to brush or spray

The short answer is YES!

Meaning use both.

There are merits and issues with both options.

Brush painting is relatively inexpensive. Buy a good brush, paints and thinners and you're ready to go. However, brush strokes and loose hairs can be a problem (that's why you buy GOOD brushes!). But brushes fit into space rattle cans and airbrushes just can't go.

Rattle cans cost more over the long haul, but can lay down a nice, even coat when used properly. When used improperly, you end up with runs, orange peel finishes and worst of all they are smelly and toxic.

I have a spraybooth and airbrushes, and there are times when I will use paint brushes or rattle cans, but I never use a rattle can in the winter (too cold!) and I never use it indoors (ancient law, if it smell, wife will yell!).

Aerosols I would say, if you can get them in the appropriate colors. If you haven't used them often I would advise getting some practice in.

Most important thing with aero paint's are;

Shake / mix well (dunking in hot water for a few minutes helps as it thins the paint slightly & helps mixing),

Start you spray stroke off the subject, then move onto it (saves drips / spatter ruining your subject),

Spray with the can in as vertical a position as possible,

Light coats over light coats, don't be tempted to try & "go heavy" to save time.

Thanks for the advice guys.

winnsboy

I don't have the advantage of being able to setup a spraybooth and buy an air brush.  That being said, would I be better off brush painting my models bodies or using canned spray paint?  I typically build 1/48 aircraft.  Thanks.  Doug.

An airbrush produces so much less overspray that there is little comparison with spray cans. I have a booth that I use for cans. I generally do not use it for airbrush.  There is so little spray I use the airbrush right next to my modeling bench.  I only paint small parts with a brush. It is very hard to get brushmark free finish with flats, extremely hard to do with gloss paints.  Okay, so the cost of an airbrush and compressor will set you back the cost of a few kits. It is the tool to use, however.