anyone out there still paint with a brush??

I think there are a few.  I believe the Jim Baumann whose work may be found in the galleries on www.steelnavy.com paints his ships with a brush.  Quite stunning work as well.

Andy

Rich, should you ever decide to get an airbrush you won't need to buy new paints.  The old paints will go through it fine.  So don't let that expense stop ya!    I do know a few on here who brush paint and their work rivals an airbrush!

Rich, see if you can get a decent priced airbrush off eBay with a compressor. With some luck, you should be able to get a decent setup for about £100. I managed to snag both an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS and an Iwata Studio Jet for a total of £143.

I was in your shoes just a few months ago and I bought a cheap airbrush (the mighty mini from testor) and even with a cheap airbrush like that, I get better results than with a regular brush.  I will never come back from the dark side and will probably buy a better one in the future.  My airbrush cost me around $50 and it does the job. 

BTW, if you feel comfortable with a brush, just do it.

I just bought the mighty mini also.  I had some other old testor airbrush that i used to connect to the cans, but i figured this would save me money in the long run (my gf probably has some other suggestions for saving money).  I haven't actually used the mighty yet but i probably will this weekend.  what i did for my last airbrush when i got it was to go to the dollar store and buy some cheap plastice toy plane, take it home and experiment on that.  that way you get the feel for panel lines, curves, and ratio's on something closer to what you'll be using.  One day I'll splurge for a nice brush (probably after engagement, marriage, kids, divorce, remarriage and retirement).

I still paint with a brush... Just tried out Vallejo acrylics and they seem very good. Thinned well with water, and the paint did not dry up in the cup too fast. I'm building a 1:48 F-15J and will post some pics when I'm done...

I brush paint. I'm saving up for an airbrush, though. I think an airbrush will certainly make painting the exterior easier- I am pretty ham fisted when it comes to that.

I keep wanting to just pick up this Aztek double action, internal mix Walmart has for $40, but my wife is really, really insistent that I don't. So I'm *hoping* that means there is a nice airbrush coming along for Father's Day. :-)

Is that too presumptive?

I guess if it works out- and I keep saving up- I'll have a nice new airbrush AND money for kits. Sweet!

If not, well, I'll just buy the airbrush and enjoy the tie I'll get for Father's Day. ;-)

thanks for all the advice guys. I guess an airbrush is on the cards. Just bought a new car so I think I'll have to be patient on this one until funds build up again. I'm planning on selling some of my old action man/ GI Joe stuff on Ebay soon so maybe it can come from this. I'll keep you posted

Thanks again,    Rich

Jon - My first AB back into this was the same one you referred to.  It does an "adequate" job, but for only about $75 more, you can get a good airbrush like the Omni 4000 or Iwata HP-CR (I own the HP-CR and love it) ***AND*** a compressor from Lowes and be doing circles around that Testors brush... As long as no one in the house minds a bit of noise from the compressor now and then (my wife swears she doesn't notice it much as it is in a back bedroom) or you can get a 50 foot air hose or somewhat, you will be set!!! 

the biggest problem I had with the Testors AB was paint clogging... and from repeated disassembly of the nozzles to clear said clogs, having to buy new nozzles at H/L...  at $8 or so apiece, it got to the point after a year; buying an all metal AB made sense...

Take that 40% off coupon to H/L this weekend and get the HP-CR for $60 and be happy!  even if you have to wait a bit to get a compressor you'll have a good brush.  Or you can wait and get either it, or the Omni 4000 online at www.dixieart.com for about $69.00 with free shipping...

albert_sy2 wrote:

I still paint with a brush... Just tried out Vallejo acrylics and they seem very good. Thinned well with water, and the paint did not dry up in the cup too fast. I'm building a 1:48 F-15J and will post some pics when I'm done...

Albert - I have switched to almost 100% Vallejo, or Vallejo branded by a different name (Aircraft Colors by "Color of Eagles").. and eventually I think I will be 100%...  I love the paint and it is the closest thing acrylic I have come to enamel... dries nice and flat, good bond to the plastic... you can't beat it!  Plus the range of colors is impressive.   Good luck to you, I think they will serve you well!

Yes I do. I still haven't got around to buying an airbrush. I will be getting one soon I hope. 

For me model building is only a hobby. I find using a brush very relaxing and quite fun.