Airbrushing several coats (enamel)

[Yevgeniy]

Hi all!

I want to share my conclusion which I achieved through painful process of self-learning airbrushing of Revell enamels (now I am gradually changing for Humbrol and later will take only acrylics).

At first when I started airbrushing instead of handpainting I was very satisfied with the result - especially when painting the hull in 1/350. Later I found that when airbrushing some comparatively large areas - hull, main guns, funnels - it is bettet to airbrush in two layers than in one layer. It may sound strange - as airbrush shall provide for "one-layer quick painting" but it was not my case.

When I airbrushed one layer (grey paint) and seeing some "light" spots not fully covered by paint I airbrushed them over (with paint still wet) but this resulted in "dry powder-like darker paint residue" on a paint which I could wipe away after the paintlayer is dry under which I saw normal good paint layer.

This could have been avoided if I airbrushed two layers after one layer is perfectly dry (overnight). I was more impatient (as it is a pain to clean airbrush after enamels) - the result of my impatience was more work and it could be. On the one hand it still sounds strange to me - airbrushing shall provide for clean job in one layer, on the other hand - I know that things like cars, bikes, ets are always airbrushed in several layers.

Will be glad to hear what is your experience with this question and how you handle it.

Yevgeniy

[arnobiz]

Same conclusion, always do the job in several layers, especially on large areas. I tried painting several layers in a short time, simply drying the last layer with the air flux from the empty airbrush but it's not really efficient. The paint is not bright anymore but it's not really dry either. Overninght drying is the only way to go.
I do not know how long acrylics need to cure though?

[David Griffith]

Dear Yevgeniy,

The problem you have with a powdery surface to your paint may be due to the paint drying in the air, and becoming partially solid before it hits the surface of the model. Your airflow through your airbrush may be too high. Try turning the air pressure down quite a bit, and combine that with diluting the paint more and holding the airbrush closer to the model. You should find that helps.

Kind Regards,

David Griffith

[Yevgeniy]

Dear David,

Will try at the end of this week on some spare material - I finished my paintjob at the moment and will proceed with assembling.

Following the logic your advice is exactly what is needed - I will give it a try and will respond with the results.

Yevgeniy

[Charlestonguy]

To avoid paint build up you can lay down a light clear coat. This will blend the dry section to the others without adding mil thickness with additional color.

[Yevgeniy]

Thank you, will try.

Yevgeniy