Air brush pressure (how much to use and when?)

Thin paint, fine tip, and lower pressure closer to the model seem to me to give the best results. With my Badger 150, I have to get the finger position, down snd back, just right to get fine lines. If there is a large area to cover with the lines, I mix up a larger amount of paint and take breaks when I get tired and sloppy.

jcarlberg is exactly right. Low air pressure is the key, but paint wont work with low air pressure unless it is thin enough. Low pressure, thin paint and patience. I will go as low as 4-7 p.s.i. for ultra fine lines 1/16" to 1/8".

so to segway on your question, how do i get the airbrush to regulate the pressure? Mine is just the good ole' blue compressor I have had for 14 years...what can I add on to do what you are saying?

If you have a good tool store, Lowes, or Home Depot, you should be able to find a pressure regulator to fit your compressor. I strongly suggest a compressor with a storage tank.
Dave

PS. I've always sucked at free handing with a double action airbrush. I've always masked. But this wont work in all cases such as some Luftwaffe camo patterns.

your best bet is to invest in a regulator (preferably with a moisture trap)

just go to your hobby shop...ask for an airbrush regulator and moisture trap and they should be able to set you up.

The moisture trap is invaluable it stops water from ending up in your paint! The regulator will have a dial where you can set your air pressure (PSI).

Modelers tend to spray between 5-35 PSI depending on preference and what you're doing.....experimentation is key...get an old piece of junk model and have a hay day! Try low...high...thin & heavy paint! Just find out what does the best for YOU!
personally I have had great success with Tamiya paints at around 15-20 PSI at a 1:1 thinning ratio...this gives the flattest and truest paint covering for me! but for others style it may not work!

again...experiment on the junk then turn on the blower and spray on your next museum piece!

good luck

James

Thanks to everyone for their great advice! I should have mentioned that I have a Craftsman compressor with both a storage tank and a regulator. I had one guy tell me once that he cranks the PSI up to 40-50! I guess I sort of got "tainted" by that and just worked between 15-45 PSI. I never thought to try the lower settings but I will try it now along with the thinner paint. I've been modeling since I was 7 years old in 1977. I really like the way my models are turning out now but it's frustrating when I work on one model that turns out to be of museum quality while the next one takes me four different tries to get a good paint job. I'm working on a Tamiya Skyray right now and I've already stripped the paint off once because I wasn't happy with my paint job. I just hope with all your advice it will help me to be more consistent. Thanks again, fellow modelers!!!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by nwilliams jcarlberg is exactly right. Low air pressure is the key, but paint wont work with low air pressure unless it is thin enough. Low pressure, thin paint and patience. I will go as low as 4-7 p.s.i.

I think it's all what works for you, I get great fine lines with the 470, tan tip @ about 25-30 psi with the paint thinned 50-50..

While we're all here... poking around the Autommotive department, and came across those AC air compressors for tires/inflatable mattresses. They put out 200psi...waaaay too much for an airbrush, but, with a proper regulator, I wonder if this'd do as a cheap alternative to expensive compressors & canister solutions.

Thoughts?

ModelMann
Read the box again, they may build up as much as 200 p.s.i. but they do not produce/expel 200 p.s.i. There is a big difference. My compressor is a Campbell-Hausfield 9 h.p., 80 gallon, 17-22 c.f.m. and it will put out 175 p.s.i. max., in a constant flow, however it could pressurize a container much higher than that.

Even with a small hand operated bicycle pump, one could put 30 p.s.i. into a tire, but you could never get a 30 p.s.i. output from one.

It sounds like clever advertising in this case.

QUOTE: Originally posted by nwilliams ModelMann Read the box again, they may build up as much as 200 p.s.i. but they do not produce/expel 200 p.s.i. There is a big difference. My compressor is a Campbell-Hausfield 9 h.p., 80 gallon, 17-22 c.f.m. and it will put out 175 p.s.i. max., in a constant flow, however it could pressurize a container much higher than that. Even with a small hand operated bicycle pump, one could put 30 p.s.i. into a tire, but you could never get a 30 p.s.i. output from one. It sounds like clever advertising in this case.

Ahhh..thanks! Guess I'll have to break down 'n buy a compressor.

NOW, on that topic :D

Anyone heard of a Devilbiss Electric Air Compressor? Specifically designed for airbrushes...some guy has it for sale on E-bay ($40 right now), and it looks like a good idea...similar to that electric thing Testors touts.