A guide to airbrushing with house paint for terrain builders

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In this back to basic guide, I take you through the tips and tricks of using house paint with an airbrusg when doing your wargames terrain.
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Music (On My Way Home) from the KZbin Free Lib.

[@troylumpkin]

This is so much more than a tutorial. Mel is so generous with his knowledge and his enthusiasm is contagious. I just took delivery of my first airbrush and compressor and I can't wait to dive in! Btw, I don't even make terrains but this is such an excellent resource. Thank you 👍🏼

[@stevefletcher1161]

Great vid. Only used my airbrush to base coat with airbrush paints. This technique with emulsion will save me a fortune . Thanks as always for passing on your expertise.

[@dAalborg]

Mel, your tutorial guides are simply awesome! I'm just now starting to try to build my own terrain and your tutorials have given me the confidence to give it a go. Thanks so very much for your great work!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

That's awesome mate, crack on!

[@harumancer580]

Great video. I've recently taken the plunge to an airbrush. This is definitely required viewing. Thank you soo much.

[@EstebanJaureguiLorda]

Thanks for video! I've been gathering discarded paint samples from the store to do terrain, but never thought I would be brave enough to run them through the airbrush!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Esteban Jauregui Lorda It's only paint mate ;-)

[@geekfreak69]

Amazing video Mel. I wouldn’t ever thought of using emulation paint at all. Thank you Mel

[@timpiscovich4955]

Sprayin everywhere ... "Like Saturday night" . That is a classic , glad I caught that one :-)

[@mariapost4267]

AWESOME... wish i had known this when i owned my salon and did nail art!! i knew there had to be an easier way... thank you for posting!! u rock

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Here to help mate :-)

[@candiipresspressons]

You’re an amazing teacher!!! Great video!!!

[@jamesdonnelly2352]

brilliant video, exactly what I needed. Super job, thank you

[@jjab99]

Great video as always Mel. Very useful information indeed.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+jjab99 Cheers buddy, as long as people find it helpful, I'm happy bud :-)

[@timhyland6834]

Love the back to basics play list!

[@patrickmann1583]

Great video, Mel. I was a little horrified when you suggested using a purchased flow improver, though - especially when there are a bunch of videos on here that show you exactly how to make your own for, literally, pence! Distilled water and Glycerine are all you need. Have a quick search, see if you can find LukesAPS videos. Cheers, man!

[@AlfonsoTheTraitor]

Thanks for the heads up on using house paints through a airbrush.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+AlfonsoTheTraitor No worries matey

[@TheArrowsPath]

Those first few seconds. My soul. It was touched by Mel.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I've been told I have that effect ;-)

[@yank3656]

thanks for sharing The Terrain Tutor

[@ta24u]

Good tutorial as always Mel, thanks brotha

[@TheTerrainTutor]

No worries buddy

[@rebeccashields1754]

Great video Mel. What ratio of emulsion paint to water do you use in your pre-mixed bottles?

[@Groganard]

Absolutely brilliant video Mukka ! Like you I tend to buy most of my terrain paints at Wilkos, or The Works ! But please Mel try to get into the habit of wearing a dust mask when airbrushing, you will be amazed at the amount of crud, you could be ingesting! Great work as always, all the best Joe.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Groganard Cheers buddy, I've just bought one

[@Highluigi]

watching this in 2024. thank you so much :)

[@ronny3124]

Hi Mel. Another great video. Just to let you know that while shopping in Poundland I came across a 480ml pot of chocolate brown emulsion, for a £ !!! They also have a red, dark grey and a type of blue. That is much better value than a match pot. probably not great paint but at that price they have to be great for base coating terrain. Thanks again for the videos

[@aj1finch]

+Ian Starling Gotta love poundland! ;)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Ian Starling On it! cheers bud

[@MrMarczyslaw]

" I like this black .... it's shiny " - Made may day :)

[@mikedixon6122]

Great info there ,iv just started brushing and iv found white ammultion goes on ace.Have you any tips to give a shiny gloss finish . Thanks Mike.

[@AFV85]

Brilliant info bud only video iv found you get a straight answer on iv got them acrylics from the works Crawford n blacks there no use but do ha e the artist ones too iv not yet tried yet that's tomorrows wee experiment I tried the Crawford's tonight not good I tried a black on a grey primer n I cant really tell if it's just slightly tinted the primer lol

[@whartonneil]

This has helped a lot but do you ever use the garden paints ie fence or shed paints

[@davidcurtis5398]

Another flow aid substance could be Photo Flow from the photographic industry. It is used to make the last water wash flow away from the film and totally breaks up surface tension. It might be less expensive. The usual is Photo-Flow 400. I fortunately have a gallon jug of photo-Flow 1000 not sold anymore. A jar of the 400 should last a long time since you add about 5 ml per gallon of water.

[@avenger038]

brilliant video , very helpful!!! thank you!!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+redcookster71 no worries

[@scheeset]

I have a 100cc bottle of mixed paint, How much flow improver would you recommend adding to it?

[@RideShareConfessions]

I have been using windsheld fluid to thin my paints house pants . The blue kind. It thins it but still lets it dry fast and its cheap

[@DeWaldripont]

Try adding Floetrol by FLOOD or Zinsser's Paint booster to your house paints it is what we use for spray painting houses. For Alkyd/oil based paints use Penetrol. You should also strain your paint before spraying through your guns.

[@aldenraymond1781]

Pro tip : watch movies on Flixzone. I've been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

[@aidanjohnathan35]

@Alden Raymond Yup, I have been using Flixzone for since december myself =)

[@benprince1212]

@Alden Raymond Yup, have been watching on flixzone for since december myself :)

[@nickvas19]

Hey matte. I am searching for some infos long time now. I print plastic pla stuff and I want to paint it. I used to spray them with 4e cans. Now I want to buy an airbrush but I want to use very thick and durable paints like the cars. Do you know if that will work. For sure some 1mm nozzle with an airbrush is strong with chemicals …but will be a good job?! Thanx

[@jimbossimrigs7961]

Interested to know what Compressor and PSI you were using for this and also nozzle size? (im running into issues although probably my lack of experience, the only way it would flow was if I completely covered the open cup and release every few seconds). Im using a Chinese Ganzton 30PSI compressor and a 180 copy airbrush by KKMOON. I have a 0.5 nozzle/needle and metal polished the needle. My paint mix is exactly as you have it here, I copied 1:1.

[@user-lz7ly4er8v]

Hello, I have an airbrush Iwata and the problem is when I want to make a fine line I cannot get the color out and when I press the trigger more the color comes out a lot of color, I use oil colors mixed with gasoline please help me, thanks

[@equin9309]

Could you please make a video using wood/MDF primer? I have just bought an air brush to paint small wooden projects. Would the same principles apply? Cheers

[@dougsscalemodels]

I think you'll find that the actual thinner for latex or "emulsion" paint is ammonia. And that is why many hobbyists use window cleaner to thin acrylic paints. Water does work but it only wets the mixture, ammonia breaks down the heavy parts of the paint better, thus thinning it.

[@power_SERG]

So wait, if I put too much flow into my paint, drop thinner into it to make it less runny?

[@jaywhite5833]

Nice video Mel. I also use the cheap acrylic paints and house paints for doing the base jobs. I found out that a cheap window cleaner, Usually $1 for a US Gallon, works great as a cleaner and a thinning agent. I used water, 50/50 iso alcohol but found out the window cleaner ( not the good stuff - cheaper the better) works the best. Just thought I'd share that tip with ya. Great video.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks for the tip mate

[@WHJeffB]

J White... I've found the same, but with windshield washer fluid, which is a mix of water and methyl alcohol and the tiniest bit of dye. I've watched a dozen videos of modelers mixing distilled water with rubbing alcohol and don't understand why they bother when windshield washer fluid works straight out of the bottle. Glass cleaner, especially the ammonia-less stuff, is probably the same thing... I've never had any luck/success thinning acrylic paints with rubbing or Isopropyl alcohol by itself (without mixing/diluting with water first). It almost always turns the paint into a congealed mess.

[@carpentersization]

Hello...i am painting small candle vessels but want a professional finish on what ever detail painting I am going to do on them. I want to use just house paint and loved this video. I have no painting talent but with tape etc I thought this wld be good to not have brush marks on my containers. Do u think non pro could do with laytex house paint following your video? I just hate brush marks. Also could you do full surfaces. The containers are 4 inches across by 3.5 inches high. Thought maybe I cld do all the painting this way after my primer. Thoughts? Oh my containers are cement but using a primer sealant before paint, then will top coat.

[@markrowlands1849]

You're my hero Mel!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Mark Rowlands Should I acquire a cape? ;-D

[@Yosser70]

+TheTerrainTutor Just don't go wearing your pants over your trousers buddy ;)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Dave Hughes I'll get changed then .... :-(

[@AFV85]

Any chance you can do one with model enamels bud ? I'm new to airbrushing still using Hannarts enamels thinned down but takes alot of arsing around to get it to come through the airbrush plenty air but no paint flow and its getting thinned to all different thicknesses to try and figure out how much works for a constant flow without buffering around adjusting the needle in n out what I'm sure you shouldn't need to do! I used to be a body repair worker so can use a spray cun and cans but cant get this enamels figured out! I am away to buy vallijo air paints on Wednesday when at model shop but doing a Bradley tank and in primer and need her finished got all the colours for it in enamels got loads to use up! When I get lucky n get the right flow there great but takes a headache and alot of swaring lol

[@Bob-el3iw]

Great video, thanks.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Hope it helps bud

[@garretclark6731]

How does rubbing alcohol effect the latex?

[@w.rustylane5650]

Looks like you're using a Badger 105 Patriot. I recognize the cone. It's like my Badger 155 Anthem.

[@nerddujugement8334]

I already have problems using "amsterdam" acrylic paints through an airbrush (not sure if they "artist" or "craft" paint) so I'd have never considered house paints through an airbrush...

[@Tsjerno2000]

a very helpfull video !!! thx

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Tsjerno2000 glad it helped buddy

[@jtonerII]

Don't take this the wrong way. It's a great video, someone who is brand new to airbrushing and wants to use house paints. This video was helpful. A tip, when showing how to airbrush, don't use the same color paint as the color of the model. When your spraying grey paint on a grey model, it's hard to see what's going on. Ya

[@waynetadlock9719]

Especially like the top off & flush technique. I do false finger nails and so a lot of experimentation so my paint settles.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Hope it helps mate

[@CharliSwae]

Mel, would this technique work with miniatures? I have been watching your videos for a long while, and a lot of my wargaming terrain has been made using your techniques, therefore I have loads of terrain, now I need some minis to make it all come together.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Char Lulu I wouldn't suggest it mate, stick with model paints ;-)

[@kargandarr]

Apple Barrel brand art paint can be thinned with plain distilled water.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Hey Mel, another spirited video. I learned alot considering I Havent used my airbrush in years. I experimented with it but I dont have a compressor to use it right. Mine doesnt look anything like yours. It feeds from a bottle underneath it. What kind is this one you're using?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Bill D. in Iowa You've got a syphon feed, this a gravity feed one mate. You should look into using it mate, especially for your small scale stuff

[@billd.iniowa2263]

+TheTerrainTutor Yeah, I got it hoping to do cammo schemes on 10mm armor. But since the campaign I'm doing is Barbarossa (the opening offense on the Eastern Front, 1941) I havent needed to camo anything yet. The Germans stuck with Panzer Gray untill spring of '43 I think. Still, when I can afford a compressor I'd love to play with it more. Cheers "mate". ;-)

[@IDICBeer]

Good share Mel

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+IDICBeer Cheers buddy :-)

[@Adi031978]

do you need the acuracy of an airbrush for terrain building or could a spray gun (for painting walls) work as well? might provie a slightly higher ease of use working withe the paints and cleaning it

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Martin Adi The fine control that comes with an airbrush is really handy for not over filling an area with paint whilst touching up patches but yeah, it takes longer mate

[@Adi031978]

Well, in that case I better stick with the airbrush :-)

[@ronzufelt1428]

Mel I don't know what size of needle you are using but a .5 or a .7 the paint will flow easier than anything lower when using thicker paint.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Ron Zufelt I've tried various mate, essentially it doesn't matter, it'll still tend to clog up, hence the flushes etc.

[@aj1finch]

Hi, Mel, I have a cheap airbrush, and I have no end of problems putting anything but the thinnest paints or inks through it. I still love it, but if I were thinking of upgrading, could you recommend a brush? Am I going to get change out of 50 quid? 100 quid? Really appreciate your advice. Thanks!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+AJ Finch I used a badger patriot 105 mate, it works for me but I've not tried any others, so I can't say it's better than the rest. There's plenty of comparison vids on youtube though

[@michaelgrey1351]

AJ- check amazon.com. they consistently have flash sales on badger ABs. last week they had the 105 on sale for $55 for a while.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

***** thanks mate

[@moraleshtc]

is the airbrush a badger 105 patriot? if it is what is your opinion about it?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Lobo Gris It is and I quite like it mate, it's handled everything I've thrown at it. That been said, it's the only professional airbrush I've tried, so I've got no idea how it compares to others mate

[@davidlewis2478]

Wicked dude!!..I have just started Airbrushing and this sounds like a way of saving loads of money.Just one thing how do you make it a |Glossy Look? Is that to Obvious in Just Buy a Gloss Finish Emulsion or cant it be done? Or do i have to Buy the Named Brands to do that? Many Thanks and i Think ur Great mate.Cheers Dave Lewis

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Go over it with a gloss varnish mate ;-)

[@jkason2010]

All this discussion of putting "non-standard" stuff through an airbrush has me wondering.....can you put tinted latex rubber (like from Woodland Scenics) through an airbrush? Just curious.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+jkason2010 Tbh, I think latex based products is where I'd draw the line but I do have a memory a seeing a vid where the t-shirt guys were using latex paint. Might be worth looking along those lines if you're going to give it a go mate

[@chrishoffman1979]

Great tutorial on using household paint its gonna save me money considering how exspensive hobby paints are and how little we get in the bottle. Cheers :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Hope it helps bud

[@Merlin-gu9nz]

Hi Mel if I water the paints down too much is there a way to thicken it back up with out adding extra paint?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

leave the lid off, it's evaporate and got thicker

[@Merlin-gu9nz]

cool thanks I'd foirgotten I posted this you answered the question for me in last sundays live chat so Thanks :)

[@jaylonrobinson7092]

Omg is this your hoppy area . You should do a video just on your table area,I'm about to get my crafting area going and am very interested in how others build theirs

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Checkout my fb page, loads of pictures on there mate

[@tomdesjardins6778]

Mel you use watered down pva through your airbrush. can we see a video for that in the future

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Tom Desjardins I'll put it on the list mate :-)

[@dAalborg]

Mel, would you explain the Patron thang a bit more for me? When I followed your link it says it's $1 per video - does that mean I would be paying $1 each time I watch one of your tutorials, or is it actually a monthly payment? Kind regards, jensen

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It's whatever you want for however many videos a month you want to support mate. Any questions, just drop me a line bud

[@dAalborg]

I thought I had set you up for a monthly amount, but the message I got back from Patreon says that it only pays you when you create a new video. That's not what I intended. I don't find a way to do this as a monthly event. Help??

[@andreweckford6319]

Very useful on the mixing - has anyone tried using latex paint (thinned...) through a siphon pot instead? Have a larger calibre airbrush for priming with a siphon feed and wondering how it might go with some latex paint for bulk terrain...

[@TheTerrainTutor]

it's fine as long as your psi is upp'd, takes a bit more power to suck it up the tube mate

[@andreweckford6319]

@@TheTerrainTutor Awesome - thanks... about to spray a set of plaster space hulk tiles (70+ pieces...) and that should make a massive cost difference if I can keep to a housepaint mix. Always amazed how you keep across all the hundreds of comments :-)

[@onlyusernameleft1981]

Awesome video, would you mind sharing the exact model airbrush / compressor you use? Could this be used for DIY purposes, to touch up interior walls using house paints such as dulux etc? We have a dog and he has scratched the door frames and walls.

[@sionmarcsimpson7487]

Dude. I have two brushes one Iawata Neo and one cheap Chinese knock off. Been using both a year and the Chinese one still out performs the other!

[@w.rustylane5650]

I have two airbrushes--one cheapo Chinese Harbour Freight one and a Badger 155 Anthem. I like my Badger Anthem 155 better than the Chinese knock off. I found that the cheapo HF one can use the trigger and back rocker from my Badger 155 Anthem. So I ordered those two parts for the cheapo since I broke the trigger and bent the back rocker and put them into the cheapo. I modified the trigger a bit but took too much off the bottom of the trigger and found out that I needed to take some metal off the bottom of the inside hole where the needle goes through. Now I've got to get another Badger trigger to go in the cheapo. Trial and error.

[@athbal58]

Please, instead of pure water thinner, try a mixture of water 70% and isopropyl alcohol 30%.. the moisture effect will disappear and and the flow of the paint will be much better in the airbrush.. the cleaning of the airbrush will be done also with acetone, which leaves the airbrush absolutely clean like new... acetone does not harm the Teflon O-rings that exist in the airbrushes, so it is safe... All the above have to be sprayed in a well ventilated room with the use of the mask...

[@Yosser70]

Cool video as always Mel, really interesting. One thing though, I can only get a max of 360p resolution, anyone else have this problem?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Dave Hughes It's working fine for me bud, still having problems?

[@Yosser70]

+TheTerrainTutor Sorry mate, ya looked this morning and it was fine :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Dave Hughes no worries mate, as long as its good :-D

[@Yosser70]

+TheTerrainTutor Ya great vid mate. Any suggestions on a cheap airbrush setup?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Dave Hughes Don't go for cheap chinese airbrushes mate, you will regret it. I use an AS196 compressor with a Badger Patriot 105 :-)

[@phillyb4588]

where did u get that building

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I made it

[@d.usagi.75x51]

Do you have a "how-to" for this building?

[@rickpatman628]

I would love a dollar for each time you said “Yeah”

[@redgreen09]

welll thanks fore that if get one i do it ;;;;;;]]]]

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+redgreen09 It's there for if you do bud

[@dennisturnage]

What you are saying is moisture has nothing to do with the paint..the moisture is coming from the humidity in the air..as far as I'm concerned you cant have too many moisture traps in your airline..especially with the small hobby type compressors.

[@GowertonParkway]

Yea , yea , yea

[@isfanyartheaccursed1617]

Thin down with guiness. Cant go too thin.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Isfanyar TheAccursed Love it!

[@RichardKurbis]

STEP one: wrap your room in Green Tape...

[@s3pt1c54]

Aw Mel.... I've only been able to afford a Chinese airbrush. Why shouldn't I use these paints in it.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Because you'll spend more time unblocking it than you will airbrushing mate, trust me, I used a cheapo chinese for 6 months before I upgraded ;-)

[@s3pt1c54]

TheTerrainTutor thank you for taking the time to reply to me sir.

[@Tritium21]

Well, I will put money on the engineer asking how the point went through a paint sprayer! :D

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yeah but have you seen the nossles on those HVLP sprayers! ;-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yeah but have you seen the nossles on those HVLP sprayers! ;-)

[@Tritium21]

+TheTerrainTutor I have. Have you seen the nozzles on High pressure sprayers? They are not dissimilar to airbrushes (just a little bigger in aperture). So it does not surprise me that they go through airbrushes easily. To be fair though, house painters are more likely to use an airless sprayer (the paint is pumped through the hose, no air at the nozzle).

[@matt23547]

back flushing will wear the packing out

[@mrpeter81]

"Ye"......

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+mrpeter81 hell yeah!

[@markmorris2856]

XD I came here to comment that too. Really good informative video, ideally need a close up shot when you spray on the card board as we are just taking your word for it that it looks wetter. But the number of times "ye" was said in and out of context was painful XD Good job nonetheless :)

[@dsmithwc04]

"yeah"

[@Bob_Dub]

"okay"

[@AbandonRule]

step 1. realize you are not using the correct paint to airbrush. step 2. make changes to make it work. step 3. Profit.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Christopher Mayfield If it works, use it! And you'll have no profit left if you've got to use airbrush paints to do 6x4's mate ;-D

[@esbenrasmussen4289]

before you make video, decide what you want to say, then just say it. You have hundreds of little pauses, then say the same thing three times. When people come to you to find out how to do something, we don't have time to sit through 30 minutes of what could have been a 5 minute video