Why is Modelflex paint different?

[Anonymous]

I'm a fairly experienced model railroader and have been using Floquil Polly S paint for several years now. Recently I tried some Badger Modelflex paint on a covered hopper for my railroad. Its characteristics were quite different from the Polly S I'm used to. It seems to dry very fast out of my airbrush and has a weird textured finish (kind of like an interior plastered wall).

Am I using it wrong? Do I need to readjust my airbrush or air pressure? I'm using it straight from the bottle, as it is supposed to be pre-thinned for airbrush applicatoin. Does it need to be thinned more?

If you are familiar with this brand of paint, I'd appreciate your comments and advice.

Best,
Andy

[Anonymous]

Modelflex is formulated so you can airbrush with it directly from the bottle, as opposed to Polly S, or Floquil, which need to be thinned before airbrushing.

[Anonymous]

I would guess since your getting the finish your getting,that your paint mix is too thick. Modelflex is touted to be ready to use straight but has to be adjusted according to the performance of your gun. Another problem might be the tip your using in your airbrush. Different paint takes different techniques and with a little experimenting with consistency of paint can make a big difference. Different tips are available for most brushes and some tips work better than others for a particular project. The distance you hold the airbrush from the subject will make another variable to your finish. Hope this helps some. Gerald

[tankertoad70]

I have been a loyal Floquil user for years, and when I initially tried the Modelflex stuff, I had the same results you did. My daughters gave me a new Paasche, double action, internal mix airbrush last Christmas, and my success with Modelflex has been very pleasing. I have heard some modelers comment that Modelflex works best with internal mix airbrushes. To spray it out of the bottle, I use a 25psi compressor, and the biggest tip and needle that came with my Paasche. Results have been excellent and pleasing. My old single action, external mix brush would not spray that stuff well at all.
Don

[snowey]

I've read that it can be sprayed straight from the bottle, but I just read on the Caboose Hobbies web site, that it has to be thinned with water first. WWW.CABOOSEHOBBIES.COM if you want to see for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick answers, guys. I was at the TrainFest in Milwaukee today, and the Badger people told me that it was drying too fast and suggested (A) lowering the air pressure, and (B) getting closer to the object I'm painting. This sounds pretty consistent with what you all said, as thinning would retard the drying, and a larger opening would, too. I'll just have to fool around with these variables and see what the magic combination is for me.

Thanks again.
Andy