Ok, the woman bought me an airbrush, need help here!

I was sitting here having a really crappy modeling day and then my fiance gives me my birthday present early - an airbrush from Hobby Town.

I have been doing my research on brushes and no I need to ask some questions here:

1. She bought me a Badger Professional 150 - Dual action.
2. This is an internal mix brush.
3. It comes with different needles.
4. She bought me compressed air.

I am so happy that she thought of me and my hobby that I could care less if this is the wrong airbrush. But, I am aware of better ones out there.

I was already looking at an Iwata or something similar with a gravity feed. I have done some research but I need your help.

She is not mad if I exchange this one for a better one.

Please help me, is this a good brush or not? I already explained to her about compressed air, that is not an issue. I just want to know if I should start with this brush or not.

It is a dual action, but not gravity feed. Please help me as I am excited as hell, but don't want to use it until I can be sure that I have a great brush!!!!

Take a look at the Badger Crescendo Model 175. It's a better airbrush for Model builders. It has a wider trigger range and more paint flow for doing large areas but will also do fine work. An Iawata would probably be better for very fine work like say laying down a freehand Camouflage paint job. The model 150 and 200 have a habit of paint collecting around the tip when you open the spray pattern all the way, the Crescendo has no such problem. I also thinks it feels better in your hand. It's a real workhorse and trouble free.

That's the same airbrush I started out with 25+ years ago. Often it's not a matter of the airbrush, but the user. It's a perfectly good airbrush.

Downsides to it? The enclosed needle/tip design is a paint trap (paint builds up around it as you spray; the brush is primarily designed for illustrators using inks/very light paints). It's not as easy to clean as a brush w/a more open nozzle around the tip. It's harder to clean than a gravity feed.

I went from the Badger 150 to a Paasche VL and it was an improvement, easier to clean and keep clean. But then I got a Badger 175 Crescendo, the paint flow was much better than the Paasche for painting bodies, even w/the medium tip.

I recently got an Iwata HP CS Eclipse gravity feed and love it. It's a lot easier to clean, and waste a lot less paint/thinner. It's amazing how that paint pickup tube is such a PITA to clean/keep clean after you've used a gravity feed brush.

It's up to you to decide; the one you have will give great results. But if you have a chance to exchange for a gravity feed like the Iwata w/the bigger cup, you won't regret it.

It's not the type of airbrush that determines the quality of work, but it's more to do with the skill, so Badger 150 seems just fine. You just have to make sure you clean your airbrush throughly after each use.

I use a couple of top feed airbrushes, because I always want to mix the right amount of paint in each session. Almost none of my paints are pre-thinned, except of a few bottles of Cobra Colors. On the other hand, some people like to store many bottles of pre-thinned paint, so they don't have to mix paint and thiner every time they use an airbrush.

The bottom line is Iwata or any other high-end airbrush won't guarantee you a good result.

I don't know if this is your first airbrush or not, but you'll eventually want to have more than one, but even so, the older won't be wasted. You'll probably need one for lighter color and the other for darker color, or one for primer and the other for body color. Or even a larger nozzle for body, and a smaller one for interior, etc.

Thanks for the replies fellow modelers. I don't want to sound conceded at all, but I want to start with the best. I have airbrushed before in the past and never cared because the jobs were not personal. Now it is different and I want to start off right. I know I can use this Badger, but why own a pinto when you can own a Ferrari?!

Please help me here all. I want to make sure that I can use this brush!!!!

It's like what Fisichella said in F1: "I can't agree. With bad car you learn more than with good car."

With this airbrush you can achieve some good results but you need practice (and rightly thinned colour, 1:4, colour:thinner for acrylic paints, and do 2-4 very light coats)

Good luck:licka:

You said she bought you compressed air, and I'm gonna assume that you mean that she got you canned air. I've used canned air with my first airbrush (plastic thing from Revell, dual action, internal mix, not bad at all, really) and my big caution with using canned air is the back end of the can. When you start running low on air, you're gonna lose pressure. That's just the nature of the beast, I'm afraid. It's still very do-able, however.

I painted my Tamiya 959 with a plastic Revell airbrush and canned air, and it's a very nice paint job. So when people say it's not the airbrush, it's the user, they're completely correct. The airbrush cost me maybe $30, and that included paint and a trial can of air. And look at the result:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/deltableh/Car%20Models/PICT0376.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/deltableh/Car%20Models/PICT0375.jpg

Just some food for thought.

I have the badger airbrush, Not much experience with other brushes, but still, I m very happy with it, it's quite versatile (weathering, chroming, special colors, etc...) does it all very well. Also, it goes apart quite logically and it's easy to put back together. As I said, I can't really compare to double-action airbrushes. I would say the 150 is a classic airbrush. It's like owning a morgan, it never goes out of fashion :)

Oli - who hates cleaning up airbrushes, and loves himself some aqua colors.

There is nothing wrong with a Badger 150. I also have been using one for 20+ years. My 360 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=711054) was painted start to finish with my 150. There are easier brushes to clean, and there are harder brushes to clean. But you can definately get spectacular results from this brush.

I recently got a gravity feed Badger 100LG (http://www.dixieart.com/Badger100.html), and love it. I use it exclusively for bodypainting and clearcoat. The lower pressure I can use it with allows me to spray clearcoat smoother than the 150. In fact, I'm done with Micromesh- I just don't need it anymore. It's also the easiest brush I've used to clean.

On the other hand I needed to paint a 2' x 2' piece of plywood the other day. I had to break out the bottle attachment (which I hadn't used in 10 years) for the 150. There is no way at all I could have done something like this with a gravity feed airbrush- it would have driven me crazy trying to refill the paint reservoir every 30 sec.

The 150 and 100 have interchangable needles/heads. I have the medium and fine. I leave it on medium, and it's fine for everything I do. Plenty of volume to spray a body (or largeish piece of plywood), plenty of detail control to heat stain a complicated exhaust.

Comparing airbrush manufacturers is not at all like comparing Pintos to Ferraris. It's more like comparing Fujimi to Tamiya. They've both made excellent kits, and they've both made less than great kits. Yet anyone who builds knows the quality of a build is not dependant on the kit that the builder started with- it is entirely up to the skills of the builder. A good builder can make a masterpiece regardless of what kit he starts with. A poor builder will turn a Tamiya Enzo into a POS.

You have in your hands a brush capible of doing whatever you could want with it.

Is a gravity feed better? If much of what you want to do is body painting, a gravity feed can be better. But you will only be able to appreciate the difference after you really know how to use the airbrush, and the paint you're spraying.

Will an Iwata make your builds better? No. Only you can make your builds better. Iwata makes some terrific brushes (so does Badger)- yet an Iwata is not going to be more capable than a comparable Badger.

A 150 is a terrific choice for a modeling airbrush. The 175 is a newer design, and may be slightly easier to use (I haven't tried one). Gravity feed can allow you to spray at lower pressures, which can be a good advantage. Some gravity feed brushes are easy to clean, some (like the Iwata/Tamiya I've used) are not.

And you already know you will need a compressor. Get yourself a decent water trap and regulator.

But really "what airbrush should I get" is not nearly so important a question as it's made out to be. If you want a gravity feed, get one- but you will be fine with whatever you choose to use.

You are absolutely right Andy and I fully agree with the essence of what you say about it not being the tool that is decisive.

However, as a person who has both a Badger 100 LG and and Iwata HP C+ (I like them both) I am in a position to compare them and the truth is that the Iwata is quite simply a considerably better engineered piece of equipment that is easier and nicer to work with, cleans easier and (for me at least) gives better results for the same skill level.

Truth is that I never take my Badger out of the box anymore - I do everything from bodies to detail painting without masking with the Iwata.

Thanks guys, makes it harder for me.

I should have thought about the Pinto/Ferrari analogy more, lol. I know that the Badger is a good one. I have just been more intuned to better products throughout my life.

And starting today is the inevitable Hobby Lobby coupon again for 40% off 1 item. That would make an Iwata around $110!!! Now I think I am going to get that one instead of the Badger.

I also want people to know that I have used airbrushes before. It has been ayears, and I cannot remember what kind or style they were. I was able to get great results regardless and was doing advertising for Media Play in the late 90's. Now I just need to know what is better and that is it.

I know it is the user, but I want the user to have the right brush. If the Badger is fine, and the Iwata is fine, then I guess it comes down to personal choice?! since the Iwata is now 40% off, then that is a simple answer.

You also have to think about the fact that your 150 is not just an ordinary 150 available anywhere. It's the one and only 150 that your fiance bought, for you. Based on my experience, women do tend to remember those things for a long-long time. (Seemingly trivial to men, but it's not!):grinyes:

My suggestion is to use 40% coupon to get an Iwata, but also keep the 150.

Have a habby B.D.!

http://www.italianhorses.net/Gallery/Tamiya/TamSMSEnzo/enzo.htm
This entire model is painted with Badger 150. Does it look like Pinto, LOL?

Will an Iwata make your builds better? No.
Sorry: wrong. Right answer is yes.

For a simple reason: it's better.

I love Badger brushes: I bought the 100GXF 21 years ago, I still using sometime for very close details, and the 150 few years later. A HP-CS an year ago and from approx a month a Revolution HP-TR2 (0.5mm) with pistol grip (bit disappointed with the quality, better in the eclipse, but it work very well). Just working with iwatas you have the pleasure to have in a hand a great tool, well designed and done with good materials. I agree on the skills but if I have to choose (and I done) I want Iwata.

On the other hand, Enzoenvy, the 150 is a good stuff: you'll start with it.

so... if a "better" airbrush means your builds will improve, does that mean that those without an airbrush in the first place are building inferior models?

anyway.
it sounds to me that you mde up your mind way before this thread.

You also have to think about the fact that your 150 is not just an ordinary 150 available anywhere. It's the one and only 150 that your fiance bought, for you. Based on my experience, women do tend to remember those things for a long-long time. (Seemingly trivial to men, but it's not!):grinyes:

My suggestion is to use 40% coupon to get an Iwata, but also keep the 150.

Have a habby B.D.!

Best answer on here, and if you ever want your fiance/wife to consider buying something for your hobby again dont even think of bringing the gift back, doesnt matter what she has told you, dont do it

You also have to think about the fact that your 150 is not just an ordinary 150 available anywhere. It's the one and only 150 that your fiance bought, for you. Based on my experience, women do tend to remember those things for a long-long time. (Seemingly trivial to men, but it's not!):grinyes:


Not all women think the same, so I'll rely on Enzoenvy1 to know his fiancee well enough to know whether this is true for her or not. :)

That said, from my experience, Hirofkd is right, women generally do take the "art of gift-giving" as more of a personal expression of the depths of their affection than men do, so while a hypothetical woman might be absolutely determined for you to have exactly what you want - she might also experience some sadness and hurt that what she picked wasn't it. :2cents:

so... if a "better" airbrush means your builds will improve, does that mean that those without an airbrush in the first place are building inferior models?

Not at all because:

a) You can still do a crappy paint job with a good airbrush and a great paint job with a toothpick. As everyone already said, it's ultimately down to the builder's skill/knowledge and not just the tool.

b) Painting is only one of the stages of making a model. I'll bet that Andy, Gio, Alex, Hiroaki and you could make a bare plastic model look brilliant with polishing sticks and some detailing.

c) That's not what anyone said or implied in the first place anyway ;)

Thank you all for your comments. As I sit here, the woman is looking over the thread also and laughing with me. I think that you all are right, and no matter what I think, the Badger is going to be my first airbrush of choice. Why you say, because my fiance bought it for me out of love for my happiness for this hobby, and I can always get an Iwata. I need not worry about formalities as this hobby has thousands of them for any one project. Now, all I need to do is learn how to use this, and get her to buy me an air compressor. lol

(she just laughed)

Thanks again Alex, after I was showing her your Italian Horses (Enzo) I knew tha t what she had bought me is what I need to choose.

I have a great woman!!!!:evillol:

Not at all because:

a) You can still do a crappy paint job with a good airbrush and a great paint job with a toothpick. As everyone already said, it's ultimately down to the builder's skill/knowledge and not just the tool.

b) Painting is only one of the stages of making a model. I'll bet that Andy, Gio, Alex, Hiroaki and you could make a bare plastic model look brilliant with polishing sticks and some detailing.

c) That's not what anyone said or implied in the first place anyway ;)

Thanks for answer for me buddy: I'm hungry and badass this morning: a mod for breakfast may be too much LOL J/K

ok drunken monkey: I forgot "to me" but I guess it's implicit, "TO ME" ,having a great tool in a hand, I'm more motivated to do my better, and as I said, I used Badger 100 and 150 for 20 years and I found good too (or I would change before), just I felt Iwatas better (TO ME) ;)

YAY! We have a decision ;)

Now, all I need to do is to...get her to buy me an air compressor.
Please don't post a thread after she has bought it for you!
Get her to register on AF and post a thread before hand and we'll be happy to help ;) :lol: j/k

EDIT:
http://www.italianhorses.net/Gallery/Tamiya/TamSMSEnzo/enzo.htm
This entire model is painted with Badger 150. Does it look like Pinto, LOL?
You are just proof of the point that it's the person holding the brush, not the brush itself that matters ;)
BTW, do you still use the same airbrush for your newer builds Alex?

don't mind me, i was just throwing that out for the sake of discussion.
I was trying, albeit badly, to point out that having the better brush doesn't automatically make your models better.

And crikey, I'm sure I don't belong in that list of people that you mentioned.

Crikey #2, you don't want me for breakfast; I'm chewy.

Crikey #2, you don't want me for breakfast; I'm chewy.
Mod flavoured chewing gum - now there's a thought......:naughty: ;)

no.. you got it wrong....
drunken monkey flavoured.

YAY! We have a decision ;)


Please don't post a thread after she has bought it for you!
Get her to register on AF and post a thread before hand and we'll be happy to help ;) :lol: j/k



Should I take that as a stab at me?! j/k. I am confident in that department, lol.

I have been reading about that CO2 crap and well, it appears to be crap. I don't want inconsistency issues with pressure. I will just return the $10 can and put that toward a $80 compressor.

Wait, which compressor though?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!!?! J/K