Air Brushing Baby Steps

First, I would so some intense online research. Secondly, after learning all you can take in,

go to your LHS and ask to see what they offer. You see, if you do this, and things do not

go as you planned, you have someone to ask for help, plus you help keep that LHS in business.!!

And yes, acrylic paint is one of the types, tho you might want to use old clothes when

painting with that medium as you can't wash out the paint from cloth.

When I started into airbrushing, I found many videos on You Tube with excellent teachers.

So start that way and good luck.

Yep, You Tube is a great place to get airbrush tips. You will wonder why you waited so long to get an airbrush after you get going.

Rob

Here is a link to a good site for beginners

www.howtoairbrush.com

Paul,

You need a starter air brush set then practice.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbr...ztek-airbrushes.aspx

I've owned a Badger single action for over 22 years and have painted hundreds of model airplanes.  Great gun. 

Also have a Testor's "aztec' that is a great gun.  

Basically, you need a gun, air hose, air source, regulator, and I highly recommend a drier and in line moisture filter.   A ventilated paint booth is also desirable.  I got one and love it.  

It takes practice but isn't anything overly difficult!  Get some old models and start painting, you'll learn what works well and what doesn't.  

Air pressure (14-18 psi is what I like) and paint type (water based vs acrylics) are some things to think about.  I would start with simple projects and work from there. Advanced painting, like "metal" paint jobs are a lot more difficult.  Even an experienced painter like me guts 'humbled' by this one some times....

Lastly, may consider joining a model club. They usually are a great source of knowledge and helped me learn how to air brush.  

Man you could write a book as thick as an old Webster's on this subject. Everyone has an opinion... water based vs enamel, single action vs dual action, brand x vs brand y, source of compressed air, how many psi, what do you thin the paint with, how much do you thin it, how do you clean it.... on and on and on.

In 30 years of airbrushing, and doing custom painting and detailing for a living many years ago, I have just about tried it all. This is what I suggest for a beginner and it's only my opinion based on experience.

Get a cheap dual action airbrush to start with... Harbor freight has this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/d...brush-kit-69492.html

It's easy to use and clean. It has an adjustment screw in front the trigger that basically makes it single action for ease of use.

Don't use water based paint to start with... you WILL get frustrated with it clogging up. Water based paints will need a different airbrush as this one from HF comes with a fine tip. Water based paints work better with a medium to large tip.

You need air from a source of whatever you have. compressor of any kind if you have one, you'll need a regulator and moisture trap. 

Use Floquil RR paints if you can find them or Scalecoat  or Scalecoat II. Thin it about 20-25% and start with about 20psi.

Have some rags and q-tips for cleaning the airbrush, it's not that hard or does it take that much time once you get the hang of it.

There are tons of YouTube videos on airbrushing. Do some homework.... This site has great stuff at great prices:

 http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/

Boomer0622 submits a very good tutorial that I have never viewed until now

and I have one of those h/f airbrushes and it is well made for a basic entry level

artist. Just for starters, you know.

my bride is a watercolor artist and her advice is: use the best materials you can

afford, never scrimp on that.  I have followed her advice and never regretted it.

This is very helpful. 

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/

Welcome to the world of airbrushing.  First things first: buy a good dual action airbrush, it's a little harder to master but the results are far better. I have three different types of airbrushes. Paasche, Vega and Iwata.  Out of the three I would start with an inexpensive dual action Iwata. Even these will give you the best atomization spray for your dollar.  I use Createx paints when I airbrush and although I'm learning airbrush portraiture, spraying on models and trains will not be difficult once you learn how to control your spray nd all that involves is the distance from your airbrush to your object, the thickness of your paint and last but not least be patient and use some practice shells before you strike out on your first train.  Overall you should come out with near professional looking jobs with a little practice.  Don't forget to mask your train before spraying.

http://mrr.trains.com/videos/e...rbrushing-techniques

I want to thank all of you for your responses. Great information and video suggestions. I've got a lot of homework ahead of me!

I would first recommend doing alot of online research on airbrushing before making a purchase. There are also many books, DVDs, and countless videos on YouTube regarding the subject.

I made my first airbrush purchase a couple of years ago with a mid-range Paasche airbrush, compressor, moisture trap, and small paint booth. I don't recommend starting with the cheapest or most expensive. Get something decent and practice. It may seem like alot of money upfront, but as long as you take care of your equipment, they will most likely last you a lifetime.

By the way, don't forget to use a respirator. Even the inexpensive ones are good.

I would add that you do not need to buy an expensive dual action airbrush to get nice results. I use an old Passhe H model single action brush and it works great. If you want to buy a compressor read the reviews on line before you do. Some of them fail very quickly. A good idea was mentioned to me by a fellow forum member about renting a C02 tank and get a regulator with that. It will last a long time and NO noise. You can get it filled with argo, oxgen, or Nitrogen. I just bought a fold up suit case style spray booth off Amazon and love it. It comes with a hose you can put out a window, or vent it to the floor. Only cost me 86.00!

Rob

Chicago Airbrush is a good place to buy an airbrush set. I called them on the phone and got some good advice on what to buy and not to buy before I bought my latest unit. I like a dual action myself; it doesn't cost that much more and you can use it as a single action, then explore the additional capabilities when you've gotten comfortable with the basics.

I recently bought a Paasche VLS. I like the VLS because the bottles have a positive screw attachment; you don't have to worry about a push-fit bottle getting knocked off. 

You want an oil-free compressor with an air tank. Propellant cans are lousy and they get expensive real fast. I'd recommend the one I have but they don't make it any more. 

Avoid anything by Testors/Aztek like the plague. Poor quality, and much harder to clean than a professional-type airbrush from Paasche or one of the other major manufacturers. 

I have a discount coupon code for Chicago Airbrush; not sure if it's still valid but I'll share it if you want to give it a try. You have my e-mail. 

Paul,

in doing your research you might to pay attention to single vs dual action spray guns.  I was given a dual as a gift and ended up putting it away as it didn't work well for me.  Then an experienced modeler who airbrushes told me to get a single action. I bought one and was able to get decent results right away and getting better with each attempt.  I took an old ugly building to experiment with Which worked put well to learn.

Note -- I am probably one step below amateur so what didn't work for me was probably my inexperience.  In the right hands I have no doubt a dual action works wonders.

And I echo others who say you will ended up wishing you tried this a long time ago.

Ed

2-cents worth:  I am also starting out with airbrushing.  I was fortunate to discover CoastAirbrush.com and CoastAirbrushtv.com ; These folks have detailed buying guides in video/training formats for compressors, airbrushes, paints, additives etc etc.  These are very in-depth presentations of the different configurations, types and best uses for each class of product.  Tremendous help in deciding exactly what you want to buy without trial and error mistakes. 

Also, their prices are great (beat micro-mark) and after viewing all of the different buying guide videos, if you have it narrowed to 2 or 3 choices, but just aren't sure from there, call them and they will further assist in finding exactly what you want.

I have to say this was one of the best buying experiences I have ever had in any purchase I have made.

The CoastAirbrushTV has hundreds of training videos.  Many are free and some are a pay to download formal training classes, but pennies on the dollar of what you would pay for to attend a class or workshop from these world-famous artists.

Just passing along something I found to be a great value.

db

Bluebird, thanks for the info. Let me know how you like your new airbrush and what did you buy.

Ed, I thank you for your imput.

I purchased an Iwata Eclipse CS .35mm for general purpose.

I also purchased an Iwata Micron CMSB .18mm for very fine detail (painting figure faces/clothing, tiny details on cars etc) and shading/corrosion on pockets, springs, tiny parts etc.

Since I will want to also purchase a detailer's .25-3.25" fan style airbrush later, I went with an Iwata Power Jet Lite studio compressor which, will put out the necessary 1.2cfm and up to 70psi all with less noise than a small bathroom fan.

Merry Christmas to me.

Hello everyone. MileRdPaul I am new to airbrushing but I have the equipment to start out with. I first started out with The Paasehe  VLSTPRO with a Compressor and tank. then I got a 2nd Paasehe  Talon Airbrush. And the Company is only 3-4 miles from my parents house In Chicago,Ill. I have most of the paints needed to start spraying I  also have most of the paints needed from Polly Scale Acrylics to Testors Enamels and Createx Aitbrush cleaners Restorers and Retarders. Now I just need to heal my self from a Valve replacement surgery about 3 weeks ago. So I have nothing but time to learn how to use the Airbrush. I know it also will be a little rough with the movement of the chest but I am willing to wait so this is just in time for me. So I would love if you guys would offer some tips and technics you may have for us new guys to the Airbrush.     Thank you all   Scot

Scott one of the best things to do to learn is watch You Tube videos. There are many about airbrushing, mixing paint, cleaning the brush, etc.

One of my favorites is a guy who goes by "Old man models". I agree with the advice to start out with a single action brush.

Rob

Rob  I have the time watch U-tube videos  so thank you. And I'll check out  "Old man models"  tonight or tomorrow.     Scot