Using an Airbrush 1st time tonight....

I would echo everything commented upon above - buy a compressor at the earliest opportunity. Compressed cans never allow the finese work that the precision airbrush will - that is after all why you bought it right! I used cans for many years before seeing the light (I am obviously a slow learner) and my airbrush a Badger 200 with siphon feed and the bottle was never enjoyable to use. The cans also tend to make you compromise with cleaning (spraying cleaner through the brush) as you are spending money without putting paint on the model. You can never afford to compromise with the cleaning! I now have a cheap and noisy compressor and a 1/4 Oz sidecup and I can never wait for the next session - great fun! Without the ability to get close to the work which generally requires a lower pressure the ability of the brush to paint fine lines and small detail is compromised. The only thing more important than the compressor and water trap is a suitable mask - put your health first you get to build more models the longer you live!

I would also suggest that between colour changes that you flush a little cleaner through your airbrush this gets rid of most of the previous colour and you can then load up your next colour.

I highly recommed you to make an extra effort and purchase a compresor, it pays back. I was affraid to purchase and use for the first time my badger 150 airbrush with a silent compresor and accesories because it is not a cheap investment, but I was not dissapointed. You can see my first airbrushed model at the following link:

http://www.geocities.com/jcarloslm/StaticModels_Gallery.html

Best Regards

Juan Carlos (Mexico City)

Geoff,

How'd the first session go?

LOL!

Nice work Geoff!

nice choice on your airbrush friend!! i LOVE my eclipse HP-CS. if i'm not mistaken, when my eclipse arrived in the mail, the instructions advised to shoot a solvent through the airbrush before using it, so yes, you can shoot solvent through it. second, when switching colors in the same paint session, i say yes, shoot a cup or so of the appropriate thinner through between colors. i'd also advise purchasing an aircompressor ASAP. canned air is cool in a squeeze, but the airbrush can only perform as well as its counter parts, ie you and the air source. good luck, and happy airbrushing. you have a fine instrument in your hands that is capable of bringing wonderful results if you practice and be patient, but if not, the same wonderful tool can bring much frustration and pain, so PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. later.

Congrats Tankergeoff,
I saw your post over in armor forum. Lots of people who know lots of stuff in here.

OT but on the compressor: If you don't have noise restrictions,
a $60 two gallon campbell hausefeld is a good way to go.
A cheap $5 moisture trap is a must.

OT again: 3M (or other orgainic rated) ventilator mask is a must.
I went for a few sessions without one and got terrible headaches.
We joke alot about the "fumes" in modeling but
an airbrush is the ultimate aerosolizer. Acrylics will kill your lungs and enamels
will kill your brain cells (Sorry, I'm off the preacher soapbox now )

I pulled that photo of of www.coolminiornot.com.

If you guys want a good laugh, browse the gallery and look for the bottom 10 rankings. I had tears in my eyes reading the comments.

I'm sure the real results will be great.

Geoff, here's a thread on cleaning an airbrush when painitng with acrylics, same thing goes for enamels just use mineral spirits or something of the like as a thinner instead of water though...

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34838

ok I just found another one in a little more detail... good luck!!

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=34529&REPLY_ID=346791#346791

i reckon hatewall is pulling your leg, geoff

i appreciate the compliment hatewall, but i haven't airbrushed yet..... everything i've done has been rattlecan and handpainted....

I got a sneak peek at tankergeoff's first fully airbrushed model. Awsome doesn't even begin describe it. The picture speaks for itself.