Airbrushes

[landman]

I have a Badger 350 which is getting long in the tooth. I only use it to paint models. I've looked around and see single action, double action, suction feed, gravity feed etc. I guess mine is single action suction feed. What is recommended for the average hobbyist?

[Snake45]

I have four or five airbrushes, and the cheap little Badger 350 is the one I use for more than 95% of my model work, especially on model cars.

If yours is worn out, and it's worked well for you, why not just get another? That's what I'm going to do.

Unless you're going to get into all sorts of fancy effects, you don't need anything more complicated or expensive for model car work. And 350 parts are cheap and easily available.

[karbuildr]

I started off many years ago with a Badger 350. Bought it in 1979 and used it until I bought a Paasche model H in 1982. Been using that same Paasche ever since, my favorite airbrush. Like Snake, I have a couple others but find using the Paasche H model is my favorite. It's dependable and easy to use and clean as well. Selecting an airbrush is usually a personal preference, but if you like the Badger, nothing wrong with sticking with it. But if you're interested in moving up to another airbrush, take a look at the Paasche model H.

[landman]

Thanks guys.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I've been using a Badger 200 single action suction feed for probably 25 years. I've had others, but I always gravitate back to it. Has always been good to me & does what I need it to do. I figure, why change now. Steve

[DynoMight]

I use a Paasche airbrush. Relatively cheap on Amazon and it is real high quality. Made in America if that means anything to you.

[935k3]

Before you buy another airbrush read through Don Wheelers excellent sight at this link https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/

Edited October 24, 2014 by 935k3

[Pete J.]

Just got my Badger 175 back after is languishing in the drawer for years with bent and broken parts. It is a real workhorse. If you are only going to have one brush when you are done this is not a bad choice. Three different size tips makes it versatile. I have both 2 Tamiyas and an Iwata. Each is a very fine brush and I use the heck out of them. No preference in general. Each has a solid use. The Badger was my go to brush for years before I broke it. I think I will set it up for use between my Tamiya HG and my Iwata HVLP 50, but if I were to only have one it would be either the Badger Crescendo 175 or the Tamiya HG. Both have been real solid performers.

[935k3]

You should take a look at this http://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Side-feed-Trigger-Airbrush-TRN2/dp/B00HJ75NF4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1414168311&sr=8-6&keywords=neo+for+iwata I have one and it is my favorite. The trigger is an absolute pleasure to use, I wish people would stop pushing the Paasche H. It just is not that great. You will notice the difference with a quality internal mix. The atomization is far superrior. This is especially good for Alclad. Also look at the Paasche Talon set with all three tips.

Edited October 24, 2014 by 935k3

[Pete J.]

One last thought. Go to the Coast Airbrush web site. They carry most of airbrushes and have a very good description which may be helpful. You also may want to call them and talk to them. Their staff are all airbrush experts and really know what they are talking about. Great resource for all things airbrush. Incidentally, they have great customer service. The Badger Crescendo I mentioned above, I walked into the store with it and it needed a new needle, needle holder and seal. They put it together and got it back to like new condition for $21. Just charged me for the parts. I like dealing with people like that! Old school customer service in Southern California. Imagine that

[Modlguy]

I have heard that Badger will cover their airbrushes for life. If there is an issue why not send it to them for a refresh? At least e-mail and see if they'll do it. If that fails try Hooby Lobby. I just got a NEO for $42.00 with the 40% off coupon.

[DiscoRover007]

You should get a gravity fed airbrush from Iwata. I find siphon fed brushes to be nothing but annoying and more time consuming to clean. You'll never go back and they are the best for your buck.

[Pete J.]

I have heard that Badger will cover their airbrushes for life. If there is an issue why not send it to them for a refresh? At least e-mail and see if they'll do it.

It is kind of a long story, but the major part was the seal. I called Badger years ago(it has been 15 years since I used the Badger) and was told the seal wasn't replaceable(it is not on the early 175s). The needle holder also got bent by my ham-handedness and I felt Badger had no obligation. Since Coast is near where my club meets I figured I would ask and they told me to bring it in. It cost me $21 to have Coast do it and I got it done in less than 10 minutes. It would have cost about that for shipping to Badger and I got to watch the technician fix it.

[southpier]

Modlguy - do you like the neo?

[eastown]

There is nothing wrong with the Paasche H airbrush at all. I have four different airbrushes, and it is my favorite.

[Mike Chernecki]

I have a couple Badger 200s and couple Badger 175s that I used for years. Earlier this year I bought an Iwata HP-C Plus. Since buying the Iwata I haven't touched my Badgers. The Iwata is so easy to use and clean.

[Don Wheeler]

I'll add my 2 cents. There are a lot of good airbrushes. My favorite for all around use is the Badger 155. Some people don't like it. What feels good to me may irritate you. And, different airbrushes do have different feels. Some put out a whisper of paint, and others can blast out a lot. The 155 and similar acting 175 seem like a good compromise to me. The HP-C mentioned is a beautiful airbrush. But, with its .3mm nozzle and gravity cup, it wouldn't be my choice for model cars. The small nozzle means you might have to thin more. And, I like the ability to attach a bottle and know I have plenty of paint for the job. But, obviously some modelers prefer it. You don't really need a fancy airbrush. The proof of that is the fine work you see by people using the simple 350 or Paasche H. A lot depends on learning to use the one you have. But, if you lust after something like a Harder & Steenbeck CR plus Infinity 2 in 1 with gold plating, go for it. It will certainly do the job.

Don

[DiscoRover007]

I'll add my 2 cents. There are a lot of good airbrushes. My favorite for all around use is the Badger 155. Some people don't like it. What feels good to me may irritate you. And, different airbrushes do have different feels. Some put out a whisper of paint, and others can blast out a lot. The 155 and similar acting 175 seem like a good compromise to me. The HP-C mentioned is a beautiful airbrush. But, with its .3mm nozzle and gravity cup, it wouldn't be my choice for model cars. The small nozzle means you might have to thin more. And, I like the ability to attach a bottle and know I have plenty of paint for the job. But, obviously some modelers prefer it. You don't really need a fancy airbrush. The proof of that is the fine work you see by people using the simple 350 or Paasche H. A lot depends on learning to use the one you have. But, if you lust after something like a Harder & Steenbeck CR plus Infinity 2 in 1 with gold plating, go for it. It will certainly do the job.

Don

I didn't mean to come across as harsh on the Badger airbrushes. I had the 150 and 175 at one point. That was early in my modelling career. I was more naive then and didn't know proper care for airbrushes. However I still think Iwata is superior. For less than $150 you can get a gravity fed brush, one with a trigger even and you probably won't ever need another one again. What I didn't like about Badger is the o-rings dissolving based on what solvents you used. You can spray anything out of Iwata. Siphon fed tends to be messier.

One cool thing about Iwata is that Hobby Lobby is starting to sell replacements parts in their store. Which comes in handy if you accidentally bend a needle.

I myself have 2 Iwata brushes. The CR and the Kustum CS. It's awesome having 2 ready to go. You can get a lot of work done in a short amount of time. I usually use one for metallics and one for solid colors in painting sessions.

[Don Wheeler]

I don't know about the older Badgers, but the current models are just as solvent resistant as the Iwatas. The only seal that isn't is in the air valve. I clean my Badgers with lacquer thinner all the time. There's no question Iwatas are fine airbrushes. I just prefer the 155 for painting models, and it runs a little over $60.

Don

[935k3]

Take a look at these trigger type dual actions. I have both and they are an absolute joy to use, The green packaged has a .35mm tip and the purple side fed version has a .5mm tip and also has an adapter to use jars. Both cups have lids. They are both around $100 each.

Edited October 25, 2014 by 935k3

[StevenGuthmiller]

The only thing I'll say is one of the reasons I use a siphon feed air brush is the fact that I use a lot of MCW paints. Pop the lid onto the jar, & you're good to go. When I'm done, I don't have to clean cups or jars, just the brush. Plus any detailing paint I have left, I store in airbrush jars. Keeps forever & when I'm ready to use it again, Just screw on the lid & go. One of these days I would like to get a cheap gravity feed brush just for the small quick jobs when I don't need much paint or where I'll be doing several color changes. But for painting bodies & such, there's nothing wrong with my trusty old Badger. By the way, I run MCW "airbrush cleaner" through mine all of the time. It's some pretty wicked stuff! If it doesn't destroy the seals, nothing will! Steve

[Modlguy]

Modlguy - do you like the neo?

Haven't had a chance to fire it up yet. Still in the box. Once I do I'll post comments. I know Cranky loves his and has recently done a video about graphics with it..

[Mike_G]

+1 on gravity-feed brushes being easier to clean

Plus they're great when you only need to squirt a small amount of paint

[scalenut]

Paasche H for bottle spraying bodys. and for attaching to metalizers

Badger Krome for everything else

I quit trying to get one airbrush to do it all.... I rather have 2 that each do what they do very well.

I didn't care for trying to spray a body with a fine detail airbrush and small cup.

and both are easy to clean

[935k3]

Andy is right on. You will find it is really nice to have more than one airbrush. The more you try different ones you realize which ones work better with the size of the job and the paint you are using.