acrylic paint can be thinned with water. I wish I had it when I was starting! There are thinners specifically made to thin your paints for airbrushing. Use an old, cheap brush to mix the two. As much as I love the control a brush gives, I needed a way to speed up the process as I have many small armies waiting for attention. MPS Bottle                                      Liquitex Drops                                     Liquitex Milliliters By tip I’m referring to the combination of nozzle and needle. Whether you are using a brush or an airbrush. A few things that resemble a good pouring consistency: 1. For fine-line work, the ideal pressure is down around ~8-10 psi (more on this in a future article). There are, Some paints are not meant to be thinned, like shades or contrasts (, Neither glazes nor shades (also commonly called washes –. All three of the aforementioned tips (.15, .20, .40) are available for the Evolution, Infinity, and Grafo airbrushes. 6ml                                                          6                                                            0.30 In contrast, Vallejo is less fragile when dry and likewise slightly less prone to dry on the needle—slightly. And…. Either a damaged brush or a clogged airbrush. I recently decided to try painting my miniatures with an airbrush instead of the old tried-and-true brush. Acrylic paints dry quickly, are easy to clean and have no odors. Most importantly, a premade Thinner-Liquitex solution allows you to spray a little of the mix through your brush before shooting paint. in ml)                            Liquitex Drops                                     Liquitex Milliliters Acrylic Thinners & Cleaners Model Master Acrylic 50496A 4 oz. (Note: Fine-line airbrushing techniques will be the focus of a future Paint Booth article.) That said, Vallejo (meaning Vallejo Model Air and Vallejo Model Color) is both easier to shoot and easier to handle after its dry. U.S. Art Supply 24 Color Acrylic Airbrush. 24 Color Acrylic Airbrush Paint Set & Accessories Kit with Airbrush Cleaning Pot & Holder, Air Hose, Quick-Connect and Mixing Cups $79.96 Master Airbrush Gravity Dual-Action Kit Set Air Compressor Testors Aztek Paint You can find the answer here – and I explain why they’re my favorite! 20ml                                                      20                                                             1 Some paints are 'air brush ready' like Badger paints. 10ml                                                     10                                                           0.5. After mixing, the solution is poured into a 40ml bottle, marked with a Sharpie, and stored for use. You don’t want to mess up an expensive brush mixing (. A mix of ~30% paint is not ideal for fine-line shooting, however. It covers mixing student grade acrylics with professional acrylics, mixing slow drying acrylics with regular acrylics, and more. It’s the nature of the acrylic beast. Can you use water to thin acrylic paint for airbrushing? The need to thin metallic paint is often determined by the size of the metallic flakes in the paint. This requires 2ml (or 40 drops) of Liquitex to make a 5% solution. OPHIR 12 Colors Nail Art Inks Airbrush Acrylic Paint Nail Polish/Pigments for Nail Art Stencils Painting, Model Hobby, Craft, Leather & Shoes Painting, 10ML/Bottle Nail Tools CDN$ 52.65 CDN$ 52 . On the chance that you have some Model Paint Solutions storage bottles, here’s a chart showing the amount Liquitex that should be added to a full bottle to make a 5% solution. If you find your paint is too thick, you can thin acrylic paint with either water or acrylic medium. For some applications where I want better coverage, I might use 40% paint. Air and water propel the paint. With my brush fitted with a 0.4mm tip and filled with my 30% paint mix, I’m going to dial in ~12-15 psi on the ole’ air compressor dial. Airbrush acrylic medium can work great for thinning your airbrush paint. With that in I mind, please take whatever you find useful from the following suggestions, combine it with your own experience, and develop a technique that best suites you. The amount of thinner you use will change depending on brand and color. Since Volume 1 of the Paint Booth Airbrushing series dealt with the basics of airbrush handling, it may seem odd to skip basic spraying techniques and jump right to strategies for diluting paint. My preferred flow enhancer is Liquitex Flow Aid. I usually prepare 40ml of Thinner-Liquitex at a time. It serves two purposes:  Thinning, and stopping paint from drying on your needle. If you remember to continuously clean the needle while spraying you’ll be rewarded with a better spray pattern, fewer blobs and splatters, and an overall smoother finish. Airbrush thinners will give you the best consistency in your paints. Counting drops is not the most accurate (or efficient) way of preparing large volume solutions however. Companies like Vallejo and Citadel make paints specifically for airbrushes. Which one you use basically depends on the amount you are willing to spend and the consistency you are looking for. I not only cover what essentials you really do need, but I offer DIY solutions to save you some money too. The dark transparent colors, such as Phthalo Green and Dioxazine Purple, can appear extremely dark when you apply them full strength. How I Mix Tamiya Acrylic Paint For Airbrushing 2 parts paint to 1 part thinner mix well and your ready to airbrush Its just that easy For the drop counters out there (I consider myself one), small batches of Thinner with 5% Liquitex are easily prepared by adding one drop of Liquitex to 20 drops of thinner. It’s really been a huge help for my airbrushing. How do you thin acrylic paint for an airbrush when painting miniatures? Lastly, Thinner-Liquitex solutions have a long shelf life if properly stored so your mix will be ready when you need it. These 5% stock solutions are what I use to dilute my paint. Tamiya or Gunze (10)                             10                                                          0.50 You can find out more and pick up your copy right here. It removes all of the impurities that might mess with your paint. How and Why to Thin Acrylic Paints for Models and Miniatures, Best Paint Racks to Hold Acrylic Paint Sets for Miniatures. 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