Airbrush for Newbie

Seeking advice on a entry level airbrush. Never have used one and plan mostly for n scale painting. I've watched a few YT videos... After looking at several it seems that the gravity fed is preferred. Portable or small compressor sets preferred. Like to hear about experiences, especially with both low and high end paints and over time of ownership...

Quite a few have bought this design
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CX8BM9M/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A3OAKJ3ETAX5ZZ&psc=1

Another type includes a hose that connects to the brush as compared to the first. Wondering if its better for handling and accuracy when airbrush is connected to a hose vs small compressor like the first one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092D2YB8R/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A2NO887KIUN0MZ&psc=1

The Badger 105 offers the best cost - quality?? About as far as I got.

 

I have had several different types of air brushes over the years. I started with a simple single action Badger, then worked up to a moderately complex dual action unit with different spray heads. The vacuum type (bottles) are good for thin washes. The gravity fed units can handle a higher viscosity paint. I use it mostly for guitar refinishing/precision work. I use an old (really old...) Badger diaphragm compressor and a good hose for the air supply.

 

Myself included. It was junk, stopped working after three or four uses, so I returned it.

The thing I liked about it is how quiet it is, and the cordless design. But quality... ... blecch...

 

Thanks for the feedback. The compactness is what attracted me to it to. Did you get a different one?

 

As stated above DO NOT get the Rechargeable one's, mine also went out within month's of having it and you can't buy needles and such for the actual airbrush. Luckily I bought an extended warranty and got my money back on Amazon, but had to wait a year for it.

This is what I bought finally, can replace parts on actual airbrush. I checked before purchasing it. You will pay more but it will last longer, or should. I also bought an Amazon extended warranty on it too. I don't use the airbrush that has the bottom clear cup. But the other two work great. You'll also be glad you have a separate compressor, trust me on this.

You don't have to get this exact one, just check the airbrushes and make sure you can buy replacement parts for them. You may not think you want a compressor, but you do, really! When I bought it was on Sale for like $134.99 or something, me thinks. I also don't use the acrylic paint that came with it as I buy my own Vallejo Airbrush paint's. I use mine mainly for plastic model kits. Haven't used it on the N Scale layout yet, but sure I will one day.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EKT30JK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Thank you for the input. Scrolling down Amazon's product page showed "Frequently Returned Item" so that was concerning.

Liked the Gocheer 2nd I posted because of the separate small compressor, airbrush hose and AC adapter. It has higher PSI. Read that some bought it for just the compressor and are using a higher quality airbrush like the Badger 105. Great point regarding parts...

Going to look at the kind you suggest. Thanks

 

The big stand out on the Gocheer is in the Title which was also in the Rechargeable one I bought. Cake Decorating, Nails, Pastry, etc... just be careful. There are other people here that know way more then I do about this subject. Basically you get what you pay for. And even mine with the compressor experts would say don't get it, but I use mine very seldom. But even at the LOW end, my kit is WAY better then the other ones used for Nails, Cakes, etc... Final decision is yours, and I would always recommend and Extended Warranty, but I am that person, and I have been lucky the extended warranty I have purchased I have used, that's either a bad or good thing, and they are cheap on Amazon say compared to a Best Buy or something

But that's just me! Of course final decision is yours Good luck with whatever you choose is right for your needs. I really like the compressor one I bought and 2 of the 3 airbrush's it came with. The siphon one is probably fine, I just choose not to use that one!

Youtube is you friend here. Also check out dual-action and single-action. And check that parts are available for the airbrushes, this is a biggie. Of course with a decent compressor you can buy all kinds of airbrushes just by themselves.

My YT video of what I have now:

 

I too, don't expect alot of use but don't want to throw away on something either even if cheap. I'm convinced to avoid both. Going to research something like what you have, maybe with a slightly smaller compressor. There is no immediate need so have more time. Thank you again.

 

I've mentioned this before, and it isn't meant as a recommendation, just what works for me..........I have a couple of "levels" of airbrushes. The first is a cheapy........even a cheap airbrush is better than a rattle can, and for that level, I have an old testors brush. Sadly, it gets used about 80% or the time for painting buildings, primer and primary color on cars , locos and other vehicles. I use it because it does a decent job for those uses, and it's designed as a siphon feed........it feeds through siphon tubes that fit into lids that screw onto all the popular size paint bottles. The siphon tubes are the size of coffee stirrers. Which is why I use it.......I hate cleaning airbrushes, and with this one cleanup involves unscrewing the bottle from the gun, pulling the siphon tube out of the lid and throwing it away, giving the lid a quick squirt of cleaner and screwing the original lid back on the bottle. Paint never goes thru the gun. Paint storage is in the original bottles for color ID.......I mark the bottles that I've thinned with an X on the lid but I use a lot of Trucolor paint which is normally airbrush ready. Next up, I have a Paasche single action, external mis. It also feeds from bottles that can be purchased at most hobby shops, but won't accept Testors size bottles. It is much more precise and adjustable, but I find I don't need that extra precision very often. I also have a really nice double action, internal mix brush that I convinced myself I HAD to have, and it's never been out of the box. But again, that's me........you have to set your own standards and buy a brush accordingly. I have a friend that bought an "airbrush starter kit" from Harbor Freight Tools and it works great for him.

 

Looks good. And after my experience with the rechargeable pile of scrap, a separate compressor is a good thing.

In Canuckian money it's over 200 Loonies with, wait for it, $57.72 (about 30% ) in shipping and import fees to Canada...

For that kind of coin I'll go to the LHS and see it and touch it in person, with someone nearby giving me advice.

I never noticed until now the box about how often the item is returned. This one has "Customers usually keep this item". Must be a recent addition

 

All great points. Thank you. The cleaning and maintenance aspect vs utility. Sometimes the time spent with pre and post prep and cleaning negates the benefit. With you on that.

 

Casually compared reviews and learned that it appears by scores that kits with rechargeable or smaller compressors do not meet or at the low end of the range. From googling 15-30 (20 min) PSI and/or .8 CFM these are the key specs for compressor????

Found this--Like the form factor and MM has good stuff but the reviews for their small compressor not so good (lower end PSI + CFM).
https://micromark.com/collections/compressors/products/mini-compressor-with-airbrush-holder.

The frequently returned or usually kept is definitely nice to know. Think noticed earlier this year.

 

Thanks for the info. Slowly learning. Gravity fed definitely seems like the way to go.

 

There are a lot of great guns out there. An airbrush is a tool, so my advice is to buy a good tool from a company with good customer service. There are some great guns from good companies that can be had for around the 100.00-dollar mark. If 100.00 is too much, look at some used guns. I see Badger 150's selling for 30.00 dollars. I have had my 150 for over 30 years and it still shoots like a champ. If you are just learning perhaps the used market may be the way to go. You can find some decent bargains if you take the time to hunt. (I recently have seen a used Iwata HPc selling for 70.00). Be aware that the quality control on many of the Chinese knockoffs is sub-par and the customer service is mostly nonexistent.

 

Thank you for the input..

Am still learning and watching videos. Also trying to find other uses for either brush and/or compressor. The Badger 150 is well liked only wish I had the 30 years.

Kinda wondering whether sufficient use exists. eg;
Hand painted 100+ conifers over Sunday and yesterday. An airbrush would have significantly reduced time but that's a rare "bulk" job. Most of the need would be painting small parts like shown below from time to time.. Do people use airbrush for these types of small jobs?

Considered Badger + compressor thinking that the compressor could be used for other "air" devices or equipment but that was b4 learning that airbrush compressors are only good for that task and generic compressors need some sort of regulator so typically are not recommended for airbrush???

The interest started with the "cheaper" airbrush handheld compressor -- space efficient models. So an occasional need at $50 + small foot print is very attractive. You are absolutely correct. I prefer to buy good stuff with support and parts but when significant use is needed or predicted. eg I buy the Zona & Tamiya quality cuz the tools have been and can be used around the house or outside the MRR hobby.

Going to continue to learn about the art as well as waiting till the holiday sales. Assuming I go with a used Badger, maybe some who received a better airbrush for Christmas will be selling one in January? The only concern via the used route is identifying a well maintained and non-defective airbrush?

 

If you are a model builder of any kind you will definitely find a use for an airbrush, if not then perhaps an airbrush wouldn't be the way to go. I would assume that model railroading would give you more uses for an airbrush than you would have imagined. As far as Badger is concerned, I want to be clear, I never intended to push a brand on you. I offered the Badger name strictly from my experience with the guns. There are many good manufactures of airbrushes. I started using Badger way back in the day because the company is very close to my home and if I were to have any problems with a gun, I could easily drop it off instead of shipping the item. The guns have a lifetime warranty on labor, the parts cost a few bucks, so very convenient for me. If you were to buy a used, defective Badger, they would still honor the warranty, I believe Iwata and a few others have the same kind of support. I know the more expensive brands such as Harder and Steenbeck all offer great support and truly stand by their product.

To answer your question about small parts - yes, I use my guns for all my desk top projects. I have guns with smaller cups that are perfect for small jobs. The finish of an airbrushed part compared to a hand painted part cannot be beat, plus the fading and weathering that can be achieved is well worth learning how to airbrush if you are a modeler.

 

I apologize if my comment inferred that. First saw the Badger when started looking at airbrushes early last month. Appear reasonably priced and read very good feedback on it. It seems to be the best compromise between quality and cost. I too like the warranty and parts availability. Coupled with a small yet decent compressor, it could work.

Thank you for the info on painting small parts. Haven't seen too much on when its worth in terms of cleanup using airbrush compared to brush. Unaware of the small cup options. Definitely a plus. My brush painting finish alone is certainly a reason to go airbrush.

Do you use the airbrush in one of those stations or outside? Or are they "focused" enough to paint things inside?

 

No apologies necessary, I just wanted to clarify I am not a cheerleader for any specific brand, nor would I push any brand.

I have a cheap Chinese made small paint booth which has a hose (much like a dryer hose) that can be placed near or out a window. The booths run in many styles, the bare basic cost about 80.00 or so. Many people build their own booths. The booth also serves as my soldering station, so it has a dual purpose.

 

That paint booth is great especially like the exhaust hose. Looks like you have booth in finished living space. Is that where you paint?? Living in Tampa Bay, I'd like to keep in garage but paint in climate controlled space.

Notice you have a stand. Researched a few last week. Thinking one of those is important accessory rather than the holder mounted on compressor.

What happens with left over paint in the cups?

Gee, wish had airbrush for the tree job. <15min vs 3 days for brush. Fortunately only remaining 2nd coat are the trees in pink foam.