Mmmmm, I don't use one (no space now) but have used one in the past. I paint with rattle cans and weather with pastels and washes, and I think I turn out some nice finishes. But, I have an airbrush, and am now in the process of moving into a house in which I'll have a dedicated model room (oh happy day!) and I really hope I can work out an exhaust system and paint booth setup so I can use the airbrush my wife bought for me almost two years ago. So I guess what I'm saying is: I don't think you HAVE to have an airbrush, but it makes a lot of things possible, or dare I say it: easier.

While your at it check this out. I have one and it's great for small spaces. You can find them a little cheaper on ebay sometimes. http://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush%C2%AE-Portable-Airbrush-Extension/dp/B00NLQ019A/ref=pd_bxgy_201_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=13XWT2BDH8E25GT5XWBM

Agree with what everyone had said. but to address your other questions, you will be surprised how little paint can cover so much. and your spray pattern will be much smaller and controlled compared to rattle cans. open 2 Windows, one for fresh air and one for exhaust nearest to your painting area. put a fan pointing out that window, wear your respirator, use acrylic paints and you can airbrush safely with minimal investment.

show us your progress!

I'll throw this in as well, 
Airbrushes are a heck of a lot of fun.  Once you get a handle on the basic techniques, you'll be enjoying your painting more.

 

Well, as the guys have already said but I'll chip in that you probably don't need an airbrush but you'll probably want one. And like anything the sooner you start practicing with it the better you'll be with it.

Personally I'd start with one of the entry level Paasches or Badgers and then buy a better brush when you're experienced with it.

Plenty of good answers in this post, here is mine. While literally not a requirement, a decent airbrush will open doors in your hobby world you can't imagine. In my 50+ years of using airbrushes, my interest in model building has remained always at a very high level. The finish work you can turn out will amaze you, once you develope some experience and proficiency.

For me, it started out with some frustration, due to lack of ability and inferior equipment. I thought, "I'll never understand this or get it right." But in time the light started to turn on, in the cleaning process I began to understand how the components worked together, and I finally had some confidence that I could use it OK.

The I began acquiring higher performance equipment, seeing how much better my work could be really set the hook. My equipment over time ranged from low cost mediocre stuff, to higher end quite expensive items. Now I use almost exclusively Badger airbrushes, a few Paasches and one Iwata.

Probably 85-90% of my airbrushing is with a Badger 200, or 100G. Both were way under $100, closer to $60 on sale at Chicago Airbrush. Simple, durable, easy to clean and adjust, for me they're the ultimate in everyday airbrushing.

For a compressor there are endless choices, right now Harbor Freight is running a sale on two with tanks, right around $50.00, I think with pressure gages. Get a pressure regulator, very inexpensive, and you're in business.

I cannot recommend highly enough that you have a detailed look at "Don's Airbrush" website, all kinds of information on airbrushes, types, brands, etc. Also maintenance, cleaning, adjustments, compressors and all that comes with that hobby equipment. I had been doing it for many years, then learned a great deal more by cruising through his site. Well worth the time. 

Karl and Plastic Junkie were right on point I think, great advice and recommendations.

I hope you'll have good luck in sorting out your choice, if you do give airbrushing a try.

Patrick 

Once you try an AB you will never go back. The control and quality of a paint job will surprise you and make you wonder what took you so long. You will be amazed at all the things an ab can do.

Beware of the Harbor Freight ABs which are very affordable but will not last. The seals will melt when LT is used to clean it, just a heads up.

I recommend a Badger 150 as a starting point. I bought mine over 30 years ago and it still works like the first day and you can get one on line sometimes for under$60.

 http://www.badgerairbrush.com/Badger_150.asp

 

Yes. I noticed right away how smooth the paint job was after my first time. Brushes tend to leave brushmarks. I have 3 badger 200's. They are fairly inexpensive. Michael's offers 50% off coupons. Check Craigslist and eBay as well. 

Many AFV camo schemes are hard edged and not feathered edged. Those can be done with a good old fashioned paint brush. Or a rattle can and masking. So no, an airbrush is not a requirement. It is a nice tool to learn and experiment with. If you live near a Hobby Lobby, go check them out. With their 40% off coupon you can knock down the price of any airbrush that they stock into a far more affordable price range.

Yes, and a Badger can be had for $ 50- $ 60 if you look around.

The big benefit is being able to mix the colors to the way you want them. I cruatsed along for years thinking that if the rattle can said Olive Drab, then heck it must be right. You end up with a shelf full of...all the same thing.

If you use acrylics and are fortunate to have a well ventilated area like the backyard, you can get away without a booth too.

.

I agree with Karl. I haven't done nearly enough practice with my airbrush as I'd like to, but it makes a huge difference in the quality of my models. At the end of the day though, you are really the only one that can answer this question. It depends on what the standards for your builds are and what the hobby means to you.

While money plays a factor (I don't know your situation or model buying habits), simply holding off on a couple impulse model kit buys will contribute more money towards an AB and air supply than you would think. The only thing I'll add in terms of where to look is I bought my current airbrush at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon, they also have compressors. I believe Michael's Arts and Crafts also has airbrushes--at least they did when I worked there 6 years ago--and they also have 40% off coupons.

Honestly?

Yes.

If you really want to step up a level or five to really skilled finishing, you really should get an airbrush. Rattle cans only come in enamels for armor, and they just dont have the finesse to paint proper camo schemes and do cool things like preshading and post-fading. There are just so many things you can do with an airbrush that honestly, even an experienced modeler like me would have a very hard time duplicating without an airbrush. It's really worth the investment, seriously.

And I would seriously recommend AGAINST going with the cheapest one you can find. There IS a difference in airbrush quality, and a crappy one is just going to frustrate you. Get on the Badger website and see if they have any refurbished ones. or try Chicago AIrbrush SUpply. They deal in bulk, so you can get some good prices there.

When I had to send my fancy Badger airbrush in for service, I went to Harbor Freight and bought a generic overseas-made airbrush for $12. Came in a combo kit with a couple of different sized jars, even. That airbrush surprised me in a big way with the things I was able to do with it. I think this is where experience and some skill come in, however, as I'd used an airbrush for a while, so I knew the ins and outs. But.....twelve bucks! 

My air supply is a portable air tank plumbed with a regulator and a gauge. I got this at an auto parts supply store (NAPA). Think it ran $50 or so. With that cheapy airbrush, my entire airbrushing rig could have been bought for under $70, I reckon. You're not gonna get anywhere near that price range with the purpose built compressors or the fancy Badger, Iwata, Paasche, etc.

 

Just my .02. Hope it helps.

 

Chris

I'm looking at using my Model Color paints through the airbrush. I know they have to be properly thinned out. 

I was thinking of getting an Iwata and a Paasche compressor: 

Paasche: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CJPWYM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1MAA8L6NWG0YB&coliid=I16YYVXWDHHQSO

Iwata: 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQS3UW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1MAA8L6NWG0YB&coliid=I1CD81YSVZU0O9

With the fittings, what do I need? An Iwata hose (will it hook directly to the Paasche compressor) or do I just need a Paasche hose and an Iwata adapter for the brush end? 

My only worry is that I'll get paint eeeeevvverrrywhere in my living room (unfortunately, we live in an apartment, so my options are limited). Also, I've got horrible, debilitating asthma/COPD. 

I know about using a spray booth, and I'm not sure an exhaust system would be feasible in my situation. And obviously, I'll wear a respirator. 

But that's my question, do you think it's worth all of that for building 1/35 models? Or should I just stay with using a rattle-can outside? 

I know that's a long post, but considering the cost, that's why I want to make the most informed decision that I can. 

Thank you!

Hello!

It's a bit like asking if a radio/TV/hi-fi set is a necessity in an apartment. Well you surely can live without them, but most people have 'em. Same with an airbrush - you can live without one and even build nice models. But it sure helps to have one (or more...). An airbrush doesn't have to be expensive. If you look for sales at hardware stores or nail care supply stores you can probably find one under 25$ - or look around at Chinese websites. As for the compressor - I always advocate building your own out of a refrigerator compressor. Nowadays when someone tosses a fridge it usually has a perfectly good compressor in it that just needs some plumbing and can power an airbrush. I personally use one that I got more than 20 years ago. I've improved it twice since, by adding some hardware (pressure switch, regulator) and it still works for me. Fridge compressors are very quiet (about as loud as a fridge), compact and reliable.

Thanks for reading, good luck with your projects and have a nice day

Paweł

It's tough to say: what can you afford and how much do you want to go deeper/remain in the hobby? I remember getting my first serious AB when I was about 18. A decent AB will run you $70-$120. But you also need a reliable air source. That's either a compressor $100 or a CO2 tank (maybe free from friend w/restaurant?) with regulator ($40?). If you keep your eyes open, you can grab some of this off Craig's list. There are cheaper knock off airbrushes from China on ebay or other online sources. See if the local art supply store has any demos going on. Join your girlfriend or wife the next time she goes and gets her nails done. See what the nail techs do with airbrushes. Go see if your local IPMS has any demos. I've heard where guys will bring in their rigs and allow members/visitors who don't own one to try them out. The last one I bought (about 8 yrs ago) was an Iwata HPC -- very versatile and easy to clean up and switch up to other colors. I have a compressor and also a regulator & an empty CO2 tank which I've not refilled b/c I use the compressor mostly now.