Airbrushes?

Hello, I am new to these forums and looking for some help in the airbrush department. What is the difference between a single and double action airbrush? And is there a special type of paint for an airbrush, or do you just use regular enamels? Thank you for your help.

--[]--Jeffrey--[]--

Well the difference between a single action and a dual action brush is really only on how well the paint is applyed to the surface of the object your painting. A single action brush is just that, you push the button down and the paint comes out. Depending on how hard you push the paint comes out slow or fast. A duel action brush not only lets you cotrol the speed of the air but also the width of the airbrush flow. So I can make a very small paint line by not pulling back on the button or open it up and cover a large space with the button all the way back.
A single action brush would be very useful in just painting car bodies, however if you want to get into detailing the bodies such as putting flames on or other small details then a duel action would be best.
Any paint can be used in an airbrush, however making sure you have the right mixtures will insure that you dont clog up the brush with paint. I personally use auto lacquer paints, Tamiya paints and testors. All three have different ways of thinning them for an airbrush. Lacquer=lacquer, Tamiya paints=Tamiya thinner or rubbing alcohol and testors paint=oil paint thinner.
Read up on the FAQ for more 411.

Scott

Hi,

my english is not the best and I really don't understand what rubbing alcohol is...Is that the one available on any pharmacy? Here in Portugal I'm more familiar with ethilic alcohol...is that the same? Thanks.

In double action airbrushes do you need a compressor? Or are there any single action airbrushes that you can adjust the spray on?

Hi,

my english is not the best and I really don't understand what rubbing alcohol is...Is that the one available on any pharmacy? Here in Portugal I'm more familiar with ethilic alcohol...is that the same? Thanks.

well, its usually always called rubbing alcohol, but i think that its the same as a watered down ethanol. not to sure, correct me if im wrong.

In double action airbrushes do you need a compressor? Or are there any single action airbrushes that you can adjust the spray on?
Well yes and no. A compressor is not needed because you can use canned air, but with a compressor you get a constant flow of air with no drops in the air pressure. With a can you will run out of air and the paint will be affected by the pressure of the air in the can, meaning that your paint will not go on well. A compressor by its name keeps the air flow at a constant air pressure so you can get nice even paint jobs and you never run out of air.

Scott

Okay more questions...What do you guys paint with your double action airbrushes? Can you guys suggest a good (and cheap) double action combo (compressor and airbrush)? And just curious about this one, does a single run on compressor or canned air or something else? Thanks for all your help.

--[]--Jeffrey--[]--

Okay more questions...What do you guys paint with your double action airbrushes? Can you guys suggest a good (and cheap) double action combo (compressor and airbrush)? And just curious about this one, does a single run on compressor or canned air or something else? Thanks for all your help.

--[]--Jeffrey--[]--

Well yes a single action brush will work on canned air or a compressor. I use my double action brush because I can get a better flow of paint and can make my paint patterns big or small depending on the type of paint job Im doing. For example I might open up my brush as wide as it can go for painting a body so I get as much coverage as possible but say I need to sand down a small area well if I used a single action brush I might get paint on parts I dont want painted a dual action brush gives me the ability to fix paint problems by limited the spray pattern to a small area thats only effected by the sanded area. Also I use my dual action brush for msmall details like the flame licks on a airbrushed flame job, or for small parts that I want airbrushed and can use the small spray pattern to only apply paint where I want and not all over my hands or of the such.

As far as a airbrush/compressor combo I would go with the most you can afford, the better quility airbrushes are more expensive but worth it and will last longer. If you have to go the cheap route go with an Azteck but I perfer my Badger Dual 150 with my Badger Compressor. You can also go up in price to an Awata airbrush. The Badger is a lower end priced brush but it is a work horse and as long as you keep it clean it will never fail you. The Awata is the better of the two but does cost more.

Scott

The Badger Cressiendo 175 can be set up to act as a single, or dual action airbrush. I use this one on all of my cars, and its the best one I've ever used.

To really do this right you need a compressor. You just can not control the air flow properly with a propel can. Your better off using Tamiya or Plasti-Kote spray cans, than using an airbrush with a propel can.

Also, it takes some time before getting "good" on an airbrush. Many people give up too soon, and go back to cans. If you hang in there, practice on a donor body, and practice your paint mix, you'll never turn back. Your color choices are virtually unlimited...

AND.....

then you can learn to paint with nail polish...which is what I've been into lately, with great results.

Do you think that this is an okay compressor or should i look for something better Compressor (http://www.testors.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=1640)