Badger Step by Step Modelers guide to Air brushing Model-Building Handbook - Evan Roark ^ Susan Harris - 1986 - Paperback - Badger Air-brushing Co.

Badger Step by Step Modelers guide to Air brushing Model-Building Handbook

For the modeler the important function of an air-brush is its ability to develop a realistic color surface. The air-brush is the only tool able to apply paint in subtle tonal graduations. The lightest application of color to a complete opaque covering is surprisingly easy to do.

The military modeling section of this book is done with Badger Air Opaque Acrylic paints. However the air-brushing methods used to apply the acrylic paints are also the same methods used with the Pactra oil base enamels in the "69 Comoro" section.

All air-brushes used are manufactured by the Badger Air-Brush Company. The versatility of their different spray patterns and the interchangeable paint cups and jars, are indispensable to the beginner or the advanced modeler.

All air pressure used for painting in this book is between 10 and 12 p.s.i. (pounds per square inch). The air supply is a tank compressor.

In learning to use an air-brush it is important to read the instruction booklet that comes with it and become familiar with the air-brush parts. Then a short session of air-brush exercises performed on a piece of paper is the next step to start you on the way.

For changing colors the procedure is simple. The paint cup or jar is first removed. The head and the paint siphon tube of the air-brush are submersed in a bowl of soapy water. The trigger lever is worked to flush the color out of the air-brush. The water remaining in the air-brush is sprayed into a pan of clay cat litter. Cat litter is used because of its excellent absorbency and ease of clean up. Next the siphon tube is filled with Badger Air-Opaque Cleaner and sprayed into the cat litter. Finally, a rinse with clear water and the air-brush is ready for another color. This cleaning procedure is the same for the Pactra oil base paints, only Pactra thinner is used in place of soapy water and the Badger cleaner, but the final rinse is warm soapy water. Air is allowed to flow through the air-brush until it is dry, before going to the next color.

The fast drying paints used by modelers build up paint residue inside the air-brush and will cause problems. The solution to this is to make a habit of thoroughly cleaning the air-brush after spraying and before putting the airbrush away.

The actual construction of the models in this book follow the kit manufacturer's instructions except where noted in the sections on model detailing.