Does anyone have any tips on how to airbrush white on a dark background? I have a Kopykake airbrush system and have tried their brand of white airbrush color with awful results. I've also tried the Dinky Doodle brand with no improvement. Thanks!
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You might have more success with powdered coloring, especially sheens like pearl. I mix the latter in the ratio of 1 1/2 parts to 4 (powder to alcohol, by volume) and I get great coverage on dark cookies.
Julia M. Usher posted:You might have more success with powdered coloring, especially sheens like pearl. I mix the latter in the ratio of 1 1/2 parts to 4 (powder to alcohol, by volume) and I get great coverage on dark cookies.
Thank you so much Julia! I have had so many instances where I tried white airbrush color, but ended up with some "not so pretty" cookies (my kids love it when I have some ugly ones). Thanks again and I'll definitely give this a try!
Julia, are you referring to powdered colorings like TruColor or would this method work well with colors like SugarFlair, ColorPop, etc.?
I was doing some reading about airbrushing white, pearl included. I've run into issues of my airbrush clogging because the viscosity just isn't thin enough, I think. Or it could certainly be operator error 
. One recommendation I read was to thin the white water based color with water and alcohol based whites (like DinkyDoodle) with alcohol. Thoughts?
Thank you in advance
Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia, are you referring to powdered colorings like TruColor or would this method work well with colors like SugarFlair, ColorPop, etc.?
I was doing some reading about airbrushing white, pearl included. I've run into issues of my airbrush clogging because the viscosity just isn't thin enough, I think. Or it could certainly be operator error
Thank you in advance
I was referring specifically to luster powders, not matte white in these remarks. (I usually use those by Chef Rubber, but other brands work too. Powders typically are not water-soluble and need to be extended with alcohol.)
As far as actual non-luster white goes, I think the titanium dioxide in it can sometimes settle to the bottom and contribute to lumpiness, PERHAPS, if not well mixed AND shaken, but, truthfully, I've rarely had trouble with white clogging my guns. If anything, the water-based ones are too watery, pool up and spot, and don't cover dark icing well as Cookies by Cambridge pointed out above (I think Kopykake coloring is water-based). That being said, I have had much more success with alcohol-based whites on dark colors, as the liquid in it evaporates instantaneously, allowing multiple coats to go down more quickly without pooling and spotting. You still have to apply the coloring gradually and in layers, but it can work well with some patience. I only use Spectrum Flow white (formerly DinkyDoodle, I THINK), as it is alcohol-based. Both AmeriMist and Chefmaster whites (water-based) have been too wet for me.
Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia, are you referring to powdered colorings like TruColor or would this method work well with colors like SugarFlair, ColorPop, etc.?
I was doing some reading about airbrushing white, pearl included. I've run into issues of my airbrush clogging because the viscosity just isn't thin enough, I think. Or it could certainly be operator error
Thank you in advance
I was referring specifically to luster powders, not matte white in these remarks. (I usually use those by Chef Rubber, but other brands work too. Powders typically are not water-soluble and need to be extended with alcohol.)
As far as actual non-luster white goes, I think the titanium dioxide in it can sometimes settle to the bottom and contribute to lumpiness, PERHAPS, if not well mixed AND shaken, but, truthfully, I've rarely had trouble with white clogging my guns. If anything, the water-based ones are too watery, pool up and spot, and don't cover dark icing well as Cookies by Cambridge pointed out above (I think Kopykake coloring is water-based). That being said, I have had much more success with alcohol-based whites on dark colors, as the liquid in it evaporates instantaneously, allowing multiple coats to go down more quickly without pooling and spotting. You still have to apply the coloring gradually and in layers, but it can work well with some patience. I only use Spectrum Flow white (formerly DinkyDoodle, I THINK), as it is alcohol-based. Both AmeriMist and Chefmaster whites (water-based) have been too wet for me.
Thank you so very much Julia!!! This info is most helpful. I've not tried using luster powders extended with alcohol for airbrushing. I'm curious to give it a try with the 1.5:4 ratio (powder to alcohol).
When I use the white Spectrum Flow on its own it works pretty well if sprayed in thin layers as you said, but my airbrush is harder to clean. I typically do a pretty thorough cleaning immediately after using it (rather than my usual color change cleaning regime).
I've also used white Spectrum Flow with Black Chefmaster airbrush color to create gray. If memory serves, this recommendation came from you. Thank you!!! It works quite well.
Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia, are you referring to powdered colorings like TruColor or would this method work well with colors like SugarFlair, ColorPop, etc.?
I was doing some reading about airbrushing white, pearl included. I've run into issues of my airbrush clogging because the viscosity just isn't thin enough, I think. Or it could certainly be operator error
Thank you in advance
I was referring specifically to luster powders, not matte white in these remarks. (I usually use those by Chef Rubber, but other brands work too. Powders typically are not water-soluble and need to be extended with alcohol.)
As far as actual non-luster white goes, I think the titanium dioxide in it can sometimes settle to the bottom and contribute to lumpiness, PERHAPS, if not well mixed AND shaken, but, truthfully, I've rarely had trouble with white clogging my guns. If anything, the water-based ones are too watery, pool up and spot, and don't cover dark icing well as Cookies by Cambridge pointed out above (I think Kopykake coloring is water-based). That being said, I have had much more success with alcohol-based whites on dark colors, as the liquid in it evaporates instantaneously, allowing multiple coats to go down more quickly without pooling and spotting. You still have to apply the coloring gradually and in layers, but it can work well with some patience. I only use Spectrum Flow white (formerly DinkyDoodle, I THINK), as it is alcohol-based. Both AmeriMist and Chefmaster whites (water-based) have been too wet for me.
Thank you so very much Julia!!! This info is most helpful. I've not tried using luster powders extended with alcohol for airbrushing. I'm curious to give it a try with the 1.5:4 ratio (powder to alcohol).
When I use the white Spectrum Flow on its own it works pretty well if sprayed in thin layers as you said, but my airbrush is harder to clean. I typically do a pretty thorough cleaning immediately after using it (rather than my usual color change cleaning regime).
I've also used white Spectrum Flow with Black Chefmaster airbrush color to create gray. If memory serves, this recommendation came from you. Thank you!!! It works quite well.
What are you cleaning your airbrush with? I use vodka, and the white comes out pretty easily - it's a little tackier than normal colorings, but no real cleaning issues to speak of.
Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia, are you referring to powdered colorings like TruColor or would this method work well with colors like SugarFlair, ColorPop, etc.?
I was doing some reading about airbrushing white, pearl included. I've run into issues of my airbrush clogging because the viscosity just isn't thin enough, I think. Or it could certainly be operator error
Thank you in advance
I was referring specifically to luster powders, not matte white in these remarks. (I usually use those by Chef Rubber, but other brands work too. Powders typically are not water-soluble and need to be extended with alcohol.)
As far as actual non-luster white goes, I think the titanium dioxide in it can sometimes settle to the bottom and contribute to lumpiness, PERHAPS, if not well mixed AND shaken, but, truthfully, I've rarely had trouble with white clogging my guns. If anything, the water-based ones are too watery, pool up and spot, and don't cover dark icing well as Cookies by Cambridge pointed out above (I think Kopykake coloring is water-based). That being said, I have had much more success with alcohol-based whites on dark colors, as the liquid in it evaporates instantaneously, allowing multiple coats to go down more quickly without pooling and spotting. You still have to apply the coloring gradually and in layers, but it can work well with some patience. I only use Spectrum Flow white (formerly DinkyDoodle, I THINK), as it is alcohol-based. Both AmeriMist and Chefmaster whites (water-based) have been too wet for me.
Thank you so very much Julia!!! This info is most helpful. I've not tried using luster powders extended with alcohol for airbrushing. I'm curious to give it a try with the 1.5:4 ratio (powder to alcohol).
When I use the white Spectrum Flow on its own it works pretty well if sprayed in thin layers as you said, but my airbrush is harder to clean. I typically do a pretty thorough cleaning immediately after using it (rather than my usual color change cleaning regime).
I've also used white Spectrum Flow with Black Chefmaster airbrush color to create gray. If memory serves, this recommendation came from you. Thank you!!! It works quite well.
What are you cleaning your airbrush with? I use vodka, and the white comes out pretty easily - it's a little tackier than normal colorings, but no real cleaning issues to speak of.
Everclear
Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia, are you referring to powdered colorings like TruColor or would this method work well with colors like SugarFlair, ColorPop, etc.?
I was doing some reading about airbrushing white, pearl included. I've run into issues of my airbrush clogging because the viscosity just isn't thin enough, I think. Or it could certainly be operator error
Thank you in advance
I was referring specifically to luster powders, not matte white in these remarks. (I usually use those by Chef Rubber, but other brands work too. Powders typically are not water-soluble and need to be extended with alcohol.)
As far as actual non-luster white goes, I think the titanium dioxide in it can sometimes settle to the bottom and contribute to lumpiness, PERHAPS, if not well mixed AND shaken, but, truthfully, I've rarely had trouble with white clogging my guns. If anything, the water-based ones are too watery, pool up and spot, and don't cover dark icing well as Cookies by Cambridge pointed out above (I think Kopykake coloring is water-based). That being said, I have had much more success with alcohol-based whites on dark colors, as the liquid in it evaporates instantaneously, allowing multiple coats to go down more quickly without pooling and spotting. You still have to apply the coloring gradually and in layers, but it can work well with some patience. I only use Spectrum Flow white (formerly DinkyDoodle, I THINK), as it is alcohol-based. Both AmeriMist and Chefmaster whites (water-based) have been too wet for me.
Thank you so very much Julia!!! This info is most helpful. I've not tried using luster powders extended with alcohol for airbrushing. I'm curious to give it a try with the 1.5:4 ratio (powder to alcohol).
When I use the white Spectrum Flow on its own it works pretty well if sprayed in thin layers as you said, but my airbrush is harder to clean. I typically do a pretty thorough cleaning immediately after using it (rather than my usual color change cleaning regime).
I've also used white Spectrum Flow with Black Chefmaster airbrush color to create gray. If memory serves, this recommendation came from you. Thank you!!! It works quite well.
What are you cleaning your airbrush with? I use vodka, and the white comes out pretty easily - it's a little tackier than normal colorings, but no real cleaning issues to speak of.
Everclear
Surprised that doesn't clean it well/quickly. Plugging may also be a function of your gun (size of nozzle opening); maybe you need a larger one when working with metallics and whites?? Mine does well with all forms with one nozzle size; just needs more pressure behind it on the compressor (sometimes) when working with metallics.
Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia, are you referring to powdered colorings like TruColor or would this method work well with colors like SugarFlair, ColorPop, etc.?
I was doing some reading about airbrushing white, pearl included. I've run into issues of my airbrush clogging because the viscosity just isn't thin enough, I think. Or it could certainly be operator error
Thank you in advance
I was referring specifically to luster powders, not matte white in these remarks. (I usually use those by Chef Rubber, but other brands work too. Powders typically are not water-soluble and need to be extended with alcohol.)
As far as actual non-luster white goes, I think the titanium dioxide in it can sometimes settle to the bottom and contribute to lumpiness, PERHAPS, if not well mixed AND shaken, but, truthfully, I've rarely had trouble with white clogging my guns. If anything, the water-based ones are too watery, pool up and spot, and don't cover dark icing well as Cookies by Cambridge pointed out above (I think Kopykake coloring is water-based). That being said, I have had much more success with alcohol-based whites on dark colors, as the liquid in it evaporates instantaneously, allowing multiple coats to go down more quickly without pooling and spotting. You still have to apply the coloring gradually and in layers, but it can work well with some patience. I only use Spectrum Flow white (formerly DinkyDoodle, I THINK), as it is alcohol-based. Both AmeriMist and Chefmaster whites (water-based) have been too wet for me.
Thank you so very much Julia!!! This info is most helpful. I've not tried using luster powders extended with alcohol for airbrushing. I'm curious to give it a try with the 1.5:4 ratio (powder to alcohol).
When I use the white Spectrum Flow on its own it works pretty well if sprayed in thin layers as you said, but my airbrush is harder to clean. I typically do a pretty thorough cleaning immediately after using it (rather than my usual color change cleaning regime).
I've also used white Spectrum Flow with Black Chefmaster airbrush color to create gray. If memory serves, this recommendation came from you. Thank you!!! It works quite well.
What are you cleaning your airbrush with? I use vodka, and the white comes out pretty easily - it's a little tackier than normal colorings, but no real cleaning issues to speak of.
Everclear
Might there be a difference in the chemical composition of everclear as opposed to vodka that explains the cleaning issues? Yes, I find the white to be tackier as well but also more work to completely clear it out of the airbrush.
I so appreciate your helpful comments 😊
Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia, are you referring to powdered colorings like TruColor or would this method work well with colors like SugarFlair, ColorPop, etc.?
I was doing some reading about airbrushing white, pearl included. I've run into issues of my airbrush clogging because the viscosity just isn't thin enough, I think. Or it could certainly be operator error
Thank you in advance
I was referring specifically to luster powders, not matte white in these remarks. (I usually use those by Chef Rubber, but other brands work too. Powders typically are not water-soluble and need to be extended with alcohol.)
As far as actual non-luster white goes, I think the titanium dioxide in it can sometimes settle to the bottom and contribute to lumpiness, PERHAPS, if not well mixed AND shaken, but, truthfully, I've rarely had trouble with white clogging my guns. If anything, the water-based ones are too watery, pool up and spot, and don't cover dark icing well as Cookies by Cambridge pointed out above (I think Kopykake coloring is water-based). That being said, I have had much more success with alcohol-based whites on dark colors, as the liquid in it evaporates instantaneously, allowing multiple coats to go down more quickly without pooling and spotting. You still have to apply the coloring gradually and in layers, but it can work well with some patience. I only use Spectrum Flow white (formerly DinkyDoodle, I THINK), as it is alcohol-based. Both AmeriMist and Chefmaster whites (water-based) have been too wet for me.
Thank you so very much Julia!!! This info is most helpful. I've not tried using luster powders extended with alcohol for airbrushing. I'm curious to give it a try with the 1.5:4 ratio (powder to alcohol).
When I use the white Spectrum Flow on its own it works pretty well if sprayed in thin layers as you said, but my airbrush is harder to clean. I typically do a pretty thorough cleaning immediately after using it (rather than my usual color change cleaning regime).
I've also used white Spectrum Flow with Black Chefmaster airbrush color to create gray. If memory serves, this recommendation came from you. Thank you!!! It works quite well.
What are you cleaning your airbrush with? I use vodka, and the white comes out pretty easily - it's a little tackier than normal colorings, but no real cleaning issues to speak of.
Everclear
Might there be a difference in the chemical composition of everclear as opposed to vodka that explains the cleaning issues? Yes, I find the white to be tackier as well but also more work to completely clear it out of the airbrush.
I so appreciate your helpful comments 😊
Everclear has a higher alcohol content, so I would think it would be an even better solvent/cleaner than vodka. Though some don't recommend cleaning with Everclear for that reason; they say it can do more damage to rings and seals and such - I have no data/info to say that's true, though.
I used the spectrum flow white to create a blue pastel and it worked beautifully. I swapped out my needle/nozzle tip size to .5 and increased the air pressure a bit. That made a world of difference. I was able to easily clean the airbrush too. Don't know if the increase in air pressure made any difference in cleaning the gun but I'm happy with the result. Thank you so very much, Julia 😊😊😊
Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:I used the spectrum flow white to create a blue pastel and it worked beautifully. I swapped out my needle/nozzle tip size to .5 and increased the air pressure a bit. That made a world of difference. I was able to easily clean the airbrush too. Don't know if the increase in air pressure made any difference in cleaning the gun but I'm happy with the result. Thank you so very much, Julia 😊😊😊
It (the increased pressure) probably did help. Do you also suffocate the airflow and backflush into the chamber to clean it out? If not, I find this is one of the most effective ways to clean, and you might want to try it.
Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:I used the spectrum flow white to create a blue pastel and it worked beautifully. I swapped out my needle/nozzle tip size to .5 and increased the air pressure a bit. That made a world of difference. I was able to easily clean the airbrush too. Don't know if the increase in air pressure made any difference in cleaning the gun but I'm happy with the result. Thank you so very much, Julia 😊😊😊
It (the increased pressure) probably did help. Do you also suffocate the airflow and backflush into the chamber to clean it out? If not, I find this is one of the most effective ways to clean, and you might want to try it.
Yes! I really think the increased pressure was a big help...can't believe I hadn't "played" around with that more with the white color...Ugh! Backflushing is a big part of my cleaning regime .
I can't imagine where you "find" the time to interact with me like this my dear cookie friend. I appreciate your personal touch more than you know and believe this is one of the things that truly sets you apart from so many others ❤️. As I mentioned to Tina on my FB page, your unique qualities of kindness, generosity and genuine caring for others speaks volumes of the lovely person you are on the inside as well as the outside!!
Thank you once again...be well!!
Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:Julia M. Usher posted:Cookies Fantastique by Carol posted:I used the spectrum flow white to create a blue pastel and it worked beautifully. I swapped out my needle/nozzle tip size to .5 and increased the air pressure a bit. That made a world of difference. I was able to easily clean the airbrush too. Don't know if the increase in air pressure made any difference in cleaning the gun but I'm happy with the result. Thank you so very much, Julia 😊😊😊
It (the increased pressure) probably did help. Do you also suffocate the airflow and backflush into the chamber to clean it out? If not, I find this is one of the most effective ways to clean, and you might want to try it.
Yes! I really think the increased pressure was a big help...can't believe I hadn't "played" around with that more with the white color...Ugh! Backflushing is a big part of my cleaning regime
I can't imagine where you "find" the time to interact with me like this my dear cookie friend. I appreciate your personal touch more than you know and believe this is one of the things that truly sets you apart from so many others ❤️. As I mentioned to Tina on my FB page, your unique qualities of kindness, generosity and genuine caring for others speaks volumes of the lovely person you are on the inside as well as the outside!!
Thank you once again...be well!!
😘 Re: "your unique qualities of kindness, generosity and genuine caring for others speaks volumes of the lovely person you are on the inside as well as the outside", I feel the same way about you!
