Help with choosing Airbrush

[force~of~habit]

Hello all..

I'm a noobie to airbrushin.

Done a few RC body before with aerosal can..but nothin detailed like wat I saw here.. I can't even fathom the skills or the plannin out it takes to make them look so great ( especially backwards on the body paintin inside out )

Purchased a testors single stage ( WALMART special ) cheapo airbrush ( what a POS and PIA it is ) a long time ago and would like to get back into paintin RC bodies again

Lookin for any info, hints, and recommendation for a new airbrush ( thats best bang for the buck and not too expensive.. since it will be on my christmas wish list )

Things I know I'm looking for after some searching

Badger made
dual stage
fine tips
not sure bout bottom feed or side feed
internal mix

thanx for any info guys and gals

[Pig]

Force, look into the Paasche VL line of brushes as well. They have great versatility and are quite reasonably priced. Since you're starting out, it's a great brushs to grow with and a good brush that used by many pros. You can find them for 50-70 bucks from ebay to paint stores.

Gravity fed or siphon fed, it's more a matter of personal preference. Some prefer gravity because they claim it shoots smoother. I know guys that only use siphon fed guns and make stuff to knock your socks off. If you're going to spray large coverage areas, go for the siphon fed and get the bottle attachment.

If you're thinking about getting a hobby compressor to run on, don't. Save the money and buy a tank compressor from Sears. A run of the mill 2 or 3 gallon from Craftsmen or Campbell Hausfeld will work better and you'll find more uses than just painting. It'll give you better air pressure without pulsing, and costs under a C-note.

Make sure you get a moisture trap as well to keep condensation from blowing out the brush. Those run anywhere from 5 bucks at Harbor Freight to 20 bucks at other places.

Lastly, make sure you get a good respirator and goggles. Even if you're just spraying water based paint, you're still putting paint particles in the air that easily collect in the lungs. The cotton masks block squat, so get a good quality respirator. You only have two lungs and they need to last you the rest of your life.

[Dave]

If you are looking for a Badger airbrush, they make one that is very similar to the Paasche VL The model 175 Crescendo. I've used this one for years. It's fairly inexpensive, but durable. Actually I have three of them, but I don't use them much anymore because I got my Iwata HP-CS and Faskolor F-1. These are very good airbrushes too, but are more expensive. Just shop around. Try and go to a store that has the airbrush you have in mind. Hold it in your hand to make sure it's comfortable. The Crescendo and VL's are thick heavy airbrushes (the reason I like them). They don't cramp your hand as easy if you have larger hands. Airbrushes like the Badger 150 are thin. I had one but didn't like how it sprayed. It clogged a lot and the body of the airbrush was too thin. If you live in the Los Angeles area, a good place to go is Coast Airbrush in Anaheim. However if you don't you can go to their website (http://www.coastairbrush.com/ ), browse thier inventory, and call them for advice. Just tell them what you want to do and how much you want to spend, they'll send you in the right direction. You can even buy directly from them. Ask to speak to Mark Remling. He's the one we did Custom Works with in issue 115 and is very knowledgeable.

Hope that helps. :D

[Dave]

If you're thinking about getting a hobby compressor to run on, don't. Save the money and buy a tank compressor from Sears. A run of the mill 2 or 3 gallon from Craftsmen or Campbell Hausfeld will work better and you'll find more uses than just painting. It'll give you better air pressure without pulsing, and costs under a C-note.

There are some hobby air compressors that don't pulse. However they aren't cheap. Parma's air compressor is a dual piston design so there isn't any pulsing. It is quiet and is good for using in an apartment or whenever a quite air source is needed. It is also capable of putting out good pressure (about 60 psi).

BUT, I would have to agree, a tank is always the best way to go though. I just thought I'd throw my 2-cents in.

[dsilver668]

I own a Pachee VL and love it. I am pretty sure the badger works well to. It has more to do with learning to thin your paints and understand your setup more than the exact airbrush. I also like the fact that my LHS, and Michaels has replacement parts for my airbrush.
I have a Home Depot compressor. I got it with two brad nailers since I was renovating my kitchen, but it is awsome for airbrushing to.
I also use it to inflate my kids pool in the summer.. :D
Did I also mention I fill my kids bike tires with it too... LOL Lets just say that you will find reasons to use it outside of just airbrushing. What i did do though was get a moisture trap, and second regulator for it. This allows me to fill the tank to 120 PSI, and then put the second regulator to drop it down and then the moisture trap makes sure it is clean air. This keeps the compresor from turning on every few minutes. I honestly get quite a bit of painting done before it turns on which cuts down on the noise.
get some plastic soda bottles and cut them in half. PRACTICE!!! They are perfect for getting your mixture right and trying new techniques before putting it down on a body.
You can also get news print or a big sketch pad. It is a little different surface, but if you are trying to figure out how to spray something and want to practice lines, and fades it is a good starting point.

[Mica]

I got a Badger 155 i think. It's either a 150 or a 155, can't remember offhand but im really happy with it. Nice air brush and was fairly affordable (i paid about 100CDN).

As for compressor, u should definatly get a non hobby compressor. I have been using my cousins hobby one and it definatly does not hold up very well. It cant seem to keep up when i am painting. Getting one with a tank will solve that problem for the most part, and will allow you to use it with other tools as well which is always useful. I know that whenever my brother brings back our normal pot belly compressor i will be using that.

[BlazinB4]

ive had my share of airbrushes in the past. ive had a badger 250, aztek A7778, cheapo from harbor freight, Passche (sp?) something, and currently my iwata. the iwata is by far the best brush ive ever used. its sooooooooo smooth its unbelievable. i will not buy another brush other than iwata now.

[force~of~habit]

thanx guys.. I will look into those brand and see..

And check out a moisture trap.
Just curious.. how much do you think a small tank compressor would be and where would the best source be to look for it? Ebay wont' be an option due to shippin weight and brokerage fee to come to CAnada

Thanx

[Empireracing]

for us Canunks CANADIAN TIRE!!!!!!

[Mica]

Canadian Tire, or even home depot/revy would be a good choice to get a compressor. I know home depot usually has some good deals on compressors, as thats where we got ours.

[PyroMike]

I like the Aztec airbrushes by testors. You can change the tip for differn't line wheights.

[nitroracerx7]

I started with a Paasche "H" single action <-still use it for liquid masking*...but soon moved to a Paasche "VL" double action airbrush. It was so very inexpensive..and well made -for my use- I couldn't resist the super low price offered in the tool catalogue I found it listed in.. I thought they were kidding to offer so very much in the package..for so very little. I have no trouble finding replacement parts..and it's done everything I've asked, and more! It's a better airbrush, than I am an artist.