I just bought a undec.C44-9w and want to paint it in UP's yellow and grey.My question is what brand of paint do the members of Trainboard recomend.I have used Floquil in the past with good results but I want to start using Model-flex as it smells alot less and cleans up with water.My problem is my expiriments with it on a old shell have been less than satisfactory.The paint seems to splatter on the model,and when I decrease the amount of paint or move the brush further away the paint dries before it hits the model turning into a fine powder.Am I doing something wrong?The paint just doesn't seem to spray as evenly as Floquil.Keep in mind my airbrush is a single action badger with a propellant can.(I can't adjust the airflow)Any sugestions?I almost gave up and just used Floquil,but thought I'd seek some advice first.
dangerboy, until i finally got sick of buying cans every week i used the old throw aways too and had decent results with model flex. the only problem with it is you need maximum pressure all the time for it and with the cans as you use them you lose pressure that is why it splatters. try putting the can in a bowl or pan of room temp water while you spray DO NOT USE WARM OR HOT DUE TO CAN RUPTURE, this seems to help equalize the pressure. you might also try polly s paint which is made by floquil only it too is water based and has no fumes of the solvent based. this is the only paint i use and recommend it highly as the colors seem to match better also. it also has a longer drying time also. hope this helps some, mitch.
Dangerboy: I have to agree that the first thing to do would be to replace the air cans with a reliable air source for using Model-Flex. I have been using the Badger acrylics since they first came out and I absolutely swear by the finishes I get using them. I also can give you some pointers on using Model-Flex, one would be to add a couple drops of Badger Model-Flex Extender to a full bottle of paint. This lengthens the drying time of the paint which makes it easier to apply. I have found that Model-Flex can be applied with low air pressures, but for best results you need to have at least 20psi....30-35 is ideal. Chris Toth
As Mitch and Chris have pointed out, have a look at the Polly Scale range. I have had good success with Polly Scale acrylics. Another is Accu-Paint. I've never used Accu-Paint (can't get it here) but have heard (and read) good reports of it. Many, many years ago I used propellant cans with an old, old Humbrol airbrush. As a kid it was a hot set-up but now older, and (somewhat) wiser, I have to admit it had some severe limitations. For maintaining a consistant pressure, ditch the cans and find a half decent but inexpensive compressor - your models will love you for it! With Model-Flex, I had a couple of bottles of white that suffered the same problem you had with it going powdery on the model no matter what I did. I finally got a new bottle and it worked fine, so the above bottles may have been either old stock or a defective batch. As for the paints I use, all my Soo equipment is painted with Model-Flex but the for BN I'm using Polly Scale. I use Floquil for the occassional model, some detail work and for the weathering colours - mud, dust, grime, etc. You can thin it down easily. Air pressure used is around the 20-25 psi mark but sometimes higher. Model-Flex likes a higher pressure as Chris has pointed out. I have a spray booth and use a twin element respirator with dust/vapour cartridges fitted. Make sure you have adequate ventilation when painting regardless of brand. Gary.
Thanks for the advice,the expirimenting continues.....I'll try to post some pics as the project continues.
Just two notes from my experience: 1) A compressor can be got for about the price (I might be stretching it a bit here) of a new loco and is definately worth the cost 2) ModelFlex is the best paint I've tried, but my experience has been that it's only good for the airbrush a couple of times. This isn't too bad for locos, but sure raises the cost of painting cars. Also, I get better results by stirring the paint instead of shaking it - at least I think so.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Eagle2: Just two notes from my experience: 2) ModelFlex is the best paint I've tried, but my experience has been that it's only good for the airbrush a couple of times. <hr></blockquote> Is this because the paint tends to thicken??? If not, why?
Mike: What I've seen is that, after being around a while, it seems to form clumps or some such and quickly clogs the nozzle. This strikes me as different from just thickening, since I can still thin it and start spraying, it's just that work comes to a halt rather quickly.
Accu Paint is the best paint I have found and I think I have used just about every type of paint out there. It is somewhat thick and might need thinning right out of the bottle. I just get a one gallon jug of laquer thinner from Home Depot which is only around $7. Also, Accu Paint makes AWESOME finishes for locomotives that you spray out of your air brush. They have I think three different types and they are great! Below are two units I painted last year (when I was 15 years old) with Accu Paint.
