What airbrush and compressor.

[jcf]

"dipped in treacle"

So true, and so inappropriate for 'realistic' stock autos circa 1900 - 1990. 

[sandiego89]

Could anyone recommend a medium priced airbrush and compressor. I'm not an accomplished modeller by any stretch of the imagine, so I don't want to spend hundreds of pounds. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

Depending on where you do your work, also consider a utility compressor, like a "pancake" compressor used for brad nailers, tires(tyres for you UK guys) etc.  My modeling bench is in my garage, so it works for me.  I use mine for airbrushing with a simple water trap and adjustable output regulator gauge.  Simpilier than it sounds. I use a simple single action pasche airbrush, about $65 US.  The Compressor was about $250, and the air/trap regulator for about $25 US.  With the quick disconnect couplers I can easily change between airbrushing and other uses. All bought at any hardware store.

While this sounds expensive, remember you get a compressor for all kinds of projects, bicycle and car tires, air matresses, brad/nail guns, etc.  An airbrush compressor has only a single function.   

Happy to take a picture of my set up if interested.     

[Dork the kit slayer]

 ...and I thought Tyre was an ancient Phonetician city. The stuff you learn whilst Wifing

[NARSES2]

...and I thought Tyre was an ancient Phonetician city. The stuff you learn whilst Wifing

Yup and Alex the Great stormed and took it 

Must admit it's the thought of all the cleaning and maintenance that's stopped me going down the airbrush route. I keep looking at these cheap ones on EBay (the complete set up packages) that would just be used for varnishing and priming but still not gone down the path.

Maybe one day ?

[van883]

Get one Chris! It may be counterintuitive but I find that  hand painting takes longer and cleaning brushes takes almost as long as cleaning my Iwata.

Van

...and I thought Tyre was an ancient Phonetician city. The stuff you learn whilst Wifing

Must admit it's the thought of all the cleaning and maintenance that's stopped me going down the airbrush route. I keep looking at these cheap ones on EBay (the complete set up packages) that would just be used for varnishing and priming but still not gone down the path.

Maybe one day ?

[NARSES2]

Get one Chris! It may be counterintuitive but I find that  hand painting takes longer and cleaning brushes takes almost as long as cleaning my Iwata.

Van

...and I thought Tyre was an ancient Phonetician city. The stuff you learn whilst Wifing

Must admit it's the thought of all the cleaning and maintenance that's stopped me going down the airbrush route. I keep looking at these cheap ones on EBay (the complete set up packages) that would just be used for varnishing and priming but still not gone down the path.

Maybe one day ?

I have given it serious though but have always chickened out. If I do get one then I'll go on the same course that Martin went on when he got his. Best way to do it I think

[PR19_Kit]

I'd have to disagree with you there Van, cleaning my airbrushes takes for EVER, maybe 10-20 times as long as cleaning my brushes. I only use the airbrushes these days when there's no other solution.

[van883]

After use I blow the airbrush through with water and or alcohol whilst rotating the needle then wipe it out blow through again. Take out the needle, wipe it. Fill the cup with  alcohol and cover the end of the airbrush and blowback into the cup. Put it back together and blow through again.Takes a couple of minutes. In my mind I was comparing the process of hand painting many coats of white, for example, to get enough density of colour and the cleaning of the brushes each time between coats to one quick airbrush coat of white with one airbrush cleaning process.

best,

Van

I'd have to disagree with you there Van, cleaning my airbrushes takes for EVER, maybe 10-20 times as long as cleaning my brushes. I only use the airbrushes these days when there's no other solution.

[FAR148]

The key, though, to airbrush use is "Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!"  No matter what I'm shooting, before changing paints, I always shoot lacquer thinner through it until its clear to clean out the previous paint, then break it down to give it a proper scrub down before letting it dry and putting it away.

+1   A clean airbrush is a happy airbrush.

As for what airbrush/compressor set up, "You get what You pay for!"  I would do some research and get best airbrush/compressor within your price range. Airbrushing is hard enough, airbrushing on a poor airbrush/compressor system...makes things even harder. I used crappy gear for years with mixed results. I later upgrade my gear and now used Iwata. The difference is night and day. Much finer lines, far greater control and for me, it made air brushing fun. I used an Iwata eclipse hp-bcs with Iwata-Medea Power Jet Lite double piston compressor. Again, this is what I chose in my price range.


My 2 cents,
Steven L  

[PR19_Kit]

If I want to paint white a can of Halfords Appliance White beats all.

I timed cleaning my airbrushes the last time I used them and it took over 15 mins. by the time it sprayed clear. In that time I could have brush painted a pretty large aircraft.......

[scooter]

If I want to paint white a can of Halfords Appliance White beats all.

Hell, Kit, a rattle can for single color, be it primer or final color, makes it nice and easy.  That's what I did with my "updated" Ferdinand- shot it with Krylon Ultra Flat Sand, and did the scheme with the airbrush.