Airbrush Beginner

Interesting dilemma. You can start with a single action, they are cheap, but if you enjoy airbrushing and the level it takes your modeling too, you will quickly find yourself looking for a dual action, internal mix. I say, if your going to do it, and your reasonably serious that you will continue airbrushing, then go for a good quality AB right off the bat.

If you are going for high end then choose
- Gravity Fed / Internal Mix
- Dual Action

I have an Aztek and a Badger 150LG. I like them both. (Most folks here hate Azteks, but I don’t have any problems with mine. You just need to know how to adjust yourself to them, as they are little unorthodox. I think that’s why folks dislike them.) It's less about the AB and more about the artist…

The Me-109 and Raiden where done with an Aztek (See my webpage for pics)

So, some good brands to look at are (in no particular order)
- Badger (Thayer & Chandler)
- Aztek
- Omni
- Paasche

The same goes for a compressor. You can go for el cheapo, but consider the cost/quality and lifespan of the machine.

Do a search on the brands I mentioned in the “advanced” search page and remember to start the search back a ways, in terms of the date.

Read and take it all in. Then make your choice.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the info. I'll definately do that search. I've already seen alot of posts on the Badger

I have a dual action Aztec and I love it because it does exactly what I want an airbrush to do.

I had a problem with it only once and the representative replaced it right away with no hassles and gave me a higher level of kit as the basic one wasn't readily available.

Anyway, once you have gotten used to using one, you will wonder how you managed without one! I still use brushes but the airbrush is great!

A lot of places suggest you test your paint mix on a piece of cardboard but I don't recommend that. You are painting plastic not cardboard so why not a scrap model or a sheet of plastic? The cardboard can and does absorb liquids and your paint mix may be too thin and you'll find that out on your model. Not the best place to discover that.

I mix paint more or less 60% paint, 40% thinner. If it's too thick/thin you can add paint/thinner accordingly.

For acrylic paints I use windshield washer solvent. It has water, alcohol and soap already premixed and it's dirt cheap to boot! I like the blue tinted stuff as it seems to make whites seem whiter for some reason.

Anyway, there are lots of airbrushes out there and loads of opinions. Check out the brushes and choose one that suits your skill etc the best. Expensive does not necessarily mean the best.

As for power, get a compressor and a regulator/air trap. The compressor will pay for itself very quickly and the flow of air can be regulated unlike the cans of air. The compressor will provide a constant source unlike the cans which will slow down as they cool or provide a stronger than required flow. 10 cans or so will cost you what a compressor probably will.

You'll get a much better model with a compressor as opposed to a can of air.

I recently bought an Iwata Revolution CR (gravity feed, internal mix, dual action). It is the same one that you often see advertised in FSM along with the photo of the tank model by Andrew Dextras. An absolutely fantastic piece of equipment. It comes at a reasonable price, yet provides great atomization and excellent control for fine work. It is also very sturdy and easy to clean. Highly recommended.

Jim