Tools I Need For Car Building

Hi,

This is my third car build that I am doing and I was wondering what tools/items I need to do a better job.

I have only used cheap paintbrushes and not to expensive paint before but was wondering what I should upgrade to do a better job.

Should I get an Airbrush set and should I prime the pieces before painting so the paint will sit better on the pieces.

I am not experienced and don't want to drop a ton of money but any help will be great.

If you're on your third build and are still enjoying modeling, it's time to get an airbrush. You can't avoid getting one, so you may as well get it now. :grinyes:

For priming everything, that's a terrific way to start an argument here. The only thing I ever prime are car bodies, and I don't bother with it for anything else (except occasionally aluminum parts). On engines and interiors and the like, I find if your airbrush technique is decent, priming makes no difference. Others here will tell you you must prime everything. Try it both ways and make your own conclusions.

Otherwise, get a decent Xacto style hobby knife, some sanding sticks, and one or two good quality paint brushes. Try red sable, from an art supply store. Some pointy tweezers are great, and some decent sprue cutters. There are other helpful odds and ends, but beyond the basics alot is just personal choice.

thanks for the help I greatly appreciate it and would love to here other people's opinoins about this topic

Should I get an Airbrush set .

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=579014#post579014

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=579013#post579013

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=579015#post579015


should I prime the pieces before painting so the paint will sit better on the pieces.


http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=578991#post578991

What kind of airbrush should I get if I didn't to not spend a lot and where would I go to buy them. Is plastic better than metal and how would I know if the airbrush was good.

Tell us how much you want to spend and we can advise you, broad based questions you're asking fall into the realm of 'how long is a piece of string' and cannot receive any specifically correct answer.

Don't waste money on a plastic airbrush, you'll be replacing it in a couple of months time if you do.

What is the price range of airbrushes right now so I can get an idea of what it might cost.

The Badger Crescendo (175), 150, and 100 as well as the Iwata Eclipse and revolution are popular choices. Paasche makes good airbrushes as well.

As a rule of thumb, gravity feed is better than siphon pheed, dual action is better than single.

Dixieart (http://www.dixieart.com/) is as good a place as any to shop for airbrushes.

What is the price range of airbrushes right now so I can get an idea of what it might cost.

25 - 400 $'s, so what do you want to spend?

Do you want to use a compressor or canned CO2?

You need to help us, give us some info.

For the airbrush I was looking to spend around $100 for everything and I am not sure if I should spend the extra money on a compressor or just use a CO2 can for right now.

Also, what are some decent quality paints for model building. I am looking for mid-range price nothing to expensive but nothing cheap since I was in the low end with my paint and I would like to make them look nicer.

http://www.towerhobbies.com

Paints out the yazoo.....and all the other supplies you can think of too!

You will also find plenty of useful tips, ideas and suggestions in the 'How To' and 'FAQ' threads at the top of the main Car Modelling forum page which will help you get off on the right foot.

broad based questions you're asking fall into the realm of 'how long is a piece of string' and cannot receive any specifically correct answer.
And while we're pondering the big questions, how about-

'How many roads must a man walk down?'

Perhaps we should have a poll.... :sly:


Propellant cans just suck. They are a poor option all the way around. You can use them for a little while to put off the purchase of a compressor for a few months maybe- and as soon as you get the compressor, you will curse every moment you have usedpropellant cans. A compressor is inevitable.

As for paint, it is a really poor place to try to save money, and price is a bad way to pick paint. Use crap and you will regret it. You will save money on paint when you know how to use your airbrush. When everything works, you know what you're doing, and it's going on smoothly, you will simply use less paint. But to get there, you really need to learn you airbrush and the paint you're using. Takes time, practice, and patience. And paint.

so is there a brand of paint that you would recommend to use that is good quality.

Is this a good set of an airbrush and a compressor?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHK76&P=M
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCTW9&P=W

If you are looking for a cheap start up kit, I would suggest that you set aside around 150 at least.
Here's what I started out with:
Compressor (http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=74501)(Note: mine didn't come with a AB) got it for around 35$. The advantage of this is that the PSI is set and you can use a battery for spraying anywhere. Although I rarely use it anymore.. I'll never sell it... I still use it to touch up some bits and peices of my 1:1 bike and car. Adaptor is sold seperately. I think I got mine for around 15$...
Airbrush (http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=74508)Got this for less then 60$, and if your budget allows you... I would suggest getting a dual action AB on the first go. Personally, I think they are easier to use and control then a single action AB.
One note, since I live in Asia, I get items from Japan a lot cheaper then those who live in the US or Europe. So, expect the prices to be higher when you look for these items.

HTH,
Steve

'how long is a piece of string' Actually, I always thought How Long was a Chinaman, not a piece of string...


Can I do the "use the search function" post? Can I? Can I? Pleeeesse?? :D

Seriously though bigsupra, if you use the search function and browse the forum for a while you will find TONS of useful information for you to ingest, digest and regurgitate in the form of better models. (hint: search for ALL posts by MPWR)

For my part, I can tell you that:
a) I prime everything.
b) Get an Iwata or Badger airbrush with a 0.3-0.35 needle.
c) Get a cheap hardware strore compressor if you have the space. Don't forget to add a water trap to it and reducution valve if it doesn't come with them. Don't go down the compressed air can road! You will jsut waste time, money and nerves.
d) You can paint with anything but stay away from enamels - they take too long to dry. For car bodies use Tamiya TS range in cans or Automotive paints. For interiors use Tamiya acrylics in jars.
e) Don't post a brakefluid question unless you want to piss off MPWR ;)

my 2cents