Painting Tips 2.

My first painting tips post can be found here

After some positive feedback for my Painting Tips 1 post, I have decided to do a second. This one will focus on the spray can.

What can be so hard about using a spray can? The answer is nothing if you are spraying something simple. However it gets complex when you are spraying a 15mm high figure or a 1:100 tank.

Here are some of the tips I have learnt or picked up over the years. Many of these have been learnt the hard way. I.E from my own disasters. I will share some of them too.

So here are my top spray can tips from an average painter:

1. Always shake your can well before and during use. Shaking the can for a few minutes will make sure the paint and propellant are mixed and you will get a smooth spray.
2. Don't spray in humid weather or when it is too hot or cold. This is critical for spray varnish. The moisture in the air affects the paint and you get a poor finish. For varnish, this is a white ghosting or frosting that looks really bad. This has happened to me before. I have had several units finished and rather than waiting for a better day, sprayed them on a really humid day. Result frosted army!
3. Make sure you test if you are unsure. If you are worried it is too humid, too hot or too cold, try spraying a old, painted figure. Then try one of your stands/tanks. If all is well, go ahead with the rest.
4. Keep the spray can 30cm from your figures. Any closer and you will end up with a liquid finish. What you want is a smooth, thin, consistent finish. I have sprayed too closely and ended up with tons of detail obscured. The depth of detail isn't huge on a 15mm figure, you don''t want to obscure it with a spray coat that is too think.
5. Spray in a line from outside the first figure, till past the last one. Don't start pointing at a figure, this will result in that figure being hit by too much paint. Likewise, don't stop on the last figure for the same reason.
6. Spray in thin coats with a consistent motion. You can always spray a second or third light coat for better coverage. You cannot remove half a thick coat.
7. Never spray inside. The stuff is toxic and you don't want it in your home. It is also paint and can leave a mark. Unless you are Jackson Pollock, it probably wont be a great art work.
8. Always wear a mask or respirator. Paint particles should not be inhaled.
9. This is the most valuable tip I have picked up. Heat your can before use. Whether you run under warm water or leave on a window sill in indirect light for a few minutes, this really makes a difference. Paint flows so much more smoothly and consistently. You wont see gluggy blobs if you warm your can first. Don't leave the can in hot places or for too long. You want it to slightly warm up, not explode.
10. Lastly, when you finish, turn the can upside down and spray. This will push propellant but not paint through the nozzle. This will clean out the nozzle and stop it from blocking up.

These are tips that have worked for me. They are general in nature. Every can is different. Be sure you check the instructions on the can and follow them.

I hope this has been useful. Please feel free to leave comments. If there is anything you want me to cover in a later painting post, please let me know.