"Beginners Query Regarding Airbrushing and Rate of Paint Use" Topic

Finally cracked open and used the cheap airbrush I purchased in Spring. It worked okay apart from the random stopping, but it neither spontaneously combusted, nor did I cover the place in paint. The one thing I noticed was the rate of paint use was somewhat greater than I anticipated from the various instructional YouTube videos I've watched and the instructions, which all talk about a 'few drops'. I'm using paint at far higher rate (and coverage isn't great, but I'm chalking that up to 'cheap airbrush'). I'm using Vallejo airbrush paints because they are supposed to be usable straight from the pot and I didn't fancy messing about with thinners straight off the bat. So is the rate of use normal or not? Totally noob question, but any advice greatly appreciated.

Undercoated a couple of scrap built tanks pictures in the link
TMP link

Yes, covering relatively large areas is going to use a fair amount of paint, the couple of drops is for airbrushing figures.

John

I had a similar experience, and asked about it here, as well.

One thing I learned: don't try to cover too much with the primer. Come back with the paint over light primer.

I'm not using a cheap brush. Iwata something or other.

andy

Ta, helpful. I probably also need to work on my technique!

I'm using paint at far higher rate (and coverage isn't great, but I'm chalking that up to 'cheap airbrush').

Or too much air pressure.

Not enough air will not propel the paint to the target surface. That makes sense. But too much air will get paint onto the surface and then blow it off again, affecting coverage.

Generally, airbrushing gets better coverage with far less paint than by brush alone.

H'mmm didn't notice if was getting the too/much too little, will do a test in more controlled conditions i.e. not spraying white paint in an enclosure that's already covered in white paint from rattlecans….

Start with Bowman's advice.

You never stated what kind of compressor you are using. Nor what level of psi you are spraying at.

The compressor is a mini table top one, unbranded from some Chinese Amazon reseller, cheap, but not the cheapest, with three pre-set pressures (allegedly between 5 and 30 psi). I've basically used only the highest setting, I might experiment more with the middle setting.

Have tried it out again and this time gave the paint a more through shake before using and it worked a whole lot better.

Will basically use till it dies and then buy something better. If it does the work of half-a-dozen large rattlecans beforehand it won't owe me anything.