Walmart airbrush?

[spidermale]

Alright, I probably already know the answer to this one, but i figured its early enough that I can ask this question and maybe get a few responses before I go out, pick it up, and find out I cant use it. Over in the model section of walmart they sell an airbrush and compressor for i think like 50 bucks, for use with testor paints. I was wondering if I bought that would I be able to paint props with it? even large scale ones like helmets? Also, do they make a clear coat that you can put in that airbrush? It seems like a good deal and I wanted to treat myself today to something prop related, but I dont want to waste the money on an airbrush that I wont be able to use.

 

[steveo]

an airbrush AND compressor for $50? That sounds like a great deal, but most good airbrushes alone cost more than that. I'm sure you could use the airbrush/compressor from walmart to paint models and 1:1 scale objects...you may have to thin the paint down some though.

 

[streetjudge79]

Just save up and buy a good one. I used to buy those Walmart specials and had to replace them every year. Trust me, just invest in a good metal airbrush, I picked up a paschee a couple years ago and it was the best investment. Invest in a good compressor too if you can. You will end up spending it in the long run anyway .

 

[replicaprops]

Ya, pick up a airebrush that is hard to spell or say, I mean come on W-a-l-m-a-r-t.... thats just to easy.
I like the paschee air brush alot, I have 2 of them. Check ebay, I got mine for $15 from a dealer.

 

[Gigatron]

Ask yourself this question and answer it honestly: Are you buying the brush to say you have one then use it twice and forget about it, or are you really serious about airbrushing?

If it's the first then go ahead and get the walmart. If you're not really into it, then you're only out $50. If you're truly serious about it, then save your money and get a decent brush and compressor. Personally, I'm biased towards Iwata for brushes, but I'm sure there are other decent makers (check out the airbrush thread in the archive forum). If you're serious, you're only going to end up getting a better brush anyway once you realize the limitations of the walmart brush.

-Fred

 

[Kylash]

i picked up the $20 cheap kit they had that goes off air canisters hoping it would be good enough to airbrush my V for Vendetta mask, but it doesnt get fine enough, so ill probably have to get a nicer one later..

 

[Darth Detroit]

You get what you pay for.

I would buy it though, and upgrade later.

 

[Trallis]

i bought a plastic airbrush from walmart and it was lousy both of the times it actually worked

 

[jangos kid]

I've used both the airesol can type and the $50 kit you are talking about. the aresol can ones seemed to work OK for me. I actually painted my entire fett suit with one of those. As mentioned, it is not as fine as I would have like however, but it did do the job. the thing that really bothered me about it, is having to always have the cans on hand. They don't last very long, and they are about $8.00 a pop. It was for that reason that I decided to shell out $50 for the compressor & airbrush set. HUGE MISTAKE. I never really did get it to work out right. Looking back, if I add up all the money I spent on the two different airbrush sets from Walmart, I (Including all the $ I spent on aeresol cans) I could have easily bought a really good paash or Iwatta.... The main thing is how much you are going to paint with it. If you are going to just do a few things, then I would go with the aeresol version, If you are going to use it a lot, get a good one right off the bat. Under no circumstances would I recomend the $50 compressor kit.... That was a piece of junk...
D

 

[bleyd]

That's the same setup I've used for my Darth Maul makeup. The airbrush is about 5 years old now and the compressor just over a year and it's still running great. One of these days I'll get a high end brush but until then I'll keep using this one.

 

[airhead]

Another cheap option is Harbour Freight -

http://da.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/...eyword=airbrush

They have some import compressors with and without regulators. I have one of the now-really-cheap airbrush kits and use it to play with - last experiment was spraying diluted food coloring on my daughter for blue skin tones. It worked fine for that, but doesn't get fine enough for detailed painting.

db

 

[division 6]

I would make an investment in a good brush if I where you.

I have an Iwata HP-C that I picked up in a starter kit for $140 that included the brush, can of air (which is useless) air hose, paints, cleaner, and illustration board.

I've been using to over 10 years now.

I recently picked up a Paasche in a pinch on a project when my Iwata wore out the tip.

It doesn't have the same fine contol but it did come with a braided air line and both a cup and bottle attachments although I prefer the top feed.
It ran me $100.

Don't bother with anything cheap.
Get something that will last.
Make sure to clean it and care for the parts and it will last a long time.

D6

 

[dkwd]

How is the compressor though? I have a quality airbrush I picked up at Michaels years ago (40% off coupon) but haven't got a compressor yet.

David

 

[SithLord]

What are the limitations of the Walmart airbrush?

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>(SithLord @ Oct 5 2006, 06:58 PM) [snapback]1332631[/snapback]</div>

What are the limitations of the Walmart airbrush?
[/b]

Does anyone have a part number or sku for the airbrush? When I try to look it up at walmart.com, all I get is books.

Without seeing the airbrush in question, but knowing about the quality of airbrushes generall sold through these chains, I'm going to assume it is a single action brush, with a general purpose tip. At best, you'll be able to spray some acrylics on large objects. At worst, the tip will clog during the first use and you'll end up throwing it away.

-Fred

 

[spidermale]

yeah see i figured it will suck, but i dont want to go out and spend 300 bucks that i dont have on something and find out either i dont like airbrushing or that no matter how i try im no good at it, so i figured start small and once i get the hang of it ill upgrade but if i think its a pain in the ass im only out 50 bucks.

 

[darthsnikelfritz]

I got an IWATA ECLIPSE over ten years ago. I gotta say, it was really fun learning new techniques. Though i rarely use it now, but it still works like charm. I think it is a good starter airbrush for $100.

But, you have to spend extra for a compressor. I went to sears and got 12 gallon tank compressor. Sure beats hearing constant annoying noise. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Darth Kahnt]

<div class='quotetop'>(Gigatron @ Oct 5 2006, 03:10 PM) [snapback]1332637[/snapback]</div>

Without seeing the airbrush in question, but knowing about the quality of airbrushes generall sold through these chains, I'm going to assume it is a single action brush, with a general purpose tip. At best, you'll be able to spray some acrylics on large objects. At worst, the tip will clog during the first use and you'll end up throwing it away.

-Fred
[/b]

Yep, thats about the size of it. I bought one and brought it back. I plan to buy a decent one at some point, I wouldnt waste $50 on it if you are serious in any way.

 

[gunnerk19]

I'm guessing it's not a Walmart brand airbrush, but a cheap Testor's AB (plastic compressor, vinyl air hose) with a two setting nozzle...

Is it a black comp box and hose with a red plastic AB nozzle?

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>(gunnerk19 @ Oct 6 2006, 11:45 AM) [snapback]1332991[/snapback]</div>

I'm guessing it's not a Walmart brand airbrush, but a cheap Testor's AB (plastic compressor, vinyl air hose) with a two setting nozzle...

Is it a black comp box and hose with a red plastic AB nozzle?
[/b]

I'm guessing it's not a WM brand either but whatever knock off brush they can get for cheap. Either the cheapy ones from harbor freight or the crappy testors that toys r us used to sell. The testors was the first brush I ever got when I was 10. It was so bad it turned me off from airbrushing for years.

Here's the course of action I would take. First, get the Iwata. It's only $20 more than the WM brush and a million times better. IF you decide you don't like airbrushing, you could easily sell it on ebay for almost what you paid for it.

Second, pick up a decent compressor from sears. If you get a good one, you can use it for lots of different things, so even if you're not in to airbrushing, it's not a waste.

Just my 2 cents

-Fred