Buying a new Air Brush & Tank

I've been scooping up Floquil paints before they disappear.  Had great luck with them doing track and turnout painting.  The Pasche type H I have is good for gang painting, but I hear the Iwata HP-C is the way to go for dual-action brushes.  Will be interesting to hear how the one you purchased works out for you.

Once I get the brush and play with it I sure will let you know what I think of the air brush. Is there any one else willing to help me out on this with tips or recommendations ?  Thanks  Scot

Scot, I posted this set of picture some time back.  Needed items for an air brush.
Cleaners, containers and several different bottles.

 

I have a quick-tach system so that I can connect different air tools .  Also note the water separator top of picture.

 

Water separator

 

A slop bucket, where I start the air brush, and eventually clean it.

 

Adequate work area and a fabricated air brush holder that is in a portable vice.

 

Note that the air compressor will have two air pressure gauges. Tank pressure and air brush pressure.  Adjustable with the screw knob.

 

I have a second water separator at the air compressor.

 

A good hose that works for all air needs, filling tires etc.  Note the quick-tach system again.

 

Q-tips and paper towel for cleaning.  I also find pipe cleaners useful for brush and tube cleaning.

Most important, either a very good air ventilation system or an organic cartridge type respirator.  Or BOTH.

 

I also have a very good slop sink in the work area with hot and cold water for clean up. Upper left corner of this picture.

Hey Scot, this is what I've had for at least 5 years, an Iwata CR revolution, and I love it. I still have my Aztek 500 tank/compressor to power it too.

My older lessor fave is the Badger 175T but I hate the plastic body in back because it flexes too much...maybe my grip is too hard?!

My 1st AB was the Aztek with assorted tips....once I went to the Iwata I never looked back.

Buying acrylic paint makes an easier clean up and you can always take lacquer thinner to clean up anything dried on the cup or AB. Always clean her off really well when done...I run a cup thru her of cleaner after every use, then pull the back and needle out to let her dry out. BTW- if you try this method you have to be very careful about not bending or tweeking the needle tip- I've always been careful...lucky...though.

Depending on what paint your using it "may" have to be thinned to run it thru the AB...some paints are AB ready and some aren't. Any of the Alcad I've used is good to go and "has" to be used with an AB- no brushing.

You should have decent ventilation and some will say a mask is needed...that depends on you and how much painting your going to do. Alittle here or there and you should be fine- but a night of painting things and you should consider a respirator or an AB spray booth/ventbox.

An easy way to make a clean out can is to take an old, small, coffe can and cut a small hole in it for the AB to shoot thru...toss a sponge in the bottom and add a vent hole or two just below the top of the sponge...they sell those things too.   

Hey Guys. I just want to thank you both for the tips. The AB did come today around 2:15 today, I looked at the AB it is very nice and the compressor is very quiet.  Tomorrow I'll try hooking everything up. And then I'll let you guys know what I think. So once again I would like to thank both of you. I would like for more ideas and tips  one thing I do know is that I will need to practice with it for the first couple of weeks before I spray my track or any of my good cars.      Scot

I posted this thread May this year.  Please be careful with all materials used as part of Model Railroading.  Mike CT
Safety meeting for the day. I had posted this a few years ago, part of an airbrush tread.   The material used for painting and paint removal need safety precautions.  All would have an associated MSDS.  Material Safety Data Sheet. Surprisingly Water clean-up acrylic paints, cleaners, and thinners can be issues.  I eventually purchased an organic cartridge respirator.  Eye protection is also a good thing.  Noted that I usually felt better at the end of the day.

This was added as part of the safety discussion.

quote:

Originally posted by OntarioRailFan: I've got a good paint booth vented directly outside. I also use ONLY water based paint.  Though I have not used a respirator.  Is this something I should add before I start my next round of painting????

YES From my shelf, what is written on the bottles.
Badger Modelflex acrylic paint  Non-toxic. Keep out of the reach of children. If ingested do not induce vomiting. Call a physician immediately.
Polyscale acrylic model RR paint Non-toxic. Contains Isobutanol and DPNB. Causes eye irritation. Avoid eye contact.  First Aid: For eye contact flush immediately with plenty of water. Not intended for use by children
Polyscale acrylic thinner  No caution listed.
Polyscale acrylic cleaner  May irritate eyes Do not get in eyes. Do not take internally. Close container after each use. Keep out of reach of children.  First aid treatment : Contains gylcol ethers. If swallowed call a physician or poison control center immediately.  In case of eye contact, flush with plenty of water.
Weaver ScalecoatI Paint Danger Flammable Harmful or fatal if swallowed vapor harmful Read addional caution on back of label. Contains Zylene, Benzene, Butanone Oxime, and Petroleum Distillates that may be harmful if misused. Read caution on individual containers carefully. Harmful or fatal if swallowed. If swallowed do not induce vomiting. Call Physician immediately. Vapor harmful, May be harmful by breathing vapor. Use proper ventilation. When using,do not eat, drink, or smoke. Wash hands immediately after use. Avoid skin contact.  Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Do not use on interior surfaces. For use on model train cars and hobby related models only. FIRST AID: In case of eye contact thoroughly flush with water for 15 minutes and get medical attention.  For skin contact wash thoroughly with soap and water. In case of respiratory difficulty, provide fresh air and call physician. Call 1 800 424 9300 for more health information FLAMABLE: Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flame. WARNING This product contains chemicals known to the State of Californina to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.  (Ya, that's all on that one ounce bottle of paint).
Floquil Railroad Colors For Emergency Health Information call 1 800 962 1253. Contains petroleum distillates. Vapor Harmful Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame. Causes eye and skin irritation. To avoid breathin vapors and spray mist, open windows and doors to ensure fresh aire entry during application and drying. If you experience eye watering, headaches, or dizziness, increase fresh air or wear respiratory protection. Close container after each use. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. USE WITH ADEQUATE VENTILATION. WARNING this product contains chemicals know to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. FIRST AID: If swallowed. Do not induce vomiting. Call physcian immediately. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
Floquil air brush thinner CONTENTS AND FUMES MAY CATCH FIRE. CONTENTS HARMFUL. MAY IRRITATE EYES AND SKIN. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.  Vapors may ignite explosively. vapors harmful. May affect the brain and nervous system. causing dizziness, headache, or nausea. Causes eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation. Keep away from heat and flame. Avoid eye contact. Avoid breathing vapors and spray mist. Use only in well-ventilated area. Wash thoroughly after handling. Intentional misuse by deliberate concentrating and inhaling the contents may be harmful or fatal. FIRST AID: Contains petroleum distillates and n-propoxypropanol. In case of eye contact, flush with plenty of water for 15 minutes. If swallowd call physician ofr Poison Control Center immediately. If inhaled, seek fresh air. If on skin, rinse well with water. There are a lot of other chemicals on the shelf. All with some kind of a caution. IMO At the bare minimum even using acrylic, water clean up, paints adequate ventalition should be provided. This was part of a larger discussion at the time that moved toward full face protection,(eyes),and a filtering system that pulls or inhibits breathing any of the chemicals present.  There has also been several threads on model spray paint booths. Spray Booth currently on the 2 Rail Forum.    Mike

Respirator from a local auto parts or body shop paint supply.  Note that the two cartridges are designed to be replaced periodically.  $30 to $50 maybe ????

 

I've used a Paasche model VL for 16+ years.  I like it very much.  Hope you enjoy using yours.  Last year I purchased a quick disconnect from Phil's Hobby Shop online.  It attaches between the Paasche hose and airbrush...very handy.  As mentioned, the respirator is very important.  I have a spray booth too that is vented to a casement window with a home-made drop in system.  I always use the respirator.  My mask is made by 3M and was purchased at Home Depot.  When not using a spray booth and just the mask, it is shocking to see what you would have inhaled, when you look at the filters.

Make sure you have a regular/moisture trap, plenty of bottles/lids, and you should be good to go.

Mike's slop bucket is a great suggestion. I use a large coffee can with kitty litter.

Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, etc. also have masks for fumes, paint, etc.  Might 

Thank you guys for the tips Mike CT thanks for the the safety information. Keith I am going to get the Quick disconnect for all my connections.  Bill Cantrel  My son works at Menards whear house In Plano, Ill  and I will be getting a mask.     Scot 

I've used Badger airbrushes with great success. My other interest is building scale model aircraft from plastic kits. When I first started to airbrush, I asked for advice from a good friend. Here is what he told me: If you are planning to use acrylic paint, first spray the manufactures thinner with no paint. When you can control the spray, gradually add paint until you get the coverage you need. Never start and stop the brush on the work and keep the brush moving. A clean brush is a must. Some people use pressures above 20lbs. I prefer around 12 to 15. Higher pressures can cause acrylic paint to dry before it hits the object resulting in a sandy paint texture. Good luck. 

Thank you  pilotony  Each and every day I will learn more from all of your posts. I haven't  had a chance to even mess with the Air Brush yet, it will probably be some time Tuesday. Its been a busy week with my mom visiting and the Sandwich Fair this week.So give me some time and I'll let you all know how I like it.  + tomorrow is the Dupage CO. train show.

Check out Weaver Models, they do offer a line of paints for Plastic and for Metal in Railroad colors