Painting Query

[mhorowit]

Re: Painting Query

I took the lid from a wide, short Salsa jar and glued the airbrush top to it (did a little surgery on the plastic airbrush body and cut the threaded part off the bottom). I didn't want the jar to be much taller than the original, but I DID want more capacity. The Salsa jar was perfect since it had a wide mouth for chips (not that the Salsa was the best I ever ate, but what can you expect when you pick food based on the shape of the container? Make sure it is GLASS! Plastic softens when you clean it.) For the clusters the original jar was fine since you could do 2 or 3 clusters with a single jar and after twisting into the fuselage to reach them you need a break after a few clusters anyway. Take plenty of band aids. The stand offs really cut you up and clean the parts carefully after a hit. Blood is VERY corrosive!
That reminds me. Keep the air brush PERFECTLY CLEAN! They don't work worth a C**P if any paint dries in them, and even a tiny fleck of dried paint will stop them up. Filter the paint and remember, cleaning SAVES time.
As for the compressor, I used my 5HP Sears I used for blasting with a second in line water & Oil separator with a second regulator (under $10). I mounted them in a box so when I pulled the hose and it pulled the regulator and filters over they didn't get broken. It REALLY helped to tie the big hose to my belt with the hose adapter to the little hose from my belt to the airbrush. If you pull on the big hose with the little hose you just break the little one.
Once you try the air brush you will find yourself using it all the time. I damaged the paint on my Pilots door and repainted it with the airbrush. Anything less than 4' on a side is easier to use the airbrush on than a jam gun.
Hank

Hank - I ran out and bought some Salsa.... actually I went to the shed and got a baby food jar.... fitted the screw top and fired it up. First, didn't your finger get tired, holding the trigger down and back? Second, from about 6" away, I got the density on the metal I wanted, but only about 1/2" wide. Pulling back so the whole tube was covered, and the density was too thin. Any idea what I should be adjusting? - MIke

[Pearson]

Re: Painting Query

Move the air brush slower or adjust the paint volume screw so that more paint comes out.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Painting Query

Pearson got it. Don't stop TOO long in one spot. The runs are a pain.
Hank

OK, I can't believe I said that either.

[RoN43220]

Re: Painting Query

Related question - anyone have a favorite tape for masking trim colors?

Thank, Ron

[mhorowit]

Re: Painting Query

Pearson got it. Don't stop TOO long in one spot. The runs are a pain.
Hank

OK, I can't believe I said that either.

let me rephrase the question. How do you adjust the volume? pulling that needle back further? - Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Painting Query

It's different for different airbrush designs. Need to look athte instructions or the parts breakdown. I used the REALLY cheap airbrush that you screwed teh paint outlet cone up and down and adjusted the air pressure. I saved my "nice" airbrush for the "pretty" stuff.
Hank

[Marv]

Re: Painting Query

Mike if there is a fan adjustment on it, that is what you need is to adjust the fan width, then adjust the volume and pressue if needed. Marv

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Painting Query

I know you have a little digital camera. Why not just take a picture so we know what type you have?
Hank

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: Painting Query

We used the green 3/4" masking tape sold at auto supply stores, works great.

Carl

[mhorowit]

Re: Painting Query

I know you have a little digital camera. Why not just take a picture so we know what type you have?
Hank

Here are my two: - Mike

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Painting Query

Related question - anyone have a favorite tape for masking trim colors?

Thank, Ron

3M fine line tape is excellent for masking trim. It comes in two varieties. Green fine line bends around corners and stretches easily, but its adhesive is not always aggressive enough. Blue fine line does not seem to do tight corners as well as green, but it is stickier. Given a choice, I favor using the blue. You can find these products at automotive paint stores.

Both green and blue come in a variety of widths. Thinner is better for curves.

After the fine line tape is applied, you use regular green or blue hardware store masking tape to put masking paper or masking plastic onto the fine line tape. AVOID tan colored masking tape, it gives poor results and if left on too long it petrifies.

[magman]

Re: Painting Query

My belief is that you never want to leave the tape on too long.

Ideally; tape application, painting & tape removal all takes place in 1 day.

[Pearson]

Re: Painting Query

let me rephrase the question. How do you adjust the volume? pulling that needle back further? - Mike

Mike,

With no air or paint in your airbrush, adjust the paint volume screw all the way to the stop. Try pulling the trigger as if you wanted to paint something. If the trigger goes all the way down (full movement), the adjustment is full open, meaning LOTS of paint. If the trigger will not go in at all, or only a small amount, the adjustment is for a small amount of paint.

I have had a couple of different kinds of airbrushes, but it has been a long time since I have used one. The best I can recall is that when you screw the knob in, you are reducing the paint volume. But it could be different on your brush. The technique above should tell you which way the knob goes for more or less paint.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Painting Query

Remember when you change the paint, you will need to change the pressure too. Everything also changes if you change how much thinner is in the paint. The two brushes in the photo are actually kind of "nice" for painting tubes. I use the REALLY cheap one. I think the last few I bought at Harbor Freight were under $5 a throw. They work great for painting a tube, a door or a gear leg. Not so good for a wing or stab (use a real gun for large surfaces).
The nice thing about the $5 brush is if you have to leave it too long and it gets ruined you can just throw it away and get another off the shelf.
Hank

You CAN, but I haven't. I'm Scottish, I still have the first one I ever bought.