Airbrush

[Sparkey]

Hiya lads and lasses!
I've always been sort of an artistic type, like to paint, draw etc!
Lately i've been looking around on some airbrush sites...

Now, do we have anyone on the forum who is already in to this, can give me hints and tips about how to start as an airbrusher? what material? Books, internet sites i should visit??
Would it be a good idea to buy the airbrush kit second hand, or not??
All info is welcome!!

ps: mods i didn't know exactly where to post this, feel free to move it if you want!

 

[tigler]

Although I've never used an airbush for artistic work, only for model making, I can strongly recommend Krautzberger air brushes.
Also, don't bother with canned air, very expensive and not good for a consistent finish, get a compressor.
My final bit of advice is practice, practice and more practice. The only way to refine your technique !

 

[Sparkey]

How about something like this:
http://www.boutiqueaerographe.com/O...port-Aéro+Station-nettoyage/product_info.html

Or should i look on Fleabay first?


edit: oh fk...sorry i forgot that site is in French.....

 

[tigler]

No prob, I use google tool bar to translate !
Paasche are also good. Probably a good idea to browse ebay though, there should be loads of used ones available. The better quality types like Paasche and Krautzberger etc can be overhauled if there are any worn or faulty parts so it's no big deal if you do get one with a small problem. You will save alot of money compared to buying new.

 

[rtbcomp]

Get an oiless compressor too, and a good water trap.

 

[Sparkey]

What does it mean if it's double action or solo Tiggy? (the spray gun)

 

[jaykay]

double action feeds air on first then paint comes in on second pull.not sure if that is best
explaination.a bit like a digi camera.first touch focus then second fire the shutter.
solo paint comes on as soon as you touch the trigger.

 

[Sparkey]

So....what is best? double or solo?

 

[jaykay]

double get my vote.

 

[tigler]

It's sort of like that. Double action guns work by pressing the trigger down for air then back for paint delivery, but the paint delivery can be varied by how far the trigger is moved back. This way the width of line and/or the amount of paint reaching the work can be controlled for various effects etc.
Double is the best for serious work.

 

[Sparkey]

double get my vote.

Right.....why?? why would you want air first and then paint...gives that a smoother finish or...........
Sorry for my annoying questions Jaykay....but they are very expensive those airbrushes...so i try to be as sure as i can about what model i want, actually need and can afford....

 

[tigler]

No, the air is switched on before the paint so the user can finely control the paint flow for whatever effect they want.

 

[Sparkey]

Aahhh! i see!
Owwww! my hands itch to try it out!!!

Lucky me i have someone at work who is nice enough to borrow me one of his airbrushes...so i can try it out!


But i narrowed it down a bit to: Paasche and Harder & Steenbeck....they're easily available in France too!
There was loads of chinese stuff on fleabay too...more the kind of stuff i would buy for my daughter tho! (well....IF she was interested that is...)

 

[langy]

x 2

double get my vote.

 

[graffian]

I used a single action Passche. Girl I lived with did paintings with airbrushes she used an assortment of air brushes, but favored the new[at the time]jap Aztek thing. She reconed they were the best airbrushes by far, I bought one and didn't get on with it;-)

 

[brightspark]

badger airbrushes were allways the best .[ any coments ]

 

[the snooper]

i bought a badger airbrush for a fiver years ago found it in the garage a few weeks ago with a hole in the glass bottom, dear liza dear liza oh well didnt use it much anyway

 

[tigler]

LOL !! Badger was my first airbrush, knocked out a few good models with it !! Doesn't even compare with a pro gun though.

 

[Balders]

Double action's the way to go.
You control the air flow by depressing the lever. The fluid's controlled by moving the lever backwards. It does take time to develop the skills.

If you're serious about it: Iwata, Paasche, DeVilbis and Badger make excellent ones.
I still have an old Aerograph 63 (DeVilbis) and a Badger XGF1000.

By replacing the needle/cap assy you can get incredibly fine lines < 0.5mm

All depending on the sort of work you do, you'll need to work out if you need a large fluid reservoir. Some are mounted on the top of the brush, others are either side caps or suction feed.

To really get to grips with one, buy a kiddies Dot to Dot book. Join up the dots. Very good practice.

It's been ages since I used mine, all my stuff's done on Photoshop these days!

 

[Sparkey]

Wow! Thanks for all the great replies guys!!

I've been tinkering a long time now, doing paintings on all kinds of stuff for people: jackets, welding masks, t shirts, blimey even did those milk pots for a while...and i honestly think that airbrushing will be a big step forward for me!

People pay crazy money overhere to get their motorcycle helmets paintbrushed!! between 450 and 600 euros!!!!............................that makes me wonder what i'm doing in that dusty plant, breathing in crap 8 hours a day for a lousy paycheck.....

LOL i could even add some "bling" to my saxo!