Hey all. I am pretty new here. I recently got back into the hobby after quite some time. I currently am constructing a fictitious/slightly realistic type of layout. This is going to represent some of the burn areas in California as well as a few areas that have grown back successfully. I brought it up a bit in the other California thread previously but will switch over since The post are going to be different. I'm looking forward to sharing some possible ideas and what not in the near future Cheers ! Panorama of the whole layout size is 12' x 3.5' Mountains being created !! Next is wiring. I'm currently waiting on some Flashing LEDs Im going to be installing in the track bumpers I have. That and some scenery stuff to complete the bridges. I plan on weathering with an airbrush and possibly dry painting. anyone have any tips for mixing paint in the airbrush ?
@vince p Ok so to help you help me. I have an I watta double action air brush with the cups. I have an 8 gallon hot dog compressor. I plan on using acrylic paints. So far I have looked into it and I ordered some airbrush/paint thinner. I have some background in painting and spraying with a bigger gun. I just wanted to see how some others have gotten started and what they did to get the textures and visuals they like. What thinner in your opinion is the go to for your projects ? Is there any videos you would recommend ?
1 me and acrylics don't get along sorry can't help you there. 2 do you have a moisture trap and regulator between the airbrush at the tank end. Quality airbrush great choice with the Iwatta. Me I'm using my 30 year old Pasche not spelled right single action.
Ok great Thanks for that. Now from what I've been reading alters from side to side on paint type. I like the idea of Acrylic because of the easier clean up. Im not to sure how that will be though. I definitely have to play around with it. (before pretending to be good at airbrushing lol) The compressor I have has a regulator but no water collector. I'm thinking of getting one though from HF. How easy are oil based paints to clean up ?? More pics !! Mountains are growing in my garage woo woo woo !!! Cheers !
Make sure your hot dog compressor is the oil-less type. Else you will have a mess on your hand with oil in the paint.
There are several books on AIR BRUSHING available. HOW TO USE AN AIRBRUSH by Robert Downie and AIRBRUSHING FOR SCALE MODELERS by Aaron Skinner. Both are published by Kalmbach. Since I am in the process of learning how to goof up a model with paint, these two books are extensive bibles of what to do and not to do. Some times you need answers NOW! not waiting for an answer online. THANK GOD for WATER THINNED paints! For good and CHEAP air compressors check out CRAIGSLIST. People will get a new/upgrade/bigger compressor and sell the older/smaller one for pennies. Harbor Freight Tools has plenty of parts to connect an airbrush with.
Hate water based paints but if you are planning on painting that foam, you will need water based to keep the foam from melting. You can get a water trap for your air line (from the compressor to the air brush). It's just a small piece that easily connects. HF (the tool place) has one for $6. As for how easy is it to clean oil based paint...I have taken a bottle cap from whatever paint I use the most (miss you Floquil) and just screw it into the bottle of paint. When I'm done with that color, I have another bottle filled with thinner and spray that through the brush. I also have a big mouth jar that I can dip the whole airbrush into to clean it. Thinner is cheap, when it gets too dirty, I just replace it. Easy.
Ya I'm not sure about the oil but Its fairly new and i've never really experienced any oil draw even when draining the tank ! So I'm going to find a water collector at HF haha. Thats a good tip. Ive not once seen someone used a jar as you mention @JMaurer1 Most of them just clean with a towel. I also got an Iwatta with a cup so I'll just have to be patient and clean the bowl before using another color. also Nice heads up on the oil and foam haha I've already broken my layout in half, no need to melt it as well !! hahaha I finally received my resistors and flashing led's today. I'm going to be doing some testing later tonight to see how they look hopefully ! I also got my ballast and some scenery objects from woodland Scenics I'm pretty stoked about. Cheers !!
I had a good friend that painted RC car bodies for a living and the bottle thing is something I learned from him. Paint, remove bottle, stick airbrush in can of thinner and spray (or attach bottle of thinner to airbrush), spray to remove any leftover thinner, add next bottle of color. I've done it that way ever since since I am almost always painting several cars (usually different colors) whenever I crank up the airbrush.
And spraying lighter colors before dark also helps avoid problems if for some reason there is still some residual paint after a "quick" clean. Always do a thorough cleaning after each paint session though meaning get some specialized brushes for cleaning the airbrush and run them with thinner through the different orifices. This means you will have to break apart the tip and pull the needle which also needs to be wiped down when out. Search "airbrush cleaner kit" to see what I am talking about. Should be a set of 5 or so different sized pipe-cleaner looking brushes with stems. With acrylics I use windex or denatured alcohol to thin and the latter to clean. Paint spattering comes from both a mixture being to thick for the tip you are using or the tip itself dirty (air outlet around the tip plugged with paint). If you are wanting a textured finish then shoot thick. No standard formula as far as paint to thinner ratio but if I'm shooting for smooth I mix to the consistency of milk as a rule. Really I test to see how fast light can pass through a clear bottle after shaking the pain mixture in it. Immediate = too thin, takes a few seconds = too thick. Cool idea for a layout BTW. Look forward to seeing your progress.
@JMaurer1 I agree with that and have watched people do that. unfortunately I didnt happen to get that "type" of airbrush. I have the one with the cup on top.... however. It is double action so I can just plop it into a bowl and spray the other stuff out. If thats what you meant sorry for the misunderstanding lol @freddy_fo Cool ideas I'll have to check that out. I did watch a man on youtube explain and show how he did his water scene and he did exactly that. Start up top where the land is and use light colors and then slowly move towards the center of the body of water and got darker colors blending after they all were placed. Now he did this with a brush but Im sure I can make a similiar effect with the airbrush. Which I will be practicing on before applying to the layout. You can see the video here. I finally received my air brush and scenery !! this is all static grass. Im really jazzed to see how this is gonna go together ! And some New Rolling Stock I really have to stay away from ebay or the wife is gonna kill me hahaha This hobby is very addicting !
Look on YouTube under Townsend he's an Aussie that has a lot of very good water modeling articles along with general scenery videos. Learned a lot from watching his videos
Lot's of goodies sams. Should keep you busy for a bit I just discovered that static grass not too long ago and really cool stuff. I did a test spot on my existing layout with 2mm stuff and that seems to look right for the field grass in my area. I've got some 7mm for reed stands next to the water but haven't figured out a good way of transferring from wax paper to the waters edge.
@MK The Iwatta airbrush is one I ran into the most while looking. I dont mind going with a trusted source! We have used it and got it all hooked up to the compressor and I have to say its pretty impressive. I've been getting the hang of it slowly and its really freaking rad !! I already had an addiction with trains ... who knew !! there could be a sub addiction hahaha. It is going to be a lot of fun painting everything. The paint I got works well too. Dries nice and fast and bonds great. @vince p Ya I've seen him !! To be honest if If were not for youtube my skills would still be where they were when I was 10. youtube has been a crucial tool learning all the modern and updated stuff esepcially when it comes to scenery and DCC. Other wise I would be spending a lot more time at the hobby store !! hahaa @mtntrainman It did. My birthday recently passed and I've had some money set aside and decided to spend it on this. I couldnt be happier. I play a lot of music and that use to be an escape for me but it is slowly turning more into work lol. go figure. I still love it but this has been even more of an escape if that makes sense. @freddy_fo Thats exactly the look im going for ! It looks so realistic. Did you happen to use a shaker ? I've seen a few of them that come in the kits and it looks like its electronic. but the kits are another $50 .. to me it wasnt worth it but again I dont know exactly what it is or what it does
Also the tightest corner in this layout gets A+ or 5* lol Whichever you prefer. Also sidenote !! If your using atlas remote switches/turnouts PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE !!!!!! do not lay glue on the roadbed underneath them !!!! I accidentally got a bit excited and carried away and glued every piece of roadbed. The second I lay down the portion of track I had soldered together. I realized wait ..... how is the turnout going to switch if its glued together !!! So I had to call 911 lol #learningexperience
