Rattle Cans - who still uses them?

[Nick Winter]

I still rattle can, have an airbrush but I have so many rattle cans that I've never even used that I can't justify decanting all that paint, and I hate cleaning the AB.

Nick

[charlie8575]

For a cheap spray booth for the financially/space limited, try a banker's or 10-ream paper box.

That's what I have to use for now. Once I have a job and can get moved, a good booth is on the list, but this'll do for now.

Charlie Larkin

[Big Daddy]

I have 2 airbrushes one has never been used, but i much prefer rattle cans hands down

[Mike Kucaba]

I use both and have about 10 AB'S all different brands. With spray cans getting up around $10, and some specialty stuff I like at $15+ the AB is beginning to look like a good deal.

[tiking]

Wow!!! Outstanding responses guys. Read every reply and appreciate all replies. I guess i will be sticking to the cans but will test out an AB, a cheap version, as i know it cost. Thanks again for all responses. Definitely a thread that should be Pinned. Hint hint. ...hihi

[Danno]

For an inexpensive trial . . . check out Harbor Freight. They have cheap but not junk airbrushes all the time, and occasionally put them on sale for even cheaper! They are simple single action bottle-feed units, but they'll allow you to learn the process and the feel of airbrushing.

They are fine for basic painting, especially workman-type stuff - chassis, engines, interiors, priming, the basics. They'll do fine for starter body painting practice. As you get a feel for the airbrushing process, you'll want to graduate to better quality ... but the Harbor Freight cheapies are great to keep around for the quick, basic stuff.

Just my 2-cents.

[PappyD340]

I still use the can, but Danno is right, I have been thinking of the Harbor Freight AB for awhile just haven't got over there to pick one up I do have some other tools that have come from there and they all have worked fine for me, and they have some mighty cheap prices. I checked the price, and I'm sure the price will be different depending on where you are but I'm in NC and the deluxe model which is a dual action is 22 bucks the single action is 9 bucks. I read some of the reviews and the tool actually got some very good ones. So anyway that's my .00005 cents worth!

[James2]

I have been using rattle cans since i started modeling way in 2002. Been using them ever since. Will eventually buy an airbrush but wanted to know if there are others who still uses them?

WAY IN 2002?

I have spray cans that old!

[maltsr]

I use rattle cans, but I do own an airbrush....I just haven't used it yet. Like Harry said, you can't beat the convenience

X2

Most of my builds use Tamiya paint, can't get any other hobby spray paints here in NZ

Running out of colours though, so have resorted to auto paint rattle cans but really should try spraying them through my A/B - one day

Edited June 4, 2013 by maltsr

[tiking]

Well for me that is a long time James.

[Dr. Cranky]

I use Plastikote primer rattlecans, and I also love to use rattle can clear. Always have. The rest I do via airbrush.

[slammedi'am]

All mine are rattle can

[Gramps2u]

Both, Canned is just fine with me. No fuss no Muss! warm, shake & squirt.

A.B I use an Iwata Eclipse

Edited June 4, 2013 by Gramps2u

[crazyjim]

Rattle can primer and the rest is airbrushed.

[AZ Boy]

I use rattle cans for the large coverage (body, chassis, engine blocks, etc.), but I do use my cheap single action for Alclad. I understand that Alclad is also available in rattle cans now, but I've never seen it locally so the airbrush gets used on every model I build.

[Jim B]

Alclad in rattle cans? I bet THAT'S expensive!

[JM485]

I use my airbrush for chassis and usually color coats for bodies, but primer and clear are usually rattle canned. I really hate how much paint gets applied out of a can, so I always airbrush the Testors OCL now except for the clear. Not sure why but all I get is paint reacctions when I shoot the OCL colors straight out of the can, but they go on great with an airbrush. Why don't they offer them in bottled form?!

[mrknowetall]

Alclad in rattle cans? I bet THAT'S expensive!

The Alclad number is 5114. $14.95 for a 3 ounce can. It's not cheap, but a little goes a long way.

[Tom Geiger]

Alclad in rattle cans? I bet THAT'S expensive!

I think I paid $12 for this, but even if it was $15, it's worth it. The last can lasted me something like 5 years, you are only painting the chrome with it!

[greymack]

Well for me I like using both rattle can and airbrush. I think people in the model building world should use which ever product they feel comfortable with.

[tiking]

True to word George. If it works for you then keep at it. But I like to try new things if it would give me results, like fine spraying. It would be difficult as mentioned in the above post, to do these things with a can. BTW, I saw somewhere that certain companies were doing adjustable nozzles. So one could spray from fine to wide, depending on the hole on the nozzle. Any ideas? A great amount of responses to my thread guys. I do appreciate it.

[DrKerry]

It's all I use.

[AzTom]

I tried that spray Alclad years ago and did not have good results, rubs off real easy. It's made to paint the inside of clear body RC cars than painted black over to of it. Alclad told me it was not for use over the black but I had to see myself.

I remember asking why the regular stuff didn't come in spray cans but don't remember what the reason was. Maybe they have changed it by now, would like to hear from someone using it.

You do have to wonder how they can sell the 1oz bottle for $8.00 and sell a spray can of 3oz for only $15.00

Airbrush VS Rattle Cans

I did think of another reason why the airbrush is better than the cans ... stripes. You can paint stripes on a model with almost no ridge on the edge by spraying at 3-4 lbs pressure, you can't do that with a rattle can.

I think anyone not willing to at least try an airbrush is missing out. You don't even need a compressor to try it, they sell compressed cans of air. I new a guy that used a portable air tank that he filled at the gas station.

[AzTom]

True to word George. If it works for you then keep at it. But I like to try new things if it would give me results, like fine spraying. It would be difficult as mentioned in the above post, to do these things with a can. BTW, I saw somewhere that certain companies were doing adjustable nozzles. So one could spray from fine to wide, depending on the hole on the nozzle. Any ideas? A great amount of responses to my thread guys. I do appreciate it.

Check ebay, there used to be a seller selling a lot of about 12 different nozzles like that. I had them saved for along time but never bought them.

Kevin Smith a modeler from Ohio, was working on an adjustable spray nozzle at one time, don't know if he ever got it to work.

[Repstock]

I only use cans, I don't own an airbrush.

This van is Duplicolor out of the can.

This truck is cheapie Wal Mart enamel spray.

This pickup is model spray paint. This is an old build. Today I would clear it.