psi for airbrushing

[rambo1]

what is the best psi for airbrushing model flex and trueline paints? Also should they be  thinned and with what  thanks rambo1..

[Hergy]

Unfortunately, there are no hard & fast  rules for what you are asking. The psi is dependent on how much you have thinned the paint. It can even vary by the color you are painting. The answer is to experiment on scrap to establish the baselines. It sounds harder than it really is and you will develop a "feel" for what's correct. 

Generally speaking, most paints must be thinned regardless of the manf. advertising claims. Too thin the paint will run, too thick the paint won't atomize, same with psi used.  One thing not mentioned is the type of airbrush, single action, double action?

This is not meant to scare you. It's a learned skill, like soldering. Play around with your airbrush and learn its' characteristics. Vary the thickness and the psi and you'll soon find the right combo. I think Kalbach has some books on painting. Might pay to try one..

[jrbernier]

  Badger ModelFlex  is 'air brush' ready.  True Line, I have not used.  The general rule for air brushing is to mix the paint with thinner until it is the consistency of 2% milk.  I use Badger 200 and 105(Patriot) air brushes.  18-25 lbs of air pressure is about right.  If you use too much air pressure, you take a chance of the paint drying before it hits the model.  True Line paints are acrylic, so thinning with water or alcohol should work.  Their web page claims that they are 'air brush' ready.  Here is the True-Line web page with the painting info:

http://www.truelinetrains.ca/paint-accessories

Jim

[CAZEPHYR]

Jim

That is a good range for most airbrush use.  I noticed the lower end of the PSI you mentioned works great for those hard to get areas under the running boards of steam models since the higher pressure seems to not cover well in closed off areas.  Paintin inside the cab of an older model that the cab is fixed is another area that the lower pressure seems to work better.  

CZ

[gandydancer19]

Although lower pressures seem to be the norm, I use 25 to 35 psi on most model paints straight from the bottle.  This includes Modelflex, Polly Scale, Model Masters, and Tamyia.

Experimentation is key.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

It can depend also on the type of airbrush you're using. I use an old Testor's Aztec external mix airbrush. I start at 28 psi and gradually increase it until I find the optimum level. I've never had to go higher than 35 psi.

[rambo1]

single action badger350

[gandydancer19]

I had a Badger 350 and it was harder to adjust than an internal mix AB.  I have a Badger Universal 360 and a Badger 200 bottom feed AB.  I like the 360 better.

For Acrylic paints you should use the largest needle and tip available for the AB.  Maybe get an AB specifically for Acrylic paints.  An internal mix seems to give a finer spray.

[delray1967]

I have a Badger 150 (I think) Dual Action, Internal Mix, mostly used with the medium tip/nozzle.  I thin everything with around 25% thinner and spray at 12-15psi.  I think with higher pressures, the air forms 'pockets' in corners, etc and keeps the paint mist out; low pressure kinda 'floats' the paint into the crevices.  I've been airbrushing infrequently for about 2 years (mostly weathering, but 3 or 4 paint jobs starting from stripped plastic) and I'll keep playing with the pressures, thinner ratios.

BTW, for cleaning: Lacquer Thinner.  It dissolves dried acrylic paints and is cheap.  70% alcohol or windshield washer for light cleanings/between colors/when the tip gets kinda clogged while spraying.