I’m looking into buying a new airbrush and was wondering if anybody had any suggestions. I have a cheapo one that runs off of compressed air cans, but after the cap blew off of three and froze my shelf i decided it was time to upgrade. I need one for airbrushing skateboards. So far they’ve just been fades because that is all that my equipment allows me to do. Would the best bet be one with its own air compressor? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-TReilly
Get an air compressor, then you won’t be paying for compressed air in a can, then you can use whatever paint you want.
AND you can use it for blowing up tyres too…
As far as paint guns go, there’s lots of people here that can recommend the right tool…I’m not too cluey on that bit…
getting the compressor was a big step but it changed everything regarding my work.
get one as soon as you can afford it.
I tossed up the need for an air compressor for a whole of about 5 seconds…
many reasons why:
1.) i love buying new tools 
2.) i thought hey i can use it with air tools, air brushes, air sanders blah blah
3.) can blow the board clean of dust etc etc…
Reason 3 is one of the biggest uses i have, and i don’t know how people can NOT use an air compressor to get rid of the dust… i love my compressa
use it pretty much every time i am in the shed… and i haven’t even started using air tools / painting…
Go compressor, you’ll love it!
Ant
I got a Paasche single action. They were about 30 clams, but mine was free/used/beat. I still use it, after cleaning.
Yeah, a compressor is handy but noisy thing to have around. I make minimal use of air tools, but have the Paasche airbrush and a small “jamb gun” or touch-up sized sprayer. The latter is good for boards, when you want to color a large area that the airbrush takes forever and a day to get through.
Honolulu
These are the two I use.
I’m not sure you need that big of a compressor for airbrushing skateboards only. A small SILENT one will do. If you’re building boards, too, then go for something heavier. As soon as you get one (just like others have already said) life in your workshop changes. Paasche airbrushes are very good. I used to own one. (Sold it 'cause I wasn’t good enough to fully use it). Now I use only a touch-up spray gun.
Howzit TReilly, Compressor is a must have tool for your shop but if you can find a belt driven one get it. They are quieter and use less electricity. The direct drive compressors are pretty loud and use about 15 amps where my belt drive only uses about 6.5 amps, plus you can but replacement parts from Granger to fix them. I’ve replaced head gasket and reeds, but mine was used and only cost me $75. For painting I suggest a HVLP gravity sprayer with a 1mm or 1.4mm nozzle for big jobs and a same type sprayer with a smaller nozzle for detail work since you can adjust the paint flow and use it like an airbrush. I also have a few real airbrushes, A pashe’ that I never use since they have steel needles that can get bent to easy and are a pain to clean. Also have a Iwata that works great and is easy to clean and uses a stainless steel needle that is stronger that just steel. Also get some airbrush lube which will make paint flow better past the nozzle and you can use diluted Simple Green for clean up. I don’t use the Iwata to much since I can use the small HVLP gravity gun for the same applications as the Iwata. Fiberglas Hi carries these HVLP sprayers under the Astra brand. Hope this helps. Aloha,Kokua
Thanks for the tips everyone. Does anybody have a airbrush model that they would suggest? thats the real dilemma currently. Thanks again
-TReilly
Compressor: 6 cfm or more at 80 to 100 psi or higher. About $300 and up. Sear, Home Depot, Lowes ect.
Airbrush: Paasche VL5. Good all around production AB. About $50 www.airbrushdepot.com
Spraygun: Central Pneumatic Devilbis knock-off. Remove the syphon from paint pot and re-attach syphon to gun. Use paper cups or used gatoraide bottles to hold paint. About $20.