I was talking with someone on another website and thought I would ask the same question here. I am counting on more replies.
I have a very cheap single action airbrush, purchased in 1987, I have yet to use. I do have the means to replace this but the question of expense versus results come into play. I have a can of propel to power the brush.
My question is: Is it worth the expense to purchase a new airbrush and should I purchase a compressor or use propel?
Also, what are the limits on the type of paint that would flow well enough, ie. would acrylic craft paint work?
If its anything like DCC once you figure out how to use and gain some experience you go looking for vareous applications.
Only you can determine if it will be worth the expense of purchasing a new airbrush. Since you already have an airbrush and a can of propellant, why not set it up and use it a little, even if only to test it out? At least you will know the basics of airbrushing and get an idea on how to use it.
If you decide on a new airbrush, I strongly recommend a compressor. Those little cans of propellant don’t hold much, pressure reduces the more you spray, they can get expensive and it’s harder to maintain the constant air flow that an airbrush requires.
As to the types of paints to use, nearly any paint can be sprayed if it’s thinned out enough to pass through the airbrush. Don’t forget to strain your paint after thinning and before hooking up the airbrush. All paints can have little blobs in them that will clog up your airbrush and make cleaning difficult. Coffee filters can be used if you’re as cheap as I am! LOL
First off, toss the can of propel. they get cold as you use it and they just wind up freezing all together. If you purchase the braided hose for it you can attach it to an air caddy, and you’ll have about an hours worth of air or more. I have a single action internal mix gun and I love it. I never used one before a few months ago. All it took was a couple hours of practice, and I am more than happy with my results. Once you get the hang of it you might decide to get a newer model, but I doubt it.
I admit it… I am airbrushed challenged. I have read numerous how-to articles about them. I have bought three different types of airbrushes. No matter what I try, the results are terrible. Either I mix the paint too thin to do the job or it is so thick, it clogs the airbrush. I find I can get very good results with spray cans and brush painting so I have given up on airbrushing for good. This decision has been good for my blood pressure.
I admit it… I am airbrushed challenged. I have read numerous how-to articles about them. I have bought three different types of airbrushes. No matter what I try, the results are terrible. Either I mix the paint too thin to do the job or it is so thick, it clogs the airbrush. I find I can get very good results with spray cans and brush painting so I have given up on airbrushing for good. This decision has been good for my blood pressure.
If you can paint with a can of spray paint, you can paint with an airbrush!! FWIW I have had a couple of fairly expensive, double-action/internal mix airbrushes that sold for $90-100. They both got hopelessly gummed up once I started using acrylic paints, so now I use a ‘bottom of the line’ Testors single-action/external mix airbru***hat cost I think $12.95 at the LHS. If you’ve never done any non-brush painting, try getting a cheap undecorated boxcar and some spraycans of paint - Tamiya primer gray works great !! and try painting. If you feel comfortable painting with the can, try putting some paint in the airbrush and fire her up !! Just be sure to clean the airbrush as soon as you get done painting - acrylic paint cleans with soap and water IF you get it before it’s dried.
A good Testor’s airbrush costs about 20 dollars. Pitch the propel can and get a small compressor. I did that and haven’t looked back. The Testor’s airbrushes come in 2 models. On one, the paint bottle mounts on the side of the airbrush and the paint is pulled through the airbrush and propelled out the nozzle. Very good, until it comes to cleaning. You have to disassemble the thing and clean every peice, and they break easily. The other model holds the paint bottle on the front. The bottle has a little hole in the top of it. A jet of air is directed over this nozzle, sucking the paint up and blowing it onto whatever you’re painting. Cleanup is a snap. Wash out the bottle and clean the little nozzle in the cap. The kit includes 2 thin wires to do this. It takes about 2 minutes to clean and you don’t have to take anything apart. On the propel can? PITCH IT! The cans seem a cheap alternative to a compressor at first. But, they don’t last very long and the pressure steadily drops as you use it. Also they use propane as the propellant. you have to use it in a ventilated spray booth and god help you if your ventilator motor makes sparks. Can anybody say BOOM! Ask me how I know. Been there, done that, have the scars from burns to prove it. Definately, get a compressor. I have a small one from Campbell Hausfeld that I use. It’s rated for 125 PSI but I have it cranked down to 30 PSI for the airbrush. I highly recommend it. When you add up all the money you’ll use for Propel propellent, the health hazards of using it and the extra equipment to use it safely, a compressor is cheap.[:D][:D]
Don’t be afraid to try airbrushing. Go ahead and give the one you got now a shot-- Paint up a scrap piece of styrene and practice your technique in thinning paints and laying down an even thin coat. If you can do that, you already have 90% of the skills to handle an airbrush in painting locos and rolling stock.
Just make sure you religiously clean out your airbrush before putting it away after each use. That way your airbrush will give you many decades of useful service.
I bought a new airbrush last year and I haven’t even taken it out of the box yet. I do plan on putting it to work soon, but I plan on running it off of my Porter Cable 2gal Pancake compressor with a water filter/regulator. Is this a good idea or should I just buy a compressor that is meant for an airbrush?
I highly recommens you play with the one you have. WHEN it goes bad, get a single action internal mix airbrush, and a compressor. One from Sears with a regulator will do great, and be useful around the house also. All the advise is god about the paints. I use old pantyhose for a strainer. Get a piece of glass, edge it with a couple of layers of duct tape. Start with one brand/line of paint. Practice spray painting your name on the glass. When you can do that without runs, you are ready to paint your models/etc.
Airbrushing is a very enjoyable aspect of the hobby for me. I started with a Miller single action airbrush. Prior to that I brush painted and the difference was amazing. After 10-15 years I bought a Paasche dual action airbrush and the difference was just as astonishing. Painting with one is like not using a computer program for a long time if you don’t paint frequently. You will have to practice. Use junk cars, shells and buildings. try different distances from the object and various viscosities (thinned to differing degrees). You will develop your own techniques that work best for you. And above all else clean it thoroughly when finished. I rarely buy anything prefinished. It is just to enjoyable to know noone else has and engine like yours and that you did it yourself.