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    Apostilha sobre aerografia

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    Apostilha sobre aerografia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    176 views13 pages

    Airbrushing

    Uploaded by

    Joao Junqueira
    Apostilha sobre aerografia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 13
    FiNeSCALE MobELeR and ScALe Auto ENTHUSIAST present BASICS AIRBRUSHING MODELS Getting started with one of scale modeling’s most essential tools Editorial Coordinator: Matthew Usher ©2001, Kalmbach Publishing Co. All rights reserved. This publi Editor, FineScale Modeler: Terry Thompson cation may nat be reproduced in part or in whole without writ Editor, Scale Auto Enthustast: Kirk Bell n from the publisher, except in the case of brief ed in reviews. Published by Kalmbach Publishing roads Circle, P.O, Box 1612, Waukesha, WI Printed in the US.A. Contributors: Chris Appoldt, Paul Boyer, Elizabeth Lamb, Matthew Usher ABCs of airbrushing by Matthew Usher | photos foe Mathew Ue ni abc the only way to consistently produce igh-quality, scale finishes on your ‘models isto use an airbrush. Sean the arti: cles in any issue of FineScale Modeler or Seale Auto Enthusiast and you'll find the ‘majority (if not all) of the models were painted with an airbrush. Asking around at ‘a club meeting or a model contest will yield the same result With this kind of overwhelming en- dorsement, deciding to buy an airbrush often takes lite time, Learning to use one, however, can seem to take forever. Despite its simple looks, an airbrush can be mad: deningly frustrating the first few times you try to use it, Don’t give up. Whether you're considering buying your first airbrush or are reluctant to use one you already have, we'll help you get started. fra: modelers will tell you that How it works Your airbrush is a miniature spray gun ~ compressed air blows over the paint noz: ale, creating a suction that draws paint from the color cup or siphon jar. The paint flows out into the air stream, breaks into fine droplets, and flies to the model's sur face. The paint nozzle controls the amount ‘of paint that’s released, and the airflow is adjustable, The paint pattern can be adjust ed from several inches in diameter down to "fe" oF less. Airbrush types Airbrses come in two categories: sin- leaction and double action, Ona single action brush, the trigger button controls only the aiflow through te abrush Pint flow is controlled separately by an adjustable paint nozzle. Most modelers start with single-action airbrushes. They're inexpensive (prices Start around $45), have fewer parts, are feasy to clean, and can tackle most gener al painting tasks, Their only shortcoming is their limited ability to paint fine lines. The paint nozzle on most single-action 4 Bass oF Aros Moves Loring to use an ibrsh son of he best ws o improve yourmedels, no male wha! kind you bul ‘brushes meets the airflow at an angle, The air travels out of the brush and across the tip ofthe adjustable paint nozzle. Although this design Is simple and works well for ‘most painting tasks, it doesn't produce fine lines as well as a double-action brush, On double-action airbrushes, the trig- ‘ger controls both the airflow and paint sup- ply, allowing for greater control and flex: bility. Pushing the trigger button down ‘opens the air valve, and pulling it back inereases the paint flow. ‘The paint nozzle and air nozzle of a double-action airbrush are parallel. The air flows around the end of the paint noz~ ze, and the paint needle's position within the nozzle controls the amount of paint that’s released. Double-action airbrushes allow for finer lines and more efficient ‘operation, but are more expensive (starting around §70), more complicated, and more difficult to clean One of the most important steps in selecting an airbrush is to think about what kind of painting you plan to do. The most expensive or complicated airbrush isn’t always the best choice. If you're a car ‘modeler planning to paint single-color fin ‘shes, a single-action airbrush probably will meet most of your needs. However, if you're planning to model Luftwaffe ai ‘raft in 1/72 scale, a fine-tipped, double action airbrush probably would be a better choice for the complex schemes you'll be painting, Attend a club meeting or model contest and ask other modelers what air- brush they use and what model they would recommend, Most will be happy to steer you toward an airbrush that will be right for your needs. Air sources All airbrushes are powered by com- pressed gas ~ usually air. You'll want to have 15 to 30 pounds per square inch (psi) at the airbrush to handle most hobby paints Many single-action airbrush starter kits come with a can of propellant and a regu later. Propellant cans hold 6-15 oz. of pro- pellant, enough for one or two medium: size models. Propellant cans are silent, but are difficult to regulate, and at $7 to $12 each, they get expensive in a hurry, Ifyou plan to airbrush regularly, invest in a com: pressor or another source of ait. Many modelers opt for simple electric piston or diaphragm air compressors. They're affordable (starting around $150), but can be noisy, and many don't allow you to adjust the air pressure, More advanced compressors have built in reservoir tanks, The compressor turns ‘on to recharge the tank when the pressure drops below a certain level Adding a moisture trap between the compressor and the airbrush is a good Idea. As compressors operate, they con- dense water vapor in the air. The water trap removes moisture from the air supply before it finds its way through the airbrush and ruins your paint job. ‘A number of modelers have chosen car bon dioxide (C0;) or nitrogen tanks as an alternative to air compressors. Normally used to power fountain-drink dispensers, carbon dioxide tanks are available from compressed-gas dealers. Nitrogen tanks are available from most welding-supply Aealers. Both offer silent operation and are easily regulated. Also, you won't need a moisture trap with either system. A 20: pound tank with a regulator can cost between $150 and $200, and will hold enough gas to paint 15 to 20 average mod- els. Recharging the empty tank will cost $10 to $20, Because of the high pressures within, both carbon dioxide and nitrogen tanks ‘must be handled carefully. Your local com: pressed-gas dealer will tell you what kind of regulator you'll need, show you how to handle and store the tank safely, and let you know how often you should have it inspected and pressure tested Some modelers have added regulators to low-pressure hardware-store ait tanks normally used for filling car tires. A five- gallon tank filled to 100 pounds of pres: SINGLE-ACTION AIRBRUSH Airnore ey = <—Airline ‘cofmpression seal Rocking button draws needle back, nreasing pln ow For many modelers a simple, elite single-oction cirbush wil last fetime of modeling, ‘Ina typical double-action airbrush he rigger con: trols both the airflow andthe post supply. ‘th surtace tite 45# awry ftom the atbrsh, paint the outine ofthe color area fs then fin the center Spay diameter Top view, Spray pater Gorter AIRBRUSHING FREEHAND Biss oF Amin Mooes 5 SPRAYING AT SPRAYING AN ANGLE AT 90° Sie view Side view Metaateet oie vous rir eége eee “ep view top view For bast ress, use the thinner recommended by the pon! manefactrer. Co Ord Propellant cans are god when you're geting sto ed However, theyre ricky to regulate ond expen sive inthe log un Nirogen or carbon dase (0, tanks ik his one are senor easly reglled, but mos be filed cxcasinoly 6 Basics oF Anansi MODELS sure will provide for 5 to 10 minutes of continuous spraying, enough for one or ‘wo small models, Low-pressure tanks can be an affordable alternative to other air sources, particularly if you only plan to airbrush occasionally, but you'll stil need to find an air source to fill the tank. Paint ‘An airbrush is a remarkably adaptable piece of equipment; you can use it to apply almost any type of paint, from enamels, to lacquers, to acrylics. No matter what type of paint you choose, however, it will need to be prop erly prepared for use in an airbrush. The first step is to make sure the paint is thor ‘oughly mixed. Stir the paint until all of the pigment on the bottom of the bottle is mixed in with the carrier at the top. Almost all hobby paints need to be thinned to spray properly through an air- brush. Thinned paint goes bad eventual ly, so only thin as much as you'll need for your painting session. Never thin paint in the bottle; transfer it to a separate con- tainer, and use the thinner recommended by the paint manufacturer. There aren't any hard-and-fast ratios for thinning paint for airbrushing. ‘Thinning the paint to the consistency of milk is a good starting point, but exper ment to determine what ratio is best for you, and for the brand and type of paint you're using. If you add too much thinner, the paint won't cover properly, and if you don’t use enough, the paint won't spray properly ~ or at al Generally, gloss paints require more thinner than flats. Some paints, such as ‘Testor Metalizer, don’t need to be thinned, and can be poured straight from the bottle Into the airbrush. Read the manufacturer's directions, and experiment on an unwant ed practice model Firing it up By far the best way to learn how to ai brush is by doing it~ thin some paint, ill the airbrush, point it at model and press the trigger ‘As the paint leaves the airbrush, i forms a cone-shaped spray patter, with its point atthe tip ofthe airbrush, The size of the spray pattern increases as the dis tance between the airbrush and the mode! For general painting, such as applying an overall base coat, you'll want to use 15 0 20 psi of ait pressure, and hold the brush 3" to 6" from the model. f the air brush is too close, the paint will run, and if it’s too far away, the paint will dry on the way to the model and won't adhere properly Practice making smooth, even strokes with the airbrush and begin and end each stroke off the model. If you don't, the coat of paint will be thicker at the ends and ‘The paint should land on the model's surface still wet. With flat paints, the paint will hit the surface and look slightly shiny for afew seconds. Advanced techniques Once you've mastered basic paint appl cation, you're ready to move on to more ‘advanced techniques. Holding the airbrush ata 90-

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