Cheap AirBrush WannaBe Help

[DJPaul]

Right now I'm in tight situation, where I bought new car for my family and I don't have $$$$ for good airbrush and sompressor set. I do have cheap airbrush that I bought from Harbor Freight for $5. I can make it work using cans of compressed air from Walmart that are sold for $10.
Here comes my question.
DId anyone tried to refill those cans?

[freakray]

You can't refill those cans, and if you tried, you risk the can exploding.

Go to the hardware area and find the refillable air tanks, get one of those and a pressure regulator and moisture trap, you can refill those at gas stations and have little risk of injury unless you are careless.

[DJPaul]

I do have one of those cans where you put your mix inside and then refill it with air, but again it has a tip just like regular spray can.

[rsxse240]

I too have a harbor fright air brush, paid $15 for it. mine is the dual action internal mix gravity fed version (and I love it, although there are much better ones out there, you get what you pay for)

you should look at pawn shops for air compressors, they are usually quite cheap, and most pawn shops will have them.

or go to a welding supply store and rent a tank of compressed CO2. you might have to put a sizeable amount down for the deposit, to cover the cost of the bottle if you don't bring it back. the CO2 will have about 300psi, and will last an average person about 3-5 months of normal airbrush use.

another option is to get an air tank and fill it at a gas station which uses a compressor that will fill over 100 psi. this will last about 1/2 hour depending on the size of tank you get

hope this helps....

oh and look at harborfreight.com for a small compressor, their prices are usually much cheaper than the store itself,

[rsxse240]

Originally Posted by DJPaul

I do have one of those cans where you put your mix inside and then refill it with air, but again it has a tip just like regular spray can.

I think he was talking about the little testors can of compressed CO2.
I know about the re-useable spray paint cans, they are great for spraying paint that doesn't need a great finish, like trailer wheels and farm equipment.

[DJPaul]

Cool Idea. I just found old helium tank in my garage and Im thinking about converting it into the tank to fill with CO2 and use it. But you are right I definately will have to look either at harbor freight or pawn shops.
thanks

[rsxse240]

hey, if you already have the tank, you may only need to get the proper hose/pip fittings to your air brush. getting it filled is really cheap, and the CO2 is going to be a cleaner, more predictable air source, so you won;t have to worry about getting oil and moisture into your paint.

[Vric]

Total waste of money. It will cost you more than spraycan paint and give you worst result.

Air can is a money eater. Sorry, but you better stick with spraycan

btw, there is a MASSIVE thread about airbrush here:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=201005

[freakmech]

I highly advise you NOT to go with the air can. it will add $10 to every model build. those cans have enough air to do 1 model. go to an auto parts store (Auto zone etc...) and buy a 5 gallon Refillable Air Tank for $20 and fill it up at the gas station for free. It will paint 3 or more models and the air is free! ALWAYS invest in the long run... not the here and now.

[Vric]

Originally Posted by freakmech

I highly advise you NOT to go with the air can. it will add $10 to every model build. those cans have enough air to do 1 model. go to an auto parts store (Auto zone etc...) and buy a 5 gallon Refillable Air Tank for $20 and fill it up at the gas station for free. It will paint 3 or more models and the air is free! ALWAYS invest in the long run... not the here and now.

could do the trick, but you will have to add a air regulator, or you will have like 100psi blowing from the tank. Also a moisture trap would be usefull becose of the humid air and particle you get from a gaz station compressor. So overal, it will cost you about 50$ (10$ tank, 10$ regulator, 30$ trap) near the price of a entry level compressor.

but I also started with that. (and had no fun at all)

[DJPaul]

Thanks, guys
Already I have tank, my dad is willing to help me design airpressure regulator and moisture trap. I'm thinking it would cost me around $20 but considering compressor is very good idea, especialy when I have a brand new Harbor Freight store opening down the block from my work tomorrow .

Yesterday I realised that I need to get either Some tamiya cans or compressor. I was painting frame for MB Super Actros Truck and that orange stuff is really sucks.

Thanks again

Paul