airbrushing

danp76

Oldtimer
Hi guys, I'm using some cheap siphon feed Harbor Freight airbrushes with high school students. We are using cheap water-based acrylic paint, hobby paint. It seems the guns clog often. Would automotive paint not clog guns quite as easy? Is it because we are using cheap airbrushes, or cheap paint? I'm new to airbrushing, and it's just a project to get kids into painting. Thank you!

https://www.harborfreight.com/professional-6-color-airbrush-kit-with-holder-95923.html
 
well i cant say much for the airbrushes. of course those are going to be crappy BUT the clogging is usually from the acrylics drying out. i have always hated using waterbase through an airbrush. i dont know how any does anything with it. i do know people who do some unreal work using the stuff but that aint me lol. for me that stuff is just impossible. automotive base with vht reducer is the way to go
 
well i cant say much for the airbrushes. of course those are going to be crappy BUT the clogging is usually from the acrylics drying out. i have always hated using waterbase through an airbrush. i dont know how any does anything with it. i do know people who do some unreal work using the stuff but that aint me lol. for me that stuff is just impossible. automotive base with vht reducer is the way to go
Hi Jim, what is vht reducer? Thank you.
 
a few drops of water to thin the paint might be a start, they also have some flow agents for latex paint that were suggested when I got the big airless pump sprayer to paint the warehouse.

the other thing I do not know if they are doing is keeping a bottle of water around to clean the gun while they are working.

I can understand keeping anything solvent based away from the students these days. That can turn on you.
 
You can reduce with water, right?
I played with Behr paint reduced with water to viscosity of clear and a hf purple gun.
Made a zahn cup before i knew what a zahn cup was.
Drill small hole in water bottle or such top, cut bottle in half, time how long it takes to empty measured amount & match it.
I will say it runs when sprayed much much more then car stuff.
 
I did add some water, the biggest problem is the paint drying in the gun too quickly with acrylic non-toxic paint. I may try urethane base coat with slow reducer as Jim has suggested. Any use the Harbor Freight siphon airbrushes? thank you, Dan.
 
I used acrylic water pool deck paint for patio & you're right. Dries & sticks to every darn thing quick.
Interior house paint worth a try. I'm sure u got something laying around.
If it works better then acrylic, h depot sells trial sizes mixed to color desired.
Kids & solvents i'd avoid unless by kids u mean teenagers.
 
If you're using the acrylic paint I'm thinking of I would think that would suck. I've always wanted to use Auto Air Colors for some random projects I've had planned. Have never gotten around to try it though. The main benefit to it is it's non hazardous and actually marketed towards air brushes. It might be worth a shot too.
 
Thanks guys, and yes, it's for teenagers, high school students. I'm thinking to just use automotive base coat.
 
Hey- Nail polish & plain ol acetone. Easy cleanup, flirt in cosmetic isle, 100's colors, some 99 cents.
Kids can show moms what nail polish can do.
 
Two main types of paint conditioners/retarders can be mixed with acrylics. One is Flood Floetrol & the other main type under different product names is basically glycol alcohol. Either one can be used with or in place of water & will retard initial dry time. I absolutely have to use these products with Sherwin Williams pro multi-surface acrylic paint & turbine sprayer or will clog gun/shoot paint boogers. Also makes paint flow better. Too much water only can give crappy finish. Additive will make all the difference.https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-1-1-qt-Latex-Paint-Additive-and-Extender-70332M/206116739
Could also try slow dry acrylic paint . https://www.fauxbrushes.com/PSF-111.html
SW pro multi-surface acrylic is fairly thin, meant mainly to be sprayed, house paints are not. Also SW pro-classic waterbourne interior paint is thinner than house paints, drys pretty hard rather than rubbery, & puts out the least fogging in air when I spray. Actually a favorite to spray with turbine sprayer.
Also, if you can get someone to ring you up under commercial account at SW stores, price difference is drastic. School may have an account?? Or tell them it's for the children.:rolleyes:
 
I agree with JL 100%.

"Acrylic Flow Enhancers", such as Floetrol, Zinsser latex paint extender, and others provide much better results in Latex and water based paints than thinning with water. I've used several brands (depending on what product was available locally) with good results. However..., pay particular attention to the recommended quantities of whichever particular product you may be using. Some products require very little to achieve the desired result, while others require LOTS more in the mix to achieve similar results.
 
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