Paint for airbrushes

[growler]

Hi guys

I've just recently purchased an airbrush setup to try and start painting some canopies for fun. Also bought a touch up gun for the primer and the clear coats.

I just bought some cheap paints to start practising with and I must say, I'm getting the hang of it

Anyway, I'm ready for my first canopy. I searched the forum and understand the basics, the preparation, etc...

Just need some advice on which paints are the best value for money? Which primers are the best? and which clear coats are recommended? I truely am clueless at the moment:o

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Pinecone]

I am using FasColor from my LHS. It is water based, so easy cleanup, it pre-thinned, and a big color choice.

As for primers, any basic sandable auto type primer should work fine.

I clear coat with Omni clear. This is a 2 part urethane clear coat. I also add flex agent to make sure it is crack and peel off.

[krashcorey]

House of kolor for paint use mr thinner to thin it out use Tamiya fine surface primer and use house of kolor intercoat clear to finish it off.

[Pinecone]

Where are you buying small quantities of HoK?

[krashcorey]

pegasus hobbies montclair ca. has hok paint.

[Forced_Induction]

a local art store has a huge selection of auto air colors for me. needs a bit of thinning, but the palette is effin huge. I dont if the canopy has a gelcoat already. the 600N white canopies do, so i dont bother, and i havent had any problems yet.
for a clear, a urethane or polyurethane clear works good and is fuel proof. i use dupont clearcoats myself, and i get really nice finishes.

make sure to post pics of your projects!

[Buzzkill]

Originally Posted by krashcorey

House of kolor for paint use mr thinner to thin it out use Tamiya fine surface primer and use house of kolor intercoat clear to finish it off.

+1

[r40734]

I use Createx Auto Air paints for crash and trash canopies and House of Kolor for my display canopies http://www.spaceagepaint.com/product...d_category=140 .

For those of you looking for smaller sized bottles of HOK (Pinecone included), here are 2 oz and 4 oz sizes in every color they make http://www.tcpglobal.com/hokpaint/hokkits.aspx#kandykit

for tcpglobal.

[Wildcat9]

I use TCPGlobal for a reference, but actually get my HOK paint from CoastAirbrush. They have small quantities and it isn't reduced. TPC charges pretty much the same for 4 oz as Coast does, but the Coast isn't reduced, so it actually makes 8 oz when you're comparing apples to apples.
Also, intercoat clear is exactly that, intercoat clear. It's meant to be applied between coats to stop color from bleeding into the colors that follow. It's not meant to put a protective coat and shine on your finished work.

[r40734]

Oh yeah... I forgot about that reduction BS. Thanks for catching that. I order quart sized or larger, so I have never had to worry about it being premixed.

CoastAirBrush is a great eStore, too. A little slower on the shipping, but if I needed something right away I would just drive down to the local paint shop.

[Pinecone]

Thanks for the stores.

Quart size???? How many helis do you paint? I only buy quarts of Omni color for my race car (full scale race car).

[Skiddz]

HoK has 4oz. bottles of their paint. I've painted 8 or 9 lids with one 4 oz. Shimrin White Base and could probably squeeze another one out before it's empty. Intercoat clear is not a final finish coat - as was mentioned before, it's for shooting over color coats to protect 'em while taping for the next layer. You want to use the 2-part clear for the final gloss coat.

I get my paint from the local Automotive Paint Supply house, but you can order online from a lot of places.

[r40734]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

Thanks for the stores.

Quart size???? How many helis do you paint? I only buy quarts of Omni color for my race car (full scale race car).

Very few helis (maybe 20 total). My big "hobby" is my cars. A quart of HOK might get a front clip painted, as you obviously know . If I just need to topcoat it, then a quart will usually cover the entire car.

[Pinecone]

OK, you had me worried there. Either you painted a LOT of canopies, or you put some VERY thick finishes on them.

[growler]

Ok guys....I've done it. First canopy is painted

Will post the pics when I get a gap. It is a rip off of a canopy I've seen a picture of before, but I've given it my little touch.

Thanks for all the advice.

All I have to do is clear coat. I've got the 2 part automotive clear ready. Just need to do it. Actually a bit scared of messing up my nicely painted canopy! Any advice? How many coats?


Regards


Neil

[Forced_Induction]

i use dupont clear and reducer. the reducer i have says to dry it at 30°C so i use a heat lamp. i dust the first coat on, let dry for 10 min, then 1 thick coat. i let it dry 1 hr and wet sand with 600 grit paper. next coat, sand. ill do this until the raised lines from airbrushing are all smooth. they show up really well after sanding, as the lines are left untouched in the low spots. then a final coat of clear, and leave sit overnight. the clear really brings out the paintjob.

Dont forget to post pics!!

[Skiddz]

Originally Posted by growler

All I have to do is clear coat. I've got the 2 part automotive clear ready. Just need to do it. Actually a bit scared of messing up my nicely painted canopy! Any advice? How many coats?

I do one light coat, followed by one medium coat once the 1st coat has tacked up. (maybe 10 mins) I let that dry 24 hours, then wet sand with 800 grit until it's completely hazy. I wash with soap and water and then blow it dry, then wipe it down with wax remover/degreaser (I use HoK's stuff) then tack it and spray 2 medium coats. Glasses up beautifully and if you haven't gone crazy with the paint, you'll barely be able to feel the paint lines.

[Wildcat9]

It doesn't hurt to wet sand with 1200 grit prior to clearing to smooth paint lines. I also find it gets rid of "boogers" that remain on a taped edge after tape is peeled. Just remember not to use any elbow grease.

[growler]

Ok chaps...here it is

It was my first attempt at airbrushing. Have been messing around on paper for a few weeks to get the hang of it though. Not my design, just copied it from a picture I saw on the forum.

Some of the paint came out very powdery and grainy....not sure why. And I had to do a fair amount of patching afterwards cause the masking took up alot of the paint in some places.

Anyway...what do you think? All it needs now is the clear.


Regards

[Forced_Induction]

that is a friggin awesome paintjob man! seriously nice work. I cant wait to see it cleared and on the heli! its gonna look sweet.