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Airbrush
- Thread starter v1ru5879
- Start date
The what to get question depends a LOT on just what you want to use the airbrush to paint.
Murals or fine art or T-shirts or automotive panels or what.
Go over to http://www.dickblick.com (yes, that is the real company and website name. It's an art supply store.) and look around at the airbrush section.
Murals or fine art or T-shirts or automotive panels or what.
Go over to http://www.dickblick.com (yes, that is the real company and website name. It's an art supply store.) and look around at the airbrush section.
assortedpixels
Member
I have a Badger Crescendo that I bought for models and have done some minor car touch ups with as well and have been very happy with it. Like posted above, explain what you want to use it for to get better inputs.
I am a master auto modeler and if you do a lot of painting, don't use the cans of compressed air as the pressure will not be the same as the can is used. You are better off buying a small compressor used for that purpose. Also use a water trap. Jim
JohnK007
Well-known member
Badger and Paasche used to be the two most popular brands. I have both but prefer the Paasche.
I have heard good things about Grex, but I have no personal experience. They even sell them with a small compressor
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_s...s&field-keywords=grex+airbrush+and+compressor
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_s...s&field-keywords=grex+airbrush+and+compressor
Jay H 237
Well-known member
I airbrush paint HO model trains. I use a Badger 350 airbrush with a Paasche compressor. I still have but don't use as much the 200 airbrush, the 350 has better control especially when I'm just "dusting" a piece to weather it.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
I build 1/32 aircraft. I have the Iwata HP-CS and the Grex Tritium with the fan attachment. Both are excellent airbrushes.
For all around use, go with a medium tip. Inks use the smallest. Large areas with paint use biggest.
Start with a double action.
For all around use, go with a medium tip. Inks use the smallest. Large areas with paint use biggest.
Start with a double action.
I like my Iwata (HP-C? IIRC) much more than the (decent) Badger.
Both double-action airbrushes, run from a small diaphragm compressor (HF, works just fine).
Compressor output goes to a small air tank (portable air tank, 5 gallon?) to allow the air to cool at least somewhat and so that the compressor is not running constantly, then through a silicon desiccant filter, then to a water trap filter by the airbrush. Clean dry air, I've never noticed ANY water even getting to the final water trap filter or any water spitting from the airbrush output (but I have only used the airbrush with water-based paints so far, at least partly because I spray indoors in a homemade small spray-booth with fans and filters and can't/don't want/need to deal with flammable/dangerous/toxic solvent fumes).
Both double-action airbrushes, run from a small diaphragm compressor (HF, works just fine).
Compressor output goes to a small air tank (portable air tank, 5 gallon?) to allow the air to cool at least somewhat and so that the compressor is not running constantly, then through a silicon desiccant filter, then to a water trap filter by the airbrush. Clean dry air, I've never noticed ANY water even getting to the final water trap filter or any water spitting from the airbrush output (but I have only used the airbrush with water-based paints so far, at least partly because I spray indoors in a homemade small spray-booth with fans and filters and can't/don't want/need to deal with flammable/dangerous/toxic solvent fumes).
TurtleValley
Well-known member
Ditto on the Iwata HP-CS. Been very happy with it and no issues with spraying water based acrylics etc.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
FWIW, if you have a Hobby Lobby in your area, use one of the 40% off coupons to pick one up. They carry the HP-CS.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
do you have to use a dedicated airbrush compressor or can a regular shop compressor be used?
Air is air! Just regulate and dry it out good.
For a while I was pulling my garage air hose (Hooked up to a 60 gallon SpeedAir compressor) into my "Hobby shop" attached to the garage in my basement. That got to be a real PITA constantly adjusting air on my garage regulator, so I brought home a very old small compressor that was used for regulating industrial thermostats at work. It was being tossed out, and I snagged it. It sits under my modeling bench now.
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do you have to use a dedicated airbrush compressor or can a regular shop compressor be used?
As mentioned, air is air.
But you need to give the air tool (in this case, an airbrush), the 'right' air.
And an airbrush needs air that is :
- Clean, no oil or anything else in the air except air.
- Dry, no water (liquid OR vapor) in the air
- Enough CFM to enable you to run the airbrush (usually not a big deal on this one)
- The correct air pressure for the task at hand (again, usually not a big deal but you do need a more than half-way decent pressure regulator as having the air pressure vary while spraying can mess things up.)
A 'small' diaphragm type airbrush compressor is (usually) 'enough'. Almost any home shop compressor is more than enough air pressure and cfm, you just have to filter and dry that air.