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Painting and airbrushing

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  • Member since
    September 2008
Painting and airbrushing
Posted by sonny on Sunday, February 1, 2009 3:28 PM

 Need some major advice folks. 

I'm going to venture into the mystical world of airbrush painting on my A-10 Thunderbolt kit and have some questions.

I own a 1HP Sears air compressor with a 22 gal. tank,and a two stage regulator on it.Figure to buy a 5 gallon storage tank from Harbor Freight,set supply pressure from the compressor at 40 or 50PSI to the storage tank with a water trap in between and put a two stage regulator and water trap between the tank and the air brush.I'll be using a Paasche single action airbrush and (probably,Tamiya acrylic paints.Am I on the right track? Overkill with all the regulators and traps? Crappy idea all around or......????

Appreciate your input.

 Sonny

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Steilacoom, Washington
Posted by Killjoy on Sunday, February 1, 2009 10:30 PM

Sonny,

First of all, welcome aboard!  Now, abandon all hope ye who enter!

Seriously, you will get many different pieces of advice on which airbrush to use, what kind of compressor, moisture trap, etc.  All are good advice from the perspective of the owner of a particular piece of equipment.

I think the second storage tank is a bit overkill for airbrushing.  I use a campbell hausefeld compressor with a 2 gallon tank.  I have a simple oil/water separator from harbor freight right when the air leaves the compressor's regulator.  This I generally leave wide open.  Then I have a second moisture trap with regulator attached to my painting desk, and using a quick disconnect, plug my airbrush into this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43242

As for your airbrush, that's personal preference.  I did not like paasche, and switched to badger. I have a friend who swears by aztec, and though I think they are crap, he continues to get great (often better than mine!) results from it!  I have both single and double action brushes, and use both for different applications.  Although if you only plan to get one, I'd take the time to get a good double action model, and really learn how to use it.

Tamiya acrylics are great!  Thin easily with alcahol or their own thinner, and clean up easily as well.

Onle last thing, even with 'non-toxic' acrylic paints, good ventilation is a must!  If you don't have a spray booth, work in a well ventilated room with a fan, and wear a respirator mask (also available for a reasonable price at harbor freight)!

Good luck, and ask as many questions as you can think of!  I have learned more on this forum than I could ever put to use!

Chris

A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

  • Member since
    September 2008
Posted by sonny on Monday, February 2, 2009 1:07 PM

Chris,

Thanks for the great information.I'll order the regulator from Harbor Freight today. Still ruminating on the brushes. Living inRoswell NM restricts my accesss to variety since the aliens from  the planet Gondor haven't allowed hobby shops down here since they landed in 1947.

Thanks again for the advice.

Sonny

P.S. Wrote the same check you did a lot of years ago.

 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Steilacoom, Washington
Posted by Killjoy on Monday, February 2, 2009 2:39 PM

Sonny,

Try coast airbrush or dixie art.  I have personally ordered from coast on a few occasions.  Great customer service, very quick shipping. 

http://www.coastairbrush.com/categories.asp?cat=10

They cary paasche and badger among others.  Are you thinking of a gravity feed or a siphon feed?  Both have advantages, but for MOST jobs, I prefer a gravity feed.

As for that check, yeah, it was a while ago.  US Army, Infantry 1989-1996.

Chris

A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

  • Member since
    September 2008
Posted by sonny on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 1:50 PM

Chris,

Thanks again.

First Cav. ,I Corps, 8th Army,1 st Missile Cmd.

'52 - '58

Thanks for your service

 Sonny

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Land of Lakes
Posted by cbaltrin on Thursday, February 5, 2009 4:17 PM
I guess I am missing something. why are you buying a storage tank if you already own a compressor with a storage tank? Not sure what you are attempting to do.

On the Bench: Too Much

  • Member since
    September 2008
Posted by sonny on Friday, February 6, 2009 10:51 AM

I guess it was overengineering.

I'm just going with my big compressor full open(120 psi) an inline regulator downstream and a moisture trap in front of the airbrush.

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