Best beginner airbrush kit?

[speeding_Infraction]

I'm looking to try airbrushing and was wondering what the best beginner kit is. I was thinking to just get a harbor freight compressor?
Is this a good option?
COSVII Airbrush Kit Upgraded 40 PSI Air Brush Painting Kit with Compressor, Gravity Feed Dual Action Airbrush Gun Set with 0.2/0.3/0.5 mm Nozzles for Art Model Makeup Nail Cake Decorating https://a.co/d/gN0xxXt

 

[SrC]

I never quite pulled the plug on an Air brush, but have researched them well. I always wanted one. For like 30 years actually.
Paasche is well known. I would get a well known brand, personally. So I can buy replacement parts easily. An Air brush is something you only want to buy once. Considering how infrequently it gets used. Air brushing costs way less than using Rattle cans. Bottles of paint don't get wasted like rattle cans. And with bottled paints, you can mix your own custom colors. The results are way better also. Tamiya paints whether Rattle cans or Bottled are best IMHO.
I keep a few colors of bottle Lexan paint here for small touch ups with a brush.
Painting is all a hobby unto itself.

 

[speeding_Infraction]

Is this a decent set?
Paasche H Airbrush Set with a Master 1/5 hp Cool Runner II Dual Fan Air Compressor System, Single-Action External Mix Siphon Feed Airbrush, All 3 Head Sizes (1, 3 & 5), Hose, Holder, How-To Guide https://a.co/d/gdeKRdh

 

[SrC]

That's the one.
$200. well spent IMHO. I keep eyeing that one too.
I worked in Auto body repair and painting. I learned that quality paint equipment matters with spray painting. There is a learning curve, so practice first and read up.

 

[speeding_Infraction]

I've seen some reviews saying the compressor isn't very good. But I can just return it if it doesn't work

 

[Velodromed]

This one’s been nice on a budget. I didn’t want to invest much as I don’t paint that often yet. It had everything I need to explore the process. I’m hoping to use it more this year. It has a small tank and I’ve found the steady pressure very convenient. Otherwise the thing will constantly run and there will be dips in pressure.

For just exploring the hobby it’s great. I got a big batch of cheap airbrush paint to practice with which ended up being smart. RC paints are pricy and much practice is needed. I got it for $80 mid last year on sale. It’s now $129 unfortunately with 5% off.
TUFFIOM Airbrush Compressor Kit w/ 3L Tank, 4 Airbrushes, Airbrush Holder & 6ft Hose, Airbrushing Painting System w/Regulator & Cooling Fan for Model Painting/Cake Decoration/Nail Art/Tattoo https://a.co/d/bTZnVMA

 

[speeding_Infraction]

I didn’t want to invest much as I don’t paint that often yet.

I'm thinking the same. I'll check it out

 

[djrahbee]

Check out badger. This is the one I have(which is prob more than you want to spend but an idea anyway). And I have 4 or 5 airbrushes of various brands. @SrC is right about auto body paint equipment. I had 6 spray guns and they ranged from $500, $800 all the way up to $1K. I grew up in a body shop and painted cars for a while. Don't really have the space to airbrush where I live so it's all packed away.

 

[Ajag]

Let me add my $.02 here

I’ve been airbrushing rc bodies for a few years and to be honest I’ve done probably 1000+ bodies

I’ve learned a LOT along the way ..I ripped through so many cheap compressors along the way ..the most important thing to have is a good compressor. And then a great airbrush..without those 2 things your results will not be great.

I’ve been using a paasche compressor for the past couple years and it’s been amazing ..it’s a 300$ compressor and I just can’t say enough about it..I’ve easily got 1000 hrs on this compressor and it’s still going strong

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/pa...JwzaIumuwR4IP5iOE8yZR5uOBIOo-bAxoCQAUQAvD_BwE

The next thing I would recommend is a decent airbrush like an Iwata eclipse for details and a patriot 105 fir everything else

It’s all a learning curve but if you take the advice from people that have been through it you’ll get to the better end results faster

Just my $.02

 

[speeding_Infraction]

Let me add my $.02 here

I’ve been airbrushing rc bodies for a few years and to be honest I’ve done probably 1000+ bodies

I’ve learned a LOT along the way ..I ripped through so many cheap compressors along the way ..the most important thing to have is a good compressor. And then a great airbrush..without those 2 things your results will not be great.

I’ve been using a paasche compressor for the past couple years and it’s been amazing ..it’s a 300$ compressor and I just can’t say enough about it..I’ve easily got 1000 hrs on this compressor and it’s still going strong

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/pa...JwzaIumuwR4IP5iOE8yZR5uOBIOo-bAxoCQAUQAvD_BwE

The next thing I would recommend is a decent airbrush like an Iwata eclipse for details and a patriot 105 fir everything else

It’s all a learning curve but if you take the advice from people that have been through it you’ll get to the better end results faster

Just my $.02

I was hoping you would chime in!! I'm taking notes

 

[RC-Dude]

If you want to use a "liquid mask" you need a bigger pistol aswell with a 1,4mm needle. Forget a paint brush to apply the mask. Just did not work for me.

Mostly one airbrush gun is enough. Only lots of cleaning with different airbrushes when only using a few colors. After using a color just blow through some water and cleaner and next color is OK. Also makes sense to get the same airbrush if you need another one. Just less adjusting if you know one airbrush type. Makes sense to have a second airbrush if you need to apply some backing color (white, silver) if your design needs to color to be backed before you move on.

And, as said before, get a compressor with a tank to have a clean constant airflow.

Just started with airbrushing but that's what I found.

 

[Ajag]

If you want to use a "liquid mask" you need a bigger pistol aswell with a 1,4mm needle. Forget a paint brush to apply the mask. Just did not work for me.

Mostly one airbrush gun is enough. Only lots of cleaning with different airbrushes when only using a few colors. After using a color just blow through some water and cleaner and next color is OK. Also makes sense to get the same airbrush if you need another one. Just less adjusting if you know one airbrush type. Makes sense to have a second airbrush if you need to apply some backing color (white, silver) if your design needs to color to be backed before you move on.

And, as said before, get a compressor with a tank.

Just started with airbrushing but that's what I found.

Liquid mask is a MUST for great results

I never do a body without liquid mask

Here’s a little before and after

 

[speeding_Infraction]

Are the kits from bittydesign any good?

 

[Ajag]

Are the kits from bittydesign any good?

I have the airbrushes from bitty and personally I don’t like them.

I do like their scissors and their liquid mask but That’s about it

 

[RC-Dude]

@Ajag - are you using some kind of extractor hood?

 

[Ajag]

@Ajag - are you using some kind of extractor hood?

You mean for the dust and fumes?

 

[RC-Dude]

Yes.

 

[Ajag]

Yes.

I paint in my basement so I open my windows and use a big fan that pulls all the fumes and dust out the back door
It creates a lot of air movement so it works really well
I tried different systems and they never worked that well

This is what I use

https://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-pedestal-shop-fan-47755.html

 

[RC-Dude]

Thought the same. Was wondering if it makes sense to build a box with a large filter mat and a fan like that behind it. The box just uses a lot of space and everything that is not sucked into the box is still in the air. A ventilator seems to be better in many ways with anything bigger than Revell models.

Also need to correct on liquid mask and airbrush - it can be applied without an airbrush but it needs to be a very soft brush.

 

[Ajag]

Thought the same. Was wondering if it makes sense to build a box with a large filter mat and a fan like that behind it. The box just uses a lot of space and everything that is not sucked into the box is still in the air. A ventilator seems to be better in many ways with anything bigger than Revell models.

Also need to correct on liquid mask and airbrush - it can be applied without an airbrush but it needs to be a very soft brush.

Personally I’d recommend shooting liquid mask through an hvlp
Comes out much more uniform and makes it much easier to cut accurately