Airbrushing Humbrol Enamels (specifically Chrome Silver)?

[Evil Eye]

So I recently acquired a pot of Humbrol Enamel Chrome Silver. I absolutely adore this paint, and it's replaced my Tamiya Chrome Silver as my go-to bright silver (though I still use that for smaller, finer details due to the consistency of the Tamiya paint). It has a nice metallic flake to it, which I like, but it's still really shiny, to the point where a brushed-on coat looks like it's been glossed.

 

Now I was considering running this stuff through an airbrush (once I replace my knackered cheapo jar-feed airbrush with something better) for anything larger (including a non-Warhammer project- an ancient 1997 Eva Unit 01 kit I want to do candy-purple) and got some Humbrol enamel thinner at the same time. However I have heard that enamel paints aren't very good in an airbrush. Is that true? Does anyone have any experience with airbrushing Humbrol Enamels (specifically the Chrome Silver)? Would I be better off using the Tamiya or my Mr. Color Chrome Silver?

 

Thanks!

[Bloody Legionnaire]

So I recently acquired a pot of Humbrol Enamel Chrome Silver. I absolutely adore this paint, and it's replaced my Tamiya Chrome Silver as my go-to bright silver (though I still use that for smaller, finer details due to the consistency of the Tamiya paint). It has a nice metallic flake to it, which I like, but it's still really shiny, to the point where a brushed-on coat looks like it's been glossed.

 

Now I was considering running this stuff through an airbrush (once I replace my knackered cheapo jar-feed airbrush with something better) for anything larger (including a non-Warhammer project- an ancient 1997 Eva Unit 01 kit I want to do candy-purple) and got some Humbrol enamel thinner at the same time. However I have heard that enamel paints aren't very good in an airbrush. Is that true? Does anyone have any experience with airbrushing Humbrol Enamels (specifically the Chrome Silver)? Would I be better off using the Tamiya or my Mr. Color Chrome Silver?

 

Thanks!

 

Lol. Absolutely not true that enamels "aren't very good" in an airbrush. There are very many model hobbyist that airbrush their model kits with enamels exclusively. Before I got into warhammer all the model kits I painted with an airbrush were with enamel paints. They are fine to use through an airbrush they just require more cleaning which can be a hassle. You'll also want to flush out your airbrush really well as lacquer thinner (used to clean up the enamels especially if any has dried) can damage the finish on some of the airbrushes out there. For the metallics appearing too gloss, a good coat of flat varnish will mitigate that issue. 

[Evil Eye]

 

So I recently acquired a pot of Humbrol Enamel Chrome Silver. I absolutely adore this paint, and it's replaced my Tamiya Chrome Silver as my go-to bright silver (though I still use that for smaller, finer details due to the consistency of the Tamiya paint). It has a nice metallic flake to it, which I like, but it's still really shiny, to the point where a brushed-on coat looks like it's been glossed.

 

Now I was considering running this stuff through an airbrush (once I replace my knackered cheapo jar-feed airbrush with something better) for anything larger (including a non-Warhammer project- an ancient 1997 Eva Unit 01 kit I want to do candy-purple) and got some Humbrol enamel thinner at the same time. However I have heard that enamel paints aren't very good in an airbrush. Is that true? Does anyone have any experience with airbrushing Humbrol Enamels (specifically the Chrome Silver)? Would I be better off using the Tamiya or my Mr. Color Chrome Silver?

 

Thanks!

 

Lol. Absolutely not true that enamels "aren't very good" in an airbrush. There are very many model hobbyist that airbrush their model kits with enamels exclusively. Before I got into warhammer all the model kits I painted with an airbrush were with enamel paints. They are fine to use through an airbrush they just require more cleaning which can be a hassle. You'll also want to flush out your airbrush really well as lacquer thinner (used to clean up the enamels especially if any has dried) can damage the finish on some of the airbrushes out there. For the metallics appearing too gloss, a good coat of flat varnish will mitigate that issue. 

 

Thanks! I'll have to give it a go then, once I have a decent airbrush. I do have Mr. Colour Chrome Silver, but that's lacquer and requires a gloss black undercoat and buffing to get the proper shine out of, whereas the Humbrol and Tamiya silvers I've used look perfectly serviceable over a "normal" primer.

[LutherMax]

As mentioned enamel is fine in an airbrush in general. As long as the metal powder in the paint is finely ground (from your description it seems so) you shouldn't have problems with metallic either. As also mentioned just make sure you clean thoroughly with the correct fluid.

 

Another option is Vallejo Model Air. They don't require thinning and can be cleaned using standard water-based airbrush cleaner. The Steel, Aluminium and Chrome give a very smooth finish.

[Bloody Legionnaire]

As mentioned enamel is fine in an airbrush in general. As long as the metal powder in the paint is finely ground (from your description it seems so) you shouldn't have problems with metallic either. As also mentioned just make sure you clean thoroughly with the correct fluid.

 

Another option is Vallejo Model Air. They don't require thinning and can be cleaned using standard water-based airbrush cleaner. The Steel, Aluminium and Chrome give a very smooth finish.

 

I'm using VMA to do my legion world eaters now and I've found some of their paints do flow a bit better through the airbrush with just a little extra thinning. For the most part they do shoot nicely out of the bottle though. I recommend them as well OP. I must add though, if you like working with enamels, they are probably going to be higher quality than the acrylics you may work with. I like acrylics because I can spray in my house but I've been having so many issues with certain acrylic paints I'm really considering some enamels.