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Can't figure it out: Airbrush and Lacquer primer problem


Gazzas

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For some reason, Every time I use lacquer primer in my old airbrush it orange peels, no matter how close I keep the airbrush to the airbrush to the model.

 

If I don't thin the primer, it spits really bad.  So, I thin it with lacquer thinner, I get really bad orange peel.  Actually worse than orange peel.  It's more like spraying it with fine granules.

 

At first I blamed the primer.  But now with a different type of primer, I'm getting the same thing.  I'm also getting a lot of dry tip.

 

The needle isn't in original condition.  It has seen a little file action when the tip got bent a while back.

 

Anyone got any ideas?

 

Gaz

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Orange peel is caused by the paint not leveling itself before it dries. Adding a retarder and getting a finer spray will help. Temperature and humidity will affect drying time. Without a doubt, the best primer I have ever used is Stynylrez by Badger, it's an acrylic primer that levels out beautifully, and sticks like a primer should. If you can get it, mr surfacer with their leveling thinner also works great.

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Orange peel is caused by the paint not leveling itself before it dries. Adding a retarder and getting a finer spray will help. Temperature and humidity will affect drying time. Without a doubt, the best primer I have ever used is Stynylrez by Badger, it's an acrylic primer that levels out beautifully, and sticks like a primer should. If you can get it, mr surfacer with their leveling thinner also works great.

 

 

Gazzas im with 1to1scale. Retarder may help if you can't change your environment (temp, humidity) - the paint is starting to dry in the air on the way to your piece. Since it's partly dry it won't level out well on the plane.

 

Thanks for the replies, this makes sense!  It's ultra-warm right now.  It's 30-Celsius/86-Fahrenheit with humidity in the 60-70 percentile range.  I'll look into a retarder.

 

Gaz

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I spray only Mr. Color, which is laquer based, and never get orange peel with their primer(Mr. Surfacer 1200). I use Mr. Leveling Thinner which has retarder in it, mixed 50/50, and sprayed at about 15 psi.

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Also maybe try turning down the pressure a bit.  I shoot almost everything at 18psi.  At 25 it may be drying on the way to the surface.  The retarder will help with that.

 

Good luck and keep us posted on what you sort out.

 

Chris

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Orange peel is caused by the paint not leveling itself before it dries. Adding a retarder and getting a finer spray will help. Temperature and humidity will affect drying time. Without a doubt, the best primer I have ever used is Stynylrez by Badger, it's an acrylic primer that levels out beautifully, and sticks like a primer should. If you can get it, mr surfacer with their leveling thinner also works great.

I like Stynelrez too, but lately I've had some bad problems with clogging the airbrush. Do you thin it?

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I like Stynelrez too, but lately I've had some bad problems with clogging the airbrush. Do you thin it?

No thinning at all, try turning the pressure down, maybe 15-18 psi? I always keep a Q-tip hands with a little cup of thinner handy, I wipe the nozzle about 3-4 times while spraying the model.

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Are you sure the primer is compatible with lacquer thinner?  Just checking, because sometimes that's the whole problem.  If it is, then look into reducing air pressure.  15 or even 12 will do, depending on how much you've thinned the primer.

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Guest Paul Budzik

Several things ... air pressure at the compressor is not meaningful ... and you're probably asking too much from your small airbrush.  I only shoot automotive lacquer primer, and that means even more VOC's than model paints.  I have no problems.  You would do well to watch this video completely ... even it you're not going to buy a quality mini spray gun ... the principles and objectives for handling over-spray are the same and it's explained here ...

 

 

Paul

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Paul,

   Thank you for the reply.  The video has come up 'unavailable'.  I have watched your recent videos on airbrushes and paint sprayers recently and learned a lot.  I was intrigued with the idea of a spray gun, but haven't moved on it yet, and probably won't for a while due to a bit of recent bad luck.

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Are you sure the primer is compatible with lacquer thinner?  Just checking, because sometimes that's the whole problem.  If it is, then look into reducing air pressure.  15 or even 12 will do, depending on how much you've thinned the primer.

This is something I have considered.   I've tried to steer away from proprietary thinners whenever possible, but this may be an occasion where I can't.

 

Gaz

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