Im back! - AL legion HELP!

[AfroCampbell]

Hey team, yes indeed it is true, I am back in action thanks to all you wonderful people!

my only problem is that in starting out my new Alpha Legion I have run into the biggest roadblock!

 

I started airbrushing, initially the GW black primer, then Vallejo Air steel as a base coat, but now I am stuck on getting a blue..

I am using a Paasche airbrush for the first time, which i quite like, but the paint I cannot seem to get consistently to layer without blobbing in wave-like patterns, or being so liquidy it pools like using a wash! (this was initially with airbrush thinner, and then even WITHOUT THINNER!!)

 

HELP!!!

 

I tried several different paints that I have seen around the forums:

Forgeworld airbrush clear blue

Scale 75 blue and green alchemy

 

all of which were dripping.... i think its my airbrush technique with this new airbrush.... any advice/helpful hints?

[Balthamal]

Badger ghost tint blue. It's amazing. Very easy to get the right consistency and once it's applied it adds a nice metallic sheen to the model to bring out the colour even more

[Millicant]

Welcome back! I'm glad we were able to get you on your feet again. :)

 

Okay on to airbrushing. I had a hard time with airbrushing at first, but don't worry, it's an art and it takes some time to perfect. First thing first: always use a test model. I have a few old Black Reach Marines that I use, but a piece of paper works equally well. You just need something to test your consistency/mix before putting it on a model.

 

There is a fine balance between paint viscosity and air pressure. If you could tell me what air pressure you're using, that would help diagnose (I'm willing to bet based on your description that it's too high). In general, you want to use the lowest possible psi to get a smooth coat. I've found that Vallejo generally needs more pressure but any clear paint will need a low pressure and a little more distance from the model to achieve a smooth coat.

 

I'm sure you've heard all the conventional wisdom about thinning your paint and they're all true. It should leave a slightly opaque film when swirled.

 

Don't worry! We'll get you sorted out. :tu:

[RandomMarine]

Welcome back

[Robzilla]

Id rally recommend checking out the tamiya clear paints. You need to thin then at least to a 50-50 consistency with tamiya thinner, but they come out really well.

Betrayer 41 uses them like a boss, and Cadmus tyro has a thread where he does a green effect which looks phenomenal.

 

Ad others have said, I think its the pressure in the airbrush, personally. If the paint comes out too forcefully, it affects the coating.

That said I've had difficulties with the forgeworld range, the clear purple is especially hard to layer... Or at least I found it to be so.

 

Also, even If you aren't too happy with the initial shade, its surprising how much washes and weathering will change these metalics

[Baluc]

Turn down the Air pressure on your compressor, the better airbrushes don't require as much.