How to Choose Suitable Types of Airbrush Paint for Your Needs?

Selecting the right airbrush paint is crucial for achieving the desired results in any airbrushing project. The type of paint you choose can significantly impact the quality, durability, and appearance of your work. This guide will help you navigate the various factors to consider when choosing airbrush paint and the types of paints available to help you do a better choice.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Airbrush Paint

Before we analyze the types of paint available for airbrush in detail, let's first delve into the factors that should be considered when choosing airbrush paint:

1. Surface Compatibility

Different paints adhere better to certain surfaces. It's essential to match the paint type to the surface you'll be working on. Common surfaces include fabric, canvas, metal, plastic, and paper. For instance, acrylic paints are versatile and adhere well to most surfaces, while urethanes are better suited for automotive applications due to their durability.

2. Paint Consistency

The consistency of the paint is vital for smooth application. Airbrush paints should have a milk-like consistency to flow easily through the airbrush without clogging. If the paint is too thick, it can be thinned using appropriate thinners. Each type of paint requires specific thinners; for example, water can thin acrylics, while mineral spirits are needed for oil paints.

3. Drying Time

The drying time of the paint affects your workflow and project timelines. Fast-drying paints like acrylics allow for quicker layering and less waiting time, while slow-drying paints like oils provide more time for blending and working with the paint.

4. Toxicity and Safety

Safety is a critical consideration, especially when working indoors. Some paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful if inhaled. Water-based paints, such as acrylics, are generally safer for indoor use as they emit fewer fumes. Always use proper ventilation and protective gear when working with toxic paints.

Types of Airbrush Paints

After knowing ahove factors, you should have a basic understanding on which factors you should pay attention to when choosing airbrush paint for your projects. Let's analyze common airbrush paints in following paragraphs:

1. Acrylics

Acrylic paints are widely used and well-suited for airbrushing across various applications. They adhere well to almost any surface including fabric, canvas, and acetate. Known for their quick drying time, acrylics can be sprayed evenly through an airbrush. They can also be thinned for transparent effects, with some brands offering pre-mixed transparent options for convenience.

To achieve the best results, acrylic paints should be thinned to the right consistency. While some come pre-thinned, most require a suitable thinning agent to prevent clogging of the airbrush tip. Cleaning up is hassle-free with soap and water, making acrylic paints a user-friendly choice. They are also low in toxicity (VOCs), waterproof, and maintain their color integrity once dry. Overall, acrylic paints stand out as the easiest and most adaptable option for airbrush artists.

2. Inks and Dyes

Inks and dyes are another ideal option for airbrush beginners due to their thin consistency, requiring lower air pressure compared to heavier paints like topcoats, candy, and pearl finishes. Many of these products are ready to spray straight from the container without the need for thinning. For instance, food-grade inks offer a wide array of colors and are commonly used to airbrush cakes for both basic coverage and intricate designs.

Dyes used in applications such as leatherwork are similarly compatible with airbrushes, allowing for effects like sunbursts and highlighting. These paint types are known for their ability to produce vibrant colors on surfaces like paper, but they may not be suitable for all materials.

3. Oil Paints

Oil paints are known for their intense and durable colors, but using them with an airbrush requires careful preparation. To ensure their workability, oil paints must be thinned to a consistency similar to skim milk. This can typically be achieved by mixing the paint with turpentine or mineral spirits in a ratio of 60% paint to 40% thinner. Without the right consistency, the airbrush may clog or splutter, leading to an unsatisfactory application.

Enamels, which are often oil-based, dry to a hard, glossy finish and generally do not require a top coat. However, they must also be thinned appropriately and cleaned with the proper thinner to avoid clogging the airbrush.

Safety Precaution: Both oils and enamels contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be hazardous to health. Always use a respirator and ensure proper ventilation when working with these paints to minimize exposure risks.

4. Urethanes

Urethane paints are known for their exceptional durability, making them ideal for applications such as boats, motorcycles, and automobiles. Their high resistance to environmental factors is due to their higher pigment content compared to lighter acrylics. For added protection, a clear coat can be applied.

Urethanes come in two types:

● Single-stage urethanes: These combine pigment with a clear coat, eliminating the need for a separate finish coat. They can be clear-coated, sanded, and polished.
● Two-stage urethanes: These lack an integrated clear coat and produce a less glossy finish initially. They offer a wider range of colors, including opaques, pearls, and transparents. A clear coat is applied as the final step to achieve the desired shine.

Both types require a catalyst or hardener to dry, as they don't dry through water evaporation like other paints.

Safety Precaution: Urethanes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to the lungs and other organs. Always use a respirator and ensure proper ventilation when working with these paints to minimize exposure risks.

5. Watercolors

Watercolors were among the first mediums used with airbrushes due to several characteristics. They can be easily thinned with water, reducing the risk of clogging the airbrush nozzle. Additionally, cleaning watercolors from the airbrush is straightforward, requiring only soap and water. Also, in terms of viscosity and ease of use, watercolors are highly suitable for airbrushing.

However, they lack the durability of other paints like acrylics and urethanes. Watercolors are particularly vulnerable to moisture, which can degrade the paint once applied. This makes them less suitable for outdoor use and more appropriate for illustration and fine art. To protect watercolor artwork, applying an acrylic varnish or fixative is recommended.

Watercolors usually comes in three forms: block, liquefied, and tube.

● Block Watercolors: These are hard, compressed blocks of pigment that need to be mixed with water and applied with a brush before being transferred to the airbrush. They are ideal for small quantities of paint.
● Liquefied Watercolors: These are pre-thinned and ready to use directly from the bottle. They are often preferred by illustrators for their ease of use and quick application, although they resemble dyes more than traditional pigmented watercolors.
● Tube Watercolors: These are also commonly used in airbrushing. The paint is squeezed from the tube, mixed with water to the desired consistency, and then poured into the airbrush.

Gouaches, which is an opaque variant of watercolors, contain more white pigment, making them thicker and better at covering mistakes. They are also suitable for airbrushing but can be challenging to use with an airbrush due to its thicker consistency.

Many of the above airbrush paints need to be thinned before use. If you don't know how to thin the airbrush paint, please click here to read our other article for relevant information.