Is there a rattle can spray paint that has a fine spray as opposed to the normal big box cans that blow larger blobs? I know an air brush would work, but I don't have one. I'm wanting to spray a light mist over my backdrop to look like the clouds that are miles away.
Fred
Tamiya produces a line of spray paints that seem to meet your criteria. I've had good luck with their fine mist qualities.
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Fred,
I'll 2nd the Tamiya recommendation. I primarily use their "TS" (lacquer) line of spray paints and have been very happy with their product. It sprays on very evenly and dries quickly. My only complaint is that I wish Tamiya made their spray cans in larger sizes - like they do with their primers.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Tom,
Wouldn't the lacquer show up shiny, especially on a backdrop or does it dry flat?
Tamiya makes gloss, semi-gloss, and flat spray paints in lacquer and acrylic. The spray paint cans are small so using them for a backdrop could be cost prohibitive? If only for clouds though, it could still be a reasonable option for you. I mainly use the semi-gloss paints for locomitive and rolling stock.
Hello All,
I use rattle can paints for a great number of projects.
Especially where uniform coverage over a large area is needed and- -I don't want to set up my airbrush.
I use the "Bain-Marie" method to heat the can(s).
They are soaked in hot tap water until they are at the same temperature as the water; shaking them for 30 seconds every few minutes.
Do Not Use Boiling Water! Hot Tap Water Only!
My paints are stored in an unheated attached porch and usually require 2 to 3 changes of hot tap water to get them up to temp.
By using this method it achieves two (2) things:
When painting large areas refreshing the heat in the can, with additional soaks in hot tap water may be necessary.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Hi Fred,
You might try wiping the nozzle frequently. Paint buildup there can cause spattering.
Thorough mixing is essential!!! Shaka shaka!
As was suggested, warming the can will help.
I would also suggest that if you are only putting down a very light coat of paint, you can probably get away with one or two cans unless your backdrops are very large.
One of my club's members used a regular rattle can to spray very good looking clouds on the walls around our layout. Granted the clouds were a little more dense than what you would like, but any individual paint dots around the egdes were not visible. Keep in mind that the clouds will not be a focal point. They are a background accent. Nobody (except you) is going to study them with a magnifying glass.
I do not recommend Testers spray cans (as opposed to Tamiya). They put out a lot of paint in a hurry and I think that would make them difficult to use for your purposes.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I use Tamiya spray can paints on locomotives, cars, and buildings. However, for adding clouds, I use Testor's. I find the Tamiya paint tends to hit the backdrop and run down in streaks, where the Testors stays put better. Best to use light puff-puff-puff applications rather than trying to hold the nozzle down when spraying.
I hope you're using the spray paint with a mask, ventilator, or outdoors.
I have seen this used as an ''edge softner'', cut a few ''clouds'' out of a piece of cereal box cardboard and while holding the cardboard about 3'' away from the surface you want the cloud to be on, then spray. Light color for the whole cloud and a shade darker on the lower/bottom of the cloud. I did not stick around to see the finished job up close to see the results. Test first on something that will not matter what the the outcome is.
The light puff-puff-puff application as mentioned above works good.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and tips.
Fred... I will start by saying Tamiya is great.
However, the best spray paint can I have ever used was the Martin Senour line from NAPA with the metal needle valve on top of the can.
I don't know if it made any more.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Follow up... I see NAPA still offers Martin Senour spray paints, but they do not show the nozzle.
Given the low price, I doubt it is the same nozzle I was so impressed with.
I remember paying around $15.00 a can for this twenty years ago.
Hi Fred, My buddy Terry texted me from our past Model Railroad Club after Gary unfortunately died.
This spray paint is available through Kevin's neck of the woods at the Home Depot. It has an ever so fine spray nozzle and Gary swore by it.
Model of the Minneapolis Depot by Terry
I'm not into metallic paint for modeling, but will be painting one of my bridges with this paint to check it out. It's available in other colour selections, and came highly recommended.
TF