Airbrushing aqueous clears (including varnishes)

[Evil Eye]

So I really like using clear paints on models, especially for "candy" looks over metallics. However, I've run into a bit of a problem- some of my shiniest metallics (Molotow Chrome, Alclads etc) tend to react and fog up if exposed to lacquer-based clears. This is unfortunate as lacquer clears are generally much easier to airbrush than their aqueous counterparts.

 

Nevertheless, water based acrylics definitely have the advantage of being completely "safe" over all paints, so I'd like to get the hang of using them, and also I do have the old FW clear paints. Unfortunately I have had a lot of difficulty using them through an airbrush. I find that it's very difficult to get a "sweet spot" with dilution and spray distance to avoid orange peeling or clogging whilst also not running and pooling. I even found this with Vallejo's metal varnish, which is annoying as it seems to dry very nice and tough yet shiny.

 

Is there a knack/trick to airbrushing them without them running, spattering or whatever?

[infyrana]

Have you tried Air Flow Improver or changing the pressure on the air tank?  I'm far the opposite of an expert with an airbrush and have enough of my own problems, but sometimes the little things can help :)

[Firedrake Cordova]

The problem of "tip-dry" is somewhat inherent with acrylics due to their nature, although it can be delayed by using flow improver.

 

Most issues are generally down to thinning - I found this very helpful when I first got my airbrush:

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by Firedrake Cordova

[Bung]

For colors i would recommend you to look into the Createx Candy2o color range.

The spray really well.

[Rik Lightstar]

Is there any kind of clear coat you can put over the top of the metallics as an interim step.

 

You might lose a little of the sheen but it would prevent the fogging.

 

Rik

[Firedrake Cordova]

Is there any kind of clear coat you can put over the top of the metallics as an interim step.

Vallejo Metal Colour Gloss Varnish might be a good option?

 

++EDIT: Of course, if you're using lacquer-based paints over the top, that's no good

Edited April 9, 2022 by Firedrake Cordova

[Evil Eye]

Is there any kind of clear coat you can put over the top of the metallics as an interim step.

 

You might lose a little of the sheen but it would prevent the fogging.

 

Rik

Funny, that's more or less exactly what I'm trying to achieve! I'm using Vallejo Metal Varnish, which has an amazing finish...but is water based and thus has the issues mentioned above.

[Cruor Vault]

I've had a lot of success with Alclad Gloss varnish over molotow chrome.  you only lose a tiny bit of lustre, and then can paint on top of it without worrying about damaging the chrome finish.