Dude thank you so much for this video. At 43 and both of the kids out of the house, I have picked up building models again after 25 years! Having to buy most of the supplies and paint got expensive quick. I was wondering if I could use some of the craft paints for base coats and large surface areas, so I am so thankful I came across your video. Also thanks for being transparent and not editing your video, show your flaws and all. Those are things we can all learn from. SUBSCRIBED!! Keep up the good work
I’m glad it helped. And I’m right there with you paint coats add up quick. Over the years I have build up a nice collection of nice paint brands but in the beginning I only used the 99¢ bottles. Honestly I still use them quite a bit. I’m glad you appreciate the flaws. I’ve seen so many people make things looks so perfect it never goes perfectly that’s why I’ve decided to always show my screw ups. I try to always turn them into teaching moments. I always laugh when I do it cause some call me out on my mess ups as if I should show someone if I can’t do it right and other like yourself thank me for them. Can’t make everyone happy. I’m glad I made you at least 😁 Happy painting and good luck on figure projects Ps. Thanks for the sub.
I also started back modeling after years, I also am on a budget so every penny counts .I use a floor wax called Pledge Revive it for clear coats sealing layers and to seal in waterslides and make it level with the paint . If used with a light coat it seals matt but if applied heavy it will seal glossy. Also if applied as a basecoat and in between layers of paint will work as a chipping paint It is also cheap at 7 a bottle us and can be used for multi purposes. Ps it also makes your workspace not smell like paints and chemical but fresh and clean lol! Its a win win win!
@@ItsMeaDMaDe hi i just bought 2 bottle of folkart metallic paint. just now i try it twice directly in the cup; first time it clog and 2nd time i over thin it. may i know does thinning folkart metallic paint work the same as what you demo in our video? Thanks
@@leomr1504 I’ve used the same metallic paints and it’s a little tricky to thin cause of the metallic flecks in the paint you have to thin it just right and it’s easy to over thin it.
You're the first person I've seen that gives a good benchmark for how much to thin. Most others say something like " thin to the right consistency", which for a noob like myself is next to useless. And I love those little medicine cups, I've used them for mixing resins and epoxies for years.
Awesome I’m glad I could help. The whole right consistency always bothered me too. It’s like saying just thin it until it’s right. With no explanation.
I have been painting model trains with craft acrylics with beautiful finishes. I put isopropyl alcohol into the paint cup first then ad the craft acrylics AFTER the alcohol so it doesn't glob up in the bottom of the cup and plug up my airbrush. It is pretty easy to do. Multiple light coats work well; don't try to cover the model with 1 coat. The tiny detail is preserved this way. I find 25 lbs pressure works well and I like a single action airbrush best because it is EASY to clean. I have not found a double action airbrush to be any better in painting models. It is very important to have a good primer or painted surface because craft acrylics don't adhere to plastic or metal well alone. I use 123 Zinser Bullseye and dilute it also with alcohol. I mix the paint and alcohol or primer with a small model paintbrush, rinsing it in a water. Alcohol dries quicker than water and a blow dryer speeds drying up if needed. Sometimes it is just better to let the model lay and air dry if you're having trouble. Metallic paints work better with water and congeal often with alcohol and plug the airbrush. I find the airbrush needs to be taken apart and cleaned about every 3rd paint batch or you start getting small bits of paint on the model that looks like dust but is paint that has acumulated in the airbrush. I use pipe cleaners, pieces of wire in varying sizes, and weed trimmer line to clean the airbrush nozzles. Weed trimmer line works well to clean the spout of the paintcup. These tips work well with "real" paint also like Rustoleum Ultra semigloss black for my locos. I have sprayed water based polyurethane also using alcohol for thinner. The finish looks like a commercial model paint job. With time, the primer and paint bond stronger and stronger to the model. A cleaning product at Dollar Tree called Awesome will clean the airbrush, paint cup and other parts. It strips paint off a model train like lottie's eye. It has eliminated my need for MEK and can be used on plastic. Great deal for $1.25
Thanks for saying this with iso alcohol, most people have recommended to me windex, which is not soemthing I wanted to use. Good to know iso works too!
Thank you for this video!! The visual example with the coffee stir stick and the side of the cups was exactly what I needed! I'm wasted hrs with a inconsistent airbrush painting
I’m so glad this could help you paint consistency is the hardest thing to get right. I’m right there with you on hours wasted cleaning clogs from inconsistent paint. Thanks so much for the super thanks! Let me know if I can help in the future!
yeah +1 that's the way to explain the desired consistency. I'm gonna try this tomorrow after an utmost failure today with a clogged airbrush and having to take it apart for a complete cleaning.
SUPER HELPFUL!! I just got an airbrush on a whim to try on my painted rocks, and like a child with a new toy I just plowed into it assuming I'd paid enough attention when my nail tech used hers on my nails! I had to stop and start a lot the first time because of clogs, and realized yesterday that I probably needed to thin the craft paint further. This is exactly what I needed, creator to creator, huge THANK YOU!
Thanks so much! I’m really glad I could help you out with the video. Best of luck with your airbrush if you ever want to go more in-depth I have a course for beginners (link in description) Thanks again!
The method I have used for years is to simply add some acrylic floor polish to the paint to get to the consistency I need. The acrylic floor polish is almost as thin as water, it's crystal clear, it greatly improves flow and adhesion AND it adds strength to the paint. I use it with cheap craft paints, super thick Liquitex acrylics that come in tubes (that stuff is like toothpaste!) and any other acrylics I've used in the past that needed to be thinned. You can get a cheap floor polish called Quick Shine here in the U.S. at a lot of different places. It costs less than $10 for almost a quart.
@@eternalchocolatemilkI usually just use warm water, but I completely disassemble it when I do. It's probably also going to depend on what kind of airbrush you use, though. I have never tried them, but some people swear by Windex, windshield washer fluid and Simple Green.
Thanks for the tip. What ratio should I use for paints? Or how do I know when it's funny enough? Can I cut the floor shine or just use that as is with the acrylic? Thanks!
@@dannymolns3573 I usually use the floor shine as-is. It is already about as thin as water. And, I usually thin the paint to about the consistency of whole milk...maybe a little thicker. And, apply the paint in multiple thin coats as opposed to one or two heavy coats.
@@frankschuler2867 thanks for the quick reply! After literally a few years of me wanting an airbrush I got one on market place for a good price a few days ago and I'm so eager to use it. Just getting some homework done and then I'll get started! Another question, if you have a second.. when I'm done painting and need to wash out the brush, mixing cups etc where do I put the dirty paint washer water? I have a feeling the sink isn't the best. What's the best way? Thank you!
Thank you so much!! I'm a beginner and mixing in a separate cup made a world of difference. Kept getting clogs mixing in the airbrush cup and most tutorials teach you that way. I'm definitely not experienced enough to mix in airbrush.
Yeah I typically only mix in the color cup with my airbrush with bigger needles so I don’t get clogs. It’s also a help to strain your paints too if you keep getting clogs.
I just got an airbrush and this video seems more straight foreward than all the others ive seen.. ill give it a shot and let you know what I experienced!! great video!
Been using the craft paint for a very long time on models. Actually did a large Necron army in the stuff years ago. The metallic colors work amazingly well. I still have my small expensive paints and use them as well. But that craft paint is hard to beat when it comes to just going down to the craft store and picking through a vast collection of color options.
This is probably the most informative video about this I've watched so far. I've been thinking about getting an airbrush machine for some time but I've just periodically been watching tip and tricks videos to get familiar with what they can do. thank you for this info.
Awesome that’s my goal to be as informative as possible in my videos. I remember what it was like getting started and having to piece everything together.
Stacie till I saw his videos I was about to give up on airbrushing cause I'm also very new at it but ever since I watched his videos and it took only one time for me to get it. Don't give up its worth it, these videos are very helpful. He is good so knowledgeable at his profession. Good luck 👍 Stacie
This is probably the best tutorial on the consistency you really want. I've painted professionally and I could tell you all day about paint and technique but goddam I had no idea how thin it had to be to start airbrushing. I also had no idea just straight water would work, I'm over here trying to concoct a h2o-ammonia-alcohol-glycerin thinner and its just not needed. Many thanks this helps so much.
Well that’s awesome I’m glad you liked it. When it comes to using distilled water. I’ve found a few brands that just don’t mix down well. It’s something you just have to experiment with. I’m wanting to do another video getting more in the weeds testing thinners with different hobby craft paints.
I just started model building and air brushing two weeks ago. I appreciate videos like this. I have used your content and others to begin at a higher level than I would've without this easily accessibly knowledge thanks to youtubers. Thank you again, Stay blessed!
I agree with you. I'm in my mid-60s. Retired and bored. I started building models again after a friend gave me one as a retirement present. I am trying to learn how to use a "airbrush". I thing that this video will help.
so i was finally able to use my cheapo amazon airbrush kit for my mordheim terrain and thinning the craft paint the way you showed in this video really helped!! i dont know why people say it cant be done. Thanks!!!
The medicine cups are good but with some small silicone measuring cups you can just use them over and over. After the paint dries it just peals out. You can also get silicone stirring sticks.
Modeling for years, we thin our acrylic paints with,,,, windex! Yup good ol windex, works wonderful and no the ‘blue’ color doesn’t effect the paint color, even white. Biggest issues I have run across over the years is that it is almost a MUST to run the paint through a strainer befor loading the brush, seems most have some solids in them that will stop up the gun and cause spatters. Note, the windex will not speed drying. Have fun!!
The day I found tamiya paint was the day I fell in love with airbrushes. Water based paint you spend just as much time troubleshooting clogs as you do painting. And that goes up exponentially when you use craft paint.
Thank you that was a really useful video - if like me you've only painted with a brush for years, getting used to using an airbrush takes a while and can be a bit frustrating at times. Thanks for leaving in the footaget of the blockage, a good reminder to clean at the end of each session.
Yup! I’ve used brushes for more years than I want to admit. But I’m a few years into airbrush. Messed with them in the past but about 3 years ago got into it heavy. There is a big learning curve but they are fantastic once you get the hang of them.
Thank you very much for posting this video! I’ve been building models since I was a kid and I’ve always had to buy those pricey model paints. I’ve wondered about using these craft paints, but had heard stories of people trying them and ending up with disastrous results but after seeing your video here, I’m tempted to try it again. I love modeling, but it can get kind of pricey and anything that helps to dial the price back and put more dollars back in my pocket. I am 100% for. Thanks again! 🙂
Thank you for the affirmation of using “craft paints.” (I get a lot of “stink eye” when I tell other modelers that is my primary paint usage.) I do add a couple of drops to my water of “Flood” aka as “Floetrol” found in the box stores like Lowes. Cheap (under $9/qt),used to add to acrylic wall paints to “eliminate brush strokes/roller markings” and “improves flow.” It introduces polymers into your paint so consistency/acrylic binding is not diluted out with water. Works for me. Thanks again.
I've learned alot from your videos man. I mix my own thinner with water, isopropyl, and a bit of vegetable glycerin. If you haven't already you should look into trying it. A video on it would be awesome.
What has worked for me in thinning down these craft paint is windex. I heard this from a RU-vid artist, and it works wonders. Your methods work as well. Thanks for spreading your knowledge.
I'm definitely with you there. I'd also want to use the cheap stuff for large foundations so I only have to spend the expensive ones where it counts. What kept me from using them was the question whether I could just thin down the stuff or if the larger pigment size would clog up the airbrush too much.
Omg that you so much. I am a super duper beginner. I just bought my airbrush system. I was struggling to the point I was going to return it. I decided to search videos to see if I could find any help and you appeared. You clarified my question in this video. Thank you again
Thanks so much for your useful way of telling whether the paint is properly thinned. Many just say "the consistency of milk" but that isn't very helpful to me. Watching how it drips is so much better.
Thank you so much for this video. It's my first time with an airbrush and it was a little expensive to me to get profesional airbrush inks, speccially if I could mess up, so I wanted to try using acrilics to paint my 3D prints. In my few tests, some acrylic medim is working just fine to keep the color.
That’s great! I was in the same situation as you when I first got started. It’s a big expense so being able to use cheaper paints helps a lot. Best of luck with your airbrush
I mix mine 5 drops paint 8 drops thinner and 4 drops flow improver.great results but what i will do is make sure everything primed before main coulour go on..GREAT RESULTS
Biigest thing you are forgetting is to ALWAYS stain your cheap paint before putting it in to your airbrush. I use everything from house paint to the craft paint to top self acrylics. Always strain your paint.
Yes it’s good to do it. I didn’t mention it in this video since I was just talking about thinning paints specifically. I’m planning on doing a specific video talking about that in the future. Thanks for the comment.
@@ItsMeaDMaDe thanks! I've never considered straining paint before but it makes good sense I suppose if you're putting it through a device like an airbrush.
@@gregmccormack5709 yeah I should of mentioned it in this video but I was just focused on thinning. Some paints clump easy and it just saves you a clog in the airbrush and it doesn’t take that long to do.
Oh this is wonderful to know. I don’t do a lot of painting, but knowing what I would need to know should I dive down the air brushing path it's good to have experienced advice. Thanks for another great video! Bonus points for matching the paint to your desktop!
Thank you so much! I have just joined the bewildering world of airbrushing and I'm loving it, but I've been very unsure in matters such as the paints I can use. Now I know and won't fear being ripped off by buying expensive products which I didn't really need! 👍👍👍
I think I said it on another video of yours, but a dropper bottle with some ball bearings and a vortex mixer really help to smooth out that last bit, then I think I'd do what you did another time and strain them into the cup, just to be sure it's a nice consistency.
Just what I was looking for as I’m about to paint a mural on my garage door. Excellent detail with a great pace of process and procedures. And agree with showing failures… excellent teaching moments.
I've just begun airbrushing and your video really helped me understand mixing.thanks brther..I believe I have a looooong way 2 go before I'm a"pro"LmBo! Here's a question for you. Can you also use 73% alcohol? I've seen some vids and when I try it my paints"GLOB"up! Thanks again brother,and keep on paintin!!
Hey! So I’m strongly against using alcohol it actually breaks down the chemical compounds in the paint. Most will glob up like your seeing. It’s best to use distilled water or airbrush thinner.
I'm absolutely trying to use a gravity airbrush for the first time,and I have to say your tutorial is great. I'm mainly doing everioments for home projects,and possibly future Halloween projects. Anyway thanks for the info
Killer video! Thank you for showing the steps and the mistakes. I've been in this cycle of not wanting to waste paint on learning to airbrush because I'm not great yet, but can't get better because I'm not airbrushing. I won't feel bad about using up a bunch of cheap paint though so it looks like it's time to get my airbrush back out
I've had good results painting HO scale buildings and other models using wiper solvent fluid mixed with the Hobby Lobby acrylic paints, a gallon of wiper solvent is cheap and lasts awhile, unless you use distilled water you could get mineral build up in the paint!!!
@@ItsMeaDMaDe I just recently bought one, and was wondering if i can just feed my regular acrylics in it and then the great algorithmic gods pushed your video in my feed:D
Definitely great video! I recommend craft paints when doing large terrain pieces if you don't want to go bankrupt. I'm working on a terrain project now and the amount of mid tone grey I need for this spaceship interior base would cost me a fortune in 18ml air paint bottles. Pick up some 2 dollar folk art grey and thin it down instead and it does the job.
Thanks for the vid. When I started with using an airbrush, I tried this approach, following several channel’s advice. Unfortunately it led to lot of wasted time, poor results, and constantly clogged tips. I almost gave up entirely on the airbrush with frustration until I found Mission Models Paints. For a beginner, I think it’s the best paint because if you follow the simple recommendations by the mfg, you get an awesome finish, always. After you become more skillful, perhaps the “craft paint” approach is a good option, but idk 🤷♂️
I would also recommend getting some nylons/panty hose from dollar store and strain the paint after mixing. U can get all these supplies at the dollar stores. Mixers, cups, plastic cups with lids, paints, syringes, etc. The tiny cups come in various sizes and can keep your mixed and strained paint for some time. If using urethane, or solvent based paints, u will require solvent proof cups to store the paint. Or glass. Also, those tiny milk and cream containers (washed and rinsed) work great for mixing. And stir sticks can be snapped in half, or smaller ones can be purchased. And, wipe em, let em dry, and re use a couple times
Glad I could help. Best of luck learning airbrush. I have a few other videos where I talk about using an airbrush that might help too. ru-vid.com/group/PLv65CP2QM2rGmPY_RLWxq6JxlzPtGXuvf
I learned things! Thanks to 'Corpse Starch' for prompting a very informative thread! I never air brushed before. I have my cheap Harbor Freight (what ever flavor) air brush, still new the box. Once I get my hobby room ready, I plan on using it to get the basic concepts down and use it for large areas and possibly base coating. I will upgrade to a much more expensive one when I'm ready. Cheers!
Yup, pretty much agree with most of your video, I will also add see Barbatos Rex videos about spraying very thin multiple coats and putting a protective coating on afterward.....although acrylics made for airbrush are ground finer in the factory...also, keeping the airbrush spotlessly clean after using is imperative.....thanks....
I watched Barbatos' video as well and he's another great teacher in this hobby. That method is terrific. If you can point me to a source where there's documentation proving that the acrylics made for airbrushing are made with finer pigments, I'd love to see it. Otherwise, that's a myth...
@@dwightatnorthernstar1820 I found the video and listened to the section on pigment. He repeats the same talking point we've all heard, but provides no proof - no testing, documentation, data, just an assertion that "pigments aren't ground as fine in craft paints". He may be right, but how does he know? Trade secret? Industry insider knowledge? Scientific testing? No doubt paints perform differently, but in the current video on thinning, we see how they perform differently within the same brand, from color to color. Is that a result of larger pigment particles? Binder? Age? Or is it the property of that particular pigment and what it is made from? I think we need to apply a healthy skepticism here and really question this idea with some solid science and data.
Thanks man for the great video been looking for a video to show exactly how to do this been wanting to paint some latex masks but it's scary if you don't know what your doing this video has made me feel more confident...
Glad it helped. When I try painting on different surfaces I always do a small test to see what works well. Might be worth just doing some tests. Good luck.
I get the best results using a paint strainer after i mix the paint. with the cheaper paints there tends to be some larger particles that can clog the airbrush.
When I mix my acrylics I use communion cups that someone gave me. I think I have a lifetime supply, LOL. The communion cups are plastic, of course, and are just a little smaller than the medicine cups. I have 2 airbrushes. The HF Chinese one I use for lacquer based paints and I use my Badger Anthem 155 for acrylics. I also make my own acrylic thinner. For airbrushing the consistency should be like milk. Cheers from eastern TN
Thank you for not just saying, "It should be the consistency of skim milk." I have not had much luck using just water to thin down my craft paints in the past, but I also suspect I've been overthinning them. Another good reason to use craft paints is just the additional choices of colors. You can't always find some of the brighter and/or vibrant colors in any of the model or airbrush paints, because like video games, everybody has to be all "grungy and dark". One thing I have learned is that not all acrylic paints (craft or otherwise) react the same way to all thinners. Try putting Createx airbrush thinner into Turbo Dork paint, as one example, and see what you get. What you don't get is anything usable, and is an object lesson in why you don't do these things in your airbrush's paint cup, especially for new combinations of paint and additive that you haven't tested before.
Thanks! I just got an air brush myself and didn't know how to figure out if it was well thinned. I also tried rubbing alcohol to thin, but it made the paint dry too fast. I'll try with just water next time.
You’ll want to stay away from rubbing alcohol. It actually breaks down the composition of the paint. Distilled water or airbrush thinner. Best of luck.
You can just use an Acrylic in the medium instead of water so your paint doesnt break up, it also makes it a bit more transpared which is better for glazing
Also it depends on which type of airbrush you are using. Especially if you are looking at doing basecoats, primer, etc., you can use a cheap single action/external mix air brush with the cheap paints and save the worry about needles clogging, etc. Then use the better paints for finishing in your better airbrush.
i'm dipping my pinky toe in airbrushing so i didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars and end up not liking it. i've watched videos where people are using water, windshield wiper fluid, or alcohol to cut the paint with and i'm excited to try and find the best one. thanks for this! 💙
If your new to airbrush and haven’t gotten one yet the master air brand is pretty affordable. I’ve never used windshield wiper fluid. I would t recommend using alcohol it actually breaks down the paint molecules. I wish you luck in the hobby.
