Airbrushing Vallejo acrylics
Merlin
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#017
United Kingdom
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Posted: Friday, June 13, 2003 - 07:56 PM UTC
Hi folks!
Does any one out there use Vallejo Model Colour (not Model Air) acrylic paints with their airbrush?
Vallejo suggest thinning with water, but I soon get problems with head clogging or spatters of undiluted paint. I've been trying various other thinners with mixed results. So far the best seems to be cellulose (laquer), but this dries very quickly and adding flow enhancer seems very hit or miss.
Has anyone got a magic formula?
All the best
Rowan
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Milano, Italy
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Posted: Friday, June 13, 2003 - 10:00 PM UTC
The standard Vallejo range of colours can be airbrushed once properly thinned. For thinning I use plain water and I've got good results. The only one problem is that you have to seal them because they're vynilic. I don't remember what did I use to make washes on an M3A1 White seats painted with Vallejo "Gris kaki - 880" but the paint started immediately to raise up and wrinkle. Once sealed with Future or whatever you wish the problem was solved and I had no more problems at all.
Ciao
Fabio
Impetu Hostem Perterreo
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Posted: Friday, June 13, 2003 - 10:17 PM UTC
Rowan,
Before you mixed it with water, did you really shake the bottle real well? I have started using Vallejo paint on a trial basis and noticed this problem which fixed itself by shaking the paint in the plastic bottle for about five minutes (when you think it is well mixed, keep shaking for another few minutes) and then agressively stirring it in another bottle with the thinner - I also use their diluyente instead of water. It is number 524 Thinner.
GR8Voyager
Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 03:29 AM UTC
As Gr8voyager said, the bottle must be shaken really well.
Also, it is recommended that you use distilled water instead of tap water.
Andrew
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Merlin
Senior Editor #017
United Kingdom
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Posted: Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 08:02 AM UTC
Cheers everyone for the tips!
Would you believe I asked the same question on Modelling Madness a week or two back and didn't get a single answer! No wonder everyone is so enthusiastic about Armorama! I only signed up last week and I can already say this place beats any other site I've seen hands down.
Anyway, back to Vallejo. I'll try REALLY shaking the bottle and using distilled water to see if it improves my luck.
Thanks again
Rowan
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As I grow older, I regret to say that a detestable habit of thinking seems to be getting a hold of me. - H. Rider Haggard
England - South East, United Kingdom
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Posted: Monday, June 16, 2003 - 12:06 PM UTC
Porky,
Vallejo do their own thinner...Vallejo 061.
If you want to thin their Model Air range further then i strongly suggest that. OR Use distilled water...It makes a difference TOTALLY!!!!!
I have used Vallejo for only a short time but I will say that they are the BEST acrylic medium on the market.
Martin,
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(Terribilis est locus iste)
Pig # 18
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Posted: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 08:39 AM UTC
I use surgical spirit (alcohol) with all my acrylics. Works for me.
Merlin
Senior Editor #017
United Kingdom
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Posted: Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 03:21 AM UTC
Thanks Siggi
I've never tried surgical spirit as a thinner - I'll give it a try. I bet it stinks to high heaven...
All the best
Rowan
BEWARE OF THE FEW...
As I grow older, I regret to say that a detestable habit of thinking seems to be getting a hold of me. - H. Rider Haggard
Scotland, United Kingdom
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Posted: Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 03:29 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Airbrushing Vallejo acrylics
Hi Rowan, I myself use the Vallejo Acrylics and have had the same problems. I read on here someplace that car windscreen wash is a good dilutant but have never tried it myself. I will try some of the other tips on here though. All the best with your modelling.
Cheers, Kenny.
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California, United States
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Posted: Monday, June 21, 2004 - 08:12 AM UTC
In addition to the suggestions above I once read that vinegar can be used to thin the Vallejo model color line . I experimented with such a mixture (but I admit I did not shake the solution for as long as 5 mins) and was able to get the paint to spray with only occasional splattering. If I had shaken more I think it would have been much better. Before I try to do this again though does anyone know of reasons why vinegar is not good for your airbrush/models/physical health (when inhaled)?
New Hampshire, United States
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Posted: Monday, June 21, 2004 - 09:24 AM UTC
I have always used windex blue to thin my acrylic paints.
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#099
Indiana, United States
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Posted: Monday, June 21, 2004 - 09:26 AM UTC
This may be posted elsewhere, but where is the best place to order these paints in the U.S.?
Massachusetts, United States
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Posted: Monday, June 21, 2004 - 12:00 PM UTC
Quoted Text
This may be posted elsewhere, but where is the best place to order these paints in the U.S.?
in Malden, Mass has this range. Look under the Model Kits link for their PDF catalog.
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#099
Indiana, United States
Member Since: March 04, 2004
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Posted: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 01:38 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
This may be posted elsewhere, but where is the best place to order these paints in the U.S.?
The Hobby Bunker in Malden, Mass has this range. Look under the Model Kits link for their PDF catalog.
Thanks. I'll give that a go...
#099
Indiana, United States
Member Since: March 04, 2004
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Posted: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 06:42 PM UTC
AlI could find at the Hobby Bunker site was the price...no list of colors, or anything else concerning these paints. Any other place to get them in the lower 48?
...
Awhile back someone had given me the name of a guy in Texas I think, that worked at some type of Hobby store or similar place. Unfortunately, I have misplaced the contact info....
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
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Posted: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 06:20 AM UTC
Quoted Text
does anyone know where you can buy these paints in Scotland?
Dont know about Scotland but models in motion in Stevenage have just got them in and they do a good mail order service.
Dont think there on the website yet but go to
www.modelsinmotion.co.uk and give them a call.
Finland
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Posted: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 06:41 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
Airbrushing Vallejo acrylics
I read on here someplace that car windscreen wash is a good dilutant but have never tried it myself.
I use water and windscreen wash when airbrushing with Vallejo or Tamiya acrylics. I think the water is important because I found a strong solution of the windscreen wash instantly clogs some colors even before they are in the airbrush cup!
It may take a while to find a good ratio on water/thinner/paint but after that there shouldn't be any problems (white paints excluded
). I thin the Model Air paints a bit too btw.
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Posted: Friday, June 25, 2004 - 12:13 PM UTC
#099
Indiana, United States
Member Since: March 04, 2004
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Posted: Friday, June 25, 2004 - 06:38 PM UTC
Thanks DTC...just what I was looking for...you're the best....
