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#3801637 - 06/26/13 04:40 AM Dumb airbrush question  
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rockhpi Offline
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rockhpi  Offline
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Hazel Park, MI
How do you guys measure paint to get the right mix ratios? Anything I use gets paint on the outside or inside and I can't tell how much is in there. I have had decent luck with the syringes for baby medicine but if the paint gets on the outside, it's all over because wiping the paint off also takes off the numbers.

Why can't they make an air bush bottle with marks on the outside (I searched for Paasche bottles like that and didn't see any)?

There must be a stupidly easy way to do it that I'm overlooking.

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#3801645 - 06/26/13 05:02 AM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: rockhpi]  
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csThor Offline
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I use disposable clear plastic tumblers for parties and mix the colours there. This gives me more control and allows me to check the mixture. A good rule would be to dip the tumbler slightly and if the mix leaves an opaque film on the side it's about right (consistency of milk is what we're looking for here).


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#3801724 - 06/26/13 10:45 AM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: rockhpi]  
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RSColonel_131st Offline
Lifer
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For the acrylics I was using, I used a spoon and measured in "spoontips"...

#3802023 - 06/27/13 01:46 AM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: rockhpi]  
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rockhpi Offline
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rockhpi  Offline
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Thanks guys. I use enamels, usually flat so I'm always doing 3 to 1, paint-to-thinner. I don't usually have to mix too much. For an overall on a 1/48 fighter I'll usually do 6 to 2 (of whatever unit of measurement baby medicine syringes use).

#3802184 - 06/27/13 02:52 PM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: rockhpi]  
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DudleyAz Offline
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I used to use syringes but found all sorts of down sides to them. Then I was visiting my dad in the hospital a few years back and saw them dispense his meds in a small graduated cup. I convinced the nurse to give me a few and they are PERFECT. The measurement markings are small enough that you can mix small batches of paint accurately, but they are big enough to mix enough paint for base coats on large kits in one batch. I get mine at a local medical supply store for a couple bucks for a 100, but I have found them online as well http://www.myamericanmedical.com/products/non-sterile-graduated-plastic-medicine-cups.html
This makes them very affordable and completely disposable... no more trying to clean out syringes!

The one hint I will give you is that when mixing paint in them, use an old paint brush. I was using toothpicks and the like, but found they wanted to flick paint out of the cup. I found an old, cheap craft paint brush lying around and now it is my dedicated paint stirring brush. The paint mixes better and I'm not flicking it all over the place.

As a side note, I've switched back to enamels myself, and I am having great results with a much thinner ratio for my paint... 1.5 or 2 to 1 (paint to thinner). I can spray at a lower pressure and I'm getting better results that way. It works for me at least.


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#3802403 - 06/28/13 02:30 AM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: DudleyAz]  
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rockhpi Offline
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Those look awesome! Ordering a bunch. Thank you. I just recently got a compressor with a pressure gauge on it and I am spraying a little lower each time.

Last edited by rockhpi; 06/28/13 02:32 AM.
#3803173 - 06/30/13 11:04 AM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: rockhpi]  
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Tigerwulf Offline
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My wife recently bought some 1ml syringes which instantly reminded me of this thread.

I think I'll be using some of these for mixing small amounts of paint. Because of the nature of a syringe there will be minimal waste, and enable me to mix exact colours in a cup.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terumo-1ml-Syringe-100/dp/B002ZGVR7M


#3803318 - 06/30/13 10:53 PM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: rockhpi]  
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WingNuts01 Offline
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For mixing I would suggest something like this.

http://www.micromark.com/48-piece-mixing-set,8026.html

Not necessarily those, but very similar. I've found them at Home Depot, Hobby People and Michael's. Just about any art supply will have something usable as well. I work with acrylic and enamel so having the disposable aspect is helpful.

WingNuts


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#3803664 - 07/01/13 08:01 PM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: rockhpi]  
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rockhpi Offline
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rockhpi  Offline
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Hazel Park, MI
If you go to the website DudleyAZ posted, for the same price you can get a thousand little medicine cups. You don't get the sticks but... I can eat some popsicles. My thousand cups are due to arrive tomorrow.

The problem with syringes is that you put them in the paint jar and if you misjudge, you get paint up on the outside and if you wipe it off, often the printed-on numbers wipe off as well. Also, the paint will dry on the inside of the syringe and you get grit in your airbrush paint.

#3820880 - 08/10/13 10:35 PM Re: Dumb airbrush question [Re: rockhpi]  
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U-96 Offline
%!#Stack Overflow#!%
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I've always used a glass eyedropper with a rubber bulb...


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