Using Spray Cans in an Airbrush. Worthy endeavor?

[MintFish]

So a while back I came across this video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnqSl5yyOMM

At around the 2:33 mark he demonstrates how to use automotive primer from a spray can in an airbrush by spraying directly into the cup and diluting with lacquer thinner. I'm unbelievably intrigued at the notion of doing this, but I'm also wary to try it because I can't seem to dig much info on this technique outside of the video itself. In theory I feel like it should work but at the same time I feel that the primer could just as easily dry in the cup before the thinner is applied and ruin a perfectly airbrush. If it does work, it could certainly go a long way towards improving the quality of my priming.

Has anyone on these forums tried this out? If so, what kind of results did you achieve? Are there more tutorials on this technique besides the one video I found?

 

[Zab]

It's called decanting I believe. Seems like a risky venture. I just use Vallejo surface primers in my AB.

 

[MAXXxxx]

It's called decanting I believe.

yes, it's called decanting. A perfectly valid thing to have more controll on the primer, but...

nowdays there are a lot of other primers that are made for use with an airbrush, so apart from price there is no real need to do it anymore. As for price:
- if you paint a few figures/year, then it's not that a big investment to skip the "designed for it" products. Here my favorite is the 60ml/250ml vallejo AB primers
- if you paint a LOT of armies, then it's too time consuming to be really worth it, so again can be skipped.

Also unless you do it with a proper mask it could be hazardous to health. I know I don't want the thinner from a spraycan fly around in my room.

I feel that the primer could just as easily dry in the cup before the thinner is applied and ruin a perfectly airbrush.

if you spray enough in the cup that won't be a problem, but... don't do everything like they do on youtube videos. Sometimes the videos there do more harm then good. I've seen quite a few where my first reaction was: WFT, why would I do it like that?

Sensible/pro painters decant to a plastic cup, add thinner there, and pour some of it to the AB, so no direct-to-AB thing.

So to sum it: if you want more control with AB+primer buy an AB-primer that was designed for it with no ill effects and use that instead. Less risk, less problems.


Edit:
saying that, if I remember right the person showing it (nucleosaur) is a UK based commission painter who does pretty good paintjobs, so he got experience in painting.

 

[RuneBrush]

Bearing in mind how uncontrollable aerosols are, I've just got visions of somebody spraying into the airbrush cup for it to be bounced back covering themselves, the airbrush and everything near them in primer

I do however put another vote on the Vallejo Air primers comments

 

[billytwix]

i would never do that with my airbrush

 

[daddyo]

IF you're going to decant, do it into a separate container, apply the thinner there.
with any lacquer or enamel, be careful of the vapors and overspray associated with them.
voc's are nasty at best. make sure you have a proper mask.

there are better primers available. do not risk an expensive tool by shooting
some suspect compound into the cup.

 

[airhead]

Another thought, is your airbrush solvent proof? Some guns have seals that are ruined by lacquer based solvents.

 

[MintFish]

Thanks to everyone for the clarification on this process; I've been able to find more information now that I know what it's actually called! Weighing all the facts I think I'd have to agree with the consensus that it's not really worth it given my current needs.

Another thought, is your airbrush solvent proof? Some guns have seals that are ruined by lacquer based solvents.

I'm actually not sure about that one. I have a cheap TCP Global airbrush (Master G26) I use for priming and basecoating; I'd like to use it for applying Dullcote, which requires a lacquer thinner, but I don't actually know if the seals will hold up. Does anyone know if these airbrushes can be used with lacquer based solvents or finishes?

 

[RuneBrush]

I'm actually not sure about that one. I have a cheap TCP Global airbrush (Master G26) I use for priming and basecoating; I'd like to use it for applying Dullcote, which requires a lacquer thinner, but I don't actually know if the seals will hold up. Does anyone know if these airbrushes can be used with lacquer based solvents or finishes?

Why do you want to put Dullcote through it? Assuming you're trying to Matte varnish miniatures, you're better off going for a varnish that'll go straight into the airbrush. Thinning varnishes if they're not designed to be thinned can (and will) mess up the finish. I can recommend Daler Rowney Soluable Varnish and know that others on here can recommend other varnishes that won't be as much hassle and proved a decent finish.

 

[Zab]

I would recommend the vallejo clears both matte and gloss. You can shoot them through the AB or even brush them on. I made the switch after krylon changed their matte spray and frosted a bunch of minis.

 

[airhead]

I'm actually not sure about that one. I have a cheap TCP Global airbrush (Master G26) I use for priming and basecoating; I'd like to use it for applying Dullcote, which requires a lacquer thinner, but I don't actually know if the seals will hold up. Does anyone know if these airbrushes can be used with lacquer based solvents or finishes?

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/master-performance.aspx#G26
Looks like Solvent Resistant seals. Spray lacquer, flush with lacquer thinner, then flush with soapy water. (I like to add a drop of lube at the end - olive oil is good) Good to go.

 

[johnhoward]

Hi everyone
I am also looking for a best airless paint sprayer for my home and basic outdoor jobs. My budget is no more than 500$, Can anyone help me suggesting best recommend for me?
Thanks, best regards

 

[Chaotic Creations]

Well I’m just going to chime in on this discussion... I don’t have much experience air brushing minis, but I’ve had years of experience with automotive spraying. Now I’m not going to dispute that this can’t be done, but why the hell would you? If your planning on using auto primer in your airbrush I would strongly suggest buying a tin of auto primer (can be brought in tins as small as 100mL) and pre thin it before going in the pot.
secondly when spraying anything from either can or AB a certain portion of the spray (vapour) will atomise between the nozzle and the surface, and dry on impact, hence you will have a small amount of set paint in your pot. This could lead to a grainy finish on the mini or blockage in the AB.
Personally I wouldn’t recommend the mentioned technique

 

[MAXXxxx]

...but why the hell would you?

recent example: someone primed their minis with GW's corax-white.
And there is no color (base/layer/tech/whatever) that matches it, so the GW primer was decanted and used for touchups/fixes.

example2(why it's used with scale and anime kits): you have better control of the priming process (where and how much goes on the surface).

secondly when spraying anything from either can or AB a certain portion of the spray (vapour) will atomise between the nozzle and the surface, and dry on impact, hence you will have a small amount of set paint in your pot. This could lead to a grainy finish on the mini or blockage in the AB.
Personally I wouldn’t recommend the mentioned technique

that would be true to all primer applied from AB. Correctly thinned you won't get that grainy finish, it will behave just like any other primer.
That said I find it more of a hassle than it's worth. I rather stay simply with the sprays.