Gravity fed airbrush question - good for new user?

Start off with the double-action and don't look back.

They are not hard to use. All you have to learn to control is how far back you pull the trigger for paint flow. The pressing down part is easy as you don't try and control the airflow there, that is what the regulator is for on the compressor. 

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

A gravity fed double or even single action are much easier IMO to use overall. A single action is a great transition for someone who is used to using rattle cans. But if you are really ready to improve both your paint quality and skills, go double action.

I couldn't agree more.  Single actions are great to learn with, simple to operate, and won't frustrate you to death.  I find them to be relatively trouble free compared to double actions.  I hope one day to get a metal gravity feed double action to replace my Aztek 470 (I don't care for the trigger action with the wrist pain I have) but for now the Badger 200's work pretty darn good.

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

When I first started using an airbrush it was a single action siphon fed one. It gave me great frustration because as a novice I wasn't yet keen on cleaning and maintaining my brush. I spent longer cleaning and reassembling than I did sloppily applying paint.

100% agree. I started with and kept a Paasche H external mix, siphon fed airbrush for many years. I took the AB out only as a last resort until I switch to an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS.

A gravity fed double or even single action are much easier IMO to use overall. A single action is a great transition for someone who is used to using rattle cans. But if you are really ready to improve both your paint quality and skills, go double action.

When I learnt to thin the paint sufficiently to not letting the paint to dry on the needle and the art of backflush, using the AB is no longer a drag. I still clean the needle out of the AB at the end of each day's session to be safe. It works for me as Gerald described.

Get as much airbrush and compressor as your budget can afford.

Can't agree more. There are plenty of advices on the choices in this forum. 

When I first started using an airbrush it was a single action siphon fed one. It gave me great frustration because as a novice I wasn't yet keen on cleaning and maintaining my brush. I spent longer cleaning and reassembling than I did sloppily applying paint.

A gravity fed double or even single action are much easier IMO to use overall. A single action is a great transition for someone who is used to using rattle cans. But if you are really ready to improve both your paint quality and skills, go double action.

Get as much airbrush and compressor as your budget can afford.

MikeV wrote:

Phil_H wrote: As to a double-action brush being more difficult to use, if you can use the sticks on a Playstation controller, you can use a double action brush.   Now there is a good comparison I have yet to see. Well said Phil!

I also agree - Double actions are not hard to use at all, & I would say the downfall of buying a single is that it is quite possible that after a short time you may want the superior action of double & then have to fork out again for another airbrush.

Gravity brushes are far easier to clean & you dont waste as much paint, or have as much mess during clean up (less paint to clean).

With regards to capacity, when I got my brush it came with a 2ml cup as standard & I also ordered a 5ml cup & a syphon fed "conversion" for it. I have never required to use the 2ml cup or the syphon kit - the 5ml works fine every time. On occasion, usually with clear coat I may have to fill the cup 2>3 times to finish a large 1/72 aircraft model, but it is no real problem. Even if I am using Flat Base to tone down the gloss in the clear coat, I simply mix the required amount in another container & re-fill the colour cup as required.

Phil_H wrote:

As to a double-action brush being more difficult to use, if you can use the sticks on a Playstation controller, you can use a double action brush.

Now there is a good comparison I have yet to see. Well said Phil!

Compared with a siphon feed airbrush, a gravity feed is much more convenient. Easier to clean and much more economical on paint. You can put as little as 2 or 3 drops of paint in it and use it, whereas you'd probably lose more than that in cleaning a siphon feed unit. The only real downside is the lower paint capacity of a typical GF brush

As to a double-action brush being more difficult to use, if you can use the sticks on a Playstation controller, you can use a double action brush.

I have a Badger 200G which is gravity fed and single action.  Very easy airbrush to use and clean, only shortcoming is that it doesn't hold very much paint, however the 200G is a very efficient user of paint. It's great for doing most jobs such as cockpit interiors, wheels, touch-up's etc.

I also have a Badger 200NH which is a bottom feed model, I use it mainly for clear coats and applying larger amounts of paint when needed.