airbrushing questions

[JackAce]

hey guys, i'm about to buy some new airbrush equipment and i'd really like to know what to look for in an air compressor?
also whats the difference between the various types of airbrushes (gravity feed, siphon feed, single action, dual action)

my goal is to paint some smaller prop models that i'm currently sculpting as well as maybe some armor type costumes later down the line.
i have a few training videos already but they don't really get into what types of equipment you'll need for various types of work, they only really talk about the painting techniques.

any advice on the subject is greatly appreciated.

 

[division 6]

Air Brush Types
Gravity feed, has cup on top, feeds down into air flow

Siphon feed, in a bottle or cup attached to bottom and used air flow to suck up the paint as the air flows over the opening

Single action, push down air blows

Dual action, push down for air, pull back for paint

Compressors, you will want something with a tank so the motor doesn't run all the time and should have a automatic on / off switch so the tank can full it's self when the preasure drops to much.
Should also have a preasure regulator than can at least go from 5psi to 40psi
Most painters stay in the 5 to 20 range.
A Moisture trap is also good to have and the hose from that to the brush shouldn't be more than 6ft or moisture may occur.

Also quick connect parts make swapping and cleaning much easier.

You can get a decent compressor for probably under $100.

Just remember when getting an airbrush, you get what you pay for, so don't go for the cheapest.

I personally use an Iwata HP-C Dual action, top feed.

D6

 

[division 6]

A couple places I have bookmarked for airbrushes and supplies.

http://www.coastairbrush.com/categorypage.html
http://www.dickblick.com/
http://www.dixieart.com/


D6

 

[RickDTM]

Jack - If you're looking for a sweet fine detail brush, I'd recommend either the Iwata HP-A or the Harder and Steenbeck Infinity. Both have ultra fine nozzle / needle combinations allowing for smooth fine lines.

For the armor, I'd recommend using an Iwata Eclipse or HP-C. Both have large color cups and are capable of fine to medium line work. Not as fine as the HP-A or the Infinity, but nice just the same.

All of the brushes I mentioned above are dual action gravity feeds.

 

[JackAce]

is there any advantage to using a gravity feed over a siphon? it seems that all the training video guys are using the siphon style

 

[division 6]

Grav is easier to clean and you don't have a bottle or cup in the way off the bottom.
It takes less air preasure since it feeds into the air as oppose to forcing the paint up a tube by the air going over it.

I have a Paasche Milleniem that is a bottom feed cup and I hate it, the cup is always in the way and spills really easily.

I bought it in an emergency to finish a project while waiting for replacement parts for my Iwata.

Personally I recommend a top (gravity) feed.

 

[masterjedi322]

Here's a great thread:

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=635&highlight=airbrush

Sean

 

[JackAce]

thanks for the info guys.
and thanks masterjedi, i tried the search feature before asking i have no idea how i could have missed that thread! anywho that's a great link thanks again.

 

[masterjedi322]

No worries. There are a ton of airbrushing threads floating around, but that one stuck out in my mind as having a lot of useful info for beginners.

Sean