1/48 FW-190

[ACMech]

This is the Tamiya kit straight from the box. Used my new airbrush on it.

[Enemy Ace]

wow very nice. what airbrush did you get? I am trying to learn how to use my new Iwata. I am starting to think I may have to start using acrylics, my model master paints just don't seem to cut it anymore.

[mazdaP5]

Hey, that looks great. I like the contrasting cowl, and the red trim.

[B-17 guy]

I am starting to think I may have to start using acrylics, my model master paints just don't seem to cut it anymore.

Why do you say this? I've been using MM enamls almost exclusively for as long as I can remember, very little problems.




Beautiful 190!

[k5083]

I find acryls much harder to airbrush, have switched (mostly) to them for toxicity reasons, but I find they more often clog, separate, or crackle, and are a butch to clean out of the airbrush.

August

[The Inspector]

A few issues ago FINESCALE MODELLER did a nice article on using plain old Artsy-Craftsy store 'buck a bottle' acrylics to paint your models, including all the hardeners required to make the paint work in an airbrush and not peel off when dried. And you can't deny they've got LOTS of choices, I cruise the aisles of local arts & crafts stores on a regular basis looking for stuff used by other crafters that can be used for braided hoses on a race car kit, tiny little colored beads that look like anodized AN couplers, etc. It's all there if you 'see' things instead of merely 'look' at stuff.

[K5DH]

Nice job on the FW-190! I especially like this photo. Very realistic looking!

[Enemy Ace]

from what I saw at the IPMS nats in orlando the acrylic paints (Especially Gunze) seem to lay out really smooth and flat, I have always battled a slightly pebbly, orange peel like texture using MM. I have tried everything, thinning, straining, all variations of airbrush/ psi combos but still nothing as smooth as what seems to be the norm with Gunze or Tamiya acrylics.
However, I haven't sprayed any acrylics so we'll see what happens...

[Steve Nelson]

Nice job on the Fw..that scheme is one of my favorites.

As for acrylics, I never had much luck airbrushing PolyScale or MM Acryl, but I've been spraying Tamiya and Gunze acrylics for over 25 years with no problems. I just thin them with cheap rubbing alchohol, and run a bit of lacquer thinner through the airbrush when I'm done. Unfortunatley, Gunze acrylics are no longer available in the States (although for some reason you can now get the Gunze "Mr. Color" lacquers, which were banned from import for years.) If you want Gunze acrylics, you'll have to go to an overseas supplier like Lucky Model. Fortunately I've got a drawer full of a hundred or so bottles.

SN

[WIXerGreg]

I have always battled a slightly pebbly, orange peel like texture using MM.

Try adding some acrylic retarder to the paint if the finish is textured when you start spraying acrylics. Acrylic paints dry much faster so they don't have time to level out on the model before drying and it causes the textured finish like you're describing. Retarder slows the drying time to allow the paint to level and help prevent it from drying in the air on it's way to the model. I've recently switched over to acrylics myself and had the same problem at first. Tamiya makes an acrylic retarder which is what I used, and there are other products available from craft stores too. I can only speak for the Tamiya product, but it's just a clear liquid that you mix in a few drops just like thinner. It has no effect on paint color or consistency, just slows drying time.