whats the best paint to use for airbrushing?

[Carrie Brown]

I can help on one bit …. you can get Frogjuice from Victory Designs or you can go to Grafityp who do the same/similar stuff but in their own name.

As for screen printing inks … I know nothing about those but Im sure someone will?

😀

[Dave Bruce]

Better off getting Karnaval paint they are in Swansea 01792 582828 the paint is designed for plastics and actually bonds to the surface.

Cheers

Dave

[Chris Parsons]

Thanks for the replies so soon. The Swansea company would be perfect for me.

Is there any problem with regards to clear coating the vinyl. Is this necessary with these paints? I was thinking in terms of using a hinge methods…when you peel off the backing paper, do you end up cracking the clear?

[Dave Bruce]

There shouldn’t be a problem Chris as the paint actually ‘melts’ the plastic so become part of it rather than sitting on the surface.

Best to ask them though.
Cheers

Dave

[Chris Parsons]

Thanks for that Dave…look like what I am after.

I read the thread about KRYLON paints but couldn’t find it anywhere. The new paint you mention could be the one for me! Cheers 🙂

[Chris Parsons]

Just thought I would update this thread.

I spoke to Karnival Paints from Swansea…very nice people. They explained the paint they produce actually melts the vinyl and forms a chemical bond with the vinyl.

No need to clear coat it and is scratch proof.

Sound like what the old Krylon paints used to do before they changed the formula.

[Beej Curtis]

Hi Chris,

Auto Air paint works really well on vinyl and the beauty of it is it’s water-based. I was at Sign UK this year doing demmo’s of this and airbruishig other stuff. We’d had great support from Butch ‘SuperFrog’ Anton in the USA, he invented Frog Juice.

Frog Juice is excellent over the AA on vinyl and allows the paint to stretch/move slightly over months not like some other acrylic rattle cans which look great at frst but after 6 months can chip. We use Auto Air all the time in lots of our airbrush work and it really is excellent stuff. The best thing about AA is that you can get it in all types of real trick colours from metalflakes to chameleons, irridescents and sparklescents and the no-solvent content makes them great to spray all day long!

beej

[Peter Normington]

Nice stuff Beej

Peter

[Chris Parsons]

Thanks for the tips Beej…I managed to catch up with you at the show.

I was looking to book up a few lessons with you but you were fully booked up at the time. However, I noticed your site is updated with some new dates…I’ll see which one would be best for me and get one booked asap.

I have inherited a brand new Iwata Eclipse-CS Airbrush and going through the basics…dagger strokes, fades, etc.

I have done alot of vehicle spraying but wanting to get into airbrushing…I look forward to sorting some lessons out with you.

Cheers…CHRIS

[Beej Curtis]

quote Chris Parsons:

Thanks for the tips Beej…I managed to catch up with you at the show.

I was looking to book up a few lessons with you but you were fully booked up at the time. However, I noticed your site is updated with some new dates…I’ll see which one would be best for me and get one booked asap.

I have inherited a brand new Iwata Eclipse-CS Airbrush and going through the basics…dagger strokes, fades, etc.

I have done alot of vehicle spraying but wanting to get into airbrushing…I look forward to sorting some lessons out with you.

Cheers…CHRIS

Great stuff mate, I’ll look forward to painting with you soon then bud 🙂

Thanks Pete, I spoke to Rob t’other day bout posting some new classes and I got the impression he was cool with it. If not – sorry man! 😳

Cheers . .

Beej

[Beej Curtis]

PS: You simply cannot go wrong with the Eclipse, it is a real workshorse. Iwata are bringing out a new airbrush over here very soon called the Kustom and I nearly creamed when I saw it this week!

It is basically a beefed-up Eclipse with the MAC control valve (something I have been longing for on the Eclipse) and a much larger cup for more material allowing more work to be done. This feature was co-decveloped by Killer Paint’s Mike Lavallee as if you’ve ever painted True Fire flames you’ll know, the Eclipse is king but you have to keep adding more colour. The pre-set handle comes as standard – again, another missed feature and something you had to purchase seperately b4 with the older Eclipse and to top it off, a taller trigger for better ergernomics and detail control/flow.

I’ll keep you all posted on this baby as we’ll be deffinately having a play when it gets over here.

Beej

[Chris Parsons]

Beej,

Is it worth getting the MICRON airbrush as well in future? When I saw you working on the smaller details on the tribal patterns…were you using this?

I know it is designed for smaller detailed work…is it work it, or should I stick the the ECLIPSE to see how I get on first.

Cheers…CHRIS

[Beej Curtis]

quote Chris Parsons:

Beej,

Is it worth getting the MICRON airbrush as well in future? When I saw you working on the smaller details on the tribal patterns…were you using this?

I know it is designed for smaller detailed work…is it work it, or should I stick the the ECLIPSE to see how I get on first.

Cheers…CHRIS

Chris ALL the Tribal painting on the back wall was done with the Eclipse and black Auto Air mate 🙂 The Micron is really mega-fine work, say teeny skulls on a tank/lid etc or really tight portrait work etc.

You’ll be fine with the Eclipse for now, think as the Micron as the advanced driving test! Learn to drive with the Eclipse and then buy a Porsche! You won’t see any difference until you’ve mastered the strokes with an Eclipse first.

Beej

[Chris Parsons]

Nice one Beej…I’ll stick to my Eclipse then.

Catch you later…off to catch some kip..up at 5.00am to start spraying a mercedes bonnet and roof?? Yikes! 😮

[Martin Cole]

quote Beej_Curtis:

I nearly creamed when I saw it this week!

😮 😮

Steady Beej.

Just checked out the courses, not sure which one to go for 😕

Shall I bring me 70’s Badger airbrush or have they progressed since then 😀

[Beej Curtis]

Pic of the Tribal painting I was working on at the Sign UK show.

Beej

[Chris Parsons]

Dog Nabbit!!! I was off to bed until you posted that image!!

That was the one I was following your actions on at the show. You made it look so easy but I guess that what happens after 25 years in the business…oh well, just another 24 years 364 days to go!

Seriously though, how many years did it take for you to really get going in airbrushing? Did you work constantly or was it as a part time hobby?

CHRIS

[Beej Curtis]

Thanks Chris 🙂

I first piked up an airbrush back in around ’77, it was a Badger. I wanted to desperately be a custom car painter then at 14 yrs old and it’s taken me til now to get there! A lot of this is due to the fact that Photoshop, Vectors, Plotters and digital killed airbrushes in the late 80’s and well into the 90’s ut, it’s coming back strong and that makes me really chuffed to bits!

I have always used an airbrush in my work since I started working freelance back in the early 80’s. I’m gonna dig out some old posters/signs I did back then to show you soon, I’ll get Rob to ost them elsewhere. It’s all about practice, after a few months it seems like second nature getting those dagger strokes and that trigger control, it’s all in that trigger finger!

Talk soon . . ang get some kip man! 😉 I’m trying to watch Chip paint this car on Overhaulin!

Beej

[Chris Parsons]

Cheers Beej…take it easy…nice chatting.

I’ll sort something out with the lessons soon. 😀

CHRIS

[Beej Curtis]

Sure thing, l8trs man . .

Beej

[Chris Parsons]

Beej…what type of paint can I use through the Eclipse to get myself started.

I didn’t fancy using automotive stuff…anything nice and easy to work with. I know the Auto Air paints are good…but is there anything I can use to get me started straight away? I guess I will be painting onto normal paper to start with.

Cheers bud…CHRIS

[Beej Curtis]

Chris,

You can use something like Comm Art (excellent and formulated for airbrushing), water-based Gouache, watercolours, Acrylics . . anythin you can thin down slightly will do. Also, FW Inks are also good.

If you need help sourcing these let me know. We can get Comm Art 4 you.

Cheers bud

PS: And remember, Auto Air is also water-based and relatively cheap too. It’s all about thinning to the right consistency, learning that is the most imortant thing.

Beej

[Chris Parsons]

Beej,

Rather than hijack this forum completely, I have signed up as a premium member of your site.

Catch you later bud…CHRIS

[SwagScreenprint]

Im a newbie to vinyl banners, but would the Karnaval be suitable to spray onto straight on too heavy black banner material for an indoor sign? would I need to prep or aftercoat it afterwards?

Its a huge banner and Ive considered having plotter cut letters, but if we could spray directly on it my life would be much easier plus it would look better!

thanks for the help, just getting into this stuff

[Dave Bruce]

Hi SwagScreenprint, I use Karnaval paint all the time for spraying vinyl and Foamboard, it actually ‘melts’ the plastic so you get a fantastic bond so I don’t see why you can’t use it.

Cheers

Dave

[SwagScreenprint]

thanks, Im guessing yes due to the paint bonding with the vinyl, but will banners made like this still be fairly transportable? can I get away with rolling them up now and again for storage once dry and set?

the auto air stuff looks liek good value at the moment so im leaning towards that

[Dave Bruce]

Should be no problem as the paint becomes one with the plastic. I think Auto Air being water based might be a better bet in terms of working with it, as the Karnaval stuff is fairly potent.

I have a banner with vinyl on that has a gradient sprayed onto it and no problem, after 2 years.

I need to get some Autoair and try it myself.

Dave