Hi Guys,

I think I know the answer to this but need some confirmation!

When spraying acrylics (with appropriate thinning as per advice on this forum) every now and then a small 'glob' of paint seems to build up on the tip of the nozzle, which is then rapidly sprayed onto the model - only a very small amount, but it seems to be thicker in consistancy than the rest of the paint.

Is this just 'something that happens' with acrylics, and will it be remedied by the use of a couple of drops of flow aid?

If so, where can I get this magical item?

Cheers

Phil

I use Windsor and Newton acrylic Flow aid, most art shops sell them

Or Vallejo drying retarder if you are using their paints.

Or some thinner on a Q-tip to wipe it off if you cannot resolve it by any other method. Its a problem with fast drying acrylics. If using Vallejo paints their own thinner is said to include a retardant in it.

If you cannot get Windsor and Newton acrylic Flow aid, then Daler-Rowney Flow Enhancer works just as well.

Paul

That's the paint drying on the tip of your needle Phil. A couple of drops of flow enhancer in your paint cup will cut it down dramatically, but it's always worth checking occasionally as you spray, especially as the ambient temperature increased

Can you get it online?

Don't know if this is relevant, but some combinations of paint & your airbrushes needle cap can cause this - if the paint is very thin, fine atomized paint can bounce around inside the cap & settle on the nozzle tip edge eventually resulting in a drip which will pass over the nozzle tip & end up on your subject. This is more likely to happen with heavily thinned paint.

If retarder doesn't eliminate the issue, try removing your needle cap & see if there is any change, but watch that needle!!

Thanks, but the needle cap has holes around it, so no chance of that

Sure - search for Windsor & Newton Galleria Acrylic Flow Improver. They might sting you for shipping, but if you have a Hobbycraft or an art shop anywhere nearby, you can probably pick a bottle up from there

Thanks - ordered!

I was aking about the Winsor and Newton the other day...


...is it literally just a couple of drops you need to add to a standard (5ml.?) paint cup of mixed paint..?



Tony

I don't have the bottle to hand but iirc it is 20 / 80 FI / water. You then add the mix to the paint cup. I keep the mix in a small squeezy bottle.