My first Airbrush - advice needed

[Paul M.]

I've been needing an airbrush for a while now, and I'm thinking about getting one now. I'll be on a limited budget, but I think I should be able to get by with a pretty basic airbrush.

My first choice for airbrush is this Double Action airbrush:
http://www.modelexpo-online.com/product.asp?ITEMNO=HS28

My first choice for a compressor would be this smaller compressor: http://www.modelexpo-online.com/product.asp?ITEMNO=AS16

Do y'all think these would work out okay for me, or should I invest in something better (and more expensive)?

[Yampa Bob]

Paul
Suggest starting out with a very basic unit with propel can. I have this one and for general painting it works great.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGUZ4&P=7

For fine detailing:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHEX9&P=7

If you decide you need a compressor, get a good one with regulator, filter and water trap. (requires adapter, scroll down)
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGUZ8&P=7

Lots of airbrush goodies:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0097p?MANUFACTURER=HCA&FVSEARCH=AIRBRUSH

Regards.

[Paul M.]

Bob-
I've heard that the propellant cans can have uneven pressure inside of them, leading to imperfections with paint. Besides, I paint and weather cars a lot, and I don't want to have to stock up on cans, or run out of air midway through a project.

It seems that some compressors are gas powered, am I correct in this assumption? I think that an electric one would be better for me.
Here's one other compressor I'm considering, it seems to have what you said it should:
http://www.modelexpo-online.com/product.asp?ITEMNO=AS182

[Yampa Bob]

Yes, the regulator/filter is available separately. I have the Hobbico compressor, it came with the regulator assembly.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGVA0&P=7

Some prefer the piston type, I haven't had any problems with the diaphragm unit but of course I don't do a lot of painting anymore. You might want to check with club members for advice.

[fieromike]

A couple of other things to think about:
Do you have a Harbor Freight store near you?
If so, then go to http://www.harborfreight.com/
Then enter "airbrush" in the keyword search box.  You will get a bunch of different compressors and airbrushes to choose from.  I just bought a #95810 airbrush last evening, although I haven't tried painting with it yet, the action seems smooth enough. 
None of the airbrushes or compressors that have been mentioned yet are top quality stuff like Badger, Paasche, T&C, Iwata, but they should work just fine for occasional hobby use.  The compressors will most likely be noisier than you'll like, but that's part of  the price to pay with a diaphragm compressor...
Remember to use plenty of ventilation!

[Guilford Guy]

Paasche VL sets with compressors can be had for 150-200. I'd recommend against a can of propellant.
Its really a great tool, and is a lot of fun to use. I'd also recommend against using an airbrush to weather cars. You end up with lots of little specks of paint, that from a few feet away looks okay, but is clearly visible in pictures. Washes, Dullcote and Alcohol (for fading), chalks, oils, dry brushing, and gouache would be a better alternative for weathering. All my trucks are airbrushed with a rail brown, and I usually spray the underbody as well. Airbrushes are great for solid coverage, but not great for partial coverages. Its less noticable if the color being sprayed is close to the color of the car, but its still fairly prominent.


This car you can see has specks of paint along the bottom.


And then what can be achieved with an airbrush... The coating is so much better than dry brushing.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/Guilford_Guy/Model%20Stuff/IMG_2318.jpg

[Woody Elmore]

I suggest you start with the cheapest Paasche single action air brush. I bought mine in 1975 and it works as well today as when I got it. Badger also makes a good product.

I think that the cans get cold and freeze up if you do a lot of spraying.

A compressor is the way to go - moisture trap is very important. You can install one in the line that attaches to the air brush if the compressor doesn't have one.

Good luck - you'll enjoy using an airbrush.

[glennk28]

My choice in an airbrush is either the Paasche Model H kit--with three size tips.  Single action brush--very good.  Or the Binks Wren--middle type. 

As to a compressor--stay away from the little "hobby" compressors.  Get a good general-purpose compressor with at least a 1hp motor, 2-3 gallon tank, regulator, and oil/water trap.  Sears, Harbor Freight, Kragen/Schucks Auto Supply all have good ones for a bit over a hyndrfed dollars.  You will quickly use that much on "Propel" cans.  (Wonder how I know that?   8^)   }

Practice on old rolling stock--For a long time I used a big box as a booth. 

gj

[Stephen D. Richards]

Paul, I disagree with glennk28 on one point.  The compressor.  I have three compressors(long explanation).  One is a two stage, five hp, 80 gallon; one is a two stage five hp, 60 gallon; and one is a very small diaphragm compressor.  I have used each of the compressors with my two airbrushes with great success.  I have a two stage Badger and a Paashe single stage.  Also with many accouterments as previously mentioned!  The point is you will only be using about 15 to 18 psi, depending on the paint you are using and I have noticed no difference in the painting quality.  However, regardless of the type of brush or compressor, you must have a good water trap and regulator!  You must practice as well.  Takes some doing to get the hang of each airbrush.  Have fun and enjoy the journey!     Stephen

[Paul M.]

Thanks all-
I do have a Harbor Freight Tools store in my area, and from experience they seem to have good prices.

I found a good compressor on their website - is this electrically powered? (it seems to  be)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92403

I think I may buy both a single action, for general painting, and a double action, for weathering, airbrush. I'll probably get it from www.modelexpo-online.com , because they seem to have decent prices on both.

I found a custom-made spray booth on ebay for $39, apparently you hook it up to a Shop Vacuum, instead of having a fan built in. However, this booth only works with the acrylic water-based paints (like Polly Scale), because if you use enamels, the fumes will cause an explosion.
Link to Spray Booth
If I spray with enamels, I'll probably just use a box as Glenn suggested.

Do you think the compressor and spray booth would work okay for me?

[SteamGene]

I have a small compressor I bought at Lowe's.  I had to go back and get an air filter, but it's still inexpensive.  I recommend a single action to begin. 
Gene

[Guilford Guy]

I've had good results painting with a double action, so I think if you're just starting out, buy a double action first, and give short, thin coats. If you get too much paint on the covering will be pretty uneven.

[Paul M.]

I bought the Harbor Freight  Tools compressor today, and will probably buy a double-action brush somewhere (maybe a single-action too).

Any thoughts on the spray booth I mentioned earlier?
Link to Spray Booth

[glennk28]

Stephen--I don't see where you and I disagree on compressors--sounds like you might have an automotive shop or such to need those big compressors--I use a 1hp DeVilbiss with a 3-gallon tank--bought it at Costco.

On the spray booth--you need a fan that has the motor out of the air flow path.   Mine has a "squirrel-cage" fan that is designed for the purpose.  For many years I used a home-made spray booth.  Now have a commercial one.  Get a Rubbermaid kitchen-cabinet turntable  to allow turning the model while spraying.    gj

[Stephen D. Richards]

glennk28,  didn't mean to sound as if there was a conflict here.  I have a small electric diaphragm compressor I bought just for my trains.  I would classify it as a hobby type. Works as well (for the airbrush) as my big compressors.  Actually I have a gunsmith shop.  Use the airbrushes quite a bit.  It's very interesting to note just how many tools I didn't have to buy!  The gunsmith tools and equipment fit very nicely into the model railroad scheme of things.  Your compressor sounds like you shouldn't have any problems with constant air pressure.  The little compressor I have wouldn't even begin to operate my bead blasting cabinet!

Paul,  still learning much about model trains but in a well ventilated area I use a large box as a spray booth.  Just make sure of your ventilation.  Works very well.  I would think that using a shop vac for ventilation of a spray booth would clog up your filters very quickly, not to mention enamel or lacquer fumes building up in the canister!  I don't know for sure, never tried that.  Suggest use caution too.  Maybe some else has experience with that?           Stephen