Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

Thanks Hackercat13 I was wondering what that brush on primer was called. No problem! I use the Liquitex grey gesso, avaliable at Michaels. I checked, there is one in Anchorage. It's not cheap, about $12 per bottle, but it goes a long way. Paint it pretty liberally, it really does shrink that much! ...

for smaller models and figurines, try gesso. Available at any art store. I prime most of the gaming figurines I paint this way, and it will work for larger items too. Gesso shrinks an amazing amount, so it won't obscure your details.

Whatever mixing or thinning meduim you are using (water, acrylic flow release, ect.) add 1 drop of future floor wax. It self-levels, and makes brush strokes a thing of the past. It can make your paint appear a bit glossy, but I assume you dull coat everything when done anyway.
Chris

How about using something like Liquitex Airbrush medium? Dan I haven't tried the Liquitex version, but have used Goldens airbrush medium and have been underwhelmed with its performance. The ONLY thing I use it for is thinning Goldens fluid acrylics for airbrush use. On any other paint, it works lit...

Check out the "Frugal Airbrusher" thread. I do it all the time with Apple Barrel paints and get great results. Specifics are in the thread. See if that helps you out. If not, ask away. :) Kenny I tried this formula, and it works quite well. I tend to substitute ISO alcohol for windex, as ...

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And you need a spray booth. Even if you're just spraying acrylics.[/quote]

Amen! I am deciding how to build one right now, mainly I use tha garage with an open door and a fan, but a booth is a HIGH priority for me!

Thanks to everyone who shared some knowledge! You guys rock!

Gunze metallics spray much easier. Isn't Gunze and Tamiya basically the same paint? I have been told it comes from the same factory. What about MM Acryl? I don't need to shoot much metallic, but would like a good option for when I do! I definatly want to avoid laquer based paints, wife gives me eno...

I used Metallic Gray mixed with black to spray these Viper engines: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/ussarcadia/MKVIIengineson.jpg Frank is right, you have to mix well just before spraying. Otherwise just thin down till it does spray. Thanks, that's waaayyy thinner than anything I usually shoo...

While I have been shooting Tamiya acrylics for years, I had never tried metallics before. I had always hand painted those parts before. I tried spraying Tamiya gunmetal gray, and it was a disaster! I thinned like normal, Tamiya thinner 3 parts paint to 2 parts thinner, shot at 18 psi. It wouldn’t sp...

No, I haven't tried it, what are you trying to achieve using simple green? If it's thinning the Future, I use Isopropyl Alcohol.
Chris

I use cheap flat primer from Lowes or Ace, black or grey, then I decant it to a glass jar using a thick straw. Then I shoot it through my airbrush. Gives me the control I can't get with a rattle can, and I have never had issues with the results.
Chris

Actually, I've been using Apple Barrel Dolphin Gray (Matte) for years and it is one of the best colors in my opinion for Starfleet Hulls. It is quite versatile and can be used for Runabouts, Galaxy Classes, Intrepids, Defiants, Miranda Classes, even Sovereign's if you're going for the "how the...