Senior Community Manager
So, after doing the Trials HD controller, I've decided that I enjoy using paint that is shot out with propellant to paint. As such, I have been looking into Airbrushes.
There are a couple small problems that I am facing.
1. I don't know anything about airbrushes. I did some research and I think I want a dual action gravity fed one. Is this, in your opinions, the right one for me to use? I have used a ton of automotive spray guns and like the gravity fed better than suction cups.
2. I haven't used one, so I don't know what decent (inexpensive) ones are worth it. I don't need some gold plated, computer controlled, infrared assist, blah blah blah, airbrush. I'm looking at something at/under $150. Hopefully something I could get from Amazonhas coupons!!) I know that $150 isn't a lot. I already have pressure regulators and moisture traps for a rather large air compressor, which brings me to...
3. I can't see the point in spending extra for a brush+compressor kit. Is there any reason, other than size/portability of getting a dedicated airbrush compressor? Seriously, I already have a compressor on a 100 gallon tank. I have all the hoses to fit a standard air connector with inline regulators and moisture traps. Shouldn't this work for what is, I think, just a more accurate and smaller version of a paint gun?
4. What kind of paints should I be using for plastics that will allow for extended handling without peeling? I know that a lot of that has to do with the primer, clear-coat, and not jacking up between coats, but I've mostly painted metal. Plastic and metal have different characteristics that would seem to bond to different kinds of paint.
I guess that's it. I know I could/should have posted on an airbrushing website, but I don't know any and I do know this community.
Any help is appreciated. *eyeballs Jook13*
Any help at all.
Senior Member
1. I have used a gravity fed and a bottom fed (suction) airbrushes. The gravity fed seemed to have a little more control for some reason, a more steady feed of paint. The one thing I love about the suction models is you can have a bunch of different colors mixed up in different bottles, and just switch between them. The gravity fed ones require you to dump out your paint and clean it between color switching. It seems like you do a lot of stenciling, which means minimal color changing so I reccomend a gravity fed one. If you ever plan to do more illustrative things (pictures with lots of shading and color changes and whatknot) a bottom or side fed is really nice to have.
2. You can get a really nice airbrush for that price. My buddy has this one and I have used it a few times. I absolutely love the thing. It has so much more control than this one, which is what I got. . Next one I get will be an Iwata, I promise that.
3. Your compressor is fine. Smaller ones are just nice if you are indoors, very quiet and mobile. With your 100 gallon one, a full tank will last hours before needing to turn it back on again.
4. I dont have much experience with airbrushing plastics. I did a little googling and it seems that your primer is the most important, along with prepping the surface (sanding with 600-800 grit then cleaning with rubbing alcohol). Most places I saw just said to use an aresol plastic primer, no real brand named. I know for my PVC cannons, I just use krylon fusion with no primer. I would do the same prep work (sanding then alcolol). I havnt had any problems with wear or chipping. Its important to read the paint directions. The fusion isnt fully cured till like a week later.
Hope that helps!
Senior Member
I did the airbrushing on my car's hood. I went with the gravity fed type, but obviously what you're looking at is probably going to be much smaller. The one I used held about half a gallon. But the suction feed ones doesn't really have the same type of control as the gravity ones do.
As long as you can manipulate whatever you're painting on to be a good angle to work at, I'd stay with the gravity fed one. I've used both and wouldn't use a suction fed one unless I had to paint at a really weird angle and even then I'd try to use the gravity gun.
As far as paints, if you want it to last, you might want to look at a U-Tech paint, primarily for cars but obviously, car paint is pretty durable and would probably last real long on something that doesn't have to endure the elements. If you're adding a clear over the color, I'd still suggest U-Tech, their paint is pretty cheap as well.
Hope that helps.
Senior Community Manager
My lady got me this nifty set for $140 at a hobby shop.
Not exactly what I was looking for, but I figure it won't hurt to try to learn on. Who knows, maybe I'll like this better than gravity-feed. Except for cleaning. That will suck.
They gave me a couple of different kinds of paint, which is kinda weird.
One is ComArt and the other is Createx. The ComArt is made by Medea, who makes the Eclipse airbrush I got.
I went with Iwata cause jook13 said to. So... If this sucks I blame you.
Senior Member
You will be happy with it, I am never wrong about anything ever.I went with Iwata cause jook13 said to. So... If this sucks I blame you.
