Vallejo Air acrylic

[KSmodeler]

I use primarily Tamiya acrylic paints when I airbrush armor. I use a Badger 100G and Iwata HP airbrush. I decided to try the Vallejo Air line because they are formulated specifically for airbrushing. I am looking for advise on using them? I thin it with Vallejo acrylic thinner, but I find the Air difficult to use. My tip clogs regularly using the Vallejo Air. I never had this issue with the thinned Tamiya. Any suggestions?

[Paul]

They are renowned for blogging problems I found the best way to use the was with Ultimate thinner that way seemed to work a bit better

[galileo1]

I've had success thinning Model Air with Tamiya's X20A acrylic thinner. Due to the retarder in the thinner tip clogging is reduced significantly (although it never goes away completely). Try it out on a scrapped kit or even paper to see how you manage before applying it to your model.

[Scalemodelmedic]

I've been using these for years and have developed a real liking for this paint range. Tip drying is an issue, but with the right "cocktail" it can be reduced. My current mix is about 60% paint, 20% vallejo matt medium or glaze medium and 20% Ultimate thinner. The thinner and additional medium don't impact upon the colour coverage but greatly aid in retarding the drying time. Glaze medium in particular retards drying times a lot.

[KSmodeler]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have not been using any retarder. If this does not work, I am going back to Tamiya acrylics.

[Gav0909]

I think I might get some Glaze medium for airbrushing Vallejo, as they are my primary paints too. I just make do with the clogging by keeping a thinner dipped cotton bud handy!

[mannloon]

I model armor as well, and have only been using an airbrush for a month or two now but only with Tamiya acrylics. Which by the way I really like so far. Many people though try to get me to shoot Vallejo (model air/model color etc) because those people find them superior. But all these problems of clogging are everywhere. Let's say they didn't clog the tip of the airbrush, what then is better about them than Tamiya?

[atheosx]

the clogging is doing my head in. im thinking of making a change, or more likely just grabbing some basic colors from another brand that i use regularly.

however when it works its easy and simple to work with. when it clogs up and doesnt spray or builds up and sprays large blobs on my nicely sanded and primed mazda 787b i want to throw it in the bin.

[Paul]

All these problems are the reason I sold mine, can't beat Tamiya, mr hobby aqueous, xtracrylix and Akan for airbrushing so easy to use with no blocking

[KSmodeler]

I thinned the Vallejo Air with a little more X-20 as suggested and it helped with clogging, but it affected coverage. I just shot Tamiya thinned with X-20 as I have done and prefer it to the VA. I am not impressed with the VA and going back to Tamiya.