Air Brushing: Complete Kit for Newbie?

I really want to start doing airbrushing as a Hobby but there are a few things I'd like to know before I start thinking of shopping for a kit..

1. How much does the Gun Cost?
2. Are there specific compressors for Air Brushes? (IE, small, easy to carry ones?)
3. How much would a Starter Gun and Compressor cost me (Canadian)?
4. Paint; do I use Normal Automotive? (Base/Clear or DG)
5. Another paint question; I've heard of people using Spray Can Paint in their Airbrushes by emptying them into the Filler. Your thoughts?
6. What's a good Piece to work on? (IE, a Hood that you just sand once you're done) or just buy cheap metal plates and try on that?
7. Any web guides for newbies out there?

Thanks for any information; I really appreciate it.

1. Some are under $100 for general work. A nice Aztek or Pasche is about $180 for nice detail. Get a dual action for more control. I use an Aztek-they are easier to clean.

2.Yes. some are very quiet as well.

3. to start you can use canned air or adaptors for any compressor you may already have. You can be shooting paint for under $200 if you start with a cheaper gun. I have one that cost $11 at harbor freight. I use it to do base coats on bicycles and such. works pretty well.

4. You can use ANY paint the job requires. Have fun.

5. I guess you could, but I have never done this.

6. I hae some metal folding chairs I test new guns on. Lots of flat and curved surfaces to practise on.

7. search google.

1. How much does the Gun Cost? anywhere from $40(cheap "testors" model plane ones) to over $350
2. Are there specific compressors for Air Brushes? (IE, small, easy to carry ones?) Go to canadian tire and get that small black one for $90 or a small "pancake" compressor
3. How much would a Starter Gun and Compressor cost me (Canadian)? $200 for a decent set up ?
4. Paint; do I use Normal Automotive? (Base/Clear or DG) depends on the gun and tip you use
5. Another paint question; I've heard of people using Spray Can Paint in their Airbrushes by emptying them into the Filler. Your thoughts? There are guns that use an arisol can as a propellant, maybe thats what your hearing about, those guns are crap for fine detail work
6. What's a good Piece to work on? (IE, a Hood that you just sand once you're done) or just buy cheap metal plates and try on that? Go with the cheap metal plates until you get the hang of it. It takes alot of practice to get used to
7. Any web guides for newbies out there? Ive never looked ...............
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/153484googlebart.JPG

I did search Google, actually. The only thing that came up were Books or Online Stores. Thanks for the reply though, I appreciate the info.

For the compressor, does the Gun take alot of Air? I mean, will I find the compressor constantly running if I get a small one?

I did search Google, actually. The only thing that came up were Books or Online Stores. Thanks for the reply though, I appreciate the info.

For the compressor, does the Gun take alot of Air? I mean, will I find the compressor constantly running if I get a small one?

An airbrush does not use a lot of air. I like to use a tank and regulator with a larger compressor so that the air flow does not surge.

Just know this. Airbrushes are a blast. With a little practice you will be doing some amazing things. The control is killer.

Back in the day, ambitious yet economically challenged airbrushers would go as far as keeping an automotive wheel (w/ tire intact) around- they would make trips to the local service station (back when air was free everywhere) to fill it up whenever it was low- Why? because they used the tire or tube inside of it as a holding tank for compressed air. You could hook the airbrush hose directly into the valve stem.
Not hurtin' that bad? Sometimes you can pick up real holding tanks major cheap (Harbor freight or garg sales). Or you can just go ahead and front for a small compressor. So in answer to you question- no, you don't need a large compressor to run an airbrush effectively. If I'm not mistaken, most of the commercially sold airbrush compressors don't even use a storage tank for the air- it comes right out of the compressor motor. (It runs constantly)
But if you plan on clearcoating your own work, you may as well just go ahead and get a real compressor now.

One thing that I would personally reccommend- If you plan on doing work that will be clearcoated with modern automotive clears, stay away from using any sort of spray can paint fro your art work. With the exception of a few high-quality aerosol laquers that still exist, spray can paint cannot be trusted as a stable substrate.The solvents in catalyzed urethane clearcoats are far too aggressive for cheap paint. It used to be as simple as "enamel over laquer, but no laquer over enamel"- these days I just wouldn't even bother.

And, if you're still looking for books and such- try the library. If you live in a decent sized city, you'll definitely have some options there.