Airbrush Startup Gear/Equipment

[peej]

Hi All,

I'm considering getting into/learning how to airbrush. However, being that I know nothing about it, some advice wouldn't go amiss.

I'm after getting an airbrush, with a compressor, which is versatile, but good for a beginner. What I mean by this, is that I know from other things that I'm interested in, that if someone asks for something to start out/learn, some people will say 'get X, if you're only starting, it won't matter', then as soon as the person has got to grips with whatever thy are doing, they need to upgrade, either for quality purposes or to learn more advanced techniques. So, yeah, in my specially none-articulate way, I'm asking for a good 'starter' airbrush/compressor, but not the 'lowest common denominator' as it were, something that will last me a little longer than 'now you know how to do that, buy a new one'.

Having said that, I really don't know squat about airbrushes, so any input / suggestions are welcome, even if they give me an idea of what price ranges / brands I should be looking at, or what kinds of things people prefer and their advantages/disadvantages.

Cheers,
Pete.

xxx

 

[Ritual]

There's no need buying a crap airbrush and then upgrade to a proper one when you know how to handle it. Get a proper one imediately. The same goes for a compressor. You should get one with adjustable air pressure and a moist trap. That will serve you well. For airbrushes I'd recommend Iwata or Haarder & Steenbeck. I have a H&S Infinity, and that is a great airbrush for modelling purposes. I don't know which Iwata models might be suitable, but maybe someone else can provide you with suggestions.

Other than the two obvious things, you'll need a hose (quick connection is not necessary, but handy). You'll also need cleaning tools and I suggest you get a cleaning pot with air filter. An other handy thing is airbrush oil to slightly grease the moving parts of the airbrush after clean up. Some cleaning fluid as well, and then you're good to go. A holder for the airbrush might also be a practical thing, but not essential. Especially if you get a cleaning pot as they usually have a holder attached.

 

[Zab]

Get a good one to start and you won't waste money to upgrade later. Iawata and Badger are the most common. If you are having trouble deciding between the two get whatever is more accessible. You don't want to find out that you need a part, but have to order it from halfway around the world and wait 4-6 weeks I like Badger due to the lack of tools required for maintenance and cleaning, personally. I would have loved an H&S but they just weren't easily accessible in Canada so I opted for Badger's patriot 105 which is my workhorse and recently got a renegade velocity for finer closer work (we'll see if that helps any as the patriot can do very fine work already). My Father and a few of my friends swear by the Iawata Eclpise.

Hope that helps

 

[airhead]

What part of the world are you in? It might make a difference as to what airbrush to recommend.
What are you wanting to do with it? Painting your house requires a different gun than doing photo-realistic illustration. Just for priming/clearcoating? or are you planning on doing detail (72mm or larger minis)

Do a search, you'll find several threads on airbrushes / compressors, etc.

Airbrushes:
Priming/basecoats/clearcoats:
Aztec
Badger Single stage or external mix

More details:
Iwata Eclipse
Badger Crescendo
H&S (don't know the models, but great reviews)

Compressors:
Air is air. Get the largest you can stand to hear run. You'll find a larger compressor can do much more than run an airbrush. Nailers/staplers, blow out the garage, air up the low tire, paint the house, etc.
I've got a small 1/10th HP that I use for AB makeup.
In the garage, I've got a 5 HP beast that can be piped into the spare bedroom.

Where from:
Depends on where you are at.
US?
Bearair
Dixie

 

[Brandlin]

I bought a cheap airbrush. Hated it.
Then my wife bought me a a harder and Steinbeck infinity, and now I wouldnt even sell it. Quality really does matter.

 

[Duke14678]

I have a Badger 105 Patriot that I bought after having a $20 Master airbrush. Definitely start out with a decent airbrush like the 105. It's versatile and not too expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Br...1388682949&sr=8-1&keywords=badger+105+patriot

As for a compressor, well, it's a compressor. I have a master compressor with out a storage tank and it serves me fine with the exception of I tend to paint for long durations and the compressor gets hot. With a storage tank it, well, stores air so it lets the compressor take small breaks and allows longer paint periods.

http://www.amazon.com/AIRBRUSH-COMP...=1388683057&sr=8-4&keywords=Master+compressor

 

[TartanArmy]

I use Iwata double action. Never looked back! Just don't expect to be great right away. Lots of practice. Watch on line tutorials on YouTube.

 

[paulpratt]

I would recommend getting an Iwata HP-CS. The airbrush is incredible for starting out and more forgiving than others. A major thing is that parts are readily available at places like Hobby Lobby (if you live in the states). So nozzles and needles are always on tap. Parts can be aggressively priced on the internet too. The brush can do medium to semi-fine details and is great for larger projects too. When you get better you'll eventually pick up another airbrush that does fine details and this works in that system. You can base and lay down your first highlights and then with the second airbrush you can lay down precision highlights... well you'll get a system. I've read that the badger patriot operates more or less like the HP-CS, so i don't think you can go wrong there.

For a compressor I have a badger aspire pro. Quiet and all the features you need.

 

[paul222]

Air brush is most famous in the paint but some peoples have opinion that spray is better but i totally recommend that air brush is famous for the paint because with out air brush paint has not shine in the paint...

 

[Drunken Elf]

I was about to posty the same thing as the OP. Ive been brushlicking for 15 years on and off. I've never really understood airbrushing, especially when it comes to the finer details. Can you do fine detail or do you finish that stuff off with a brush?

Do you guys know any examples of exclusivly airbrushed models? I'm painting 1/9 scale models at the mo and feel like airbrushing is the way forward.... :dont-know:

 

[MAXXxxx]

I was about to posty the same thing as the OP. Ive been brushlicking for 15 years on and off. I've never really understood airbrushing, especially when it comes to the finer details. Can you do fine detail or do you finish that stuff off with a brush?

Details are finished with a normal brush, even for 1/4 figures. Altough here I saw some fanatics, who did every little detail with masks + AB (yes, even lace patterns). Let's just say it was not time efficient (masking took more time than it would have taken if painted with a brush.

Do you guys know any examples of exclusivly airbrushed models? I'm painting 1/9 scale models at the mo and feel like airbrushing is the way forward.... :dont-know:

Some/Most anime models (maybe with the exception of the eyes).

and quite a few of RevenantDrag00n here afaik: http://www.coolminiornot.com/artist/RevenantDrag00n
for example: http://www.coolminiornot.com/311870?browseid=9029280 (according to his/her description).