To air brush or not too

:smile: Hi, i seen on e bay, a pro chrome duel action air brush , air brush kit, listed @ $16.95 plus whatever shipping, i did not know if that was a good price or not, and second i never used one before, what do you need too do this, do you need a air compresser and if so what size,i just figure this way i would want too paint my model in thin layers then like a spray can would all at once, i know the air brush has differnt tips too, i like that so i can pin point one area, thank's for all your help, also i'm not very good at explaing myself and my spelling sucks, so i'm sorry about my grammer and stuff. Everett.:wink:

:smile: Hi, i seen on e bay, a pro chrome duel action air brush , air brush kit, listed @ $16.95 plus whatever shipping. I did not know if that was a good price or not, and second i never used one before. What do you need too do this, do you need a air compresser and if so what size? I just figure this way i would want too paint my model in thin layers then like a spray can would all at once. I know the air brush has differnt tips too, i like that so i can pin point one area. Thank's for all your help, also i'm not very good at explaing myself and my spelling sucks, so i'm sorry about my grammer and stuff. Everett.:wink:

Your spelling and grammar are ok, and you can explain yourself fine. All you need to do is break your thoughts into sentences so we can follow them. I didn't change your words here at all. I just broke them into sentences (periods instead of commas) and it's perfectly understandable. You will very likely get more help here if you can do this when you post.

Stay away from cheap airbrushes!!! :uhoh:

They are a nasty, frustrating experience, and a real waste of money. It is the same thing as buying cheap tools- they are not worth the money you spend on them. You will probably fight with it a few times, and it will never do the job that you really want it to. Then you will set it aside and never touch it again, and maybe decide airbrushing isn't for you.

A good airbrush and compressor setup will probably cost you about $150-$200. Get an Iwata or Badger gravity feed model. An Iwata Revolution HP-CR (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVCL2&P=FR) is perfect. You will also need a compressor. It doesn't really matter what compressor you use, as long as you have a decent regulator (http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/parre.html). Some compressors have regulators built in, most do not. And you will need an airhose, if one does not come with the airbrush you buy.

Do not buy a cheap airbrush, thinking that you will learn on it and buy a better airbrush later. Cheap airbrushes are horrible teachers. Buy a good setup. You'll use it for decades, and never have to buy another.

I have to agree with MPWR. If you are serious about an airbrush then you may as well buy a good one from the start. Also you can have the best airbrush money can buy but if your compressor is not up to powering it then the results you get will be poor. Put simply buy the best airbrush and compressor you can afford. It will last a lifetime if cared for and you will see straight away an improvement in your model finishes...

The first airbrush i bought was a cheap €15 and it was a complete waste of money, i think i maybe got a total of 2-3 minutes of painting from it. A year ago i bought a good quality one with a compressor and i think it was the best money i ever spent, a joy to use.

Hi..!

Few days ago i bought this airbrush...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140344176102&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

I know that is not the best airbrush, i know that is not a Iawata Revolution...but! it works fine, and for my numbers or my economy is very cheap, obviously it wont work for 10 years...but for the price i think that is good yo give a try

This airbrush i only use it with enamels, and paint...

Because for primer i use this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Air-Brush-Airbrush-Spray-Gun-Model-Body-Art-Paint-Tool-/230567438322?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35aee3e7f2

Which is a lot simplier, but also works...so in conclusion...if you have the money and you are starting with the airbrushing thing...give a try to this cheaps airbrush

Hi..!

Few days ago i bought this airbrush...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140344176102&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

I know that is not the best airbrush, i know that is not a Iawata Revolution...but! it works fine, and for my numbers or my economy is very cheap, obviously it wont work for 10 years...but for the price i think that is good yo give a try
You will LOVE that air brush, I hope you got the one with both size needles and seats. I am also VERY glad you posted this up as I have had mine for about 10 years and the only tip I've had for it (the small one) which does great for detail painting, lacks the ability to paint larger surfaces without leaving streaks...and that guy sells the tips and needles!!! I'm so excited, I can rebuild my airbrush!!!

This airbrush i only use it with enamels, and paint...

Because for primer i use this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Air-Brush-Airbrush-Spray-Gun-Model-Body-Art-Paint-Tool-/230567438322?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35aee3e7f2

Which is a lot simplier, but also works...so in conclusion...if you have the money and you are starting with the airbrushing thing...give a try to this cheaps airbrush
If you want a better one that isn't a LOT more expensive but is still an external mix single action for spraying thicker paints, but still be able to buy parts for, you should look into the Paasche H-Series Like this used, but still good set up. http://cgi.ebay.com/PAASCHE-AIRBRUSH-KIT-BOX-3-OZ-PAASCHE-BOTTLE-/250745944769?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a619f7ac1 (this is NOT my auction)

well thanks for your coment rsxse240, now im more happy woth my new airbrush :iceslolan and also thanks for the recomendation on the paasche, but the one i have for primer stills works so it will be working for a while

Well, I disagree with all lovers of expensive air brushes.

In our automotive model world sophisticated air brush are over kill, and in a way waste of money. Why would anyone need double action air brush to paint interiors? Why would anyone bother tedious cleaning of those 150++ US$ gadget after every paint job?? If you do not do weathering or air brush art forget these expensive brushes and go on for the cheapest (yes, the CHEAPEST) external mix air brush. They will give you an even surface finish, admittedly not as smooth as the internal mix, but since the surface will be polished who cares? Easy maintenance is a great advantage besides being 10 times cheaper. And when things goes bad, throw away and get a new one. You will not have nightmares any more that the needle is damaged, simply because there are no needles in them. I once listened to such advices and bought one of these elegant air brushes. I used it twice and it has been sitting in its box since then. It sees the light every once and a while when I build a military kit.

Compressor is a must if you decide to used air brush. It must have an air tank and must be able to generate at least 2.5 bar. You will not need so much pressure, but never trust a compressor whose maximum pressure is your working pressure. If noise is not an issue, buy a 1-2 hp compressor from the hardware store. These beasts fill their tanks easily to 8 bar in 3-4 minutes. Depending on your working style you may be able to air brush for 20-30 minutes before you need a recharge.

My advice is to forget airbrush for exterior paint unless you want to mix your own colors. Automotive repair paints are an excellent alternative. They are authentic, they are easy and ready to use, and they do not need the filling and cleaning mess of an air brush.

My:2cents:

Quality does not mean hugely expensive. A Passche VL, Iwata Revolution or Badger 150 can all be had for under $75 US. And they will last for years. I have been using the same Passche VL for close to 20 years. I have only occasionally had to replace the needle or other small parts. Like most tools, if you buy quality up front you don't need to replace it and it won't fail when you really need it.

You pointed out the single biggest reason to get a quality airbrush. It gives a very nice smooth surface. Smooth surface means less polishing which means less work. I hate polishing and most times need to do very little because the paint doesn't need it.

I'm not sure what you mean in your last sentence about not using an AB for exterior work are you saying use spray cans instead? If so thats ridiculous, an airbrush is much easier to control and is easier to get great results than using a spraycan. Using a spray can is like driving finishing nails with a sledge hammer.

My advice is to forget airbrush for exterior paint unless you want to mix your own colours. Automotive repair paints are an excellent alternative. They are authentic, they are easy and ready to use, and they do not need the filling and cleaning mess of an air brush.

Got to disagree. You make it sound like using an airbrush is a real chore. I can mix paint, spray parts and clean it out afterwards easily. The clean up of the airbrush probably takes me less time than putting the lid back on an aerosol can and the finish is far superior. The airbrush is like a precise sniper rifle, the aerosol can is like a shotgun. It's a chalk and cheese comparison..

...., the aerosol can is like a shotgun. It's a chalk and cheese comparison..

Whatever you see it is up to you. I do it this way and it is much easier. Whether to polish or not it depends on the individual expectations. For me, paint must be polished after application (I am talking about exteriors). Rough paint means an additional sanding stroke. This extra effort is much less annoying than disassembly of a whole air brush, cleaning, drying and putting together again.

But as I said, it is an individual issue.

My:2cents:
I'm not sure what you mean in your last sentence about not using an AB for exterior work are you saying use spray cans instead? If so thats ridiculous, an airbrush is much easier to control and is easier to get great results than using a spraycan. Using a spray can is like driving finishing nails with a sledge hammer.

What to control in single pattern surface painting? You make it sound like building a swiss watch, not painting a car body. And yes, I sand and polish rather than cleaning.

Besides, but this is a different issue, spray cans are often cheaper than hobby paint. A huge can of flat black costs like a one or two Tamiya glasses

This extra effort is much less annoying than disassembly of a whole air brush, cleaning, drying and putting together again.


I think you missed my point. I was trying to say that complete disassembly of the airbrush after use is totally unnecessary. I clean my airbrush by spraying thinners through it after use and simply 'back flushing' to clean the internals. No need to take it apart or dry it afterwards. The whole procedure takes 30 seconds maximum.. I have owned the same brush for over 4 years and I have never needed to take it apart for cleaning, and it still works the same as the day I bought it...

What to control in single pattern surface painting? You make it sound like building a swiss watch, not painting a car body. And yes, I sand and polish rather than cleaning.

Besides, but this is a different issue, spray cans are often cheaper than hobby paint. A huge can of flat black costs like a one or two Tamiya glasses

You can't control air pressure for one. A spray can sprays at the same pressure it is either on or off. An airbrush has many variables. I can also incorporate a water trap to stop moisture, not so with an aerosol...
One 60ml bottle of Zero paint will paint 4 car bodies and costs maybe £5. Tamiya TS for example at my local hobby store is £7 per can and will do at the most 2 bodies if used sparingly..

This is my opinion and only my opinion!

If what you do works for you thats great, keep doing it. But you are exaggerating the down side of an airbrush. Funny, you make using an airbrush sound like building a Swiss watch. It only takes a minute or two to clean one and it doesn't need a complete tear down and claen after every use. You are also down playing the ease of using spray cans. You have no control of what comes out, the only control is from you how far you hold it away and how fast you move the can. These are the same things you can do with an airbrush plus the AB gives you the control of what comes out of it color, pressure, volume, etc. YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITH A SPRAY CAN.

As for the cost of paint. I think the cost of paint is more than made up for by the huge variety of paint and colors of paint one can use with an AB. With spray cans you are limited again to what you can find in a can.

I don't hate spray cans, I use them for primer all the time. But for almost everything else an airbrush is the way to go for me.

My:2cents:

Quality does not mean hugely expensive. A Passche VL, Iwata Revolution or Badger 150 can all be had for under $75 US. And they will last for years. I have been using the same Passche VL for close to 20 years. I have only occasionally had to replace the needle or other small parts. Like most tools, if you buy quality up front you don't need to replace it and it won't fail when you really need it.

You pointed out the single biggest reason to get a quality airbrush. It gives a very nice smooth surface. Smooth surface means less polishing which means less work. I hate polishing and most times need to do very little because the paint doesn't need it.

I'm not sure what you mean in your last sentence about not using an AB for exterior work are you saying use spray cans instead? If so thats ridiculous, an airbrush is much easier to control and is easier to get great results than using a spraycan. Using a spray can is like driving finishing nails with a sledge hammer.
quality of the airbrush has nothing to do with the quality of the work ive had bad paintjobs come out of iwatas its all in the pressure and mix

quality of the airbrush has nothing to do with the quality of the work ive had bad paintjobs come out of iwatas its all in the pressure and mix

Me too, the problem was the operator not the airbrush. :icon16:

I think you missed my point. I was trying to say that complete disassembly of the airbrush after use is totally unnecessary. I clean my airbrush by spraying thinners through it after use and simply 'back flushing' to clean the internals.

I know what you mean. I clean mine differently.


You can't control air pressure for one. A spray can sprays at the same pressure ......

I am aware of these features as you can read in my post. My point is some people are satisfied by what they get out of the airbrush. For me it is not good enough. As a result, whatever spraying method is used, the result will be optimized by sanding and polishing. So the investment and effort required for high quality air brush is not justified.

One 60ml bottle of Zero paint will paint 4 car bodies and costs maybe £5. Tamiya TS for example at my local hobby store is £7 per can and will do at the most 2 bodies if used sparingly..

I mentioned costs as a secondary argument. And by the way, who talks about Tamiya Spray cans? I mentioned Tamiya paint as an example for hobby colors. I am talking about hardware store colors for vintage cars and automotive paint cans. Automotive paint is not that cheap. It is only slightly cheaper than Tamiya cans. However, it is less than what you pay for zero paint. One can covers two car bodies (but who wants to use the same color twice?).

But as I said, cost of color is only a secondary issue.

[....Funny, you make using an airbrush sound like building a Swiss watch....

Correction... I did not make sound like building a swiss watch, it is the exaggerating arguments about spray control. I am tired of repeating that these things are important only in weathering, air brush art and camouflage, not to apply a single pattern color.

Here is something for the expensive air brush fans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1HdmTH_tkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7NH5iZX7Lk

I hope you will believe now there are other "rights" than what is right for you :rofl:

Ok, you got me. I'm an expensive air brush lover. I just can't understand why anyone would use anything else, it doesn't make sense. You cheap AB and spray can lovers are delusional thinking you can achive a high quality paint job with one. It just can't be done. No amount of sanding or polishing will be even equal to the finish possible with an expensive AB. You shouldn't even bother trying, better yet just give up modeling all together.

Furthermore, any model not painted with an expensive AB should be banned from this website and possibly banned from the web completely. Such lesser models do not belong in public where they will encoraage others to build such inferior models.

This is not an opinion. The superiority of expensive ABs is a scientifically proven fact, with the laws of physics, thermodynamics and high level math it can be shown that expensive ABs are the only way to paint a model. Trust me I'm an engineer.

Lastly, those Youtube videos are just propaganda from spray can lovers. They have been doctored to try to trick people into using spray cans, really they show nothing. They are lies, all lies.





















:sarcasmsign: :silly:

Quality airbrushes make beginners look like pros. Cheap airbrushes make pros look like beginners. I like my Passche VL. It's neither cheap nor expensive.

Ok, you got me. I'm an expensive air brush lover. I just can't understand why anyone would use anything
else,

And who said you should understand? Or who said that anyone waits for your permission to use whatever he wants?

it doesn't make sense. You cheap AB and spray can lovers are delusional thinking you can achive a high quality paint job with one. It just can't be done. No amount of sanding or polishing will be even equal to the finish possible with an expensive AB. You shouldn't even bother trying, better yet just give up modeling all together.

First, I do not take instruction form you. Secondly, I returned to the hobby 11 years ago, and this is what I found 9 years ago.

Furthermore, any model not painted with an expensive AB should be banned from this website and possibly banned from the web completely. Such lesser models do not belong in public where they will encoraage others to build such inferior models.

Now it is getting really interesting. Do I hear God talking?? You are a unique case by the way.... certainly not a unique case of modeling...

This is not an opinion. The superiority of expensive ABs is a scientifically proven fact, with the laws of physics, thermodynamics and high level math it can be shown that expensive ABs are the only way to paint a model. Trust me I'm an engineer.

Read my post again and you will find no where written cheaper ones produce better finish of the expensive one. And as far as academic degrees are concerned (although it is irrelevant), I have a Ph.D. in mech. engineering.

Lastly, those Youtube videos are just propaganda from spray can lovers. They have been doctored to try to trick people into using spray cans, really they show nothing. They are lies, all lies.

Well, it is even more clear to me you area unique case.....

Enough is enough.... a discussion is pointless

Play nice

Dude, relax! My post was a joke, I guess it didn't translate well. I thought it was so crazy over the top that no one would take it seriously.

Do whatever works best for you. :icon16:

THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION, YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY, RESULTS SHOWN ARE NOT GUARANTEED, YOUR MONEY BACK IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED, CAVEAT EMPTOR!

when you want to argue, all you see are arguments.

I really got a kick out of that superiority post! I lol'ed irl!!!

I have to say my cheap $20 ab from Harbor Freight has had so many great UNPOLISHED paint jobs that it has paid for it self time and again by saving time I would normally spent polishing a rattle canned job.

Furthermore, with a dual action ab, one can do all the "jamb work" as it is called in 1:1 paint and body. With rattle cans you have to be very careful not to run the paint when getting Into all the books and crannies.

I could go on bit my thumbs are getting tired from testing this message. Haha