Airbrush or spray can?

[vintagercr]

I use mostly spray cans.  I have an airbrush and have used it occasionally, but don't like the clean up.

[unclescott58]

I use mostly spray cans.  I have an airbrush and have used it occasionally, but don't like the clean up.

Exactly my reasons for using cans over the airbrush. Plus since switching to lacquer paints (mainly Tamiya), I've been very happy with the results I've been getting.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Exactly my reasons for using cans over the airbrush. Plus since switching to lacquer paints (mainly Tamiya), I've been very happy with the results I've been getting.

With me it's not so much results that makes the difference.

Good results can be gotten with either spray cans or an airbrush.

I have almost as many finished kits in my collection that were done with a spray can as those done with an airbrush, & you would never be able to differentiate between the two.

My biggest reason for using an airbrush on bodies is availability of options.

There's a huge world of airbrush paints, finger nail polish, custom mixed colors, etc out there, & the only way to take advantage of that is with an airbrush.

Spray cans are just too limiting for me.

That is the "only" reason that I ever purchased an airbrush.

 

Steve

[Pete J.]

Steve, I have to agree and disagree with you on the selection issue.  It may be local, but I can still get custom mixed paints in rattle cans at the local auto paint shop so selection is not the only reason to get an air brush. 

  There are a whole lot of things you can do with airbrushes that rattle cans just don't work for as well.  You can do a fade with an rattle can, but it isn't nearly as precise as an airbrush.  Very fine detail work is also much harder to do with rattle cans.  Kind of like watering house plants with a fire hose.  You can also control the flow and density of paint with a airbrush.  The rattle can is a one size fits all.  Some times you want to get a little bit of paint out at a time to control bleed under masking.  Not something a rattle can will do.  There are many more that I don't know.

Having said that, the airbrush is not for everyone.  It just depends on what type of painting you want to do.  A single color stock body?  Sure, a rattle can will probably work just fine, and this is what most builders are looking for.  Other than that an airbrush just makes the job easier.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Steve, I have to agree and disagree with you on the selection issue.  It may be local, but I can still get custom mixed paints in rattle cans at the local auto paint shop so selection is not the only reason to get an air brush. 

  There are a whole lot of things you can do with airbrushes that rattle cans just don't work for as well.  You can do a fade with an rattle can, but it isn't nearly as precise as an airbrush.  Very fine detail work is also much harder to do with rattle cans.  Kind of like watering house plants with a fire hose.  You can also control the flow and density of paint with a airbrush.  The rattle can is a one size fits all.  Some times you want to get a little bit of paint out at a time to control bleed under masking.  Not something a rattle can will do.  There are many more that I don't know.

Having said that, the airbrush is not for everyone.  It just depends on what type of painting you want to do.  A single color stock body?  Sure, a rattle can will probably work just fine, and this is what most builders are looking for.  Other than that an airbrush just makes the job easier.

Oh, I agree Pete.

There are all sorts of situations where an airbrush works much better than a spray can.

I use my airbrush for all sorts of different applications.

I was only stating that the availability of colors was the reason that I initially bought an airbrush.

I have no access to anyone who will mix colors for me in a spray can, but I have access to any kind of pre-thinned airbrush paints via the internet that I could ever desire.

Variety is the spice of life & I never want to have the colors I choose for a build limited to what's available in a spray can.

 

Steve

[Speedfreak]

Spray cans. I wouldn't mind trying an airbrush, but , I do like the challange inherent with spray cans, (there are many, especially if you paint outdoors)  it's almost like some kind of alchemy. I just like painting and working with colors, really like it , and right now cans are what I have to work with.   

Edited March 26, 2016 by Speedfreak

[gtx6970]

This entire car was painted with rattle cans . I cut a promo box up to just fit over the body to limit as much over spray as I could. I just let the end of the body I was trying to paint  stick out of the box/shield so to speak .

The entire body was painted gold, Then covered it to allow the front end to stick out , sprayed the white, then the pearl white on top of that. Then turned it around to allow the back end stick out to spray the rear colors over the gold . Just went light coats with the clear red gradually sliding the box back to cover a small area,That way the red back end was much darker than the say the doors forward  ( hopefully that makes sense )

It was more a test than anything to see if  I could pull it off to get the results I wanted . And I am super happy with it

[Speedfreak]

I think it looks good Bill, great idea with the box.

[unclescott58]

Great looking Fireball 500 Bill. And I like your technique for getting the results you did. It's simple out of the box thinking (or in this case, in the box) that sometimes gives us the easiest and best results. I like your idea a lot and will trying using it on some project in the future.

[Pete J.]

Bill, great example of what can be done with a little resourcefulness and time.  This was exactly my point.  The magic is in the magician not the wand.  It is just easier with the right tools and experience.  When I was younger and starting to accumulate tools, my wife would often question me about the need for a given new tool.  That all ended one day when I responded to her, "Dear, I could build a complete house with a Swiss army knife but why would I want to?"  Owning tools does not guarantee a good job, it just encourages you to do better. 

Edited March 27, 2016 by Pete J.
stuff

[Misha]

I find that an airbrush gives me greater control, allows for a wider range of paints, and cuts down on that cloud of overspray from a can. In the distant dark ages I used rattle cans then bought a double action Paasche VL, a real workhorse, and a cheapy compressor that pulsated like a bucking bronco! Since then I've added a second VL and an Iwata for finer work, plus a studio Iwata compressor with two feeds and near silent operation. Having said that, I still use Tamiya primers rattle cans for ease of operation and no clean up. I've recently set up a workbench in our winter abode in Scottsdale and I'm back to using Tamiya cans as my spray rig is up north. On calm days I can be spotted in the condo parking lot spraying.

The main point is that I agree with Pete J. above that owning the right tools doesn't guarantee a good job, yet it encourages one to do better and obtain finer finishes as one develops their skills.

Cheers Misha