"Painting vehicles with spray gun … suggestions please" Topic

Hi all. I am on the point of investing in a new period (WWII) with the purchase of the Bolt Action rule system and a couple of starter armies. My question is about painting the vehicles. I imagine that this is most effective using spray paining techniques, but wondered how to approach this. So any help with the following questions would be great fully received.

Should I invest in a full spray paint set, e.g. compressor, gun, nozzles etc. and if so how much is reasonable given that this will NOT be my main period.

Is it worth just using the small spray cans available from model companies, e.g. Tamiya

As someone completely now to spray painting, how flexible is this for other periods (e.g. Wars of the Roses, ECW etc.)

Thanks in advance

"Painting vehicles with spray gun … suggestions please"

Ensure that you don't stand between the spray gun and the vehicle!

An airbrush is a big investment in both money and time (to learn how to use it well). Unless you plan to use it a lot, you're further ahead with the spray cans.

And, yes, you can use it to base-coat foot-sloggers.

Buy a can of appropriate paint-Army Painter, Flames of War, Tamiya.They have the colors you need available. Unless you have a workshop/basement/studio, an airbrush can be a fiddly, messy, frustrating and costly experience.

Here is your list of colors for the Tamiya spray paints:

PDF link

If you plan on doing a good bit of spraying, an airbrush and a compressor are a great idea, as the rattle cans are pretty expensive. If not, then not so much, although I think there are other considerations. For instance, if you get a tool type compressor (as opposed to a dedicated airbrush compressor), it can be used for air powered tools in addition to the airbrush. I've found these to be incredibly handy to have around. Also, a decent airbrush need not cost a lot. I'm very fond of the Aztek A4709 set, which does everything I could need (and more), and can be had for a very reasonable price. There is, of course, a learning curve, but that's true of everything. Even using a rattle can is not automatic.

Doug

There is, of course, a learning curve, but that's true of everything. Even using a rattle can is not automatic

Doug, pretty funny. :)

Buy one of those big presentation pads and an easel. practice and test on that. getting your distance, mix, pressure, etc…

I have had severe leakage problems with the Flames of War spray paints, and I am not alone.

Try department store spray paints, especially Rustoleum or Krylon camouflage paints. Use them as a base coat and drybrush or weather, etc. Cheap and 100% reliable.

A quick thanks for the input so far. Lots to think over, although I am now tempted to stick with spray cans for the few models I would eventually buy. I agree with John the OFM that weathering sprays, etc is my intention.

Try your local modelling club or model shop, ask around if there is someone there who would be willing to show you how to use an airbrush. It worked for me.

Tony

I've been purchasing late war Germans for a while now and getting to the point now where I'm ready to purchase an airbrush and paint it all in one go. Given the amount of money I have invested in this, I don't want to cut some corners by using can sprays that are not always consistent. If nothing else, when the project is all said and done and I have no further use for it, I can sell it and make some of my money back.

I've been gaming and painting about 20 years now and the one regret I have is not taking the time to do things right over the years. Cutting corners on cheaper figures or paints is something you reflect upon years down the road. A good airbrush in my opinion is not a waste of money, it is just part of being a dedicated painter and modeler.

Buy your self a compressor with a tank kit like one of these auction

The AS186 Compressor is good for any hobby spraying and quiet.

You'll get one or two cheap Chinese brushes thrown in and everything you need to get started before you decide to invest heavily, or not. I still use a cheap Chinese brush for priming.

At £60.00 GBP-£80 these kits are a bargain. The price of what? 10 aerosols?

I use both, if I'm not doing complex camo, our just one colour I use cans. PSC are my current go to brand, FOW new range next, Army Painter and older FOW I only use for terrain. Tamiya are excellent, but pricey and I'm finding PSC to be as good.

Doug, pretty funny. :)

Well, yeah, but also sort of true. Getting a base coat on with a rattle can is pretty simple, but even that can be goofed up, especially if the climate is against you and it goes granular on you. Doing weathering or camo (even with masking) with a can does require some practice to get the effects you want. And of course, rattle can nozzles can clog and blorp paint splatters all over the subject, ruining it. An airbrush SEEMS more complex, but really I think in some ways it's LESS complex than a rattle can, since once you have learned the basics you have WAY more control. And, obviously, you can spray any color you can mix, which is a big plus.

I still use cheapo rattle cans for base coats, though.

Doug

rattle can nozzles can clog and blorp paint splatters all over the subject, ruining it

Been there…Ouch!

Yup. Simple Green to the rescue, but certainly disheartening.

Doug

Once again, thanks to all comments. The info from Fizzypickles has given me second thoughts, and at the price I may well decide to take the plunge and learn up some new skills.

Cheers guys