Question about airbrushes.

( 832 ) · Post by **MagickalMemories** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:55 pm

I've decided that I want an airbrush for base coating large models cleanly.
I looked at (I think) Lin's Airbrush links that were posted earlier and determined that I was looking for a single action, external mix. It was PRECISELY what I want.
Looking around, I happened to come across a "Mighty Mini" at Walmart.
Walmart wanted $60 for it, and I was CERTAIN I could find it cheaper online. Dang, was I wrong. The only place I found it cheaper charged suich HIGH shipping that it was less expensive to go to Walmart... So, I did.

Now, I haven't used it yet... and I probably won't for a week or more... I'm going to get myself a nice little area set up to spray in downstairs in my gaming hole... maybe build a little box that will double as a spraying booth and (with an addition of a clean sheet), whatchamacallit-box for photography (actual name has temporarily slipped my mind... gettin' old over here).

Now, my question is: Does anyone have experience with THIS airbrush?
If so, I'd love any tips on what to look out for. What about other Single action, external mix airbrushes?

I intend to prime the minis first, then airbrush the base and highlight coats, resorting to brushes for detail work.
For the BASE COATS, I'll use Delta Ceramcoat and/or similar acrylic paints, thinned with Delta acrylic paint thinner. I don't want to use actual airbrush paints or the vallejo airbrush paints for cost considerations.

Anyone have any other suggestions or recommendations?

Eric

arch_8ngel · Post by **arch_8ngel** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:21 pm

What kind of compressor did you end up with?

I've been looking for this kind of equipment as well for vehicles/terrain and depending on how this brush works out for you I may get the same.

pullman · Post by **pullman** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:44 pm

I'm interested as well. Please keep us posted.

Thanks,

Marlin

( 832 ) · Post by **MagickalMemories** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:10 am

Hmm.
I was unclear...
It's the Mighty Mini... it comes WITH the airbrush. technically, the Mighty Mini IS the compressor. the airbrush is just a testors -cheapy- airbrush... but it comes with some (totally unusable for me) testors paint! LOL

When I finally get around to using it, I'll post my findings. Should be kind of informative for new users, since the only airbrush experience *I* have is buying T-Shirts on Florida vacations as a kid! LOL

Eric

orcdom · Post by **orcdom** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:29 am

hey eric, if you do go with the spray booth idea, get either an old Oven hood with exhaust fan or a bathroom exhaust fan (fart fan) and use some dryer vent flex hose to direct it out the window. should be cheaper than any store bought spray booths. also there are some good yahoo airbrushing groups to check out, if you want i can post the link to the one i belong to.

Steve

( 832 ) · Post by **MagickalMemories** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:31 am

I'm thinking that I'm, going to create something utilizing a box fan and a couple air conditioner filters. Something cheap. You know?
I figure that I can build one for $25 or so... Thefan would be the most expensive item at around $10.

Eric

Feel free to post that link. I'll check it out!

orcdom · Post by **orcdom** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 1:42 pm

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ModelAirb ... d=31677821

its full mostly of model railroaders but there is even a rep from badger on the list and very helpfull, was when i bought my airbrush and it was used but didnt work, just needed a good cleaning.

Steve

jagavahn · Post by **jagavahn** » Thu May 11, 2006 4:13 am

Hey MagickalMemories, what's the verdict on this airbrush? I was thinking of getting it for making terrain and maybe a little base coating.

( 832 ) · Post by **MagickalMemories** » Thu May 11, 2006 4:43 am

Well, I still have just not had the time.
I haven't even primed an minis for painting in FOREVER.

The time just hasn't been there.

This weekend would be promising, if it wasn't for Mother's Day... Stupid Mothers...
--By the way... today is Root Canal Appreciation Day, everyone. Happy RCAD!--

I DID get an email from User; Ollieb he went out and got one and PMed his thoughts on it to me...
Here goes:

Eric,
I used the compressor for the last couple of days. Now I used my other airbrush but got enough pressure to and it worked as well as I thought it would. You probably won't be able to paint a car with it, but it is stout enough to paint plastic models.

Ollie

Unfortunately, that is the best I can offer. You have my wird, though... When I get around to using it, I WILL post something.

Eric

orcdom · Post by **orcdom** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:20 pm

on my game table thread is where i will be using mine as well.

i havent used it much except to base coat/prime some armorcast buildings i bought a while back.

Steve

Klahtoo · Post by **Klahtoo** » Fri May 12, 2006 7:18 am

Hey, Hey.

I bought the same air brush from Wal-Mart. It took me a while to finally try it out. When I did, I just worked in my garage with it. I did a google search to see reviews for this specific model, and air brushing in general.

The only review I saw was for someone who bought the air brush for his 7 year old kid. They said that the trigger mechanism was not that great. It was broken out of the box, and broke again within 1 month of purchase. If mine breaks, I will invest in a better air brush next time.

My experience:

I used Games Workshop smelly primer, with 90% rubbing alcohol to dilute. It sprayed very sporadically, and after a while was only spraying the alcohol. I was using the airbrush to prime a basilisk tank. My belief is that the GW paint was too thick, and could not be sprayed easily.

So my first test did not work out. But I am going to try again with a different dilution mix. Plus I will try to work with Vallejo primer next time.

I will provide an update as I go along. Did you want to see an image of my first attempt with the airbrush?

( 832 ) · Post by **MagickalMemories** » Fri May 12, 2006 11:57 pm

Sure. Post it.

Unlike you, I'll be doing my primer the old fashioned way... with primer in a can.

The airbrush will be used for actual base coating with paint... and I still need to research the ratio of paint to thinner for the particular brand of paint I'll be using for that.

Eric

orcdom · Post by **orcdom** » Sat May 13, 2006 2:46 am

i think the model flex paints can be used straight out of the jar eric, and i think Tamiya and Valeho also make a line that are supposed to be straight out of the jar for Airbrushes.

Steve

( 832 ) · Post by **MagickalMemories** » Sat May 13, 2006 4:44 am

I won't use those... IMO, they're too expensive for large quantity use, like base coating.
I'll be using Delta Ceramcoat. They have an airbrush thinner for the paints & everything.

Eric

orcdom · Post by **orcdom** » Sat May 13, 2006 4:50 am

rubbing alcohol, mix to milk consistancy and alcohol evaporates quickly and is dirt cheap.
Steve