Hi, I am new to this forum and to carving also. My question is what is a good airbrush paint that is acrylic? I am afraid that the craft paint at craft stores will clog my airbrush. I have just finished a couple of bird carvings that I do'nt want to mess up with the paint job. Thank you for any help. This is a great site.

[Donna_T]

PinyRidge,
I like to use WASCO airbrush paint. I get it from the WASCO Taxidermy catalogue. They carry two kinds--for two kinds of painting: Water or Petroleum based for taxidermy or wood carvings. I use the water based for wood. While I like the petro based paint effect slightly better (somewhat brighter), I don't want to have to spray in highly ventillated and sealed places. The water based stuff I just use in the garage (with the cars moved out, of course!!) with a simple mask. The petro based, I use a toxic fumes mask AND exhaust fan.

There are several taxidermy supply catalogues shown online. WASCO and one other (?) are the ones I have used.

That said, the airbrush paint sold at hobby supply stores is pretty good. A bit high on cost, but fairly lump-free. If in doubt, mix it really thin and then double strain it through fabric (rinsed out cheesecloth or muslin). That should help.

Let us know how you do. FYI: when I first start painting with an airbrush (I don't do it often enough to remember techniques) I get a piece of white poster board or unprinted newsprint and practice strokes and shading BEFORE I paint on my carving. Saves wear and tear and tears!

Donna T

Hi, I agree with everything Donna has said, ventilation is a big concern with any kind of paint. All paint is made using chemicals. A paint retarder , and thinning your paint with flow medium, will help with the clogging. Regular cleaning while your painting is the only real solution that is basic for me. Having said all this, I went back to the plain old brush. Adding the flow medium and retarders , reduces the lasting quality of the paint, and I hope to create carvings that will stand the test of time. Just a personal quirk I guess. Hope this helps.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have 'Chroma' airbrush paint...but, I haven't airbrushed with it, so can't tell you...it was recommended to me by some very outstanding bird carvers....

[AlArchie]

Regarding the craft store acrylics.....I've used these pretty exclusively in my airbrush, but have had to spend some time learning the tricks to using the paint effectively.

First, make sure you thin the stuff down with a thinning medium and not plain water. This is available from art supply stores and some ceramic shops. I have no idea what magic ingredient is in this stuff, but it will make the 'dime store' paints work extremely well!

Second, thin the paint down to the consistancy of 2% milk....I suppose 1% or skimmed would work just as well, and that's a pretty darn subjective consistancy, anyway, so the main idea is to thin it down fairly well.

Third, and probably most important, is to STRAIN the mixed paint through a suitable meduim before putting it into your airbrush. I have found that a piece of panty hose put over the paint cup works best to remove the lumpy stuff. It is very fine weave and cleans the paint up just fine.
You can purchase special filters for this, but one pair of pany hose will last a LOOOONG time, and is easy to find.

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

that's supposed to be one advantage to Chroma, thinned and ready for airbrush...but..like I said..haven't tried it yet! :

[David_Aaron_Sercel]

I use JoSonja acrylics, which come in a tube and need to be thinned before
used in an airbrush. I dilute them with water, a ratio of about one part water
to one part paint works well for me. JoSonja and Chroma are both made by
the same company, and I believe that the Chroma airbrush paints are just
a thinned down version of the JoSonja tube paints.


David

got question about cleaning old glass jars for airbrush ...

seams i guess i been really busy,, after using it the last time over 5 years ago, after painting treebark cammo on all my hunting gear. must have 25 small paint bottles with lids /syphon tubes, all with to some degree of dried paint in each one, hard as a rock.. :-[

im afraid to start using the cleaner bottles, fearing what paint left in bottle will flake off and plug the airbrush or make it spitter. :-/

do they make something to remove or soften the paint thats less cost than replacing all my bottles.. ???
[hr]
been a real busy year, both kids married got pregnant, lost mother in law, then had quad heart bypass.. im thinking the maker is telling me its time to get back to carving and slow down again...

[AlArchie]

Yup, mix up a strong solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP from your local hardware/paint store), and then soak the bottles in that. Â*It will soften the old paint and let you clean your bottles like new. Â*It's strong stuff so wear rubber gloves or it will really dry out your hands. Â*Other than that, it's pretty environmentally friendy, and can be disposed of in the sink, although i wouln't suggest doing that to a septic system.

You can use the same solution to rehab brushes that are clogged with dried paint. It takes a while, but hey, we got time, right?

Al

thanks Al Archie..

tsp.

tri? sodium phosphate.. ???

i knew there was something to clean dried paint,
but nobody here at walley world knew about it...
but too, that salesman had paint dripping from celing.. haha :

thanks again...
thomp