Been thinking...

[pjgtech]

Had a bit of thinking time since the end of my last build, about a week ago, whilst contemplating my next build, which will now probably not start until I get back from holiday in couple of weeks.


But a thought keeps entering my head.


No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to shake it off.


Its nagging away at the back of my head.


Like a little voice, whispering in my ear.


......"Buy an airbrush".....

[Doh!]


😂🤣😂


I just (yesterday) sold a few of my old retro gaming collection, so I now have a nice bundle of spare cash in my pocket.....


I think I'm doomed.....

[Jim R]

Ah that voice in your head. Can't be ignored. An airbrush is a steep learning curve but although superb results can be obtained with a hairy stick I wouldn't be without mine.
Buy decent but no need to spend a fortune. I suggest a dual action, gravity feed with a 0.3 nozzle. John has some decent choices.

[rtfoe]

Yup, I wouldn't be able to finish my factory of 25 figures for my diorama if it wasn't for the trusty old airbrush.

Base shadows and highlights achieved... now only the details left for the hairy stick like the face, weapons and webbing.
Get the airbrush...a decent dual action 0.3 standard needle type.

Cheers,
Wabble

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Do it. The airbrush was a game changer for me. You wont regret it.

[PaulTRose]

Do it

Buy a good one but dont go silly money....no need

Dont forget the compressor

Its a steep learning curve but if you dont try you will never know.....like everything else dont get disheartened at first til you suss it out

[Tim Marlow]

As Paul says, don’t forget the compressor. The quality of the air supply is almost as important as the airbrush in my opinion. It’s difficult to get consistent results if the air source is pulsing when you use it.

[Neil]

and start with a cheap kit - because starting out with a real gem you want to look perfect, can, allegedly, be disheartening - so I’ve heard anyway...😉

[rtfoe]

and start with a cheap kit - because starting out with a real gem you want to look perfect, can, allegedly, be disheartening - so I’ve heard anyway...😉

Yes, the first airbrush I got was a suck it up push one size blaster of a Badger starter kit with canned air. The compressor solved the air source problem. As soon as I figured the principles of paint air application I quickly learnt masking to get the detailed shapes and edges. Had to as the spray diameter was half an inch minimum.
Now with the 0.3 needle I can actually write my name.
Be persistent and it will be your go to tool.

Cheers,
Wabble

[Hecky]

I recently got a Gaahleri 0.3 dual action airbrush for £60 from Amazon after borrowing one for a few weeks to try it. It makes a big difference compared to using rattle cans. So much more controllable.

I've got a Revell starter set compressor which is ok, but it's just a pump with no receiver tank. Like others have said, a consistent air supply will be the next thing to get.

[LeytonO]

My advice would be to buy a good quality airbrush and compressor to start with.
Mainly because so many of the cheaper ones are unreliable, poor quality and lacking availability of spares.
Also you will find it much easier to learn with a decent airbrush that is also simpler to clean and maintain.
If you stick to the trusted brands such as Iwata and H&S you won't go far wrong.
Some brands have recently flooded the market mainly from crazy giveaways and paid YouTube promotions.
I have heard that negative comments have been removed from various websites, durability is still an unknown factor.

My choice would be an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS, it is dual action gravity fed with a 0.35 needle.
It has a drop in nozzle which is easier to remove and clean than the small delicate screw in type.
Also has solvent resistant seals which allow for the use of most mediums without damage.
The needles in these are definitely stronger than those found in cheaper brands and have more survivability from accidental knocks.
If required it can use a larger 0.5 needle, this requires buying a new needle, nozzle and nozzle cap.
Every part is available to buy from the smallest air valve o ring to a new main body

Compressor wise many people use the various generic FD 186 type, no experience personally, but they seem to last a few years.
Sparmax do a decent range of compressors with tanks in a metal case, something like their 610 or 620.
Iwata do a wide range too, small piston type such as the Sprint or Smart Jet up to large models with tanks that can run two airbrushes simultaneously.
To tank or not is another decision, pros and cons for both, plenty of opinions so its research time for that.

Another essential item is a spray booth to extract the particle filled air, even if only using acrylics.
This is another wide ranging subject and best researched on the internet.
Just ensure you have the right booth for what you use, so no lacquers with a basic 60 quid computer fan model.
Bench Vent are the popular choice for more noxious mediums, I only use water based acrylics and have a Sparmax SB-88

A very good book to read is "Airbrushing for Scale Modelers " by Aaron Skinner.
It gives a lot of good advice on choosing, cleaning, operation, paint and actual model painting tips.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=3e908ee134019f67&q=aaron+skinner+ai rbrushing&udm=7&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ1Y 6MJ25_tmWITc7uy4 KIeioyp3OhN11EY0n5qfq-zEOxsIYwPQb36PTLe7-SRyF6OIc4DYEUfoV5VibGKb1Sn5VtjwNvZs6y8CQHj0e3UAYxH 8LKu2T3q0oo3e35MRxjUz8zSjUnmj7iToNM54WRg-dbZcLacarWsnEyfLMpjOu5t7f5m0Tq2FD7bVXeA9apyK7g-g&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiprJr7396NAxXLW0EAHRFcD88QtKgL eg QIFRAB&biw=1872&bih=1052&dpr=1#fpstate=ive&vld=cid :fb281973,vid:GDTuKFL0C-Y,st:0

Sorry for the long post, but i hope its been informative and if you think so please feel free to PM me with any other questions.
You may have noticed i'm rather keen on airbrushes etc, you may have even seen my restoration thread.

https://www.scalemodelling.co.uk/forum/general-forum/other-hobbies-and-interests/1235695-restoration-projects-doing-up-old-stuff

Still using that little compressor alongside a Smart Jet Pro and two Eclipse Airbrushes with the different needle sizes.

[pjgtech]

Great info, thanx for that.... lots to think about.

[colin m]

Do it. And search youtube for guides, hints and tip on the esoteric art of airbrushing.

[minitnkr]

......been thinking, is almost as ominous a phrase as "hold my beer".

[PaulTRose]

But a thought keeps entering my head.

......"Buy an airbrush...