Gravity Feed vs. Siphon Feed

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by StephenDeli

^So do you mix colors in separate cups or in the airbrush?

If you use Gravity: seperate for sure...
For siphon just use the cup ur gonna spray with...

[Mainomega]

The pulses can be comming from your air source if its not a good compressor. When i originally started spraying with it, I didn't thin the paint out enough and i would get pulses.

Before you send your airbrush to badger just check your compressor and try thinning the paint more.

[Turbo Monster]

Definitely gravity from my experience, I went with the Iwata Revolution CR that Jesse already has, and it is amazing, it might seem like a pain to have to clean out the color cup, but it's chrom finish keeps paint from sticking. After painting with my CR, I'll never look back. I very, very highly recommend the Iwata Revolution CR! Good Luck!

[StephenDeli]

Originally Posted by cyberkid

If you use Gravity: seperate for sure...
For siphon just use the cup ur gonna spray with...

Dont you kinda waste paint in the transfer?

[jswillmon]

i mix them in seperate containers, mostly old tamiya paint jars, then just pour them in. only time i'd say i've wasted paint is when i wasn't paying attention and spilt the paint down the side, but hey whose perfect. It helps you to not mix too much b/c most laquers if you mix too much they won't last long after you mix them and will become clumpy if you don't use them now, I mix what i need and be done with it. It all goes back to the first rule of modeling which is have patience, take your time to do the job right and there will be no problems. I make sure my airbrush, brushes, and even mixing cups are clean before and after i use them, dosen't seem like too much trouble to me.
Just depends on what kind of airbrush you feel more comfortable with, buy one and use it a few times if you don't like it try the other. You really can't have too many airbrushes. I think that a siphon feed would probally work well for the body, and a gravity feed for the rest of the car. I'm thinking about buying a siphon feed eventually and it will definately be an Iwata.

[Vric]

what some people can't seem to understand, id good airbrush (like badger) come with a metalic chrome color cup too. it's very easy to clean (get it out and spray thinner in it, in less than 10 seconds, it's completly clean.

I like the siphon airbrush becose you have the choice to use the samll color cup (like gravity airbrush) or use a bigger jar for bigger job. Gravity airbrush need to be refilled every time on big job, quite annoying

[StephenDeli]

Originally Posted by jswillmon

Just depends on what kind of airbrush you feel more comfortable with, buy one and use it a few times if you don't like it try the other.

Trust me I would but I dont have the virtue of buying multiple airbrushes right now.

[minniebanister]

Stephen, I feel your pain re trying to decide what sort to buy when you have limited funds. Maybe this will help...

I have a Paasche VL - which is similar to the Badger Crescendo. It is a syphon-feed. My set came with a 3oz glass bottle, a 1oz glass bottle, and a little 1/4 oz chrome-metal cup. All three are instantly interchangeable.

I keep thinner in the 3oz bottle and use it exclusively to spray through the brush in between color changes or between mist coats of the same color. I use the 1oz bottle when spraying the body because it holds enough to do several mist coats. I use the little cup to spay small parts. The little cup will work even if you put just a few drops of paint/thinner in it so it is great for not wasting paint.

I've never had a gravity-feed brush but my understanding is that they give the same benefits as my little cup - but it is built in. Also I think purists claim that gravity feed gives better "brush strokes" if you are airbrushing things like comic book illustrations or touching up the bodies of those girls in the underwear ads.

So my opinion is: why buy a brush with a built-in little cup when you can get one that is interchangeable with other useful containers. I think my arguement is good unless somebody can give some concrete examples of things you can do with a built-in cup (gravity feed) that you can't do with an unterchangeable cup (syphon feed).

Does that sound like it might help you decide?

[StephenDeli]

^Well that was exactly the logic I was thinking of. I think the Crescendo might be my new pick, or perhaps the Iwata BCR. But I think I might go with the badger on the lifetime warranty!

[minniebanister]

Originally Posted by StephenDeli

I think the Crescendo might be my new pick, or perhaps the Iwata BCR.

One more thing. Make sure your compressor can supply enough air pressure for the brush you buy. (Gravity-feeds tend to require less air pressure than syphon-feeds). I purchased an Iwata Sprint Jet compressor first and then a Paasche VL airbrush. The compressor has a rated working pressure of up to 35psi and the airbrush requires 20 to 35 psi for "heavier fluids". Sounds OK doesn't it? But, in reality, when they are connected together, the compressor can only manage a little over 20psi. This has been fine so far (I usually spray at around 15psi) but I expect I will regret this limitation if I ever want to spray something thicker.

[StephenDeli]

I have a tank that is powered by an 80 PSI compressor. Im using a regulator as well so I dont beleive it will be a problem!

[minniebanister]

Originally Posted by StephenDeli

I have a tank that is powered by an 80 PSI compressor. Im using a regulator as well so I dont beleive it will be a problem!

Great! Just make sure you put your seat belt on before you fire up that compressor

[StephenDeli]

Well whats really nice about the tank is I can fill it with the noisy compressor outside and spray with the tank. So I wont have to deal with the noise.

[Vric]

I have a badger Anthem, and the airbrush work as low as 5psi so I don't think it's a problem. I have a 120psi compressor with regulator. Noise wise, when the tank is full, the compressor stop, so I can airbrush for about 10 minutes before it start again

Look for an anthem, cressendo and Iwata BCR. that was the 3 choice I was looking for

[StephenDeli]

I got a five gallon tank which can last a while spraying at only 10-25 psi.

I think Im getting the Crescendo now because the set at Dixieart is 3 bucks more than the anthem, and you get thee 3 different settings. I know I said this about the CR a while back but I think Im sure now! Thanks everyone for your help!