Airbrush advice

[ecsrobin]

So my model building has come to a halt. I'm at the stage where I stopped all them years ago, I get annoyed at the painting.

So the time has come to switch to an airbrush but I'm concerned about paying out for a good quality brush and compressor when I constantly get annoyed with painting.

So any recommendations on a good value for money airbrush that I can get reasonable results from to see if I want to continue painting.

I've seen what I think is a good budget compressor and brush for £100 but even then I still think that's a lot for something that I may not want to use.

I've seen in the local hobbycraft cheap revell airbrushs with a can of propellant for around £30 will that be useable? I only build tanks and cars.

Obviously if it reignites my spark for painting models then I'd happily spend decent money on good kit but ideally £50 and below I think is what I would call disposable money.

[dr_gn]

Someone really ought to write a standard reply to this question Lost count of how many times this kind of thing gets asked.

[ecsrobin]

I'm sorry, I've read lots of topics that explain what beginner airbrushes to get and so on, on many websites but felt mine was a bit different as I want to give an airbrush a go on the cheap to see wether I really want to invest.

Most people are wanting to invest and know they want an airbrush whereas I'm getting annoyed painting which is what I did 10years ago so don't want a huge outlay to see if it makes me enjoy painting my models.

[jmorgan]

Maybe a pinned how to? Search is not working and I have been donated a compressor of uncertain type. So I need to find what is fitted to make it work etc etc

[ecsrobin]

Yes and the search isn't working the only threads I came across were people asking the question but no one answering it. Plus one was for an artist to do painting with not models.

[dr_gn]

A few recent specific ones here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

To be fair a lot of the questions arise from people posting pictures of their own models and asking about airbrushes within their threads...

[Red Firecracker]

Here's something I wrote for another forum;

http://www.diecastrestoration.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtop...

Now, you have to be aware that that is how I airbrush, which is not necessarily the same as dr_gn airbrushes, or how Eric airbrushes etc etc, but it's a process that works for me with the paints that I (mainly) use. Once you get into it you'll find your own techniques and ways of doing things. It's one of those things where you're always learning.

As I said in your Tyrell thread, don't be afraid of picking up a Chinese copy and compressor bundle and seeing how you get on. You can always upgrade the brush if you feel you need to and you'll still have the hose and compressor.

Edited by Red Firecracker on Tuesday 26th March 19:53

[dr_gn]

Just to comment a bit more on your original post: if you get frustrated with painting with a spray can, then you might just hate it even more with an airbrush! They *can* be extremely tempremental and even when you've screwed up...you still have to sit down and clean the damned thing! Then again, if you get the effect you're after, it's great to remove that last bit of masking tape!

IMO if you want to enjoy it as a hobby, sounds like you need to change your attitude to modelling a bit. If it doesn't work out the way you want first or second time, accept you will simply re-do it again and again until you are satisfied. Don't compromise until you are happy with the result. The next time around it will get better, then it will get more enjoyable.

From what you've written, you are a bit of a perfectionist, and you are just frustrated becasue your results aren't perfect. Breaking news: no models end up perfect!

[lufbramatt]

If you've never had a go of an airbrush maybe get in contact with a local model club and see if someone will give you a demo? Or get in contact with Paul at Little-cars.co.uk and see what shows they're going to as they demo airbrushes and give really good advice.

[perdu]

We can all get frustrated with our airbrushes, they are not the godsend you might imagine from the start

I've seen advice from people that you should get the airbrush and airsupply (cans work but have poor air pressure maintenance issues) and some water colour inks and practise using the brush on flat paper until you feel you have control of it

Painting various lines and panel shapes will allow you to learn the skill


having said (written) that its not how I got going

You will need the paint to be very thin, consistency of milk is what is often advised

Spray a little at a time too, then you will get less runs

I "won" a cheapo Chinese airbrush on ebay for twelve quid

I am quite happy with its performance, it is better at spraying by airbrush than I am, it can spray very fine lines, 2mm is boasted

I cant spray 2mm lines yet though, 3 is my best average

[ecsrobin]

dr_gn said:

Just to comment a bit more on your original post: if you get frustrated with painting with a spray can, then you might just hate it even more with an airbrush! They *can* be extremely tempremental and even when you've screwed up...you still have to sit down and clean the damned thing! Then again, if you get the effect you're after, it's great to remove that last bit of masking tape!

IMO if you want to enjoy it as a hobby, sounds like you need to change your attitude to modelling a bit. If it doesn't work out the way you want first or second time, accept you will simply re-do it again and again until you are satisfied. Don't compromise until you are happy with the result. The next time around it will get better, then it will get more enjoyable.

From what you've written, you are a bit of a perfectionist, and you are just frustrated becasue your results aren't perfect. Breaking news: no models end up perfect!

Points taken on board and has woken me up to what I was trying to achieve, I've forgotten that its a learning exercise and instead of getting frustrated I need to find solutions.


And Thankyou everyone for your inputs. I'm going to have a look around the local shops as there's quite a few with airbrushes and compare them to the ones on eBay. I've also taken on board that its an art within itself and a new learning curve to be had, but hopefully ill find it better than my luck with rattle cans.

[ecsrobin]

Red Firecracker said:

Here's something I wrote for another forum;

http://www.diecastrestoration.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtop...

Now, you have to be aware that that is how I airbrush, which is not necessarily the same as dr_gn airbrushes, or how Eric airbrushes etc etc, but it's a process that works for me with the paints that I (mainly) use. Once you get into it you'll find your own techniques and ways of doing things. It's one of those things where you're always learning.

As I said in your Tyrell thread, don't be afraid of picking up a Chinese copy and compressor bundle and seeing how you get on. You can always upgrade the brush if you feel you need to and you'll still have the hose and compressor.

Edited by Red Firecracker on Tuesday 26th March 19:53

That's a great write up in that thread ill certainly be following that when I purchase an airbrush.

[Red Firecracker]

ecsrobin said:

That's a great write up in that thread ill certainly be following that when I purchase an airbrush.

No worries, hope it helps (I'm always wary of posting my stuff from the diecast forum here, conflict of interests).

One thing to remember on the learning curve bit. I've airbrushed hundreds, if not thousands of models in the past five years and I'm still learning. Also, I still have not mastered airbrushing primer, so still stick to good old Halfords rattle cans for that. I certainly find the pre-thinned 'airbrush ready' paints far easier (quicker) to use as well, although I have now developed the sense of when a paint is thin enough, but that is only over time (I have no idea how thin milk is!)

It's an enjoyable exercise, but as dr_gn says, you will get frustrated with it, it will seem an awful faff and it will seem to take an age to set up and clean down. It gets better when the results start to outweigh the negatives. It really does open up a whole new area of detail and quality.

[jmorgan]

[b]ecsrobin[/url], mind if I chip in a question or two, the title is excellent and should come up in a search for future ref?

Future reference and all that. Be looking through the links further up first.

[perdu]

thin like dirty water K (like ink from a bottle, I still have some Reeves Indian Black for practise but it's hell to clean out. So nowadays I just practice with thin paint)