Airbrushing is an art in itself. What it does for the appearance of a model is immeasurable. It is especially suited for military replicas since much of the real hardware is painted with a large scale airbrush. The military application of camouflage is best reproduced with an airbrush to create that 'feathered' edge between colors designed to break up a machines silhouette. Also, unlike the 'clean' look desired for many of the kits built on the Automobile or Airliner side of the hobby, military kits look better when weathered with exhaust stains, dust and mud, and gunpowder residue--all which can best be applied with an airbrush.
To check the paint mixture and ensure how it will adhere to the plastic or undercoat, try painting on an unseen portion of the subject (if possible.) This is easily done on armor kits.
Airbrushing --The use of a tool which draws paint out of a reservoir using pressurized air, then mixes the two to apply the paint to a surface.
Action -- The trigger mechanism which releases the air and starts the paint flowing.
Single -- Pressing the trigger simply allows air to flow. The needle adjustment must be preset, and painting must stop to change the setting .
Double -- Pressing the trigger releases the air, and pulling back on the trigger (the double action) pulls back on the needle. This allows more air and paint to pass, thus changing the size of the paint cone. I.e. the airbrush setting can be adjusted on the fly.Mix -- Means by which the air and paint come together.External Mix -The air nozzle blows over the paint hose and both are exposed on the outside of the airbrush. The nozzle is adjusted to create the width, or pattern, of the paint.Internal Mix -The air passes over the paint hose inside the airbrush, mixing the two before reaching the airbrush tip. Provides a more complete mixture of air and paint.Orange Peal -- Effect from too much paint being applied to one area. The paint builds up and bubbles form and pop, leaving something resembling the surface of a citrus fruit.Feather --That soft blended edge between two colors. Often used in camouflage.
Masking --Means by which an area is covered to prevent paint from being applied when airbrushing an adjacent area.
Water Soluble Paint-- Paint which thins and cleans up with water. No odorous chemicals, no skin irritation, and cleaning the brush can be done in the kitchen sink.
Thinning --The addition of a chemical to change the consistency of the paint for airbrushing. Brush type paint is too thick straight out of the bottle and must be 'thinned' for proper airbrush operation. Even paint designed for airbrushes may evaporate and need thinning from time to time.
Paint Cone --Refers to the shape of the spray as it leaves the airbrush (the point of the cone), to the surface to be painted (the base of the cone). The finer the airbrush tip the smaller the base, or spray pattern.
Pressure Source -- Where the air comes from: propellant can, compressor, air tank, your father's automobile tire (don't laugh, manufacturers actually make adapters for it), etc.
Single Action, External Mix
Good for Beginners. Inexpensive. Limited control over settings. Tends to splatter.
Single Action, Internal Mix
Good for Intermediates. More control, finer spray pattern. Requires both hands to change settings causing difficulty when holding a kit while painting
Double Action, Internal Mix
For the Advanced painter. Provides total control.
To get that feathered effect paint should have the consistency of milk.For weathering splattered mud or water thin the paint more and lower the air pressure.
Effects: Fine Feather:
Preventative Maintenance
Troubleshooting
: Undesired Splatter--
Orange Peal
Clogs
Runs