3D Printed Vehicles

[narrowminded]

I'm fairly new to air brushing too.  When I first used my air brush (siphon cup) I was very careful to read and follow directions with thinning the paint or not thinning the paint, as the recommendations suggested.  I had issues with the brush clogging and never at a convenient point in the process.  After much weeping and gnashing of teeth and repeated observations as the trouble occurred (and based on years of experience with a 1:1 guns and projects) I finally decided to try thinning the paint a little, even when not listed as required, and was careful to use the recommended thinner.   Not all acrylics are created equal in this regard.  That immediately fixed my problem.  I even had luck spraying craft store acrylics although only on scenery items, not when I was after a quality finish like gloss on a vehicle.  If you use craft acrylics make sure to screen them with a standard paint funnel type screen/ filter.

I have primered everything with Tamiya light gray, fine finish, or just spray bomb primer (Krylon?) if not too worried about the finish details.  I go very light with that even accepting a less than perfect coverage, a little of the base showing through.  The primer may even be optional if you're not worried about durability.  I haven't experimented without primer yet. 

So far I've used Model Masters (Testors) with their Aztec thinner.  I've thinned it 3:1 (paint to thinner) measured with an eye dropper.  It sprays beautifully and affords a really nice finish.  I could possibly get away with a little less thinner but that's for future experiments and will only happen after I've run successfully, repeatedly, with this mix as a baseline.  For craft acrylics I've thinned with plain water at 1:1 (50%) and wouldn't hesitate to add some more water if it still seems too thick.  They don't seem to be too consistent in their viscosity.  A light tack coat, not too concerned with the glossiness or even perfect coverage, let it sit to set a little (a few minutes or so), then come back and spray a wet coat where finish is the focus.  If it stays "wet" during a brief pause between passes (which may be just a couple but more if needed), that probably has it.  Then let it sit and continue to level itself as it cures.  Perfect finish!  Now, don't expect this to fill aliasing lines or deep flaws but you'll get a good, smooth paint finish.  Deep flaws still have to be sanded out or accepted.

For acrylics, which is all I've used on models in my brief experience with the brush, I clean the brush when done with Windex (or equal).  Repeat if needed until it's clear throughout the brush, all little nooks and crannies, and then a couple of final flushes with water.  The nozzle exterior may want a few wipes with a Windex soaked paper towel to be perfectly clean.  This was based on a recommendation found online and has worked perfectly.  If solvent based paints were used I'd be using lacquer thinner in much the same fashion for cleanup.

Hope that helps a little.  With a few successes and observations you'll have the experience to work out your own preferences.

[JMaurer1]

Here's a secret that I use...you can get Magic Markers in silver fine tip. Great for grills, bumpers, chrome, rims, and headlights. Also good for an 'undercoat' for windows.

[bnsfdash8]

Off road dump I just printed today.

[wazzou]

Off road dump I just printed today.

Wow!

[rodsup9000]

Off road dump I just printed today.

    Reese, did you draw that up???? or did you get on line somewhere??  That printed very nice.

[Stephane]

Very nice!  I really like the wheels!

[carlso]

Isn't this cool technology today. "Gosh I need one of these on my layout, think I'll just print me one today". Wow, what a world we live in today.

[Mark5]

Off road dump I just printed today.

Impressive!

[bnsfdash8]

I didn't draw this one I found it here:

https://grabcad.com/library/bell-b30-dump-truck-for-3d-printing-scale-1-in-32-1

It's 1/32, but it actually scaled well down to N.

[rodsup9000]

I didn't draw this one I found it here:

https://grabcad.com/library/bell-b30-dump-truck-for-3d-printing-scale-1-in-32-1

It's 1/32, but it actually scaled well down to N.

 Thanks for the link.

[Mark W]

Ooh!  A train is coming!  What's it gonna be?!

https://i.imgur.com/DVRJe9a.jpg

[peteski]

I'm not falling for those illuminated gate lights (or for the Jeep's taillights). 

[C855B]

I'm not falling for those illuminated gate lights (or for the Jeep's taillights). 

Or the truck's clearance lights, either.   

[Mark W]

I'm not falling for those illuminated gate lights (or for the Jeep's taillights). 

Just the truck's marker lights then?   

Edit:  Jinxed by @C855B

[peteski]

Just the truck's marker lights then?   

Edit:  Jinxed by @C855B

I was so fixated on the red lights, I missed the amber markers.  No I'm not falling for those either.