Airbrush Help

[stevenoble]

Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a new airbrush to replace my old Badger 200.I've looked at the Aztec range which looks good value for money for what you get in the set,various size tips,jars etc.I need something just for general spraying really,mostly tasks such as spraying rally car seats black,painting wheels,suspension parts etc.Has anyone used the Aztec airbrushes and if so were they any good? Or has anyone used other makes of airbrush that they can recommend.I want something easy to clean and reliable that will last and provide a decent finish.Price is not really a problem but I don't want to be spending £300 on a top of the range airbrush as I think something a bit cheaper would suit me for the kind of models that I build.What airbrushes do you all use and recommend? Any advice will be appreciated.I don't really want another Badger airbrush although it's been ok in general.
Steve.

[Vric]

Aztek airbrush are junk. Do a search, this topic have been WIDELY discussed here.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Aztek airbrushes...great when they're new, but the parts (disposable needles/nozzles) wear out far too quickly, and you can't properly clean them. I don't recommend them.

Look into the Iwata range for a good airbrush that will last you a lifetime. If you are on a budget, get a Badger 175 Crescendo, w/the medium tip you get a great all-around airbrush that's very reliable. In the states you can get them separately for under $50, or not much more for a set w/three needles.

[D_LaMz]

I got my Iwata for $40 on ebay.

[stevenoble]

Thanks for all the replies.I've looked at some reviews for the Iwata Revolution and the Tamiya HG double action brush.They both sound like good brushes and they're good on price too.Might give one of these a try.Steve.

[Vric]

Originally Posted by stevenoble

Thanks for all the replies.I've looked at some reviews for the Iwata Revolution and the Tamiya HG double action brush.They both sound like good brushes and they're good on price too.Might give one of these a try.Steve.

Iwata Revolution is really a good buy for the price. Better than Aztek (which is more a toy than a tool)

[freakray]

I recommend not going with the Aztek unless you really plan on replacing it after 6 months, they're good but they don't last long.

[gpz900ra7]

I'm going to have to disagree with the comments about Aztek airbrushes, I've got the A470 model and I personally think that it's brilliant. I've had it for at least 8 years and I use it for anything and everything.I've used all different types of paint from Tamiya acrylics all the way through to automotive etch primer and 2 pack and it has never flickered. I know a lot of people don't like the Aztek airbrushes but the A470 is really good being controllable from a hairline to a nice wide spray pattern for painting body shells. Regarding cleaning them all I do is immerse the whole thing in a jar of cellulose thinners and leave it there for a couple of minutes and it's clean, just wipe it with a clean cloth and blow some air through it and it's ready to use again. I've also got a 'DeVilbiss and a Paasche and I wouldn't even think about putting "hot" paints through either of them.

[Okiemodelbuilder]

Originally Posted by gpz900ra7

I'm going to have to disagree with the comments about Aztek airbrushes, I've got the A470 model and I personally think that it's brilliant. I've had it for at least 8 years and I use it for anything and everything.I've used all different types of paint from Tamiya acrylics all the way through to automotive etch primer and 2 pack and it has never flickered. I know a lot of people don't like the Aztek airbrushes but the A470 is really good being controllable from a hairline to a nice wide spray pattern for painting body shells. Regarding cleaning them all I do is immerse the whole thing in a jar of cellulose thinners and leave it there for a couple of minutes and it's clean, just wipe it with a clean cloth and blow some air through it and it's ready to use again. I've also got a 'DeVilbiss and a Paasche and I wouldn't even think about putting "hot" paints through either of them.

I'm with you on this one. My A320 has been extremely dependable for 6 years now. The only tip I've had trouble with was damaged when I dropped the whole airbrush on the garage floor. After using I just run about 1/4oz of lacquer thinner thru the tip to clean it. Also, the el cheapo Testors/Aztek external mix brushes are good to paint base colors and primers on bodies because you can get a good wet coat down.

Nothing wrong with Aztek IMHO. Airbrushing has as much to do with technique as it does equipment. Spending big $$$ on an airbrush does not automatically make you a better painter.

[americanmuscleman]

i use a paasche vl, works pretty good, i get nice results

[mikemechanic]

I just upgraded my Badger 200 to a Badger 155 Anthem and I just love it. The difference was like night and day. Easy to clean, easy to use. I through my Aztec away about 10 years ago.

[freakray]

I used to feel the same way about the Aztek as its defenders here, but now I have a Paasche VL, I have to say I prefer the Paasche, it's just a more solid airbrush.
Not only that, but if you're spraying a lot of 'hot' paints the Aztek is just not going to last.

[Vric]

I had an aztek a320, Badger 155 and now an Iwata HP-C Plus.

Even if I was fairly happy with my Aztek (before it finally die few month after) this airbrush is simply toys agains the Badger at the same price. (And the Iwata blow the badger away, but still, the badger is a good brush)

Aztek defender never used something better. Sorry, but if you have money to go "hi end" Aztek, you should look at Badger or Iwata, which offer much better quality and longevity and no cheap plastic brush.

There is simply no point too buy an airbrush with 30 nozzles when 1 from badger or Iwata can make the same job.

And I agree with ray, using lot of "hot" paint will kill the Aztek (this is what killed mine)

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by freakray

I used to feel the same way about the Aztek as its defenders here, but now I have a Paasche VL, I have to say I prefer the Paasche, it's just a more solid airbrush.
Not only that, but if you're spraying a lot of 'hot' paints the Aztek is just not going to last.

I know how you feel.

I have an Aztek; loved it for a short while, but the tips wear out far too quickly. No matter what anyone says, you can't clean the tips completely by just running thinner through them. They would have to be immersed for at least some time. I know, I took some of the worn tips and did disassemble them after cleaning. There was plenty of paint left on those parts.

The cup on the back of the tip where the internal needle contacts it wears quickly. After a short while the needle won't completely seat, so a small amount of paint will always flow even when it's supposed to be "off". Very poor design, and guaranteed to have you back buying more of the disposable tips. That's the whole name of the game...get you buying more of the disposables. Testors doesn't want anything different.

I have three Badger Crescendos, one for metallics, one for solids, one for clear. I have a Paasche VL. I have a Rich AB (Iwata-made) for fineline work. The Crescendo and VL and Rich AB are all far more robust and long-lived vs. the Testors airbrush, which is now relegated to occasional use for metalizers. I'm tempted to buy an Iwata that can supposedly do both fineline and heavier-flow painting, all in one airbrush. But I don't need it. The Crescendo is a great workhorse of an airbrush.

I don't care if Testors has improved the Aztek since I got mine. I'm NOT convinced, I own other airbrushes and they have all been more reliable over time. I have yet to have to buy a replacement part for my Badger 175 Crescendo, one of which has been in constant use for about 6 years now.

[RallyRaider]

There are a lot of good airbrushes out there and pros and cons for all of them. BUT, I have never heard a bad word said about Iwata airbrushes. They are simply magnificent. I can honestly recommend an Iwata Revolution CR, as a hobby 'brush it is the best value for money and performance you could ever find. You will be not regret it. There are other brushes in the Iwata range that cost a lot more and offer even better performance, like the HP-C Plus and ultimately the Custom Micron range, but for 99.9% of automotuve modeling the Revolution is the bee's knees - and only costs around US$60 too.