Airbrush Help? Paints? What?

[Didact]

EDIT: Thank you guys for the help!

Anyone want to Suggest Paint that will work well in Air Brush and work great when waiting Bio Helmets?

Thanks Guys!

 

[Elkman]

Hey Fellow Hunters! PLEASE Read this all if you can and help if you can. Its most appreciated.

Now im thinking of picking up a raw bio helmet soon and im going to be trying too paint it and finish it myself for the first time.
Ive saw all the tutorials by Hez and PredatrHuntr. I was thinking of using the sponge "technique" but since im not to familer with it im gonna go with spray paint.

Now instead of using spray cans im thinking of buying a Air Brush for the first time.
I have NEVER used or even seen a air brush in person so im like a new born baby in this area.

-Does anyone want to recommend a airbrush AND list what is needed to start painting AND recommand what paint is best use in a airbrush for painting bio's?
A tutorial would be nice. I know its alot but im hoping a fellow hunter can help, since I know alot of people air brush there stuff.

I heard of a compressor and a bunch of stuff that i have no idea how to use it or what its for.

I'm assuming you're referring to this tutorial that shows how to paint a bio using the sponge technique. I had to read through for a while before finding out what kind of paint he's using. It sounds like he used a layer of primer, so the paint would stick, and then regular acrylic paints.

Anyway, here's the story on airbrushing. You don't need an expensive airbrush setup, but like anything else, I wouldn't buy the cheapest airbrush in the store. There are single-action airbrushes, where you push the button and it starts painting, and double-action airbrushes, where you push the button to start painting and you can vary the flow of air by how far you push back on the button. Unless you're really going to become a pro, a single-action airbrush should be good enough for you. I have a Badger 350 airbrush, which has served me very well. The price at Dick Blick looks good, although I bought mine at my local Michael's. (In my market, they have coupons in the Sunday paper most weekends for 40% off on any item. That's a great way to save lots of money on an airbrush.)

Along with the airbrush, you'll need a source of air. Some of the beginner sets come with propellant cans, sort of like those air dusters you clean your computer out with. (Here's a product description at Michael's.) If you're just starting out, that'll save you some money. If you do a lot of airbrushing, or if you manage to get another 40% off coupon, buying an air compressor will be valuable.

Now that you have an airbrush, you probably want to know what kind of paint to put in it. I hope you saw the airbrush paints next to the airbrushes. You don't want to use regular old acrylic craft paint in an airbrush, because it's too thick, and the pigments aren't ground fine enough for airbrush use. Instead, if you're going to use a water-based paint, Createx makes a good line of airbrush paints, in opaque, pearlized, and transparent colors. From reading their site just now, it actually looks like artists prefer to use the transparent colors after the base color has been achieved. (So, I just learned something.)

I've also used solvent-based enamel paints with an airbrush, in a project where I was painting transparent PETG plastic and the water-based color wouldn't stick. For that application, I had to thin the enamel down about 20% with paint thinner. I also used a chemical respirator mask since I didn't want to kill off any more brain cells. I've lost enough brain cells watching network TV.

You'll probably want to practice painting with an airbrush on some scrap paper before you actually start working on your project. There are things about the technique you'll need to figure out, like how to paint large areas or fine details, how to control the amount of paint coming out of the tip, and how to avoid making your paint run. It's not difficult to learn, and with a little bit of practice you'll be painting your bio like a pro. Happy painting!

 

[MotoGuy75]

Hello Elkman,

For starters welcome to the world of air brushing. Like yourself, I to am a newbie to it. I own a Paache VL double action airbrush and it is great. You can find them on ebay,infact I attached a couple links below. Also another good tool to get you started is the dvd made by Paache,beginning air brush. It is full of tutorials,maintenance,troubleshooting ect.Another good dvd is made by createx, and it goes over basic info on their variety of paints available and their uses. Also in regards to a compressor, the links below have that info as well. Before painting your Bio helmet you will definitely want to practice a bit. In addition you will want to prep it by ,sanding it down with 120,220 and 400 grit sandpaper, then spray it with 2 to 3 coats of opaque black from createx.I also attached a link to my first air brush project, a Big Red Predator Bio from Batman Deadend.

Hope all of this helps,Daren

link to my first air brush project:

http://www.thehunterslair.com/index.php?sh...c=16462&hl=

link to ebay Paache VL air brush and compressor

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Paasche-VL-...omotiveQ5fTools

link to just Paache VL air brush

http://cgi.ebay.com/Paasche-VL-AIRBRUSH-SE...=item335a20ab17

link to Paache dvd

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAASCHE-Airbrushing-VL...=item2eab18fb1d

Link to Createx dvd

http://cgi.ebay.com/AIRBRUSH-DVD-CREATEX-C...=item58865df90c

link to an air brush store on ebay

http://stores.ebay.com/WHOLESALE-CRAFT-OUTLET

The above stuff is a starting point,I would recommend searching the net for cheaper prices.Once again good luck.

 

[Didact]

Many thanks to you both. Really helped me out.
I will most likely be buying the Badger kit since its only $55 Then buy a seperate compressor.

Now what does it mean by Duel Action? Does it mean i can switch the nozzle? From it spraying big areas to small?

 

[MotoGuy75]

Hello again,

Dual action means that you can control the air and amount of paint dispersed from the air brush at the same time.It takes a little getting used to but it is a better air brush all together.You can get more exact details ect.

Here is a link to an air brush website like this one,it may help answer many of your questions before you buy and just air brush terminology.

http://www.howtoairbrush.com/index.php/sit...rbrush_stencil/

Hope this helps,Daren

 

[Didact]

Wow. Thank you guys, really.

Now can you guys suggest SPECIFIC Paint that works well on Bio Helmets? Im going to only be painting bio helmet.

 

[MotoGuy75]

Personally I use the createx air brush paints,cause they are waterbase and cleanup is simply and no need for smelly thinners ect.You can also use wicked colors, also made by createx.You can find them by typing in createx on a search engine, or go to your local hobby shop ect.I believe even Michaels crafts carries them.

O.k now go tackle that bio,Daren

Oh almost forgot,have fun doing it.......

 

[Didact]

Daren?

Now i saw the Createx website but they only have simple rainbow colors (red, blue, green, etc)

I was hoping they have Sliver or Metallic. Which is why I was asking if theres another company that has these that will work great with Air Brushes and on Bio's.

 

[PredatrHuntr]

Personally, I use airbrush for heads, and sponges for Bios.

Examples:

Head painted with airbrush:
http://www.thehunterslair.com/index.php?sh...ic=6908&hl=

Bio painted with sponges:
http://www.thehunterslair.com/index.php?sh...ic=5677&hl=

 

[Didact]

Personally, I use airbrush for heads, and sponges for Bios.

Examples:

Head painted with airbrush:
http://www.thehunterslair.com/index.php?sh...ic=6908&hl=

Bio painted with sponges:
http://www.thehunterslair.com/index.php?sh...ic=5677&hl=

I know I would give the Sponge a try but i never tried it.
What exact paint did you use in your huntorial?

 

[MotoGuy75]

Hello again MightyHunter,

Createx has a variety of paints.The opaques range in color from black,white,red,yellow,green and blue I believe.Then they also offer transparent paint in a variety of colors.Here is another link you can check out.It is to an online art store.i have bought stuff from them before,great people and fast shipping.

http://www.dixieart.com/Createx_Transparen...ush_Colors.html

Hope this helps you out,Daren

 

[PredatrHuntr]

I only use acrylic paints. Lots of colors to choose from and cheap too. When painting latex, you mix the paint with water and prosaide so that the paint adheres and flex's along with the latex.

 

[Didact]

Do you guys know any paint that comes in sliver/metallic and works with Air Bushes? Its all im looking for.

 

[froggy]

I don't like the metallic/pearlized createx colors for painting pred items

I use metallic colors from AUTO-air colors.
http://www.autoaircolors.com/
They have a large variety of tone and the paint quality is as good as createx
Be carefull using tose metallic colours beacause of the size of the pigments.
You will need to clean carefully your airbrush after each use !