Do you use an airbrush?

[Imaginos]

Okay, talk to me about air brushing. What are good ones? What are ones to avoid? What kind of paints do you use in them? I have read that you should be able to use standard craft paint, but would need to thin it. Is it better to use specific air brush paints? Do they have air brush paint primer? I know I want to avoid using canned air for the pressure. I'll get a small compressor to go with it. Any recommendations on the compressor?

Any sites or techniques you can point me to?

[Norseman]

I am actually in the market for one as well.

I would be grateful for any tips or direction that the community could provide.

[Ein Vried]

I am actually in the market for one as well.

I would be grateful for any tips or direction that the community could provide.

Well, do I have a deal for you . I still can't figure out the right air pressure settings or much less use it. Maybe I should read the owners manual, or not.

[DFMalivek]

I'm a new guy to the airbrush myself, but wanted something simple, cheap and not the glorified spraypaint can that GW sells.

I already had a small air compressor from a autoparts store, so looked for a simple single action brush/kit. Found one at hobby lobby for under thirty bucks. Came with the bottles, brush, and all the hoses. Could use it with that propellant cans as well if i wanted to.

I love it, even if i don't really know what i'm doing. At this point, i'm still treating it like a can of spray paint, albeit much finer control. Probably not the best way to do it but i'm in the game for less than $100 at this point. Can still fill the tires in the kids bikes as well, don't know if you can do that with a actual airbrush compressor.

[Imaginos]

I've got an air compressor I can use for tires and such, but I don't think I can regulate it beyond pulling the release valve. Otherwise it keeps pumping. Is that the way yours works, or can you control how much pressure builds up?

[Ein Vried]

I've got an air compressor I can use for tires and such, but I don't think I can regulate it beyond pulling the release valve. Otherwise it keeps pumping. Is that the way yours works, or can you control how much pressure builds up?

You need to get a regulator valve for your compressor. This is a must for air brushing. Too much air and the paint is too thin, too little and it look likes someone gobbed paint all over what you were painting.

[DFMalivek]

I've got an air compressor I can use for tires and such, but I don't think I can regulate it beyond pulling the release valve. Otherwise it keeps pumping. Is that the way yours works, or can you control how much pressure builds up?

Mine has a regulator on it, allows me to turn the psi anywhere between 7 and 40PSI constant. It cost like $119 at the auto-parts store, but i got it damaged/clearanced for 50% off.

Similar in style to this

[govannon]

I love Harbor Freight.
http://ww2.harborfreight.com/
Air compressors for good prices. Good cheap airbrushes to learn with.

http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=47791
http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=95810
http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=95275
http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=93796

[DFMalivek]

man, I buy stuff from harbor freight all the time and I didn't even think of them for airbrush stuff.

Thanks!

I'll see if i can sneak in a da brush when i order the next round of tools/stuff for the garage

[GearHead]

I got an airbrush a couple months ago, and I love the thing. It's a Badger...something or other, I can never remember, but it's dual action, internal mix. I've heard lots of complaints about cleaning, but it hasn't bothered me yet; rather like field-stripping your weapon- you just do it until it becomes second nature.

For air, I got a cheap little compressor, then bought a $20 regulator/water trap kinda like this one: http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/ ... D+TFR-3000

That regulator made all the difference, and gave me a great deal more control over flow and stuff. For paints, I'm using my regular craft acrylics; Americana, Delta Ceramcoat, Citadel... They work great, and usually thin well at about 3 parts water to 2 parts paint (find what works best for you.)

Also, STRAIN YOUR PAINT!!!

Mix it in one jar, then strain it into the actual spraying jar; that'll get the clumps out. They make filters, or strainers to go on the siphon, or just use your wife's nylons- the paint washes out easily!

So far, I'm just basecoating tanks with the thing, but as I get more comfortable with it, I'm trying new things. Definitely worth the buy!