Airbrush, Gravity or Siphon Feed?

Hey Guys

so i'm gonna buy an airbrush, hard to decide..

i picked up a Siphon feed from this place just to try out, it's a cheapie dual action, but gets the job done.

anyways, so i'm playing around and i discover what a paint in the butt those Siphon feeds can be, changing bottles, pain to clean up, and gotta use lots of paint to cover the siphon even for painting small things such as suspension..


So now i want a gravity feed, so i can use small amounts of paint etc, clean up might be a lil better and faster to change colors, but i'm worried 1/3 OZ is too small when i start to use it to paint full automotive bodies. Do you think i should worry too much about this? I know 1/3Fl Oz is alot of paint, but i'm sure getting a good coverage on the body will come close or may even need more. I guess when i custom mix, i'll be doing it in a different jar anyways and can just transfer over.


Any suggestions guys before i take the plunge?

Thx

I have a Badger that allows me to use both methods. The gravity cup is small and attaches at an awkward angle, but saves tons of time and paint mess. It's a 175 Crescendo:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/837963brush1.jpg

You can find more info about Badger brushes here (http://www.badger-airbrush.com/airbrush.htm) .

Hope this helps!

-Rick

Yeah, your concern is answered by just mixing the color in a different jar than inside the cup. Now your only concern is mixing too much paint or too little paint, which you will learn from experience. If you're lazy and using paint from a spraycan, then you can just spray straight into the cup (be careful that it doesn't angle out and hit you in the eyes ;) ) without worrying too much about thinning.

well custom mixing is something i want to try later on

right now i'm having a great time using Automotive Spray cans cuz they're cheap and so many colors to choose from! and the finish on them is great!!

what about downsides of using a gravity feed? cleaning the cup? i think cleaning the bottles of a siphon feed must be worse!!!

Cleaning the cup isn't that bad. But I only have one cup, so I have to clean between color changes. After I'm finished with my painting, I let the cup soak in CSC for a day or so, then rinse it off and it looks like new!

I've also broken down my airbrush and cleaned it the same way. Leave it in CSC for a couple of days and rinse it thoroughly afterwards.

I use mine for interior and suspension mainly, bodies get Tamiya cans.

-Rick

So i took the plunge today...

i went to the art supply store here and i wasn't expecting them to give me a discount. I just asked if they could move a little on the price and the owner of the store says she'll take a look at it and when she came back she gave me a price quiet comparable with the cost of www.dixieart.com..

so i took it and now i'm a happy camper with a Iwata Revolution CR airbrush!!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/504820Picture013.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/129364Picture016.jpg

argh, too bad i picked up the wrong fittings, for my hose..

oh well there's always tommorow