air brushing?????

[slappy55]

i've always just used rattlecans to paint, but after seein all these great paint jobs it sounds like air brush is the way to go. my ? is what would be a good reliable beginers setup? and any tips would be greatly app. thnx 8)

[MonoPed]

Paasche and Badger both make decent airbrushes at decent prices. You should head into a hobby shop or craft store that sells them, and find the one that you are most comfortable with. The best thing you can do is skip the propellent cans, and get a compressor with a moisture trap and pressure regulator. Oh, and don't forget the respirator!

[slappy55]

thnx guys, for all th info! its greatly app.

[Stingray69]

You're gonna a variety of suggestions here but this is only my two cents worth.

I recommend getting a Paashe VL double or single action airbrush. I picked up the double action last summer from Tower Hobbies last summer for only $70. Its all metal, so its very durable. The kit comes with everything you need except a compressor and paint. A double action airbrush will allow full control over the paint and air flow. When you press the lever/trigger down you'll only get air, once you start pulling it back the paint will flow. This is a great feature for more detailed paint jobs like fade-a-ways and flame work. Now with a single action you're more limited. You can only press the trigger down resulting in less control. You can change the tips for different spray patterns. So really you'll have to make that call, I say get the double action because you'll always have that extra control.

I use a Testors Mini Blue compressor with my Paashe. I originally got it with a Testors airbush kit years ago but the airbrush broke. I added a water trap (traps moisture in the air) and a regulator to it. I can get 35psi out of it which seems to be plenty for my painting needs.

[Steve H.]

Just like everyone said... Double action unit, buy a compressor and moisture trap, practice, practice, practice. I have a Badger Crescendo also, love it. I recently bought an Aztek, not so fond of it.

I still do most body color with spray cans. Airbrushing will open new opportunities such as fades, flames and most important, Alclad metal paints. Theres also little things like doing black window trims and such, when you really don't want the volume a can puts out. Touch-ups on body paint become easier also, because you can decant the paint from the can and shoot it thru the airbrush.

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

I saw the "treatment" mentioned in this thread

where can I purchase that,it is not available in my area.

Thanks

John

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

Thanks Mark!!!

John

[dwhite645]

Definately get any of the above mentioned airbrushes, I've heard many good things about them from many sources. I'm currently in the market for a double myself.

I've been doing model for about 20 years now, and I can't say any good things about rattle cans - no matter the technique, brand, or proper prepping. Rattlecans spray out large volume and it basically spits it out in variation. If you mist it out to just get thin coats it takes for ever then you have ugly orange peel that looks like turd. If you lay on wet coats to eliminate orange peel, you're on the verge of having runs.

Airbrushes do an outstanding job of nice even, and thin coats for incredible results.

[Luis Ayala]

i've always just used rattlecans to paint, but after seein all these great paint jobs it sounds like air brush is the way to go. my ? is what would be a good reliable beginers setup? and any tips would be greatly app. thnx 8)

Chris,

I started with the airbrush about a year ago but believe me I have seen people make stunning paint jobs out of rattle cans. The airbrush is for sure the best way to get a nice finish but there are a couple more things you have to keep in mind.

Like Bluesman Mark says, the prep work is critical and after the painting is done, there comes the polishing time. Most of those shinny-glossy finishes you see out there is because of the polishing.

Here are two pics of my 1953 Ford Vicky After & Before.

Paint- Hampsted green-Rattle Can.

Clearcote- Boyds- Airbrushed.

After Polishing

Before Polishing

I will suggest for a starter setup that you can buy a testors airbrush kit that comes with a propeller tank so you can practice.

Here is a link of what I suggest you can buy to start. This way you wont need to spent a lot of money right away and still have he feeling of the airbrush.

http://www.testors.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=1196

Hope it helps... :wink:

[slappy55]

thanks guys for all of the tips! now i just have to decied now much i want to spend. and find me a good polishing kit! i'll keep you all updated on my progress!!

[Luis Ayala]

thanks guys for all of the tips! now i just have to decied now much i want to spend. and find me a good polishing kit! i'll keep you all updated on my progress!!

I have been using the Micro-Mesh polishing kit along with Novus products and Zymol car wax and I am pretty happy with the results.

Here's some info...

Micro Mesh-Polishing Kit

Novus-1

Novus-2

Polishing Mates

You may find all this products here:

http://www.micromark.com/

Here is the Zymol product I use...

You may read more info here:

http://www.autosupermart.com/store/shop/zy...tml?id=tqX58kQ4

:wink: