PAINT CONSISTENCY

i just started airbrushing, and i can't get the paint consistency right. is there a ratio of how much paint thinner to add to the paint so it will flow through the airbrush good? im just using regular automotive paint, and sometimes i will barely pull the trigger back and a ton of paint will shoot through, or ill pull the trigger back alot and hardly any paint will come out. i just don't know if the paint is too thick or thin, or what i can do to fix it.

sounds like the gun is gummed up, and it should say on the can what percentage ratio to mix its reducers/thinners to. fyi i wouldnt just use "paint thinner" cuz thats all it does. it thins it. reducer reduces the paint but doesnt affect its chemical make up like thinner does.

It really depends on the type of paint ( ie the brand ) you are spraying. PPG DBC basecoat you reduce 2:1 for airbrushing as a start but you have to modify your mixtures from there. Some metallics are very thick and don't spray for shit, and white is pigment heavy too so you need to reduce it more. But colours like black are thin to begin with and they need less reduction.

Originally posted by bagged85



sounds like the gun is gummed up, and it should say on the can what percentage ratio to mix its reducers/thinners to. fyi i wouldnt just use "paint thinner" cuz thats all it does. it thins it. reducer reduces the paint but doesnt affect its chemical make up like thinner does.

I didn't know that. Where can I pick up some reducer? Is it a generic thing or is there a certain type I need for my application?

also, a guy I know that works at a body shop gave me some paint he had left over, since I'm just practicing. Maybe its just crappy paint to begin with.

bump

usually its best to buy reducer that will match the paint. (read: same company)