HELP! Newbie Painting Wood Statues

[j108]

Hey guys, so here's the deal: I've only had limited use of an airbrush (not my own) before but I need to paint some wooden statues - and I don't know where to begin!!!!

Any suggestions on:

1. Primer?

2. Paint? - should we go with automotive paint? if so, does anyone know if you can get a good emulsion paint in any other form than in the aerosol cans - I need to be able to mix the colors and have more control than with the cans. Is this the best way to go???

I was told by several artist friends that they would NOT recommend painting the wooden statues with acrylics... and oils take way too long to dry...

any other suggestions?

3. Airbrush - what kind of brush would you recommend? the statues are approximately 3 feet high with a fair amount of detail (but I was thinking of mainly airbrushing the skin tone).
I was thinking of getting a Paasche H (because it's cheap) but again, I would like as hassle-free an airbrush as possible, so I was looking on the higher end at the Iwata Eclipse BCS or even at the Iwata HP-C Plus or even possibly the Iwata G6... what do you recommend ??? help meee!!!

4. Compressor - do you recommend a higher grade compressor or would it blow too hard - does it matter? is campbell hausfeld a good brand? what's a good brand for a compressor? I would like as hassle-free a compressor as possible... I remember using one that we could only use for approximately 10 minutes at a time... I don't want that. I want something that gives me at least an hour at a time.

5. Sealer - some kind of varnish? any suggestions?

Anyhow.. I know I've asked a ton of questions for my first post... but since you're all experts, I know I'm at the right place.

I look WAY forward to hearing from y'all!!!

THANKS SOOOO MUCHO!!!

[j108]

C'mon guys... anyone?

Surely someone has painted on wood before?

please puleeezzzzeee??

Answrs are below in Bold text

Originally Posted by j108

Hey guys, so here's the deal: I've only had limited use of an airbrush (not my own) before but I need to paint some wooden statues - and I don't know where to begin!!!!

Any suggestions on:

1. Primer? Any wood primier should work although water based primers may raise the wood grain.

2. Paint? - should we go with automotive paint? if so, does anyone know if you can get a good emulsion paint in any other form than in the aerosol cans - I need to be able to mix the colors and have more control than with the cans. Is this the best way to go???
Createx, aqua flow or one of the other water based paints should work over the primier just fine. Clear it with Walmart spray enamel.

I was told by several artist friends that they would NOT recommend painting the wooden statues with acrylics... and oils take way too long to dry...

any other suggestions?Createx, aqua flow or one of the other water bsed paintsshould work over the primier just fine. Clear it with Walmart spray enamel.

3. Airbrush - what kind of brush would you recommend? the statues are approximately 3 feet high with a fair amount of detail (but I was thinking of mainly airbrushing the skin tone). Iwata Hp-BCS, Badger150, Vega 2000 take your pick according to your budget.

I was thinking of getting a Paasche H (because it's cheap) but again, I would like as hassle-free an airbrush as possible, so I was looking on the higher end at the Iwata Eclipse BCS or even at the Iwata HP-C Plus or even possibly the Iwata G6... what do you recommend ??? help meee!!!Iwata Hp-BCS, Badger150, Vega 2000 take your pick according to your budget.


4. Compressor - do you recommend a higher grade compressor or would it blow too hard - does it matter? is campbell hausfeld a good brand? what's a good brand for a compressor? I would like as hassle-free a compressor as possible... I remember using one that we could only use for approximately 10 minutes at a time... I don't want that. I want something that gives me at least an hour at a time.Home Depot, Sears, Lowes talk to the sales people there they should beable to find one to fit your budget

5. Sealer - some kind of varnish? any suggestions? ? Walmart spray enamel.


Anyhow.. I know I've asked a ton of questions for my first post... but since you're all experts, I know I'm at the right place.

I look WAY forward to hearing from y'all!!!

THANKS SOOOO MUCHO!!!

[j108]

THank you sooo much DonJohnson!!!!
do you think going this route will keep for a long amount of time? I'd like not to have to paint it again for another 10 or so years...

I'm sooo afraid to go with water based because it might bubble and peel!! and I've read on this forum that createx has a bad reputation for clogging air brushes...

and do you really recommend walmart spray enamel? cuz, forgive me, but it sounds pretty cheap but if it works... hey, I'm good .

also:

thanks again