Starter Airbrush Setup: Any Recommendations?

[rabidsquirrel]

Guys/Gals,

I'm looking to start painting some buggy bodies.

What airbrush kits do you guys recommend to get me started . I'd like to get a decent brush that I won't really want to have to upgrade later, should I decide to continue painting bodies...

Obviously I don't want to spend a whole lot to get started. I've been told that I'd need the equivelant of a Paasche VL#5 due acrylics being a heavy/thick paint media.

What do you guys recommend?

All feedback/advice is really appreciated!

-Shawn

[Stan@1stPlaceRace]

Iwata revolution cr4500 is the best bargain in airbrushing.They are around $60. The pasche
vl set has a ton of needles , hose and cups/bottles. Not the best for fine detail but probably the easiest / cheapest to get up and going.

[rabidsquirrel]

Does it come in kit form with all the basics?

What all component parts do you think I'll need?

Thanks,

-Shawn

[Stan@1stPlaceRace]

If you get a Iwata you will need a hose and an 1/2 inch adapter for the compressor. If you dont have a compressor go down to wal mart or someplace with a small 1-4 gallon compressor at a good price , It needs to have a pressure regulator included with the compressor. I use a campbell housefeid 2 gallon and it has done over 400 bodies.It was $ 69 at Wal Mart. If you get a VL kit you will only need the 1/2 adapter. It comes with a hose.

[BlazinB4]

ya, defainatly pick up an iwatta CR brush. thats what i use right now and its the best ive used..... and god knows ive had my share of brushes... 2 passches, 2 aztek (dont EVER get an aztek brush.... u WILL regret it), a few generic brand brushes from harbor freight.... believe it or not, theyve lasted me the longest. and my iwatta that i love! i have a $4 air brush from harbor freight without a needle that i use for spraying liquid mask. it works so well. sprays nice and thick. 2 coats and its done. i use my iwatta and one of the generic brushs for painting though.

[rabidsquirrel]

Harbor Freight, huh? I hadn't thought of them as a source for airbrushes... Would you say that their airbrushes are adequate for a noob, and if so, which do you recommend?

Thanks for the input!

[BlazinB4]

to "practice" with, yes, they will work. but, dont plan on them lasting a long time unless u take very good care of them (as with any brush though). a few pluses with them is A) SUPER CHEAP (for the lot 1500, its $19.99 for everything u need... minus the compressor). B) u dont have to worry about it as much as a high dollar brush. if your going to get serious into painting, i would pick up a nice iwatta brush. if your just going to do a body or two a month or so, try the HF brushes. like i said though, i only use my harbor freight brushes for spraying liquid mask as i paint about 3-4 bodies a week at least. but all in all, if you want to see if u "like" airbrushing first, give them a try. my opinion is very centered (between good and bad). theyre good brushes, cheap, and will get what you need to do done, but ive used many better brushes. it also gives u a feel for what to do when u do upgrade (notice i said DO upgrade... if u like it, you will upgrade). theres a few needles to play around with and stuff.

i guess what im trying to say is give it a try....

[rabidsquirrel]

I'm definitely going to try it.

It sounds like you are suggesting that I only use the Harbor Freight stuff for 'grunt work', and go ahead a get an Iwata for detailed stuff.

I will get an Iwata. I already have a compressor with a regulator, so that isn't an issue. I just need to get the fast connector, hose, bottles, etc...

Thanks for all the advice; I'll post later to let everyone know how its going.

Thanks again,

Shawn

[BlazinB4]

exictaly! the HF brushes come with all the stuff u need

[nitroracerx7]

Harbor Freight, huh? I hadn't thought of them as a source for airbrushes... Would you say that their airbrushes are adequate for a noob, and if so, which do you recommend?

Thanks for the input!

Yes! That's where I've ordered my -very complete- Paasche VL set from. Extra needles/tip/aircups (#1,#3,#5), hose, bottles, wrench, instructions...etc. Seems the kit cost me about $60.00 U.S. at the time I ordered mine..and have never regretted it! Great thing is almost everyone uses this airbrush so getting parts is a snap. Best of luck to you!
nx7

[webmasher]

I will agree with Iwata, but absolutely not with the Aztec. If you buy the high dollar model, it is sweet. The plastic ones are not worth spraying mask with.
Whatever brush you use, make sure you disassemble it after every use and clean it completely. Don't wait a couple of hours or do it the next day. You'll spend a lot of money on brushes if you do that. Also, some brush needles are very fragile. Be very gentle with them. The finer the needle, the more careful you need to be.
I will agree with the HF brushes too. I have one that I use to spray backing colors. I hardly ever spray mask though. I just get thicker coats and better results using the old brush method. I suppose it would also depend on which mask you us. Me, I only use Divley mask.
Good luck.

[rabidsquirrel]

BTW ~ Where do you guys recommend ordering paint and supplies from?

I've been looking at Tower Hobbies, but wasn't sure if there was a better/cheaper place?

Thanks,

:o

[davecnitrors4]

I am a newb painter and just got a Thayer - Chandler (Badger) Vega 2000 kit. Nice tool with three tip/needles, hose, adapter, cups, bottles, etc for $55 from www.bearair.com . Iwata's are very nice! I kinda wish I had gone with a gravity feed vs. siphon. Oh well, next time!

Paint and the like is best bought locally unless you are gonna be painting massive amounts. Freight just ain't worth it to buy online, IMO.

[rabidsquirrel]

Update...

Well, I just got my Paasche VL kit and paint. I'm putting my Divey mask on the Hyper 8 body right now. I thinned it a little too much, so I'm putting on several coats.

I'll let you guys know how it goes!

:)