Airbrush Troubles?

[LittleKirara]

Okay my fellow pony lovers, I just got my airbrush and I could really use some help here. My kit came with paint made for airbrushes and 3 airbrushes (two duel action and one single action) and no matter which one I use at any PSI my ponies are turning out really grainy looking, any idea what I'm doing wrong? I'm getting nice color and coverage but it just looks like its got a sandy texture, its really frustrating I've seen what ponies look like with good airbrushing so I know its something I'm doing, so please any advice??

[Colorscapesart]

Do you have pics?  Grainy could have a few causes.  What brand of paint/paint consistency are you using?  Have you been cleaning your airbrush in an OCD-like fashion?  The second reason, not cleaning the airbrush enough, is typically the cause in my case.

[Galactica]

Is the paint too thick?  That was my problem at first-  I'd experiment with viscosity maybe on some cardboard until you are getting the texture you like.

I assume you are using Createx airbrush paint? It does need to be thinned with water- I actually add a bit of airbrush cleaner to the paint (read that somewhere) to keep down clogs...

Of course this advice is as a fairly new airbrush user myself-  so I'd defer to the experts, just giving you some advice based on what went wrong with me.

[Thrice]

I'm no airbrush expert but I do have to hit my paint (Createx) with reducer before I put it in the cup. I have a small hobby compressor and the paint is a bit thick for the low psi.

[LittleKirara]

Yep I'm using Createx paint, I did try to water down them a little bit and it seems to make it splatter. And yes I've been cleaning them a lot( I had this problem with all 3 of them brand new out of the box, so its not the way I'm cleaning them). My compressor goes up to 150 PSI, but I read that 20-30 is more like what your supposed to use (and yes I've tried turning the PSI down and up, didn't help)

I will try to get some pics here soon!

[Colorscapesart]

For FBRs, I like 30 psi and detail work (for me) I prefer 20ish. 

There was a time I tried to use a very fine tip with a medium needle unknowingly.  It was very grainy and blech.  I went to the store and bought the finer needle and things worked so much better! 

[Thrice]

I've also noticed that the paint splatters pretty bad when you hold your brush too close to the pony. I had that problem the first time too, then I backed off a bit and it looked a lot better. Hold the brush about 8-12 inches away, like you're going to spray-paint.

Sorry if you know all this already. :/  I'm still learning too.

[BarbedDragon]

Typically when I get grainy I turn it UP the air, about 30PSI works for me. It's a lot of fiddling to find the correct air pressure for the paint viscosity some times. I work inside an old shipping box on it's side with one side cut down and I test pattern on it before I run stuff on the pony. Also make sure you are close enough to the pony so the paint is not drying before it hits.

Also do you have an in line water trap? this can make a big difference. I got mine at Lowes.

If you want cheaper stuff to thin your paint---I use WITCH HAZEL. Works like a dream. You want your paint the consistency/thickness of regular milk.

To clean I have a airbrush cleaning cup and use this solution which is cheaper and BETTER than store bought cleaner.

Air Brush Cleaner Solution:
1 cup 70% Rubbing Alcohol
4 cups Water
1 cup Glass Cleaner (doesn't matter what brand but must have ammonia)
5 Drops Glycerin (pharmacy section where rubbing alc. is)

I keep mine in an old mason jar

[LittleKirara]

I was just going to ask what kind of cleaner everyone uses because the createx cleaner seems to work as well as just plain water

And by line water trap do you mean a cleaning pot? I have this exact one http://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush%C2%AE-Airbrush-Cleaning-Holder-paint/dp/B001BXMYT0/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_10_AZC6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VG0GMVE4SJP59RWMF02

[BarbedDragon]

Nope, I'm talking about

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush%C2%AE-Inline-Airbrush-In-line/dp/B002FDZM08/ref=sr_1_3?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1379897485&sr=1-3&keywords=water+trap+airbrush

It keeps the water out of the paint which can cause splattering.

Plain water doesn't work very well on cleaning all of the dried up gunk that gets stuck---that is why I made my own. It works much better than the cleaner the sell IMO. Never use straight rubbing alcohol to thin or clean because it causes the paint to goo up and thicken instead of thin, and it's horrible to try and clean it out. Basically turns paint into snot.

[LittleKirara]

I will certainly try your recipe!

According to my compressors manual it has a built in line water trap (it was made for airbrushing) BUT for 7 bucks if you really think it will help I would be willing to try it on top of what my compressor has.

Anyways I have a another clue to the mystery here thats actually making things more frustrating  IF I use one paint strait out of the bottle it works like a dream, but if I try to mix any of the paints (in this case white and yellow) it doesn't matter what I do it comes out really grainy and icky. Does this help anyone know whats going on?

[Tabbyclaw]

At a guess? You're mixing too aggressively and getting bubbles.

-Tabby
the princess with claws

[LittleKirara]

At a guess? You're mixing too aggressively and getting bubbles.

-Tabby
the princess with claws

Hmm, maybe would that cause a grainy look? And if so what can I do to prevent this (do I just try to mix slower?)

[kezrob23]

i had grainy paint when i mixed two different brands of paint - the white wasn't as good quality as the colour. as i had no other paint at the time, i sieved the mixed colour through a panty hose to get all the grit out

[LittleKirara]

i had grainy paint when i mixed two different brands of paint - the white wasn't as good quality as the colour. as i had no other paint at the time, i sieved the mixed colour through a panty hose to get all the grit out

I'm using the same brand, but I will try that.