Rattle Cans - who still uses them?

[Harry P.]

Love the feedbacks guys. Ok. What type of ab is needed? I keep hearing double action is the way to go. What is the difference?

The basic difference is this: A single-action airbrush works like a spray can. You press the trigger and it sprays. The air/paint ratio can't be changed as you spray.

A double-action airbrush works differently. If you press the trigger, all you get is air. As you pull the trigger back, you get paint, too... the further you pull the trigger, the more paint is mixed with the air. Because you can literally alter the air/paint ratio on the fly, a double-action airbrush gives you the ultimate control.

However... for painting a model car, 99% of the time a simple single-action AB is all you need. If the paint is thinned correctly and the tip is clean and the needle tip is straight and not bent, you'll be fine. Where the double-action AB comes in handy is when you get into more advanced, fancy stuff like flames, fades, that sort of thing. The fact that you can control the paint volume from zero to full tilt as you spray really comes in handy when you're doing advanced work.

However Part II: That's not to say that you necessarily need a double-action AB. For the vast majority of what we need an AB for, a single-action will do the job just fine.

[Jeremy Jon]

Absolutely, and some entire projects with just rattle-cans!

Can't beat the ease or price - though paying nearly $10 per Tamiya can is getting nuts IMO - but automotive paints are cheap and good to use, and plastic enamel paints are an option too

It really depends on the texture and quality level, in which case the airbrush is necessary, so I say both, but really I use the rattle-cans more certainly

[Pete J.]

I have three airbrushes and tons of rattle cans. The rattle cans serve several purposes. One is as storage for paint to run through the airbrush after it is decanted. There are a number of paints and colors you just can't get in bottles by themselves. Second is when I need to do a few parts in a single color and I already have a different color setup in the airbrush, a rattle can is very handy. A good example is Tamiya white primer. I always use a rattle can and get great results.

Why three airbrushes you may well ask? Different coverage patterns and controllability. One has a very wide fan shaped pattern which is great for doing large surfaces or for whole bodies with a very few passes(especially helpful when doing candies). One is a good general purpose brush for doing a lot of parts that are a single color. The last is a very fine line brush for doing delicate shading and weathering.

Each item is a tool with a specific purpose. If you try to do something it was not intended to do, the result may not be good. Used as intended, you can get consistent results with each with practice. Never assume that buying an airbrush is the end all-be all of painting. It isn't. It is just another tool in your arsenal. I have no intent in abandoning any of these. I know them and can make them work for me.

[realgone58]

I use cans. A lot of my factory stock colors are mixed in cans from my local auto body supply. Single stage (acrylic enamel), about 15 to 20 bucks for a full size can. It's some money, but you get plenty of paint. If they could only mix it in the little cans....Sometimes I luck out and find spray bomb colors that are just about "right on" for certain projects as well.

[2002p51]

I use an airbrush 100% of the time. Don't own a single rattle can.

The main reason for me is that spray cans just apply too much paint. Think about this, with a rattle can you're trying to apply a 1/25 scale paint job with a 1:1 scale spray nozzle.

[Ace-Garageguy]

As I begin to master my first decent airbush, I have to say that an AB is not mandatory to get good, quality results. Everything on this model is rattle can, and the body hasn't been sanded / polished in this shot.

Edited June 3, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy

[Harry P.]

As I begin to master my first decent airbush, I have to say that an AB is not mandatory to get good, quality results.

Agreed. An AB gives you more control over the air/paint ratio, but great results can be had with a can. There's more than one way to skin a cat...

[Ace-Garageguy]

Agreed. An AB gives you more control over the air/paint ratio, but great results can be had with a can. There's more than one way to skin a cat...

Yes, and I'm REALLY beginning to see how much more flexibility and control, plus less material waste, the airbrush will bring to the work.

[slusher]

I have used both but l have moved more toward just cans now....

[Harry P.]

Yes, and I'm REALLY beginning to see how much more flexibility and control, plus less material waste, the airbrush will bring to the work.

You'll generally get more paint on the part and less overspray lost into the air with an AB. Now if only someone would invent a self-cleaning airbrush!

[Danno]

Agreed. An AB gives you more control over the air/paint ratio, but great results can be had with a can. There's more than one way to skin a cat...

I'm in this camp. And I also have an amazing plastic spoon collection!

[Harry P.]

I'm in this camp. And I also have an amazing plastic spoon collection!

You need to get together with Skip and compare notes...

[Edsel-Dan]

I use rattle cans, But do Have 2 Airburshes, and Have used the Badger 350M.

Cans are easier, but the airbrush uses less paint!!

My second is an Aztex that came in a set. Paint, Carousel, and other tools.

Got it CHEAP!!

$11.oo Clearance at W-M several years ago. was $31.oo+ original price!

[Foxer]

I hate having to use an airbrush with a passion ... all the reasons Harry gave back a page. I have a good Iwata but only use it when I have to do a color I can't get in a can. I do a lot of the cars I've owned so it's a lot of airbrushing original paint. I also have a permanent aitbrush station in the basement, so setting up is no problem.

[Lunajammer]

So I tend to get lazy and just grab a spray can. Shake and spray... no thinning, no cleanup afterwards.

Then would you say... (ahem)... no runs, no drips, no errors?

[Tony G]

I use both, but have been using the air brush a lot more since setting up a booth. I have seen great paint jobs using both, so I guess it come down to what you choose to use.

[AzTom]

I use booth as well. A lot of my stuff is large so the spray cans work best mainly as a convenience, I have a touch up gun still in the box. I really like the air brush for smaller stuff and interior tubs and pickup beds, hard spray into the corners and not over paint the rest. I do have a booth and air set up permanently.

As for clean-up on the AB, I have a few of the Aztec guns that use the plastic nozzle so there is no needle. All I do is spray thinner through it and call it clean. The nozzle probably doesn't last as long as it should but at about ten dollars for a new one and the gun is as good as new.

[Deathgoblin]

I still use them because I haven't had the chance to get my airbrush fired up yet. I still do a lot of brush painting.

[ChromeIt]

I use only rattle-cans. The main reason is that I live in an apartment, and my "spray booth" is the outdoor 6 x 8 balcony so an airbrush isn't really an option for me.

[Longbox55]

I use both spray cans and airbrushes, and have a somewhat large arsenal of paint both in cans and bottles. Just depends on what I'm painting and what color/finish I'm after as to which I use.

[High octane]

While I have two air-brushes and a compressor, I haven't used them in 12 years or so. I use "rattlecans" and get good results with them. Just "shake & spray."

[Helix]

I use Spray cans and never had any problems, so I'll stick with them

Like a lot of guys have said, stick with the basic rules, warm the can, mist coats etc and I go that one step further using the Tamiya polishing compounds for a nice finish

[Hawk312]

Spray cans here. I used an airbrush maybe a total of 3 times back in the early 90`s, if I remember correctly. Haven`t used one since.

Although, I am intrigued by Donn Yost`s method and would like to give it a try.

[Dave Ambrose]

I use both. The convenience of a spray can is great, and modern paints work well in them. I really like Tamiya and the Testors one coat lacquers. But there are times when you want to blend colors, Can't find what you want, or you just have to cover a LOT of area. and buying 5 spray cans just doesn't seem financially responsible.

I agree that cleaning an airbrush is a pain. It's better if you have lacquer thinner, Q-tips and pipe cleaners. I'm looking forward to the time when I can have a spray booth.

[Tom Geiger]

I own two or three air brushes that were given to me as presents or door prizes. I also have a nice small compressor. Can't remember the last time I used them. Haven't even dragged them out in the new house and I've been here three years!

I spray everything. I use a mix of hardware store paints, hobby paints and Duplicolor automotive paints. I don't brush paint anything. I will take small parts and mount them a variety of ways to spray them. And when I find the need to brush paint anything, either a touch up or painting details, I spray paint into a small cup. I don't use the little Testors bottles.

I don't do much in the way of shiny paint jobs, but when I do, Duplicolor sprays work just fine for me!

Edited June 4, 2013 by Tom Geiger