So… I want to smoke some glass

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Hi all

No, this is not some new recreational drug. I want to install windows in my little hovercraft's cabin. I have cut the windows out and have some clear acrylic to use as the glass, some smoke acrylic paint and an airbrush.

My question is, on the back a brilliant article in the latest edition of the magazine, what is going to be the best way to do this? Do I just lay the pieces flat on some paper and spray away, or is there more to it than that?

Any hints or tips welcome.

Andy

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Andy. I purchased a spray tin of Tamiya smoke paint and simply wafted it over the acrylic window material (for the Alvis Stalwart) in very thin coats. Worked a treat.

Same technique for using a spray gun. Very thin coats, no runs at all allowed, and dead even coverage or it will show up. I would keep the pieces flat, horizontal, that is.

Ashley

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Thanks Ashley. I will give it a go. Was not sure if they should be flat or not.

Andy

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

Hi Andy Yes Ashley is correct ,years ago I used Tamiya paint and it does a great job .If you spray lightly it will adhere at any angle sprayed .A soft light behind enhances the look .Watch the overspray as I found it will adhere to most things good luckMichael

oh a tin goes on for ever.

[Mark Jarvis 2Participant @markjarvis2]

HI Andy

Another possibility is to use the film which is used for car windows, lots of places doing it now, ask for some off cuts, they throw a lot away, give it a try, works well

Mark

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Hi Mike, Mark

Thanks for the responses. I like the idea of window tinting film. I have a place up the road. Will try airbrush first and keep that as a back up plan. Will let you know how I get on in a thread I have already started ages ago but will resurrect.

Andy

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Ok, so I had a go at spraying some acrylic. Not good. Using Vallejo, which are water based. The airbrush is a cheap plastic one (similar to the one available when you subscribe – Sorry Colin) and it uses a tin of air rather than a compressor, coz I have not got round to buying better yet. Santa are you listening.

Anyway the result was really poor. Looked really spotty and speckled. Could be the mix was wrong (too much – not enough water. Seemed to get clogged up too. Could be it was too cold too, in the shop it was about 12 deg.

Any ideas?

Andy

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

Hi Andy,

When you say "spotty and speckly" it sounds to me like you haven't been able to get sufficient atomisation of the paint.

Insufficient dilution might indeed be an important part of the problem. Although I have no direct experience of your type (external mix, single action) of airbrush (I use internal mix, double action), a frequently qouted rule-of-thumb for airbrush paint is that it should have the consistency of (semi-skimmed) milk, i.e. be pretty thin.

Also, from what range of Vallejo paints is the one you've used? Model Color or Model Air? The former is not primarily intended for airbrushing, whereas the latter is (hence the "Air" in the range name). Apart from degree of dilution straight out of the bottle, I believe there is also a difference in how finely ground the pigments are that makes these two paint series best suited for respectively brush and airbrush application.

For a very short session, canned air should work fine, so it is less likely that that is part of the problem. As for the ambient temperature, I suppose that might make the paint behave a tad more sluggishly, and thus call for yet a bit more of dilution.

Unless part of the exercise is getting to grips with your airbrush and making it behave like you tell it to, he simplest solution might perhaps otherwise be to go with the Tamiya smoke paint spray can already mentioned by Ashley Needham?!

/Mattias

Edited By Banjoman on 14/11/2014 08:48:59

Edited By Banjoman on 14/11/2014 08:49:23

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Hi Mattias

Your right part of the exercise was to practice as well as have the windows tinted. The Vallejo is model Colour not Air, so I guess I need to dilute more and mix better. Will try again this weekend. Also might invest in some Model air colours or the Tamiya spray, maybe both.

Thanks for the advise.

Regards

Andy

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