Hi,

Apols if this has been asked many times before, but what are peoples views on the best paints to blow through the shiny new Iwata airbrush that is winging its way to me?

I have read in a few places that enamels are not a good idea, and acrylics are the way to go. What are your experiences ?

Thanks
Dave

I shoot testors MM through mine. (I really should upgrade the packing o-ring to a Teflon one) but have yet to have problems.

I do have a spraybooth and Acrylic's just dry too fast for my liking.

Hi Dave.
The paint you use is a matter of personal preference both types have there advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I use the Testors “Model Master” line of acrylics. I do not have a spray booth and must do most of my airbrushing with minimal ventilation. My workbench is in a corner of our family room so the non-toxic and odorless properties of acrylics are a must. Acrylics are water based so clean up is simple and easy and I have no flammable chemicals to dispose of.

With all that said now some of the disadvantages to using acrylics that I have found. Acrylic paint will cure much faster then enamels. I have applied an overall wash 2 to 3 hours after spraying a model. Try that with enamels! This may seem like a good thing but remember; if it cures that fast on the model it will cure that fast INSIDE you airbrush. Also dry paint will build up on the tip of your airbrush and affect the spray pattern. I like to keep and old toothbrush handy to clean the tip as I spray

Any surface to be painted MUST BE THOROUGHTLY CLEANED. Acrylics do not adhere well to the materials (Plastic, Resin, Metal Ect…) we use in our modeling and any dirt or grease will just compound the problem. Because of this the masking of multi-color paint schemes can be tricky.

Other than the above-mentioned problems, I have found acrylics to be the way to go for me. My advise to you would be to try both types and see what works best for you.

READ AND FOLLOW THE SAFTEY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PAINT YOU USE BE SAFE NOT SORRY!