Tamiya Paint via airbrush, am I doing something wrong?

[Shawn M]

Traditionally I've sprayed Vallejos model air paints with no problems at all.

On my George Im using Tamiya X6, this stuff gums up my AB way more then vallejo.

Im using x20 thinner at 50:50 ratio around 15-20 psi, compressor and inline water traps are in play.

 

I find the trigger gets sticky and wont totally shut off the air when I lift my finger. But not every time. I do a full tear down clean on it nightly and use super lube on the air valve trigger as well. It sprays fine out the tip/nozzle but the lack of proper air flow control is annoying at best and has resulted in some rather heavy preshading where I was able to achieve delicate lines the day before.

 

Am I doing something wrong?

[CATCplSlade]

Did you give it a good cleaning between the Vallejo and the Tamiya? I don't actually use Tamiya's thinner - I use alcohol - but I know alcohol makes a mess of Vallejo so perhaps there was some residue left?

[Shawn M]

I did but Im wondering if there was some residue I missed in the trigger assembly.

[109]

I used Badger needle juce and it turns gelly with some solventsort blocking the airbrush. Since then I use Iwata's lubricant.

 

Also I use thinner and Gunze leveling thinner as well as nitro cellulose for Tamiya acrylics.

[LSP_Kevin]

Just to clarify, Shawn - are you using Tamiya's acrylics, or enamels? X-20 is their enamel thinner from memory, whereas X-20A is the acrylic thinner. I just want to make sure that you're not mixing them up! For thinning Tamiya's acrylics for airbrushing, I generally use Mr. Color Thinner. The Levelling variety is probably preferred, but I don't use it.

 

Kev

[Colin]

Do you wipe off the excess superlube as if it's put on the trigger part or even needle and left it tends to gum up and go sticky.

It's a wipe on wipe off, just leaves a thin lubricating coat that way

[Hardcore]

What is the nozzle size?

Edited August 18, 2016 by Hardcore

[Out2gtcha]

If it's not a compatibility issue, try adding a few drops of acrylic drying retarder.....I had all sorts of issues shooting Tamiya acrylics until I started adding a few drops in when I shoot. I won't shoot acrylics without it now

[Shawn M]

wow lots of great info guys!

 

AB is an Iwata revolution CR

not sure if x20 or x20a, it seems to thin the paint just fine and cleans up the cup and bits easily

I use the x20 or alclcad AB cleaner to clean up post Tamiya paint

the paint is acrylic

 

I have not been wiping off the super lube, it says to add a drop per instructions. I will try it tonight as I tore it down all the way after my last session.

 

I do a full clean between paint types as I know the two dont play well together in liquid form.

 

I measure the fluids using glass droppers to keep my ratio exactly where I want. 50:50 to 60:40 thinner to paint

[LSP_Ray]

I agree with Peter. I use Tamiya's yellow cap lacquer thinner with their acrylic paint and it sprays beautifully without clogging. This is through a Tamiya Superfine and/or an Iwata HB.

[Shawn M]

i had zero issues last night.

I did wipe the trigger piston off to remove any super lube.

Had 3 sessions now with no issues, pretty sure at this point it was my fault for leaving some residue in there after switching from vallejo to tamiya.

 

Have to tip my hat you all for the great advice on the matter!

 

Thank you!!!

[Zero77]

Tamiya acrylic paints are in my opinion the easier paints to be airbrushed. You seem to do well, thinning it 50:50. It should usually work fine.

I never had any issue spraying those paints, whatever the thinner (water, alcohol, custom thinner which is basically a mix of water and isopropylic alcohol with a few drops of flow imrpover and paint retarder, or lacquer thinner). I mostly use it with standard alcohol.

 

I think the issue must come from residues from the Vallejo paint (this kind of acrylics, Vallejo, AK, Mig...) really dont like alcohol and then become messy and tacky and very difficult to clean.

[Shawn M]

problem is definitely behind me now!