Submitted by Rod McDermott on 2/10/1999. ( )
I'm just a hobby taxidermist who needs some help. I have a Paashe
airbrush and want to know what pin (1,3,5) I should use on birds
and fish. Also what kind of paint should I use(acrylic or what?).
What is the general rule for thinning the paint, how thin should
it be?
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This response submitted by Larry on 2/11/1999. ( messer@ux8.cso.uiuc.edu )
Check out pages 58-71 in the WASCO catalog. They've got all the paint you'll ever need.
You've got two choices, water based (wp)or lacquer based (fp) with lacquer based being my
choice for fish. The main reason I like the lacquer paints is the fast dry time - the down
side is you need to wear a respirator 'cause of the fumes. WASCO has a good chart comparing
the 2 types on page 61. The paints come "airbrush ready", but I still thin them down a bit.
When it comes to the detail work on a fish (ie the dark markings on a largemouth), I thin
it 100% (1 part paint and 1 part thinner) plus some retarder. The retarder slows the dry
time a bit so it doesn't dry on your airbrush tip. As for the needle size, I use the 1, it
gives you the most detail. My opinions only, but it works for me.
This response submitted by Rod mcd on 2/14/1999. ( )
Thanks for the info Larry. I have one more question.
At what pressure do you paint?
This response submitted by leanna on 2/15/1999. ( )
38-40 psi
This response submitted by Bob in Nebr. on 2/16/1999. ( )
I do a lot if fish work. My work shop is in my home basement, in close proximity of the hot water heater/furnace. I also strongly recomment WASCO paint, but I prefer the water acrylics. I have no problem with drying time. I finish a mount and immediately gloss it, using WASCO wet look gloss (also water base). When necessary, I thin my paints with rubbing alcohol with very good results. I vary my air pressure between 20# and 40# depending on what I'm trying to do. Usually 30 to 35# is where I'm at. I use a Pasche brush with a #3 tip. I've tried a #1 and #5, but always go back to the #3. Bob in Nebr.
This response submitted by chuck p in IL on 2/20/1999. ( KPartak@aol.com )
This is to Bob in Neb. with rubbing alcohol do you thin it the same as if you used water ?I 'm just getting started also, would appreciate any help at all.
This response submitted by Bob P. in Nebr. on 2/22/1999. ( )
Responding to Chucks question: I bought an instructional manual from WASCO several years ago. I don't have it with me now, but I believe it's Tom Sextons fish finishing manual. In this manual, the author suggests that fish paint be thinned to the consistancy of "skim milk", and uses rubbing alcohol to achieve this. I don't necessarily thin down all my colors; only the ones that I do some fine detail work with. (I don't thin down my super hide white or bass bell white, unless I use this color for some fine detail work. WASCO also sells a "detail black". This is apparently thinned specifially for detail work, and whatever they've done really works super. I use it for detailing bass, perch, bluegill, crappie etc. straight from the bottle. Chuck--- I hope I answered your question??? Bob P.
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