Thats what I gathered after reading through all this. You can use any clear,but the createx doesnt come out well

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SAM Member # 0302

I just found this thread. Lots of good info and inspiration.

I've been airbrushing since last fall, and really like it. Now that it's warm again, I'm using up my store of spray cans of color coats, but once they are gone I'm going to stick to acrylics.

In case it's of interest to anyone, I tend to prime with Rustoleum auto filler primer if it's warm enough to shoot it. Then either Valspar white spray primer OR Createx's "Auto-Air" Sealer White, which does a good job.

Then I use Createx Wicked Colors line, and sometimes the Auto Air stuff too. The stock Createx didn't work so well the couple times I tried it with clearanced bottles I bought, but I love Wicked Colors and some of the Auto Air stuff. I thin by 10-15% (with the recommended reducer for the paint line) and tend to spray at either ~40 lbs CO2 with the Paasche H #5 tip, or at around 30 lbs with the #3 tip for smaller birds.

I tend to use Valspar High Gloss Clear Lacquer which can be sprayed in the cold (from a warmed can) with good results, or of course when it's warm (but not more than 60% RH or it will blush). Or I use Liquitex High Gloss Varnish from the hobby lobby artists' aisle. Or just Future. Or future with a bit of color mixed in. Sometimes I go wacky.

Anyone reading this, get an airbrush. It's fun and lets you spray in all kinds of weather with an infite range of colors and stuff.

Marc

Although my preferred medium is lacquer, I’ve found the airbrush to be an indispensable tool. Like you said, it can remove most of the problems, and with lacquer the biggest problem is getting the paint too heavy. The airbrush is ideal for getting a solid coat of color without the thickness.

I love the fed-ex paint job. Very nice.

Have you tried using a touchup gun? Judging by your airbrush work, I think you’d find a touch-up gun to be useful on larger areas. They cost about the same as a good airbrush, but they require more air volume. Sorry, can’t tell you much about the HVLP guns, I still paint old school.

I’d like to point out however, that not all spray cans are equal. Normally, a finish equal to that of a new car is achievable. As you eluded earlier, if time is taken to prepare the base, it will be reflected in the paint.

I guess one good rant deserves another.


Blushing (lacquer) is only an issue if you don’t know what you’re doing.


Not so fast. Lacquer is available from testors in small quantities.


Same with lacquer.


And automotive paint isn’t? Really? Lol.


Oh brother.


Funny, I just lifted a panel of acrylic enamel with acrylic lacquer.


Wow, this just set off my B.S. alarm.


Same here. But, I don’t make it a habit of bragging. Nor do I allow my 4-h kids.


Any system does.


Oh gee, thanks. Really? Like you’re in a position to look down on anyone.

Personally, I encourage others to make the most of anything they want to do. This includes some very stunning brush techniques. What you’ll never hear from me, or anyone in our club, is you can only dream of a good finish with technique A over technique B. Especially when you consider it simply is not true.


And no one esle does?


No system will deliver instant gratification.


And for you that’s fine. In fact I hope others find your advice useful. But to claim “I can create finishes that one can only dream of with a spraycan.” is complete nonsense.

And I can prove it too:

This from a 14 year old girl.


This one really makes the ghost flames “POP”.


One of my beaters.

Dude.....Really?? Did you go back five years to find something to rant on.... you would have been better off just starting a new thread saying; "hey, look what a 14 year old can do on a desk model."

Besides, there is a little silvering on that decal... enough said.

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Bravo52
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Jerry Little
TRA #11767
Level 1

He replied to the same original post in 2012 with positive comments, right above yesterday's bi-polar tirade.

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I love sanding.

Silvering? Can you be more specific?

Desk model? Really?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFCgkyHt-vA

Enough said indeeed.

Not at all. In fact I found some useful tidbits of info. My 4-H kids are encouraged to explore techniques, including airbrush, and media that may not be conventional.

However to claim “I can create finishes that one can only dream of with a spraycan” or any other technique or paint, is simply not true. As well as some of the other claims that are untrue.

And yes, I do love the Fed-Ex paint job. I'd like to know more about it.

Why did it take so long to respond in a meaningful way? Well, my life and interests outside of model rocketry doesn’t allow me the time to be here every day, or month for that matter.

Wow, “bi-polar tirade” funny. You know, there’s more to life than spending all day and night on a toy rocket forum from your mother’s basement.

Quote:
I can create finishes that one can only dream of with a spraycan.

Wow, this just set off my B.S. alarm.

the point of that claim was you can achieve freehand effects that are near impossible with a spray can , such as true flames and other delicate graphics.

but yes I guess I seem a bit boisterous in my postings ,, that was some time ago.

I got started pretty easily. I bought a double-acting airbrush for like $15 on E-Bay. It's the same as the name brand without paying for the name. The same with the braided hose and filter. So I just use my compressor for airing up tires and larger paint sprayer.

As for getting started look up Expert Village on YouTube. Mike Royall does the videos. They have a ton of how-to videos from simple circles to bubbles, stripes, stipling, you name it. At home I have a whole folder of the videos I saved and used to practice along with. I find coupons for like Michaels and Hobby Lobby etc to get the paints fairly reasonable.

So you can get going fairly inexpensively.

Michael