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Forums - Modelling / Painting

The painting forum is for the discussion of techniques on the painting, decalling and weathering phases of AFV modelling and the tools and materials used.

Topics	1325
Messages	6657

Subject:

Re: Aztek nightmare

Date:

Mar 23, 2008

From:

Mario Abela

Hi Hampus,

I used to have the same problems as you with my Aztek. I don't any more.

Here's what I do.
- I mix acrylics paint 60-70%, isopropyl alcohol 20%, water 10%.
- The mix can be used over a period of up to 6 months but beyond that there's a risk it turns gummy.
- I filter the paint before each use. I use a syringe (3-10mL), remove the plunger, place a filtering wad cut from ladies' nylon stocking into the syringe (to fill the first 1 mL), pour the paint mix in, run the plunger in and collect the paint mix into the airbrush cup. This is the most critical piece of the solution.
- The syringe and wad can be cleaned and reused many times. Just have a jar of water next to you and after you filtered the paint, suck some water into the syringe. This will keep the paint from setting until you can clean it properly at the sink, by filling the syringe from the top and pushing the water out a few times.
- No need to strip the airbrush in between colours. Just empty and clean the cup, run 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with water, then Aztek solvent, then the isopropyl alcohol mix again. Then pour the next (filtered) colour into the cup and away you go.
- At the end of the day's work, strip the airbrush for a thorough clean. First clean as described above. Then take the spray nozzle apart ie housing, needle, spring and plunger and drop them into a small jar of Aztek solvent. Leave them there until the next time you need to spray. Reassemble just before the next use.
- The solvent jar can be reused many times. When you collect a deposit at the bottom, decant the clear solvent at the top, then clean the jar, re-use the clear solvent and top it up a bit.

By following these steps I never have a problem. The only issue I have nowadays is the red nozzle with the plastic needle which is used for fine work. The plastic needle is a pain in the neck (Aztek please take not!). However, use the grey nozzle can be used for just about everything bar extremely fine work.

I hope this helps.

Mario

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