Spraying paint from an airbrush (thinner question)

[psychobeagle12]

Ok, so I pulled out my airbrush for the first time ever today! I got it at Harbor Freight for $10 and the worst thing that I can say is that it took a little while to get it set up right (mostly my fault!) So anyways, I put the paint in the jar and then promptly realized that I had no paint thinner!!! So I used some Coleman fuel that was in my garage! I was wondering if A. this will hurt my airbrush or b. if it will affect the quality of my paintjob. My paint looks great and dried fine so no complaints there, but i was just wondering if anyone else has any experience w/ something like this. BTW I LOVE airbrushing now. Never thought I would like it better than a regular brush but I'm hooked.

 

[Cjcrescent]

Don't use the Coleman Fuel!!!! It has a very low ignition point that makes it very explosive, esp when it has been atomized! As in being sprayed from an airbrush!

But no, the fuel won't hurt the airbrush. And no, it won't hurt the quality of the paint job. An airbrush can apply a much higher quality coat of paint, that is also much thinner, than any regular paint brush can.

Quick question. The HF airbrush you got for $10 dollars, is it a black single action brush, or is it the blue double action?

Just remember to follow the basic safety rules when airbrushing. Spray in a spray booth if possible. Always spray in a well ventilated area or even outside if you don't have a spray booth. You should also wear a respirator. You can get the respirator at HF for about $25.

 

[Cjcrescent]

Another piece of advice is before you do start spraying regularly, Practice, Practice, Practice!

Do this by spraying on scrap pieces of styrene, junk cars etc, until you are really comfortable with the way the airbrush sprays.

 

[Y3a]

If you are spraying OIL BASED PAINTS.... Use lacquer thinner as the thinner. It won't affect the chemistry of the paint, but does dry very fast. Most of it evaporates on the way from the nozzle to the surface you are spraying. I apply all my weathering as much thinned testors paints. I also use about 40 lbs air pressure to make the droplets as tiny as possible. You cannot make out individual specks of paint at this pressure. Great for that light dusting of sand on the drivers and trucks.

 

[psychobeagle12]

It is the black single action and i gotta say it works great! yeah i figured the ignition point would make it dangerous to spray but i just used it in a pinch. got some lacquer thinner to use now. I also use 30 lbs of pressure and that seemed like it was about perfect for that brush. I got an excellent spray pattern with little overspray/runs in the paint. I am going to paint some 40' wooden boxcars today so I will post the results when I am through and you guys can judge me. The cars will be finished with a Testors dullcote finish.

 

[Espeefan]

Lacquer thinner is avery bit as volatile as Coleman fuel. make sure you are in a well ventilated area and use a respirator. The stuff is NASTY!

Xylene or Xylol will work as well and is not as volatile or flammable. I use both but tend to use lacquer thinner more as a cleaner than as a thinner. You get lots of different opinions from the different painters on the list. We don't want you to poison yourself, and we don't want you to blow out your basement windows. Remember that the fumes from these solvents are heavier than air. If you were to spray in your basement without ventilation, and the fumes reached the level of the pilot light for your hot water heater...BOOM!

Be safe!

 

[psychobeagle12]

Oh no, I don't paint these in my basement anyways. I don't know much about different thinning solvents but I always work outdoors when painting to avoid fume buildup so I don't think thats a problem. Thanks all for your advice!!!