Looking into Airbrushing

Rangatron: The reply to your questions would be a mile long.  If you did a "search forums" you should find help.  FSM magazine has been doing a multi-month series on airbrushing that you'll find very helpful & informative.  

I'll do a brief response though to get you rollin'.

Sequence: Same.  Primer and the finish coat(s)

Airbrush for weathering: Mostly just for dust effects.  There are ways to get streaking and other effects with an airbrush but it requires a lot of control.

Maintanence:  Specific by mfr.  It's CRITICAL to do this frequently & thoroughly.

Air Compressor can: It provides the air/ pressure for the brush to work. You'll want to buy a compressor.  I used a Campbell Hausfield from Wal Mart for years...about $50.00

Anything else:  Start with an inexpensive single-action airbrush.  Use acrylic paints, this is a personal preference but I use it because it cleans up easier and has less toxic fumes.  It takes a lot of time to learn paint ratios/ compressor settings/ brush control so PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!  Buy some inexpensive kits (old Tamiya kits build fast and are inexpensive) and have some fun! 

When you get more experienced and comfortable you'll want to buy a double-action airbrush.

Hope that helps.

I use a CO2 tank..it doesn't cost that much to fill...and depending on use, will last a long time..

Google Don Wheeler's air brush tips,he gives a nice beginning airbrush tutorial.

I'm not saying to run out and buy a top of the line double action,but consider one like an Iwata,you can't go wrong.

Buy a double action and practise, practise, practise. You wont be disappointed. 

I'll go with OG on the DA brush.  When you push down on the trigger you get air only, and the pull back releases paint from light mist to heavier coat.  Takes some getting used to if you have never had any kind of paint gun in your hand, but in the end it is worth it.  I have an Iwata Eclipse suction feed and I just got the Iwata NEO gravity feed and absolutely love it so far.  If you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, the NEO will run you about 50 bucks with the 40% off coupon.  You will want some kind of stand to hold itbetween coats, etc. and would recommend the quick disconnect fittings.

Tojo72

Google Don Wheeler's air brush tips,he gives a nice beginning airbrush tutorial.

I'm not saying to run out and buy a top of the line double action,but consider one like an Iwata,you can't go wrong.

Here 'ya go...........

OldGoat

Buy a double action and practise, practise, practise. You wont be disappointed. 

 

i recommend you buy the airbush thinner for whatever paint(s) you use and same wuith the cleaner. it will cost a few bucks more but eliminates one variable when mixing. for exampleWindex works for most paints but i read it gums up aVallejo so i use Vallejo thinner and cleaner.

as for mix ratios get an old model with flat sides (JAGDPANTHER for me) and spray that first to see how the paint flows. take notes on drops of paint to drops of thinner so you know what works. for example i even thin Vallejo Air, 1 drop of thinner to 6 drops of paint works. or get some ComArt from Iwata which really is airbrush ready. i use it foir dinosaurs.

You know what, Airbrushing is a huge topic. Just search the web for some good pages, as mentioned before Don's website is very good and give great advise to answer most of your questions.

I will re-emphasize what many have said - practice.  Your first few or a dozen times you airbrush will be VERY frustrating.  Just be prepared, paint gets stuck (especially acrylic), too much paint goes all over the place, you spend more time cleaning and unclogging than painting your model.  Be prepared - but everytime you practice, it gets a little easier, and maybe you 12th or 24th (everyone is different) time, you seem to finally get the hang of it.  Practice on a left over kit first.  Good luck and show us your progress!

Waikong and the others have great input, lot's of self study and reviews of airbrushes and airbrushing will pay off very well, when you do venture into the selection and purchasing step.

In addition to Don's Airbrush, and Snibs too, have a look at the reviews of airbrushes and their use on youtube, plenty of useful info there, to include handling, cleaning and maintenance, like taking them apart and reassembly.

I started with single action external mix, then to single action internal mix, then to dual action internal mix, both siphon and gravity fed. So many types out there, all the way from top line and expensive, to very capable but affordable ones.

My only recommendation is, don't buy more airbrush than you need. Purchase price will not determine performance, if you won't be doing any really fine detail work, a reasonably priced and capable airbrush can be had brand new for around $60-80.

I have been airbrushing for many decades, my first several attempts convinced me that either they could not be made to work, or I could not learn to use one. Finally, after dozens of attempts and failures the light began to come on, when the handling and care, paint thinning, pressure and such was correct, I found so much enjoyment and was rewarded with good model finishes.

Finally, as said so well by the others, three words of advice: Practice, practice, practice.

I wish you the best of luck in your research and the purchase. Let us know how you're doing, feel free to ask for any help we may give you.

Patrick 

Yep, I'll second that--practice, practice, practice!

I use a Paasche VL, with a 1.5 hp Craftsman compressor with a 3-gallon tank.  The brush is a double-action, but I haven't quite yet gotten the hang of using that feature.

I have been getting good results with Tamiya's acrylics, especially once I learned to use their proprietary thinner with their paints.  They are formulated for airbrushing, and I tried water and isopropyl (separately) and neither thinned the paint as well as Tamiya's thinner.  I have tried lacquer thinner, too, and that worked pretty well, too.

I also use Model Master paints.  With enamels, I use mineral spirits, and with acrylics, I use isopropyl, and they have worked pretty well for me.

And I have used craft store acrylics, thinned with water.  They worked OK, but their pigments are rather coarse, and that impacted the final finish on the model.

When I use the airbrush, after I finish with one color, I do a quick cleaning, blowing more of the thinner through the brush till it comes out clean, and cleaning the cup and the neck from the cup into the brush.  When I am completely finished with a session, I break down the brush and clean it with lacquer thinner.  I have some fine brushes, about the diameter of pipe cleaners, that help in gently scrubbing the various opening and tubes.

But practice, and don't let mistakes get you down.  I've run into some hurdles, let myself get mad for a second or two, then sat down and thought it through and figured out the issue, learned the lesson and moved on.  A good one was forgetting to check that the nozzle was installed.  The brush blew air but no paint came out.  Finally, I started breaking down the brush and immediately saw it.  And boy, was my face red!

For sure get an airbrush. They have really come

down in price. An airbrush finish will take your

model building to a whole new level. Like

everyone has mentioned it is not to hard

to learn it just takes practice. Also look at

getting a spray paint respirator to protect your

lungs NOT a dust mask. 3M makes great

ones that are not that expensive. This cockpit

dash hood was shot using Testors MMA semi gloss 

black paint, you can see how smooth the paint goes

on with an airbrush.

Wood

You will like gravity feed airbrushes better than siphon feed airbrushes once you learn how to use an airbrush. It's also better to use the paint brands paint thinner too. (EX) Tamiya paints use Tamiya paint thinner.

 

^^What he said^^

Gravity fed AB's are easier to clean as well. 

Oh, I don't know, I like my siphon-fed Paasche, as far as the paint flow goes.  I do just use the cup, though; I don't use the mixing jars and attachments.  But I'm really just a freshman, as far as experience goes, and still have much to learn.

My main issue with the brush is that I can't yet get really fine lines with it, and I suspect that I may have gotten as far as I can with it, on that particular item.

the Baron

Oh, I don't know, I like my siphon-fed Paasche, as far as the paint flow goes.  I do just use the cup, though; I don't use the mixing jars and attachments.  But I'm really just a freshman, as far as experience goes, and still have much to learn.

My main issue with the brush is that I can't yet get really fine lines with it, and I suspect that I may have gotten as far as I can with it, on that particular item.

 

Paasche single action siphon feed.......FAIL

I did the same thing, when I got into airbrushing, bought the Paasche - IMHO = junk, and now I have a nice Iwata Micron, double action and can write with it like a pencil. My advice.....put the Paasche on Ebay and get a badger or Iwata double action....I promise you...life will be much better...