I have been using an air brush for about 5 years but have only used water base paints. I am going to try Testers dull coat. This is not water base it is lacquer. Can anyone make any tips on using this and how to clean up.

I actually prefer the oil based paints for airbrushing. Yes, they stink more, but I think they go on smoother and clog less. You will need lacquer thinner for dullcote, or you can use whatever testor's specifies.

I thin dullcote about 50/50, then just load and spray. I like to do one light coat, and a second heavier coat. Be careful not to spray too thick as it will run.

Cleanup - just run straight lacquer thinner through the brush and wipe off everything with a paper towel dipped in thinner. If you are going to spray other oil based paints within a few days, this is fine. If you are putting the brush back in storage, I'd suggest disassembling and wiping off everything real good with a paper towel dipped in thinner.

It will be put away for a while when finished. Is lacquer thinner any different than regular paint thinner such as at a hardware store? I picked up some Daler Rowney low odour thinner. yesterday. Is this the right stuff?

Lester Perry Wrote:It will be put away for a while when finished. Is lacquer thinner any different than regular paint thinner such as at a hardware store? I picked up some Daler Rowney low odour thinner. yesterday. Is this the right stuff?

Les be sure to use lacquer thinner, some thinners will not mix with some paints. To thin lacquer paint it has to be lacquer thinner
Charlie

OK, I will have to make a trip to hardware store today. If I thin it and put it in an airtight bottle (airbrush paint bottle ) Will it keep or should I just toss any left unused? Also will it be OK over acrylic paints? I usually use the dullcote in aerosol can and this is new to me. I guess that is a dumb question about acrylic as it is probably the same stuff but what about storage?

Yep, the thinned stuff will keep n an airtight bottle. And yes, it is the same stuff in the rattle can, and should work fine over acrylic paint.

Lacquer-based paints work well over water-based ones if the latter are fully cured - at least 24 hours for most paints currently available. Lacquer thinner is available in quarts or gallons at any hardware or home improvement store and many automotive suppliers, too. It stores well if kept in a sealed metal or glass container. It's also an excellent cement for styrene, and useful for stripping paint from metal objects.
Be sure to wear a two-stage respirator when airbrushing, as the vapours are not especially good for you. I work with a spray booth, but still wear the respirator and do so when spraying large objects outdoors, too.
An advantage to using Dullcote with an airbrush (besides the better finish) is that it can be mixed, in varying proportions, with Glosscote, yielding various versions of semi-gloss.

Wayne

I don't have a respirator. I think I will do it out side for first try. Thanks for all of the input I will probably try it tomorrow.

Les, you really need a respirator to spray lacquer. You can get one from the hardware store where you buy the thinner. The fumes from lacquer thinner are carcinogenic, you don't want to breath that stuff.

I haven't had a chance to try it. But will get respirator first.

Lester Perry Wrote:I have been using an air brush for about 5 years but have only used water base paints. I am going to try Testers dull coat. This is not water base it is lacquer. Can anyone make any tips on using this and how to clean up.

Testors markets a thinner for their paints. Lacquer thinner also works, both as thinner, and cleaning agent.

I've made it a habit to disassemble and thoroughly clean, all the parts that come in contact with the paint. I have a small glass bowl, that I soak the parts in, as the cleaning process goes on. The first step, is always to shoot straight thinner through, to get the heavy amounts of paint cleared. The second step is to use the airbrush ( minus the cup, needle,etc.) to agitate the thinner and the parts, in the bowl, with air pressure from the brush "handle".
I use a soft cloth to wipe the parts down as they are removed from the bowl. Sometimes I will use a pipe cleaner to clean the feed pipe of the paint cup. ( I usually do not use a "bottle" ).

A Respirator is a good idea, a vented spray booth is an even better one, and both together is the best yet, but I've found that the booth vent, if powerful enough, makes a respirator, a not necessarily required item. ( personal choice )

Thanks for all the posts, they've helped me greatly.