Airbrush paint cracks...

[Rhapsody]

:cry: Hello everybody!

I have recently started airbrushing nails, and I have run into some problems:
-the paint cracks when I put a topcoat on it (a special one for airbrush...)
-the paint goes away when the stencils rub (or even just touch) on the paint that is already on the nail.

I've been surfing the web and the same answer keeps coming:
-basecoat
-airbrush
-topcoat

...but that's what I do and it still doesn't work!

Can anyone help me please?
I don't know what to do anymore :irked:

 

[Carolep]

hi threre,

I know this can be frustrating, but normally it is little things so do panic.

Firstly, which make of aibrush paint are you using?
which make of base and top coa are you using?

If you use an airbrush base and top coat and mix it with a diffrent brand of airbrush nail art paint than can cause cracking.

Cracking can also be caused if you apply your paint to wet. Then when you put the top coat on cracks will appear.

Regarding the issue with the stencils and paint, that also sounds like you are applying the paint to wet to the nail, then when the stencil touches the nail the paint rubs off.

 

[Rosey]

I used to airbrush, but havent for a while now, but I used to find that if I had sprayed the paint on too thickly or it was not completely dry then the topcoat would make the design crack. It could be that you need to spray in thinner layers.

Also, if the paint is sprayed a bit too heavily and is not completely dry then it will stick to the next stencil applied.

I got on with some airbrush paints better than others - createx were quite good (but sometimes found them a bit thick and had to water down), and the others i liked were Medea (i think that was what they were called).

Someone else is sure to have more suggestions for you!

HTH :hug:

 

[Rhapsody]

Thank you Carolep, Rosey!

I use an Iwata airbrush (an Eclipse CS), and medea paint, along with medea basecoat and topcoat.
So no mix.

For the drying time, I don't spray "wet" as such, I mean: I mist the paint over the nail without it getting any shiny (nore getting "puddles" of paint). Then I come on top of the first layer with stencils.
Do you touch the nail with the stencil when you paint?
I am asking this because I suppose it is necessary to hold the stencil against the nail to get a clean result (without any blurry patches). Or am I wrong there?
When I have finished painting, I tend to wait about 30 seconds before I apply the topcoat.

Medea sells a spray-on varnish that can be put on top of the airbrushed pattern, before the topcoat. Have you tried it?

 

[Carolep]

hi there,

it is highly recommended to use the spray on varnish from Medeia before applying your top coat, it acts like a "bonder".

yes, you do touch the nail for the stencil.

when you apply your paint, you should build up the intsesity of the colour or design, never blast it. That means chnges are that if you have covered your nail with colour almost instantly then chances are you are applying to much paint, It should be soft misty type strokes you use.

 

[geeg]

Definitely your paint it not completely dry.

You have had good advice from the airbrushers in this thread ... mist the layers and build up your colour very gradually ... this is the art of airbrushing successfully.

It is not an uncommon problem to those who are new to the art of airbrushing. I have taught hundreds of pupils how to airbrush and at first I would say 90% have the same problems you are experiencing. :hug:

 

[Rhapsody]

Thank you!
Yesterday I had do paint on a model (normally a train on a Nail Trainer hand, or on tips) who has acrylic nails, and I followed your advise.
Mist very progressively, give it time to dry.
This time the stencils didn't rub the paint off, but I must say I still damaged the paint a little bit with the topcoat's brush. It is mad: you really have to hold it completely horizontally! But I assume it will get easier once I have the spray on varnish.
It's a pity it takes son long to have it shipped over here: in Belgium, airbrushed nails are nearly unknown...
I also noticed that it works a lot better on natural, acrylic or gel nails than on tips with a basecoat on.
And finally, I must say I am amazed at how careful one has to be when spraying on nails: I am an airbrush artist and I'm used to painting on paper, metal or wood, but it's nothing compared to how delicate you have to be with nails!

Has anyone used the Iwata Silverjet compressor?
I'm wondering about getting one because it's so much lighter than my Eurotec (for when I have to go to clients)

 

[geeg]

Thank you!
Yesterday I had do paint on a model (normally a train on a Nail Trainer hand, or on tips) who has acrylic nails, and I followed your advise.
Mist very progressively, give it time to dry.
This time the stencils didn't rub the paint off, but I must say I still damaged the paint a little bit with the topcoat's brush. It is mad: you really have to hold it completely horizontally! But I assume it will get easier once I have the spray on varnish.
It's a pity it takes son long to have it shipped over here: in Belgium, airbrushed nails are nearly unknown...
I also noticed that it works a lot better on natural, acrylic or gel nails than on tips with a basecoat on.
And finally, I must say I am amazed at how careful one has to be when spraying on nails: I am an airbrush artist and I'm used to painting on paper, metal or wood, but it's nothing compared to how delicate you have to be with nails!

Has anyone used the Iwata Silverjet compressor?
I'm wondering about getting one because it's so much lighter than my Eurotec (for when I have to go to clients)

You are so right .. completely different to working on paper.

As for the top coat, I find that you have to 'float' the top coat over your work.

Top coat will 'melt' your paint and make it wet again so it is easily smeared if the bristles get dragged across the paint... they should never touch the paint beneath. Such a shame to spoil your nice work at the very end! You are right about holding the brush horizontally ... this is what you must do. It is worth getting the technique though as in my opinion the hand done top coat is a far superior finish to the sprayed on top coat.

 

[Rhapsody]

Yes, I agree that the brushed topcoat will certainly protect the nail better than the spray on one. I was wondering about putting the first one, the the other. That way the paint is already protected when I brush on it.

Another worry though: I saw my model today and two of her fingers were already badly chipped! I suppose that she cleaned her hands too early? Before the varnish was actually fully dry? She waited 10 minutes before each coat though! :-(

What do you suggest for a long lasting result?
I had put two layers of topcoat, and took care of protecting the nail tip, on the edge and under...
Or should I have put a thin coat of gel on top?

 

[geeg]

Yes, I agree that the brushed topcoat will certainly protect the nail better than the spray on one. I was wondering about putting the first one, the the other. That way the paint is already protected when I brush on it.

Another worry though: I saw my model today and two of her fingers were already badly chipped! I suppose that she cleaned her hands too early? Before the varnish was actually fully dry? She waited 10 minutes before each coat though! :-(

What do you suggest for a long lasting result?
I had put two layers of topcoat, and took care of protecting the nail tip, on the edge and under...
Or should I have put a thin coat of gel on top?

I was taught airbrushing by elisabeth anthony ... in my opinion one of the finest nail airbrush artists in the world. I also used and LOVED the Aztek range of paints and top and base coats for airbrushing nails ... probably because they were developed by Aztek and Elisabeth specifically for nails. The crystaline Base coat was phenominal and chipping was not a huge issue.

However, the flexibility of natural nails is an issue and your work will last a million times longer if the natual nail is either wrapped or given some sort of protective enhancement coating. I think the thin layer of gel is your answer.

 

[JackieMc]

. But I assume it will get easier once I have the spray on varnish.

If it's Medea spray on varnish you are waiting for, a word of warning.... if you use it (I don't, I hate it!) make sure you clean out your airbrush THOROUGHLY afterwards, it's horrible stuff and if you don't get every single bit out it will dry like a rubbery gunky glue in your airbrush. I once spent over 2 hours trying to clean a students airbrush - I ended up pulling a huge 'plug' of the stuff out and all because the lady hadn't cleaned the varnish out properly! Also, if you do use the spray the varnish, if there is the slighest bit of wet paint then it will go like crackle glaze - weird!

Jackie
x

 

[tracey louise]

If it's Medea spray on varnish you are waiting for, a word of warning.... if you use it (I don't, I hate it!) make sure you clean out your airbrush THOROUGHLY afterwards, it's horrible stuff and if you don't get every single bit out it will dry like a rubbery gunky glue in your airbrush. I once spent over 2 hours trying to clean a students airbrush - I ended up pulling a huge 'plug' of the stuff out and all because the lady hadn't cleaned the varnish out properly! Also, if you do use the spray the varnish, if there is the slighest bit of wet paint then it will go like crackle glaze - weird!

Jackie
x

thanks for the advice.i use medea and i do use the varnish and i have had no problems with the paint smearing etc.. but i will definately be alot more cautious now with the varnish.
i do have abid problem with chipping as my mum works on computers all day so i did apply a gel coat over the top to try help prevent this but it didnt work is there anything else i could do?xx

 

[michele]

i only ever use top coat by the edge it doesnt matter if it is for airbrushed designs or free hand it will never crack and i find it doesnt chip as clients have a french mani airbrushed and it easily lasts 2 weeks
michele