Spray cans advice

[neca12]

I just got Tamiya White primer, is there any advice you can give me for painting with spray cans? I know it can't be controlled as well as airbrush any other specific things?

[shinai]

Do it in a well ventilated area!! I general spray the gray area outside!!!

[balls47]

You have two options:

1. You can decant the primer and airbrush it on. There are several fine sites on the internet that show you how to

do this procedure. By the way, if you decant the primer, you probably won't have to thin the mixture, because

it is already made to spray.

2. To answer you question, you can spray from the can. You are right, you won't have the control that you would have

with your airbrush. Prepare your model as you normally would for airbrushing. When I paint, I usually warm up

the paint. (DO NOT PUT THE CAN IN THE MICROWAVE!!!) Put the can in a pot full of hot water. Do not boil the water.

Use it right out of the tap. That's hot enough. Paint goes on much better when warmed up. Move the can across the

model rather quickly, because the paint will come out at a much faster rate than it will from the airbrush. You will have

no control of the amount that comes out. Start spraying off the model, and end up spraying off of the model. It's

pretty basic stuff, just like airbrushing with a single action airbrush, except the paint comes out faster and in a much

greater volume.

Due to the fact that you have never painted from a can (or at least it sounds that way), you might want to do a test run on some scrap or an old "junker" model. Good Luck.

Shinai is right. Definitely do this outside if it is possible.

Edited November 30, 2010 by balls47

[Air-Craft]

Shake well, very well, heat the can up in some hot water & shake again.

Don't move the can far away from vertical when spraying or you may get spattering when the tube in the can empties of paint.

Don't start / open up on the subject, do this just to the side & when you have a decent spray move onto the subject.

Try & build up light coats as opposed to trying to soak the subject.

If you put the can down mid-job for say a minute or so, give it a quick shake again.

Don't let your "button finger" overhang the front of the nozzle button, as this will interfere with the spray cone - thumbs are quite an effective length for triggering.

[neca12]

OK, thank you all. Just the kind of advice I need, and how long should it stay in hot water?

Edited November 30, 2010 by neca12

[Air-Craft]

Until the can feels warm & isn't cooled by the paint inside when you roll it in your hand.