I been trying to determine what airbrush to buy and after doing a little research, I came up with a few models that sound like they may be what I’m looking for (matching repairs, small spray areas, etc). If in usage, could someone comment on the following:
Badger – 150, 175, or 360
Paasche – VL
An airbrush is a totally new tool for me so I’m trying to select one that’s more on the broad side and not too specific for a particular application (gear toward real fine work, etc).
Thanks,
Herb
Both of thoise brands are fine and will work well for your needs. Not to familiar with those specific models but just make sure that what ever you get has dual action as opposed to single action.
Single action basically works just like an aerosol can, allowing you to only control air pressure.
Dual action will let you control air pressure and paint volume. This allows you to have a much greater range in terms of paint spray and area coverage. What happens is that in a dual action airbrush is that you can push the trigger down for air, without accessing the paint flow, to begin paint flow you would pull back on the trigger. This is very beneficial because you can get quite close without worrying about oversprsay.
The brands that I have used are Iwata (japanese and a little more costly), but for your applications I migh reccomend the Aztec brand. It’s a very unique design that is considerably less than even the low end dual action airbrushes. You can most likely pick up a kit for about $75 online somewhere or at a hobby store.
Hope that is of some help.
Drew
I use the Paasch VL, it works great for everything except large solid areas. Rail bands, deck fades, repairs - it’s good. Not to say the Badger is bad, just a positive testimony for the VL. It comes with 3 different sized tips Everything from a pinline sized spray to a good couple of inches - great for fades. To do big areas takes several passes - but that’s exactly what you want. That one from FoamEZ just throws too much paint for me.
Whatever you get, make sure it’s double action.
Drew,
Your desriptions of the single and dual action are explained very well. Everywhere pointed me to getting a dual action but didn’t fully understand why.
Best,
Herb Bean
I am here to help.
That is what I do!
You also need to consider whether you want a gravity feed or suction feed. The gravity feed works well for fine detail and freehand work but makes changing color a pain in the ass. You have to dump out the excess paint and clean out the cup. suction feed airbrushes usually have some sort of jar attachment that fits below the airbrush. you can have multiple jars for different colors which makes color changes easy but the jars are somewhat clumsy and get in the way of finer work. The jars also hold much more paint. If you’re just going to mask off areas and spray then I doubt you’ll even need a double action airbrush. Besides, you’ll have to save some money for a compressor.
Howzit HerbB, I own 4 airbrushes and after I got my Iwata Eclipse I haven't used any of the others. The Iwata Eclipse is like an old ford or chevy, they are simple, easy to clean and have a stainless steel needle. Some brands don't have the stainless steel and use a softer metal for the needle. If you tweak (bend)a non stainless steel needle you will have to get another one and that means downtime while you go looking for a replacement. The truth of it is that i use mine only about 5% of the time since I have touch up sprayers that will do most of the work. Aloha, Kokua
Kokua,
I’m guessing a compressor is pretty much mandatory for detail gun - is that correct?
Everyone, thanks for the great information!
Herb Bean
Howzit HerbB, Yep you need a compressor. I bought my last one at a garage sale for $75.00. It’s one that has the belt drive, 3/4 HP motor, Stabilt single cylinder pump and a 30 gal. tank. Unlike direct drive compressors I can fix it if it breaks down(easy to work on) and it only draws 6 1/2 amps. I used to have a direct drive but it drew 15 amps and that didn’t leave much for the rest of the shop to run on. A good compressor is a must and you won’t be sorry. Oh yeah belt drives are quieter also. Just think, no more trips to the gas station to fill tires and they make shop clean up a lot easier too, Aloha, Kokua
Herb - Harbor Freight has a double action model for around $25 (stock # 1500) that is actually very good and easy to clean. Also comes with the bottles, cups, spare needle. I’ve had it for a couple of years and it will last if you clean it carefully. The biggest problem with all airbrushes is changing colors. I use a paint bottle filled with windex cleaner and spray into a rag until the previous color is cleared. This only works going from a light color to dark. Since the Harbor Freight ones are cheap, you can probably get a couple if you do a lot of multiple colors. I use a Badger 350 single action with the fine tip for pinlines; very reliable and easy to use (about $65). They come with three tips (fine, med, heavy) which are each adjustable for paint flow. Air control is a matter of how you set your compressor regulator and distance of the brush to the surface. Anything that’s over 3" wide needs too many passes with an airbrush, so get a detail gun.
Howzit Pete, Have you ever tried Simple Green as a cleaner? The stuff works great, after cleaning I use some airbrush lube called sta-lubeit’s a synthetic lube that won’t mess with your paint and a bottle lasts for years. I also use it on my touch-up sprayers.Aloha, kokua
Thanks for the tip on using Simple Green; I’m sure it’s better than the ammonia in window cleaners on the internal parts (especially o-rings). I’ll try the lubricant also, trigger buttons get real sticky after a while and I’ve always been paranoid about lubricant finding its way into the paint.
Hey Pete,
I just picked up that Harbour Freight 1500 model airbrush last night and it only cost 10.59. I looked at it three time to make sure it was a double. I know this stuff is probably made overseas and feel guilty about it but darn $10.59. The can of air I bought for it cost more than the airbrush itself: 11.22.
Best,
Herb Bean