Airbrushing for Hobby projects

[JonathonWally]

Hey people, wondering if anyone knows stuff about airbrushing. I've never done it before, but looking to get started.

It's just for hobbyist projects and stuff. I'm looking around and there are so many to choose from.

What accesories, if any, should I also pick up when I make this purchase?

All info is very much appreciated!

 

[TheSeeker]

I would suggest posting this in the Fan Art section. There are quite a few good modellers there who might be able to help.

 

[JonathonWally]

I forgot all about that forum, could a mod move this please?

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

With a quick burst of compressed air, off it goes.

 

[T J]

I just got a new airbrush, haven't used it yet on a model. Can't wait though! I'm also looking for airbrush tips of all sorts. One thing I have learned is cleanliness is the key. Keep everything super clean!

As for painting technique, I'm hoping some veteran from on high will dazzle us with wisdom, either that or I'll just figure it out as I go.

 

[Forbin]

A good but inexpensive airbrush is the Aztec series made by Testors. Theyre all plastic with interchangeable tip modules in different spray sizes.
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TS2705
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TS3205
http://www.squadron.com/NoStock.asp?item=TS4305

Get whatever you can afford.

For air, a compressor with a moisture trap is recommended (you'll be spraying around 10-15psi and up). Again, find one you can afford. If not, canned air is an option.

 

[Forbin]

Oh - Double-action airbrushes let you adjust both spray intensity and air pressure with the trigger. Generally recommended, but not essential to begin with.

 

[JonathonWally]

A good but inexpensive airbrush is the Aztec series made by Testors. Theyre all plastic with interchangeable tip modules in different spray sizes.
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TS2705
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TS3205
http://www.squadron.com/NoStock.asp?item=TS4305

Get whatever you can afford.

For air, a compressor with a moisture trap is recommended (you'll be spraying around 10-15psi and up). Again, find one you can afford. If not, canned air is an option.

Hey Forbin, thanks for the lowdown. I was actually looking at Testor's Aztek line and saw all the different ones they had, that's what made me start the thread in the first place.

I was looking at this one has a starting set-up here

But don't know if it's any good.

I'm looking to paint small detail stuff for now, just starting out.

 

[The Axeman]

Dont go too expensive too soon, airbrushing technique takes a bit of practice to aquire, and the mechanics of operating one take a bit of learning too. I ruined my first set because I couldn't get the thickness of the paint correct and was doing it all wrong. I wished I'd started out a bit lower and learned the craft first. At least nowadays we have the electric interweb for assitance, youtube videos, etc.

 

[Forbin]

Oh, and go to www.finescale.com. That's the website of FineScale Modeler magazine. i think they have how-to articles and helpful stuff like that. Plaus lotsa helpful people on the forums.

 

[Ziz]

You get good at airbrushing the same way you get to Carnegie Hall - practice, man, practice.

Start with "non-specific" details like weathering or general color coverage. After you've got the feel of how to handle the airbrush, how it reacts to you and you to it, take some paper and try playing with the nozzle adjustments to create fine lines and putting the paint in specific spots.

This is a long and slow process. Don't get discouraged at the beginning and remain objective about your progress.

 

[Forbin]

I'm still not very good at it. It's amazing how many times I screw up airbrushing. And I'm terrible at small, careful stuff like WWII German mottling camo. I mainly use an AB for large areas, with masking.

 

[The Axeman]

Funnily enough I bought my first one for WWII German mottled camo, and made a complete mess of it. The masked areas came out not too bad, but the mottles ended up either running like inky water or clumping like mud before terminally clogging the brush.

 

[Ziz]

That's one/two of the first hurdles of airbrushing - finding the right combination of paint thinness and air pressure. Lotta trial and error each time you set up the brush.

 

[Forbin]

And I so rarely get that right!

 

[The Axeman]

I had a huge electric compressor banging away next to me, I could have sprayed trucks with the rig I had. Trying to get the airflow and mix right was like trying to very gently tap crystal wineglasses with a ten-pound lump hammer, a recipe for disaster. Once you get your ideal mix sorted in the right proportions it becomes pretty easy, but I ruined numerous models and brushes before I got it right. Then I gave up on plastic and moved to CGI!

 

[Albertese]

That's one/two of the first hurdles of airbrushing - finding the right combination of paint thinness and air pressure. Lotta trial and error each time you set up the brush.

Wait! Trial AND error?!?! CRAP!

My airbrushing has been almost entirely using masks. I'd rather use a rattle can, but I like to mix my own colors. As I do not own a compressor, I tend to borrow my buddy's for specific projects, or go to his place to spray if it's a smallish project. This year probably I'll finally be able to get a compressor of my very own so I can practice a bit more and get better at the freehand stuff.

--Alex