Thinking of getting an airbrush setup - share your knowledge please!

[LibertyMKiii]

As the title states I am looking into getting an airbrush setup.
Do you have any budget friendly recommendations or advice for someone new and unfamiliar with it all?
For reference I have used HVLP paint guns to paint 1:1 cars for a number of years so I assume the general process is very similar.

I found this one and people in the reviews seem to like the compressor a lot. I think the clogged airbrush gun could likely be user error from not cleaning them properly after use.

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOHOME-Pro...?keywords=air+brush+kit&qid=1637328871&sr=8-6

 

[Velodromed]

As the title states I am looking into getting an airbrush setup.
Do you have any budget friendly recommendations or advice for someone new and unfamiliar with it all?
For reference I have used HVLP paint guns to paint 1:1 cars for a number of years so I assume the general process is very similar.

I found this one and people in the reviews seem to like the compressor a lot. I think the clogged airbrush gun could likely be user error from not cleaning them properly after use.

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOHOME-Pro...?keywords=air+brush+kit&qid=1637328871&sr=8-6

I’m doing the same research! I don’t really have anything solid yet though so I’ll be watching your post closely…

Ooo! That one you posted is nice.

 

[Hammer Down]

@Ajag may have some insight.

 

[Sandracer_NL]

That looks pretty similar to the one I bought some years ago. i have a very basic model, just to play around. Pretty cheap only side effect of the cheap kit is that I can use it for around 30min before it get very hot and needs cooling.
A starters kit with adjustable pressure like the one in your link should set you back around USD 100 or even less.

Cleaning is important (very easy) as is the right paint!

 

[LibertyMKiii]

That looks pretty similar to the one I bought some years ago. i have a very basic model, just to play around. Pretty cheap only side effect of the cheap kit is that I can use it for around 30min before it get very hot and needs cooling.
A starters kit with adjustable pressure like the one in your link should set you back around USD 100 or even less.

Cleaning is important (very easy) as is the right paint!

30 mins is about my time limit in the garage anyway

 

[Sandracer_NL]

30 mins is about my time limit in the garage anyway

Exactly, by that time I’m getting sloppy.

 

[Doom!]

Really depends, are you doing large areas, detail work, or both. I use Badger Airbrushes, they have treated me well for the last 35 years or so. If you are spraying larger areas like car bodies etc. I prefer a bottom feed airbrush that you can attach a paint bottle to. that way your not having to stop and fill the tiny paint cup.

I also run a big craftsman compressor like you would for air tools, because the small compressors overheat pretty fast, which also sucks when your in the middle of a project, and have to let it cool down enough to turn back on. You may not have this problem but I live in a warm climate and it was frustrating.

Airbrushing is 80% prep and cleanup and 20% painting. You have to clean your equipment right away or it will not perform well. once paint dries in the internals of your airbrush it is a real bugger to clean it back out.

 

[Flames77]

I have thought about getting an airbrush myself. But not so sure I would use it enough to justify having it.

 

[Ajag]

That looks pretty similar to the one I bought some years ago. i have a very basic model, just to play around. Pretty cheap only side effect of the cheap kit is that I can use it for around 30min before it get very hot and needs cooling.
A starters kit with adjustable pressure like the one in your link should set you back around USD 100 or even less.

Cleaning is important (very easy) as is the right paint!

View attachment 180610

I do quite a bit of airbrush work..probably 10-15hrs a week
I used to run compressors like the one above but they kept failing after about 50-100hrs of use

I’ve since switched to a Paasche compressor and absolutely love it..I’ve probably got 300hrs on it now and it’s performed perfectly…not bad for a 250$ compressor.

I agree with the cleaning commebts
You really need to keep the brushes clean and make sure you have your paint mixed to the right consistency and you’ll get better results.

I just shot this one today

 

[LibertyMKiii]

I do quite a bit of airbrush work..probably 10-15hrs a week
I used to run compressors like the one above but they kept failing after about 50-100hrs of use

I’ve since switched to a Paasche compressor and absolutely love it..I’ve probably got 300hrs on it now and it’s performed perfectly…not bad for a 250$ compressor.

I agree with the cleaning commebts
You really need to keep the brushes clean and make sure you have your paint mixed to the right consistency and you’ll get better results.

I just shot this one today

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Any experience with Spaz Stix paint? From what I read it seems to be ready to go, good colors, and reasonable price.
That was my planned paint to use.

Any tips for paint durability (backers)

 

[jschlosser0405]

I am by no means a professional, but I grabbed this Talon for around $100. Cheap enough I'm not scared to use it but still from what I have seen is a nice sprayer. I have used the Pro-Line ready to spray paints with success. I run the sprayer off my compressor in my garage, through a filter and regulator.

 

[Ajag]

Any experience with Spaz Stix paint? From what I read it seems to be ready to go, good colors, and reasonable price.
That was my planned paint to use.

Any tips for paint durability (backers)

Yes
I have a ton of experience shooting spaz stix paints
They’re by far the easiest and most consistent shooting paints available for these bodies
I find that if you’re shooting the spaz candies I always back with either the spaz metallic silver or chrome
Then of course black
But I always back mine with the createx wicked black ..works great

Here’s a few examples of spaz candies I’ve shot

 

[Hammer Down]

Yes
I have a ton of experience shooting spaz stix paints
They’re by far the easiest and most consistent shooting paints available for these bodies
I find that if you’re shooting the spaz candies I always back with either the spaz metallic silver or chrome
Then of course black
But I always back mine with the createx wicked black ..works great

Here’s a few examples of spaz candies I’ve shot

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Just saw my new fav!
Kinda want this one.

 

[Flames77]

Just saw my new fav!
Kinda want this one.

View attachment 181033

I was looking at that one too! Any side shots of this gem @Ajag ? As always your work is amazing man

 

[Clubin]

All my stuff is iwata. Check them out.

 

[Mazin]

Great thread I'm in the same boat and picked up a compressor at my LHS swap meet on the cheap and wanted to start getting creative in my body painting. @Ajag, gotta say you have some crazy skills man, maybe some day you can do a basic how to thread on how to get crazy cool like you!
ETA: I have also thought about using my normal compressor for painting so thanks to those guys for speaking up, I'm off to Home Depot to get some fittings lol.

 

[Ajag]

I was looking at that one too! Any side shots of this gem @Ajag ? As always your work is amazing man

Thanks guys
Here’s a few pics of that one

Great thread I'm in the same boat and picked up a compressor at my LHS swap meet on the cheap and wanted to start getting creative in my body painting. @Ajag, gotta say you have some crazy skills man, maybe some day you can do a basic how to thread on how to get crazy cool like you!
ETA: I have also thought about using my normal compressor for painting so thanks to those guys for speaking up, I'm off to Home Depot to get some fittings lol.

One of these days I’ll figure out how to edit video so I can do some how to vids

It’s not hard though..just takes practice

I used my big compressor for a while and honestly it works just fine ..it’s just a little loud so that’s really the only benefit of an airbrush compressor. Just a quieter delivery of air pressure

As for airbrushes

My primary airbrush for shooting detail work like flames is an Iwata eclipse ..I absolutely love this airbrush

The other airbrush I really prefer is the badger patriot (I have 4 of these ) and I typically use 4 airbrushes at the same time to do just about any job

 

[LibertyMKiii]

I decided to use my big compressor and bought a small touch up 0.5mm hvlp spray gun.
Given that I plan to do solid paint jobs it should work great for that and costs me less. (got one an amazon for $17)

I may get the small airbrush setup later.

 

[LibertyMKiii]

@Ajag
I was able to play with the candy paints and mirror chrome over the holiday week. The results were not what I had hoped for.
Any insights on spraying the mirror chrome to make it get a true mirror reflection? I know it is possible based on a few videos I have seen but many turn out looking like dull polished aluminum instead of a true mirror finish.
One guy mentioned keeping the body warm around 120 F.

There seems to be 2 guys selling mirror candy bodies and I am trying to figure out how it is done

 

[Ajag]

@Ajag
I was able to play with the candy paints and mirror chrome over the holiday week. The results were not what I had hoped for.
Any insights on spraying the mirror chrome to make it get a true mirror reflection? I know it is possible based on a few videos I have seen but many turn out looking like dull polished aluminum instead of a true mirror finish.
One guy mentioned keeping the body warm around 120 F.

There seems to be 2 guys selling mirror candy bodies and I am trying to figure out how it is done

View attachment 182799

I’ve seen those bodies on eBay and wondered how they did that as well
I’m guessing it’s just a very light coat or 2 of candy and then the chrome backing

I haven’t tried it but I will give it a shot and see what I can come up with
Typically though if you want a more chrome like appearance with color like that
You need to make the candy color very thin

I’ve only used spaz stix chrome abs had great results

Here’s a chrome Talion body I just did a couple weeks ago with spaz stix chrome