For those who think Azteks are no good

Interesting question (or hypothesis as the case may be) I wonder if after a few more months practice with my 155, if I tried an Aztec would it work ok? The Aztek was my first double action..

Honestly though it was the cleaning, or lack of knowledge of thorough cleaning I see here, that got in my way... I soaked the heads, wiped them out etc... but it still came down to spatter... maybe a better question would be, knowing what I know now about the Aztek, not only the bad things, but how to clean it etc... would it perform better. I have seen all the magnificent pics etc... so I know it can be done...

I have been through two Aztec airbrushes. They did produce good results, and I assume most airbrushes would. However, they both clogged up, and they both become inoperable. Now, it might be argued that the fault was mine, for not cleaning them properly, or, for using acrylics. Saying that, I did follow the instructions, and used loads of Badger airbrush cleaner.

In the end I bought an Iwata, which retails for more than 4x as much. I've never had any problems, and I know it can be stripped down if gets clogged, unlike the Aztec. Maybe I could have stuck with the Aztec range, but at the end of the day, you use what you feel comfortable with. Personally, I love the ease of cleaning of the Iwata (and the nice feel, but that's a different issue), and so, I will remain with it, even though I know with more better cleaning ability, I could have used the Aztec.

QUOTE: Here's a master detailer who exlusively uses an Aztek: http://hsgalleries.com/fw190d932cw_1.htm http://hsgalleries.com/fw190d9black1cw_1.htm http://hsgalleries.com/bf109g6black14cw_1.htm

Hmm, interesting. This exactly is my point. I don't quite understand people claiming aztecs to be crap and unusable. Perhaps they really are not the best out there, but that should not be the point of this debate. Clearly, there are amateurs and pros alike who find Aztec to be perfectly suited to our modelling needs.
As for you troubled acrylics guys, I guess I've been either lucky or have been doing something right. The paint does tend to clog up, but again, clean the tip after each use, and it should work with acrylics just fine. I've shot Tamiya, Gunze, and MM Acryl with no problems.

Tho,
the brush is working great, I just need to get the muscle memory and the feel for the brush. I seem to either not be getting enough paint, air or both, and then when I make a small adjustment in the button it opens wide open. Not a good thing when you are an inch away trying to do a fine line. Like I said, I just need some more experience with it I think.

No NO Mike, I can't let you say that. It was not a teddybear in the vase, it was a dog.
As for Azteks, I had one of the first releases, and a 470 and a Contempo. I think that they were very good airbrushes while they were scarce and expensive (they were retouching airbrushes at first, I heard that Aztek was a division of Kodak) and the quality became cheap when it became hugely mass produced for us bunch of never-happy-with-nothing-modelers. The problem may be not so much in the design than in construction quality. And maybe I'm alone of my kind, but I still think that every Paasche airbrush I touched was a piece of crap, though there are lots of guys who seem to appreciate them. What I mean is: why are Azteks alone the subject of so many topics to say that they are so bad ?
P.S. Notwithstanding my former declaration on Paasches, I just bought one on ebay to test it, maybe I'll change my mind

QUOTE: Originally posted by Torio No NO Mike, I can't let you say that. It was not a teddybear in the vase, it was a dog.

You are correct my friend. Thanks for clearing that up.
I found the picture here and it is by Paul Corfield:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Nov-2003/26325-Toy_Dog_In_A_Vase.jpg

Mike

Ok chaps, i'm the artist who ONLY uses AZTEKS.

I've used AZTEKS since '88-89, & started off with the original 3000s dual action brush. I've got to say thanks to Mike for getting me into the forum. No, I don't know him, yet!

I did a Victor Kiam last year, & took over the UK distribution of AZTEKS to the art & design market, with a company called Gluelines Ltd. Such is my devotion to the make.

You wanna know more?
Catch my next post.

Cheers, Phil

Yo Ho Ho!

There are a few issues to sort here. 1st, the females that I paint come from my imagination, unlike alot of artists who use models, take photo's, then trace, mask or project to get a finished "portrait". My girls aren't meant to be "real".

2nd , my animals are peoples pets, so have to be "real", so thanks to all the compliments.

3rd, I work TOTALLY freehand. I dont pre-draw, mask, trace or project. What airbrushing you see on my site, is totally AZTEK, from start to finish.

4th, 90% of my work is done using FW acrylic inks, on Motorcycles, Cars/Vans, Helmets, (COVERED IN 2PACK) Leather Jackets, Canvas, Paper, etc. ACRYLICS RULE. Especially with the AZTEK. The other 10% is Testors enamel.

TIPS!!!!! Use a mix ratio that takes the medium to that of milk. Set your comp at 30-40psi, & use the trigger to modify airflow. DO NOT USE YOUR FINGER TIP, but cradle the trigger under the 1st knuckle, with the finger tip resting on the body. PERFECTION!.

Cleaning. Soak the needle in the relevent solvent overnite. NEVER shoot over the horizontal. This will allow paint to feedback into the mainbody & kill it.

Happy AZTE-KING,

Phil Bestford. AZTEK UK Agent.

So much to say, so little time.

I have a forum on my site www.philbestford.co.uk under the 'discuss' heading, so feel free to add your opinions on the AZTEK. We love to hear pro's & cons, & have a lot of experienced 'brushes on site.

But to level the playing field, bear this in mind when you look at my work. I was diagnosed with a large Meningioma brain tumour when I was 24, three years after buying my AZTEK 3000s. I've had 4 operations over 14 years to try & tame it. The last, EXACTLY 1 year ago today, lasted 23 hours, & I needed 24 pints of blood to survive. My surgeons removed tumour the size of 2 tennis balls stuck together, & I lost an eye during the operation. For 10 of those 14 years, I have demonstrated the AZTEK to thousands of people, & continue to do so. I still have 3 pieces of tumour in my skull, growing as I type, so If I can master an AZTEK, then so can YOU.

I don't care what 'brush you use, as long as you paint for love.

God bless ALL airbrush artists, because we are very much the under-dogs in the art world, despite using the hardest of tools.

Love & best wishes to all, even the knockers.

Phil.

thats pretty heavy, Phil. Sorry to hear about the health problems.

One last thing before I start painting a Husky onto an 8oz stainless steel hip-flask.

I got into airbrushing by default. I used to paint leathers so well with a paintbrush, that so many people used to go "WOW!, Did you use an airbrush?". I figured that if people thought I used one, I'd give it a go.

I went out to buy a Paasche Turbo, but sa a guy demonstrating the original AZTEK 3000s & thought it looked fun. I bought the shop demo model. No instructions, video etc. (Unlike todays buyers), & started to play. It took 6 eeks of frustration, spitting, spiders, etc, before I tamed the beast. That was 16 years ago, & I still use AZTEK.

Got to go, so catch ya all in a coupla weeks.

Phil.

QUOTE: Originally posted by bestford I don't care what 'brush you use, as long as you paint for love. God bless ALL airbrush artists, because we are very much the under-dogs in the art world, despite using the hardest of tools. Phil.

Chapeau bas, Monsieur
(and I mean it)