I’ve been doing all my painting by Spray. I’m very happy with the results I get. I think any model I paint by spray paint can stand up to almost any airbrush or factory painted model. On the other hand, I want to give airbrushing a try. The only reason why I haven’t tried it yet is because the word compressor scares me . Why does it scares me? Because I live in a apartment and not a house. I do have a location where painting is done in my apartment. So I ask, can I airbrush in my apartment? Do I need to have a special prep area for airbrushing or can I use the location I have now for spray painting?
You will get some disagreement here, I imagine, on the issues of safety and pre-cautions and all…but you really do need to airbrush in an area where fumes are not going to be a problem. Even if you use water-based paints, the health folks warn about the paint particles settling into your lungs. So you really need to get some sort of paintbooth that has a ventilation system to run the fumes outside. Having lived in my share of apartments, that may be hard for you to do. Someone may make some sort of contraption where you can vent through a screen window. I’m sure the landlord won’t let you cut a round hole in the wall. But most folks will tell you to protect your health every chance you get. We live in a small house where airbrushing is also a problem, and if you have to go outside, keep in mind that humidity levels will make a difference too.
Well I have an airbrush and i do it in my basement with the door and windows open…
while at it I where just a fabric white latex stretchy band mask…
I think you should be fine in your apartment airbrushing and i think you’ll be very happy with the results!
good luck!
Hmmmm.
Though it is the best route to take, I do not use a spray booth at home.
Wearing a mask, I open a window and place a very small house fan approximately 5 to 8 feet behind me during the winter months. Works well in blowing the fumes out. I never use the high speed setting as I don’t want dust particles in the air landing on my models.
During the summer I spray in an enclosed screen patio, but I still have that small fan blowing.
It sounds like you’re a good painter, so don’t get a cheap airbrush. Get a quality unit such as a Badger 150 or Paasche VL. Practice on some junker freight cars or scrap plastic. You will become hooked!
Grab the airbrush and go to town. You will see just how easy it is. But do it in small amounts. Don’t try to spray heavy at first. I would set-up something like a box near a window. Get a cardboard box and place it so the opening is towards you. Then cut out the top ( so you will have the sides, back & bottom) and tape a furnace filter to the back to catch the overspray, it can be just that simple. But the risk is yours, you will get fumes. Spray a little and let the fumes clear and spray some more. My compressor is small and quiet. It’s a cheap one I got off of Ebay that came as a kit with (6) bottles, 2 double action air brushes, ect. It was only about $120.00 for everything. It works great, I can spray a brass model with my gun and you can use your $200.00 Badger w/out compressor and you won’t be able to tell the difference. I have used it for years and haven’t had 1 problem with it. If you have a girlfriend or a wife take here out for a great evening first before she gets a whif of the paint fumes [:D] But if you are using spray cans you probably get more fumes from that then a airbrush.
If you’re not going to do any really finely detailed painting, then a $20 Testors airbrush from Wal-Mart should work fine.[:D] I’ve airbrushed 4 of my engines, and the results are always excellent.[:D] The Testors airbrush should come with a can of propellent. When that runs out, a new can is less than $10.
I used to spray paint everything, some thing I still do with spray paint. The majority of things I paint with an airbrush. The coating is much thinner, doesn’t hide detail unless you’re very sloppy, and looks very good.
Thanks for the advice. As I use Spray paint, things comes out clean as far as getting the details of what ever I pain. They have some really nice spray paints out now. Like Rustolem “Paint for plastics” brand. This spray is very good, and on some undec models I may need 2 coats. So it’s very thin to me. They other really cool part I like about spray paint is that it can be removed or thinned by rubbing pine sol where you oversprayed. I think I’m going to look in to an airbru***his week and give it a shot. Fumes can be any worst than spray and my wife don’t have a problem with it as long as I don’t get it on her shoes. lol
Thanks again
Here is a good airbrush site:
http://www.dickblick.com/categories/airbrush/
I originally ordered my paasche vl set from *** blick but had found these guys very good too http://www.dixieart.com./VLParts.html
I do some of both, I really like the Tamiya spray cans and often use them for say primer gray, then do the final color(s) with an airbrush, then spray dullcote/glosscote from the can. I would go with a good compressor and cheap airbrush - I had a couple of expensive airbrushes and found that internal mix brushes don’t like acrylics and get clogged up. A cheap $15-20 Badger or Testors (I use Testors now) external mix works good with the acrylics, results are at worst as good as with a spray can.
I looked at that site. and it looks good. On the other hand, I’m getting discouraged again. Thoes darn compressors look too big. Makes me say I’m sticking to spray painting. I’m looking for a compressor that’s not bigger than a shoe that can do the job. Do you know anywhere I can find a small one? What about the one’s that look like a pen? I watch the discovery channel " The Chopper shows" and a lot of times, I see them use a airbru***hat look like a pen with no compressor at all. What is that called?
While I’m still getting advice, No one is really hearing what I’m saying. It’s the COMPRESSORS that scares me . Is there a small one that anyone can recommend. What’s the smallest one around? If I find a small one, it may be considerable.
Those are compressor-driven too. Next time you watch those shows, notice the airhose attached to their airbrushes.
Those custom paint shops have compressors hidden away in a closet somewhere, and the compressed air is delivered through plumbing installed in the shop.
In my experience, the biggest advantage of an airbrush over a spray can is you can mix your own shade of paints before you spray.
In the past, I have had several instances of spray can paint not matching the colors of the decals applied after the paint is dry, many instances of which cannot be disguised by weathering. This really aggravates me because of the amount of time already invested in detailing and painting the loco only to have it turn out so disappointingly.
An airbrush is definitely a good investment.
I don’t understand. What part has you discouraged? The compressor size? The cost? Throw me a bone, here.
I basicly went for the air brush and picked the compressor up here in town I use it for more than just airbrushing. Both places posted have good prices on compressors. Hope that helps[:I]
AHHHHH, it’s not the price. IT’S THE SIZE. That’s all I care about. That’s it I’m sticking to what I know best.
I’ve used a small $40 tire-inflation compressor from Sears to paint with my airbrush no problems.
Here’s what I am talking about. The compressor is no more the 12" long. Thats small.
Or you can use this compressor, your wife would love this.
[:D]
Hello A Train,
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Airbrushes are wonderful tools. Just like cars, whether a Ford Escort or Toyota Camry, they require regular maintenance to keep them in top performing condition.
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Low cost aiibrushes can perform well, however, just as with automobiles you get what you pay for. As a modeler becomes more comfortable and develops airbrushing talent he or she will soon notice the limits of the cheaper airbrushes (I certainly did). Yes, you pay more for a higher end Badger or Paasche, but you have a greater versatililty of fan width patterns and paint atomization. So from full overall paint jobs, to weathering with washes, to painting thin stripes, the higher quality airbrushes are hard to beat. These airbrushes (mine is 18 years old) last for years. You get what you pay for.
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Compressors:
The small hobby compressors from Badger, Dayton, Ingersoll-Rand, etc., will work for you, however if you plan on doing A LOT of painting the cheaper compressors can burn out after a while. When you purchase a compressor make sure you also buy a moisture trap/filter. Small hobby compressors without attached tanks & cutoff relays run continuosly. As a result heat is produced. Adding to that is friction from air moving through the hose line. This can result in moisture building up and possibly being “spit through” your airbrush. This is why a compressor with a tank attached to it is often recommended.
No need to fear! Effective filters are available for less than $20 with some as low as $5.