Paasche Airbrush question?

[Patrick2005]

My awesome wife decided that since they were on sale that she wanted to buy me an airbrush. It's the Paasche H100 and it comes with the compressor and the whole 9. My question is what is everyone's take on this particular piece? I've never used an airbrush before and would like a little feedback as to how easy it is to use as well as what kind of painting you can do with it. Thanks for any info!

[Art Anderson]

The airbrush is the Paasche H-series, which is as good an airbrush as there is for starting out (Heck, I still use one, after about 50 years of airbrushing model cars!), three sets of delivery "nozzles" #1 (for fine spray pattern using very thin paints or inks), #2 (my favorite for painting model car bodies, and most everything else), and #3 (for spraying larger areas where a larger spray pattern is desired).

The air compressor in this set is a diaphragm type compressor. While some don't like the slight "pulsing" air flow that comes from this type of compressor, I've used these types of compressors all through my painting experience, and never found it to be a problem with the H. I would suggest strongly though, that you get a moisture trap with the extra length of hose to go between the trap and the compressor (your airbrush hose will connect to the outlet side of the moisture trap). The reason for this is very simple: In any area where humidity is present, compressed air heats up slightly, and when that air pressure is released, particularly through a hose to any sort of spray gun or airbrush, the moisture (humidity) can (and often does!) condense on the inside of the hose. The moisture trap captures any moisture (water), preventing it from reaching your airbrush. Nothing spoils a nice paint job worse than occasional little droplets of water!

While others may suggest fancier, more highly technical types of airbrushes, the Paasche H gives very good results--I've gotten several paint awards over the years, a number of 1st place trophies, even a Best of Show or two along the way--which is why I recommend it for a first airbrush. In addition, the Paasche H is quite easy to disassemble for cleaning, and replacement "material control units", which is what the paint comes through, are readily available (Hobby Lobby and Michael's both carry them, as well as many hobby shops.

Art