I was hoping you someone could help me out. I would like to start building models and I need an airbrush that will allow me to cover broad areas as well as fine detail but the problem is that I know absoluely NOTHING about airbrushes. I received an offer to purchase a new Pro Modeler 6000 dual action Airbrush set for $30.
This link has the only information I was able to find about this set:
Could you guys tell me if this is airbrush will meet those needs? And will I have to purchase additional accessories for the fine detailing? I’d appreciate any help you can offer.
I’m not an airbrush expert by any means, and I know absolutely nothing about Model Pro - but I’ll share what I do know…
If you’re paying $30 for a model that lists for $82 MSRP, that seems like a bargain; but some questions I would be asking are:
How easy is it to find replacement parts for that brand/model? I always try to buy something like this from a LHS rather than online, that way I know I have a local source for parts and technical help.
Is it about to be discontinued? Sometimes discontinued items are marked way down so dealers can get rid of them quickly.
How easy is it to clean? This was a major decision factor that led me to purchase my Testors Aztek.
As for fine-detail applications, that depends on what accessories (interchangeable tips) are included with the Model Pro 6000 starter kit. A nozzle designed for broad coverage will usually be significantly different from one that does pinpoint. One thing you didn’t mention: Do you already have an air compressor to use with it? I’ve always hated the propellent cans because they lose pressure so rapidly and I had to wait for it to warm up again to continue using it. A small compressor will run you ~$100.
The old adage of “You get what you pay for” applies to airbrushes as it does to trains. Good luck!
Ken makes some very good points - especially the part about cleaning. You are likely to spend nearly as much time cleaning your airbrush as you do painting with it.
I would also add don’t buy more airbursh than you actually need. Sounds like a single action, internal mix with adjustable flow will do you just fine.
If I remember corectly that airbrush is a reboxed Badger Brush. I build models and find that you dont need much more then a broard coverage brush for body work. What fine details are you going to try and paint? If you dont know anything about airbrush’s I recomend that you get the book how to use an airbrush;
It is by Kamblach and very useful. I have a copy and recomend it highly. Also I started with a single action badger and didnt like it. It didnt do what I wanted, and it ran off a propelent can so I didnt learn to much because it would always have a preasure drop after 2 min. I bought a Passche VL off evil bay 4 years ago for $40 brand new. I highly recomend this brush for basic hobby work and some fine details. And if you have any other questions just ask.
Thanks for all that information, Ken, George and Curt. I appreciate it.
“One thing you didn’t mention: Do you already have an air compressor to use with it?”
No, I still havent purchased a compressor. I’ve considered trying refillable aerosol cans and an air tank. I suppose I’ll try those out first and if they dont work (or if I find them extremely frustrating) then I’ll go ahead and purchase a good used one on ebay.
“As for fine-detail applications, that depends on what accessories (interchangeable tips) are included with the Model Pro 6000 starter kit.”
Well, there aren’t any interchangeable tips included in this set. Would this prevent me from doing fine detail work? Or is it possible to adjust the spray patterns on a double action brush without using different tips?
“I build models and find that you dont need much more then a broard coverage brush for body work. What fine details are you going to try and paint?”
I have a large variety of models that I’ve purchased over the years. Most of my model kits are of trains, planes, automobiles, and space ships. So the fine details will be mostly small panels and sections. I’ve tried using spray paints and regular brushes in the past but I wasn’t satisfied with the results.
“If I remember correctly that airbrush is a reboxed Badger Brush.”
Well, this airbrush is sold by Revell under the Pro Modeler brand. Pro Modeler is also the brand name of their model kits. It’s likely this is airbrush was manufactured by a different company and simply repackaged by Revell. The second link I listed shows a small picture of the airbrush. Can anyone else confirm whether this is in fact a Badger Airbrush? Here’s the link again: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&item=180034554861&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
Yep, that Revell airbrush is a reboxed Badger Omni 3000 detail airbrush: Badger Catalog here
It’s a double-action internal-mix siphon-feed airbrush. You best use that with a compressor or compressed air bottle-- Don’t use an aerosol can with that.
It should be more than adequate for painting locos and even doing the weathering, and how long it lasts depends on how well you take care of it. You MUST religiously disassemble it and clean every part after every use before putting it away.
James I do have a 2 gallon campbel and hausfield compressor with regulator and water trap. I will be using a larger compressor when we get a house but for now this compressor works well ( This is a new version of what I got)
I also build Model cars, Sci Fi, and structures. For the finer details such as aztecing on the pannels of star ships I mask and then spray. The only thing I use a fine line spray for is weathering. Now for art work on the other hand I use the fine spray for lines, shadow’s, and high lights. I am looking at an iwata brush,
The Badger Propel cans (or similar) are OK to start, but they are costly, about $20 per can at LHS. Depending on how much you plan on painting, you will spend the price of a compressor on propellant cans before too long. I used them for a time when my old compressor died (after 20 years use), and they seem to run out just in the middle of a painting project. The propellant is a flammable gas, so nothing that produces sparks nearby when you are painting. After a long painting session, propellant will get cold and will not produce as much pressure. I had to float the can in a bowl of water a couple of times to get pressure when the propellant level was low.
In addition to the air brush and compressor, you will need a spray booth with an exhaust fan that vents outdoors. (Unless you plan to paint outdoors - too cold in winter and too buggy in summer.) You need to buy a fan with a motor outside the air flow. Don’t use a bathroom exhaust fan, those fans usually have a motor with brushes in the air stream. The same applies to a light if you have one. Set the light outside the booth shining through a plexiglass window.
Well, if that Pro modeler airbrush is in fact a repackaged badger omni then it’s too good of a deal to pass up. I suppose I’ll also purchase an inexpensive airbrush for painting broader areas and use Curt’s suggestion about masking before painting. Everyone seems to agree that purchasing a compressor is the way to go. There’s no point in experimenting with other air sources if they’re not going to work properly. I didn’t realize airbrushing required so much set up and clean up time! I’ll mostly be using water based paints so hopefully the fumes wont be too bad.
Thanks again for all the suggestions and information
While the Badger is a very good airbrush, I prefer the Aztek, because of it’s simplicity, ease of use and ease of cleaning. Being disabled with significant nerve damage, I can’t handle fine parts. For me, simplicity is the key factor.
The aztec is a good air brush I looked at it when I was originaly looking for a brush. Unfortunitly It dosent hold up to well when Spraying Automotive laqure’s. The Plastic internals break down over time. Also another tip when masking for a multi color paint scheme. Seal the edges of the masking with a clear coat to prevent a color bleed. if anything bleeds under the tape it will be clear!! And not leave an extreme amount of clean up time.
Here is a custom House of colors paint job with a Pearl blue and purple in the clear. It Was sprayed with my Passche about 2 years ago and is a 3 stage final color coat. No the model isnt finished yet but I am working at it, lol. I will try to get pics of a 2 color stage in a couple months when I finish 1 of the bugs I am working on.
My reccomendation is a Badger model 200 with a fine tip. Rock solid and dependable and with proper maintence will last for life. I learned on my Dad’s and his is now coming up on the 35 year old mark. This longevitiy and reletivly few problems was the primary reason for me getting one when I purchased my own airbrush.
I have used 3 different airbrushes. When I was 9 I had the Testors single airbush it worked great for yrs to come keep it clean and it would last a long time.
I then got into doing custom painting for myself a couple of years back. Picked up an unbadged repackaged Badger 150 (dual action) and a Pneumatic (single action) airbush and havent used the single action to often. But one day I was cleaning the dual action and I lost the nozzle to it down the laundry tub drain. I decided to buy a Badger Anthem Dual action. Its more than I need but a friend told me its great and I think it is after the 3 times I used it.
you dont have to get an expesive airbrush just buy it if it breaks you can always get another one. THe one you showed looks great and I am sur eit will work as good as it looks.
I dont agree with buying a compressor over line tho. If you have any auto parts stores, walmarts or targets next to you go there Locally I can get a nice 2 gallon quiet running air compressir for 69.99 and I dont have to pay shipping.
Hey, I would have replied sooner if I had known there were replies. Well, I just recently got the Airbrush in the mail. It looks nice but I dont have any way to test it at the moment. I also recently purchased a Badger 180-1 compressor for $40(with shipping) on ebay. It still hasn’t arrived and I don’t know much about compressors either but it seems good based on the information I found on it. Thanks again for all the suggestions and thanks for the tips on masking, Curt. I can’t wait to get started.
