General airbrushing?

[Amanita]

The more I look at it, the more I think I'm going to need an airbrush to do my Shaak Ti headpiece, with its striped markings.

Anything I should know or be mindful of when getting one? I would like to use it for painting props and costume pieces, and hopefully also for makeup application.

How much would a basic setup cost? I'm hoping I won't have to shell out several hundred dollars just to get my toes through the door. I don't need a ton of bells and whistles just yet, but the ability to upgrade would be nice.

Also, one of the people I live with is dead set against me having an airbrush. She thinks that it will release paint spray all through the house, even when used in the garage or basement. I doubt this very much- from what I have heard, if the PSI settings are correct for what you are painting on, there won't be much mess. And one can always set something up to catch any overspray. I maintain that using a spray can makes a bigger mess, and she does not complain or kvetch about that.
Anything I can say to her to dispel her concerns?

 

[zorg]

hi, its the old "you get what you pay for" im afraid as with most things.

if you intend to do props etc.. later, then get a dual action brush. this will let you decide on how much paint comes out and spray pattern.


a compressor with a tank is also recommended. this way you can turn it off when you have built up enough pressure. it doesnt sound much but it lets you take more time and doesn give you a headache.you can get silent ones but they are usually pricey.

spray cans are a lot messier. there shouldn't be a lot of "overspray" with an airbrush, if you point it at your work:unsure

z

 

[Gigatron]

Here's the lowdown on airbrushes; buy the best one you can afford. For the work you want to do, you won't be spending over $100 (for the brush). You don't upgrade airbrushes. What you buy today, is the same rig you'll be using 15 years from now (assuming you take care of it). You'll maybe want to get a different tip for wider/narrower spray patterns, but chances are you'll be fine with the one you get.

Spraycans are messy, but airbrushes aren't a "mess free" tool, either. You're atomizing paint and spraying it. Paint particles will eventually land on things other than what you're painting. Now, if you're using acrylics, the paint is nearly stink free, but the cleaners stink (use glass cleaner with ammonia for the best cleaner). Enamles and their cleaners stink to high heaven, so I try not to use them.

But, there's a simple remedy to keep overspray and smell down; a cardboard box, a 25 cent furnace filter, a box fan and some flexible heater duct. Cut the front and top off the box. Cut a hole in the back of the box, smaller than the filter. Put the filter in front of the hole, the fan on the other side, blowing away from you. Attach the heater duct to the fan, run the duct out the window. Voila, you've built a spray booth for cheap.


For your application, I recommend an Iwata Revolution BCR. The siphon feed will allow you to attach bottles of paint, so you can spray longer before refilling. I get my stuff from here http://www.dixieart.com/Iwata_Revolution_Airbrushes.html

The last and, most important, piece to this puzzle, is the air compressor. Forget all the crappy ebay specials, they'll burn out in a week. Get a decent 3 gallon, 1.5 hp compressor with built-in regulator from your local Sears/Home Depot/Lowes. It'll probably run you about $150, but it'll last a lifetime and you can use it for other things.

-Fred

 

[nwjedidave]

+1 on the Iwata

they make GOOD spray guns!

 

[DBoz]

This is good info. I am also considering picking up an airbrush and will probably follow your advice. Thanks.

 

[Johnny Fever]

I have heard nothing but good things about Iwata airbrushes although I have never tried one.
I used to have an old dual action Badger that I loved but I lost it when I moved years ago. Some people swear by Devilbiss airbrushes but again I have never tried one.
A Paasche VL series airbrush is a decent starter airbrush that can be found on different sites for a good price. If you are not going to use an airbrush on a regular basis and just want to use one occasionally, cheap ones can be found at Harbor Freight and Amazon. These are usually good enough for some general
hobby work or to get the feel of painting, but as Zorg said “you get what you pay for”.

-John