First airbrush: What is important?

[LAV25]

I don't know if this belongs here or in the tips and tricks section, but I'm looking for a bit of advice.

I'm thinking of getting an airbrush, but I'm a little lost on what I need to look for. I've got no experience with using one, and the variety of options out there is a little baffling. I'll be using this to paint 1:25 scale plastic models and the occasional 1:10 scale RC body.

The key things I know I don't understand are:

1. Single or double action: Why is double action better, is it important for a newbie?

2. Gravity feed or pressure feed (gravity seems to be more expensive)

3. Compressors and regulators: How important is it to be able to vary the air pressure

4. Trigger or button type: pros and cons

Finally, I live in a fairly small apartment. The paint booth/boxes are crazy expensive. How much of a Dexter kill room would I need to make (spreading newspapers everywhere or whatever), and would it be safe just to paint with a couple windows open? I know that my dad used to airbrush on occasion in our basement, but the concrete floors didn't mind overspray, and it was the seventies, before anything was dangerous

Thanks for any help you can give me.

-val

[Iron Fist]

I am by no means an airbrush expert but I can give you a few tips.

A DA airbrush is not better but just allows you to control the width of the paint during your stroke, narrow to wide or wide to narrow. I have a DA Paasche VL and have only ever used it for modelling in single action. I also use a #5 needle which gives the broadest width.

A gavity feed will allow for greater detail, meaning really fine lines; and a siphon feed allows for easy color changes because the bottles are attached to the bottom of the airbrush. Just remove one color bottle run a bit of thinner through and swap in a new color. Again my airbrush is a siphnon feed.

Regulators are very important, I use a 5 gallon compressor and shoot between 15-20 psi. Its not so much varying the pressure but controlling it and have it stay at a constant rate.

My airbrush is 26 yrs old so I can't really comment on trigger types although its a push button type.

You will need plenty of ventilation for your apartment to exhaust the paint fumes and mist or you will wind up painting in a cloud of paint, also you will need a descent mask not one of those disposable paper ones.

[Mike Kucaba]

The most important thing to remember about an airbrush is to USE IT!! If you just give it a cursory try and have failures and put it away you will never master it.

#2 get a dual action one. get some spare parts with it too like extra needles for sure you will damage one first time you disassemble it.(been there,I ain't no saint).

Practice,practice,

Try different paint types.

Put a fan by an open window,and then a box around or near it to put the subject in.You'll need to get some light in there,but you'll figure that out.

There really isn't that much overspray with an AB,nothing like aerosols.

good luck!!

[MikeMc]

Single action if your a complete noob as far as painting goes. (read that as never painted anything in your life lol) A double action will offer more control for fades, blending and such. (or even just touch ups) I started with a DA but I already knew somewhat how to paint.

There is a little more learning curve with a DA. Key thing is practice! Even if it's just water color on paper medium. (cheaper than possibly ruining a model.) Find a book on airbrush techniques. It will teach you steps on control.

Gravity is great for small detail jobs. Like mentioned, lines etc. Siphon,(I'm assuming is what your calling a pressure feed) is nice to have because bodies tend to take more paint to cover. There are bigger bottles available for bigger jobs. Some air brushes have a side feed that will siphon from a bottle or use a gravity feed style cup. Buy the best airbrush you can afford. It's service life may be longer than something from say Harbor Freight. (do take care of it no matter which you buy!)

Small compressors work as well as big ones. I have a cheap 50 dollar "harbor freight" special with a water trap and a regulator and this is what I use the most. I do have a 60 gallon 6 hp upright also but that's a bit overkill for airbrushing. (obviously I bought it for other uses.)A water trap is EXTREMELY important. Especially if you live anyplace with high humidity. A regulator is a must.

As far as trigger or button goes that's more a matter of preference to me. Its what feels comfortable. (also important.)

Like iron, my Badger 150 is over 20 years old and still works! I also own a Iwata HP-C. I love them both.

Safety is a major concern. Buy a mask they are around 30-45 dollars but are a great help to saving your lungs. More important if you get into automotive paints. Even if you paint outside! A paint booth can be made from cheap materials if your crafty. One major concern however is the fan. Make sure it can be used with combustibles. Filters are cheap for the smaller ones. Or do like I do and paint outside. (providing you can get away with it.) As far as over spray if you do spray indoors, cover whats important if it is. If not, then don't. That's entirely up to you.

Check out http://coastairbrush.com/ . Also look into http://www.tcpglobal.com/ . TCP, you will have to search a bit for them. http://www.bearair.com/ is another good one. TCP sells knock offs also but they are good pieces. Or find a local retailer or even some shows will have airbrush demos and get a feel for different ones. Find what you like and are comfortable with. Talk to others at shows/club meetings and see what they use and why.

Paul

This is the single most important need....comfort...If you do not like the feel of the best instrument available..you will not get the results it and you are capable of .....also get this months SA more airbrush facts in one place...

[crazyjim]

Paasche H series single action is what I use (as recommended by Donn Yost, Lone Wolf Custom Painting). Quick & easy to clean. Add Chicago Air brush to your list of suppliers. They were selling airbrushes with a nice discount and free shipping.

[LAV25]

Or find a local retailer or even some shows will have airbrush demos and get a feel for different ones. Find what you like and are comfortable with. Talk to others at shows/club meetings and see what they use and why.

Paul

Thanks to everyone for the replies. The advice above is some of the best, but unfortunately the hardest to follow. I live in Japan, but my Japanese skill is, um, not good? However, with all of your advice, I can figure out how to ask more educated questions at the local shops. You've all (even when you contradict each other) been a big help!

-val