Using an airbrush

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I am looking to puchase an airbrush spray system to paint some projects. I was wondering if anyone out there has one and what type is it . Maybe you can fill me in on what to look for, what is a good one, where can I buy one, what types of paint do you have to use, can you spray polurathane with it? Any info would be greatly appreciated. If you don't want to post here and want to email me : JTTHECLOCKMAN@AOL.COM Thanks!!!!

[Admin]

You want a dual action model so you can control the air and paint separately. I currently have a Paasche airbrush but all the really good airbrush people I've talked to use Iwata. After borrowing a few of them I know why it is considered the top.

The tolerances inside an airbrush are extremely small so good ones are expensive - expect to pay $100-150 on ebay or more from other sources.

I'm sure they would spray polyurethane, but I'm not sure it's the best use for it - more of a general coverage small sprayer would be best unless I'm not understanding what you want to do with it.

An airbrush would best be used to add highlights and shadows to a painted or stained piece. Of course folks use them for a lot more than my non-creative mind can fathom. (body art & airbrush tanning come to mind)

[Ron Scalf]

I have had a Paasche 'H' model for 25 or so years and still like it. There are a lot of newer ones on the market today and choice depends a lot on what you are wanting to do. I use mine for everything and have sprayed lacquer, automotive enamels and acrylics, and water based paints. Go to www.bearair.com they handle just about everything for the air brush artist and have some good books available also.

[dougle40]

I have both , a Paasche single action with 3 heads which I learned on and it is a great tool both for large and small items by simply changing the heads . I also have an Iwata Eclipse dual action which is the greatest for detail work , you get much better control due to the dual control . Check out my "Crappie" in the photo gallery , it was painted with the Iwata , it's only about 2 1/2" long . One key to airbrushing though is to have a good compressor and a pressure regulator to vary your air pressure for different uses. Don't forget a sediment bottle either because nothing messes up a piece faster than by getting "spurts" of paint due to water in the lines. As for paints I use nothing but water based , their much easier on your lungs and much easier to clean up afterwards . You can get almost any type of paint or finish in water based so there isn't a problem there , just don't mix water and laquer based paints on the same piece , if you start with one stick with through the whole process .
Hope this helps .
PS- I wouldn't give up either brush !

[KMorrow]

I presently have an air compressor with a paint spray gun attachment -- what are the differences between spraying with a compressor and doing air brushing??? I have seen several craft companies advertising air brush systems but am not sure if I really need to invest in one or not...:rolleyes:

[Admin]

An air brush uses a compressor also - it's just for fine detail work, thus the name.

I also hate the clean-up with oil based paints - water based are much easier to work with. I have heard rumors that there are now water based paints that will hold up to outdoor use. Has anybody used them?

I just finished doing the lettering on my mailbox with the airbrush and 3 colors. Printed the lettering on the computer and cut out Frisk film to use as a template. I used oil based paints and the clean up was a royal pain once again. Plus the whole household was mad at me - with the cold weather I did my spraying and cleanup in the basement and the smell of mineral spirits permeated the entire house.

[Ron Scalf]

There are several waterbased paints that can be used in your airbrush that are suitable for outdoor use. The newest and probably the best is by Createx and is called Auto Air Paint.

Besides the link I posted earlier here are two others for you to surf.
www.howtoairbrush.com and www.airbrushartistmagazine.com

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Ron thanks for posting those sites. I have been checking them out. Talk about an art form. Wow!!!! I am not looking to get that deep but just some simple things. I will let you know which and when I buy an airbrush. Thanks again!!! JTTHECLOCKMAN

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Ron thanks for posting those sites. I have been checking them out. Talk about an art form. Wow!!!! I am not looking to get that deep but just some simple things. I will let you know which and when I buy an airbrush. Thanks again!!! JTTHECLOCKMAN

[WoodOrBust]

JTTHECLOCKMAN,

If you want to just check out airbrushing to see if you will like it, and don't want to spend a lot of money, Sherwood Creations offers some starter kits that come with everything. I did a search for you on their site for airbrush, and they have a few pages of kits, accessories, and a sale on their compressor. Here is the link... http://www.sherwoodonline.com/search.asp?keyword=airbrush&page=1

Good luck!

WoodOrBust

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Wood or Bust

Thanks for the reply but that was an old post and I have since gotten a Paasche and playing with it but it did not work out for what I originally wanted for, which was spraying lacquers on my projects. I since bought a midsize HVLP sprayer and works great.