:: KenzBuilds: Airbrushing Tutorial

Airbrushing Tutorial

Hi all,
many of you ask yourselves- "How can I achieve smooth airbrushing like the gunpla i see online"

Your struggles will be over soon...

I will share tips and secrets for you to achieve smooth airbrushing on your model kits, just spread this page to others, sharing the same knowledge to them as I'm about to share with you...

Enjoy~

Knowing Your Double Action Airbrush

Before getting started, you should know your type of airbrush, the insides, the mechanics, etc

Using a double action airbrush will allow you to control air and paint separately.

I've used these two airbrushes images for referencing the two most used common types of airbrushes.

Those two pictures are only the exterior of the airbrushes, the interior will seem more complicated.
But you'll need to know it-for taking apart the airbrush and cleaning it after use, please make yourself familar with it.

I will not name the parts... Refer to your own airbrush manual

WARNING: THIS IS JUST A REFERENCE, PLEASE REFER TO YOUR OWN AIRBRUSH MANUAL
NOT ALL AIRBRUSH ARE BUILT LIKE THIS ONE ABOVE

ONCE YOU GET YOURSELF FAMILIAR WITH AN AIRBRUSH, WE SHOULD GET STARTED!!!

Getting Started

What you need-

Double Action Airbrush

Air Hoses

Air Compressor-image coming soon

Air Tank

Pipettes/Droppers

Paint Stirrer

Paint

Paint (Lacquer preferred)

Thinner

Retarder

Optional-

Multi-way Manifold(pic: 6-way)

Dust/Moisture Hand Grip Filter

Setting up your Airbrush

Single Airbrush SETUP-

Attach air hose from air tank directly to airbrush like the following:

(PIC)

Multiple Airbrushes SETUP-

Attach "Multiway Manifold" to air tank, then attach air hoses on each required outlet linking to each airbrush like the following:

(PIC)

Setting up your Air Compressor & Air Tank

I know you're wondering- Why have an air tank? What's the use of it?
Here's to clarify things before setting up-

An air tank is used in order to prevent the splats/water bursts caused by the overheating from the air compressor after long periods of spraying. Hooking your air compressor to an air tank prevents/reduces this effect, it depends on your tank size; the bigger = no splats at all, med-small= reduced splats.

Here's how to Setup :)

Attach air hose from compressor to airtank's back outlet (PICS COMING SOON)

Attach/install moisture trap/regulator on air tank

Attach air hose from Air tank's moisture trap/regulator outlet to airbrush

Mixing 1:2 Paint Ratio for Airbrushing

Mixing ratio for PAINT in order to achieve smooth airbrushing

The mixing ratio that i use for paint/surfacer is 1:2

:: 1 : 2 ratio means 1 part - paint, 2 parts thinner (e.g.-10 ml of paint, then you will need add 20 ml of thinner)

::: Add 1-2ml of retarder on top of the 1:2 ratio mix to make paint smoother for airbrushing

:::: Because the paint is thinner than 1:1 ratio, a minimum of 3 layers or more of paint is sprayed on to your kit.
:::::: DON'T RUSH IT SPRAYING, TAKE IT SLOWLY; WITH CAUTION AND PATIENCE to avoid STUFF UPS.

Holding the Airbrush

Common method-
Index finger on trigger; controls all movement of the trigger. This method is the ideal method, it allows precise control of the airbrush.

Alternate method-
Thumb on trigger; controls all movement of the trigger. This method is alternate method for holding the airbrush, it's recommended for spraying large surfaces of model kits, it isn't as precise as the index finger way. However, you won't get sore fingers as fast compared to the ideal way after spraying for a long time.

Tips & Secrets

Adding a dust/moisture hand grip filter to your airbrush

adding a dust/moisture hand grip filter to your airbrush is highly recommended, because it prevents dust and water from spraying out through your airbrush, I attach a filter to every airbrush i use.

Screw the filter onto the airbrush

Attach the other end to the air hose; Air hose attach to air tank, air tank to air compressor.

Here's a video of Airbrushing in action

Cleaning The Airbrush After Use

This Video will teach you how to clean your airbrush, the most easiest, cleanest and thorough way

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Below is a list of problems I've faced during airbrushing throughout the years,
I've come up with solutions to save you from your troubles.

Problem:

I mix paint on the go when airbrushing, i used all of it; new mix uneven level

Solution:

Pre-mix paint in a spare bottle, i suggest 30ml ones by mr. hobby, it makes airbrushing a breeze, not only it's leveled perfectly, it's also convenient because you can pop it in and airbrush straight away without the need of mixing paint multiple times~

Problem:

My airbrush is creating small bursts/splats of paint/water on my model when spraying

Solution:

Your Air Compressor is OVERHEATING, turn it off, empty the moisture trap and get an AIR TANK! Getting an Air Tank will solve the overheating issue, therefore no more bursts of water/paint for spraying long sessions.

Problem:

The trigger of my airbrush can't be pulled back!! HELP!!!

Solution:

Not to worry, it's just paint dried up, take apart the airbrush and pour some Gaianotes ToolWash onto stuck areas; the toolwash will eat up any dried paint, making the airbrush functional once again~

I recommend pouring small amount of ToolWash in between color switching and after use into airbrush and sprayed out to clean and avoid paint getting dried up inside airbrush.

Problem:

Paint seems to come out really thick and does not have a smooth surface after drying

Solution:

Your paint is too thick!!! use the 1:2 ratio formula to mix it correctly, this will ensure smooth finish, but you have to spray several layers in order avoid chipping/scratching off easily.

Problem:

Dust is on my freshly sprayed part, HELP!!!! WHAT DO I DO!!!????

Solution:

Wait about 2 min on freshly sprayed part, pull off a piece of "blu tack", make it to a small ball, repeat stick and pull off process to remove the dust from the sprayed part without damaging/scratching the part, once dust is removed- respray a thin layer after dust removal.