airbrush questions

[hellonwheelz3]

Sorry for the mulitple questions, but I thought I'd include them all in one post...here goes.

I've heard a lot about single and double action airbrushes. What do ya'll use? and why? I have one that only cost about $25 that I got from my lhs. its ok. I am using canned air right now, but am saving up for a better airbrush and compressor.

Any and all help is much appreciated. THanks

[Lownslow]

all mine are double action with the exeption of one which is a primer only A/B,double action works great when you spray with multiple mediums.

[crispy]

I've got a Badger 175 and love it. I learned on a cheap Testors single action on canned air.

When I got serious about airbrushes I looked at what was available at my LHS. I like to hold the item in my hand and get a feel for it. The 175 is a bit bigger than your normal airbrush and felt right. I like that it is a double action unit therefore giving me a little more control over both paint and air. It takes some finesse to play with it if you get into minute details, but it's worth the fun.

There are so many airbrushes to choose from these days it'll make your head spin. Go out and find the ones that you can touch and feel and look at. You'll get a better understanding on how they feel. I'd recommend buying at the LHS if you have one. Keep them in business. I will not deny that you can get a great deal on the internet for airbrushes too. Most times at the cost of what the LHS pays for them. Or go the route of the Craft stores. Hobby Lobby carries Paasche and Iwata while Michael's carries Badger.

In the end the decision is ultimately yours. You have to realize what you'll be using it for and how often. To me, how the airbrush feels was a big factor in my decision. Cleaning it may take some time but once you get it down it goes pretty smooth as well as gives you an opportunity to check all the little things on it.

Good Luck!

Chris

[charlie8575]

I have an Aztek A320, which is a decent airbrush. It takes a little getting used to, but it works well and lays down a nice, smooth coat of paint with a little practice.

I am, however, considering going to a Passche, as they do seem to be a nice airbrush. The only Badger I've ever had good luck with is the 250 (a.k.a the little cheapie most people start out with.)

Charlie Larkin

[38 Crush]

Sorry for the mulitple questions, but I thought I'd include them all in one post...here goes.

I've heard a lot about single and double action airbrushes. What do ya'll use? and why? I have one that only cost about $25 that I got from my lhs. its ok. I am using canned air right now, but am saving up for a better airbrush and compressor.

Any and all help is much appreciated. THanks

Ben, If you don't have alot of money to spend and still want to get a good brush do this. Get the sunday paper and find the Michaels ad. They usually have a coupon for 50% discount on any one item in the store. They carry several air brushes. I also use a Badger 175 Cresendo airbrush. In my opinion it's the best and it can be had at half price. Then go to harbor frt. and you should be able to get a decent air compressor for around %50-$60.00 or also check e-bay but there you have to pay shipping.

The Problem with air cans is that as you start spraying the can gets cold, Real cold, and the air pressure goes down to almost nothing. Then you have to wait till the can warms back up before you can continue to spray.

38 Crush

[sak]

Michaels , is a little pricey even with the coupon. Hellonwheelz, do yourself a favor and look here first.

http://www.badgerairbrush.com/Garage_Sale.asp

A 150 for 35 dollars? Not gonna get a better deal than that. Just make sure you get the addapter so you can use a decent airhose with it.

[Jason Vandergriff]

I have 3 and of them i use my gravity feed more than anything else.

I have a single action binks that was given to me. external mix but lays a pretty pattern. used mostly for small parts

Badger dual action used once and a part got lost in cleaning. good all around just like my gun better.

Neson gravity feed spray gun. Also given to me and is used for bodies and some small parts the model in my avatar was sprayed with it.

[BigGary]

I have 3 and of them i use my gravity feed more than anything else.

I have a single action binks that was given to me. external mix but lays a pretty pattern. used mostly for small parts

Badger dual action used once and a part got lost in cleaning. good all around just like my gun better.

Neson gravity feed spray gun. Also given to me and is used for bodies and some small parts the model in my avatar was sprayed with it.

It is quite likely that your missing part could be found on a Badger airbrush specialty site. Take a look around on the web. My Great Aunt, who lived to be 101, said the lessons we learn and the price we pay for it are called "tuition", so what it costs to replace that part is "tuition".

Gary

[Jason Vandergriff]

It is quite likely that your missing part could be found on a Badger airbrush specialty site. Take a look around on the web. My Great Aunt, who lived to be 101, said the lessons we learn and the price we pay for it are called "tuition", so what it costs to replace that part is "tuition".

Gary

Thanks Gary. Ill check around and see if i can find an exploded view and make sure what part it is I need. I still had a learning curve with that airbrush I hadn't quite got over. My single action Binks was used for alot of models I built about 8 years ago. It laid out a smooth pattern and with just a twist of the nozzle it got really fine. Havent seen any of them around in a few years. The gravity feed is an honest touch up gun with a 1.4 tip. I got both of those from a friend of the family that was getting out of the auto restoration business. He taught me alot with them before he gave them to me. I painted alot of plastic before I got anywhere close to good with these. And your aunt was right the price we pay for a lesson learned is tuition. I spent alot of money on paint and plastic to get good with my painting tools. I feel every penny was well spent.

[LoneWolf15]

Ben,

If you go back and read through the threads . you'll find quite a few discussions on this . I use a Paache H series single action airbrush . While the dual actions are great to use , it is much easier to learn with a single action . For the most part , a dual action airbrush is overkill when it comes to applying a normal paint job on a model car . A single action is easier to control , maintain , and clean then it's counterpart .

I always tell people to walk before they run . Start off with a single action Paache H series using the #5 head and needle assembly. Once you get this down to a science , then consider a dual action airbrush . With that being said , inless you plan on doing murals , intricate detailing , or weathering on your models , there is no need to look farther then the H series.

Check out dixieart.com , They have all that you could want in an H series set, plus they carry replacement parts . This is another important factor to take into consideration when buying an airbrush , the ability to get parts ! Cost is another consideration , right around $63.00 , this includes shipping for the entire set . Never go cheap , they won't perform as well and it always comes back to bite you ! As always , just my opinion .

Good Luck !

Donn Yost

Lone Wolf Custom Painting

[my80malibu]

Ben,

If you go back and read through the threads . you'll find quite a few discussions on this . I use a Paache H series single action airbrush . While the dual actions are great to use , it is much easier to learn with a single action . For the most part , a dual action airbrush is overkill when it comes to applying a normal paint job on a model car . A single action is easier to control , maintain , and clean then it's counterpart .

I always tell people to walk before they run . Start off with a single action Paache H series using the #5 head and needle assembly. Once you get this down to a science , then consider a dual action airbrush . With that being said , inless you plan on doing murals , intricate detailing , or weathering on your models , there is no need to look farther then the H series.

Check out dixieart.com , They have all that you could want in an H series set, plus they carry replacement parts . This is another important factor to take into consideration when buying an airbrush , the ability to get parts ! Cost is another consideration , right around $63.00 , this includes shipping for the entire set . Never go cheap , they won't perform as well and it always comes back to bite you ! As always , just my opinion .

Good Luck !

Donn Yost

Lone Wolf Custom Painting

I would wholeheartedly agree with this statement especially true is the replacement parts Availability. No one wants to be held up waiting on some Stupid little seal ring when all they want to do is finish a project, I own several Airbrushes all single action and have had good luck with the Badger 200 series which have metal bodies and Teflon (not rubber) seals.

[Guest]

I bought a Badger 175 Crescendo with 3 needles and Tips from Michaels back in 1996, with a 50% off coupon for $50. Great airbrush. I just had to replace the heavy tip this week, for $4.50, only thing I did other than keep it clean. Great airbrush.

[MikeMc]

Badger or paasche...great parts availability...great quality!

As with any tool the, the fit & feel in your hand is the single most important factor in how you will use that tool.

If it does not grow in your grip...try some others....the new Grex looks killer and Iwata makes a great product....

I use a badger 200 and 155....love them both!!

[hellonwheelz3]

Badger or paasche...great parts availability...great quality!

As with any tool the, the fit & feel in your hand is the single most important factor in how you will use that tool.

If it does not grow in your grip...try some others....the new Grex looks killer and Iwata makes a great product....

I use a badger 200 and 155....love them both!!

Thanks for all the comments guys (and gals). Are the airbrushes that you guys mentioned fairly easy to clean?

[LoneWolf15]

Thanks for all the comments guys (and gals). Are the airbrushes that you guys mentioned fairly easy to clean?

You can have the Paache H series taken apart , cleaned , and put back together in a matter of minutes !

Donn Yost

Lone Wolf Custom Painting

[hellonwheelz3]

You can have the Paache H series taken apart , cleaned , and put back together in a matter of minutes !

Donn Yost

Lone Wolf Custom Painting

thanks Don! (And everyone else)

[hellonwheelz3]

How does this deal seem to you guys who've been around a while?

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-PAASCHE-H-Single-A...=item2c51b3a265

[LoneWolf15]

How does this deal seem to you guys who've been around a while?

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-PAASCHE-H-Single-A...=item2c51b3a265

You need to find a compressor with a tank . This style of compressor will build up moisture if the unit is run for awhile . Alot of this style comes with a moisture trap but it is quickly overcome if the compressor is run for any length of time . You also need a moisture / oil inline trap along with a regulator.

I know that it sounds like a lot of money. However , if you spend it now and do it right the first time , you'll never regret it . This equipment will last you for many years with proper maintenence . Good equipment first , model kits second ! I know too many guys who have their money wrapped up in kits and constantly complain about their build turnouts because they scrimped on the equipment purchases !

Cheap will come back to bite your backside every single time and will haunt your builds every step of the way ! Lowes , Home Depot , etc ,all sell nice sized compressor units for $199 or less. Most important feature , they all have a tank on them .

If something screws up in my shop , it is not the fault of my equipment . It is almost always the whackjob behind the airbrush ! That , would be .... me !

The Old Man

[Jon Cole]

Ben,

If you go back and read through the threads . you'll find quite a few discussions on this . I use a Paache H series single action airbrush . While the dual actions are great to use , it is much easier to learn with a single action . For the most part , a dual action airbrush is overkill when it comes to applying a normal paint job on a model car . A single action is easier to control , maintain , and clean then it's counterpart .

I always tell people to walk before they run . Start off with a single action Paache H series using the #5 head and needle assembly. Once you get this down to a science , then consider a dual action airbrush . With that being said , inless you plan on doing murals , intricate detailing , or weathering on your models , there is no need to look farther then the H series.

Check out dixieart.com , They have all that you could want in an H series set, plus they carry replacement parts . This is another important factor to take into consideration when buying an airbrush , the ability to get parts ! Cost is another consideration , right around $63.00 , this includes shipping for the entire set . Never go cheap , they won't perform as well and it always comes back to bite you ! As always , just my opinion .

Good Luck !

Donn Yost

Lone Wolf Custom Painting

What Donn said!

As for air compressors, I use a Craftsman 4 HP verticle tank. Great for airbrushing in the basement, then I can haul it outside to run my air tools. I bought a water trap, and the pressure regulator. It beats trying to use an airbrush @ 125 psi