Airbrush - Considerations

[Anonymous]

I have been studying up on air brushes this week. Read some of the threads on this site, checked google and got some more info.

I now have questions.

Which make gives the least headaches in terms of failures of parts, cleaning and maintaining, and ease of use?

Where can I find info on painting technigues without spending an arm or leg on an expensive book?

What are the best paints to use nowadays?

As in "big stuff" is it better to apply a primer coat first.

Any favorite resources would be helpful. I live between "lost and found" and have to order most of the specialized things I want.

Once I gather up what I need I will practice on some "old stuff" I have laying around before starting in.

One thing I forgot to look up is where I can get UP decals as for a DD40AX. (And no wise remarks on UPs logo - PLEASE - [:D] [:D] )

[Anonymous]

Microscale does.

[nfmisso]

Badger 200, Modelflex paints; just like Jim Six, Chris Toth and others.

Join one or more of Jim's groups on Yahoo!, and do a search on old threads. There is a great deal of information there, better than a book. Here is one of his groups:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RPM-forum

[Anonymous]

dougal, The Microscale website is being redone, but I was able to get the phone number after finding the decals I was interested in. Thanks

nfmisso, Joined the Yahoo group you refered to and from there continued on looking for resources. Appreciate the info.

All I want to do is paint and weather a locomotive or two or three and have I ever found a bunch of info to support the effort. Funny what you learn from modelrailroading. [:D]

Have not found a website with any airbru***utorials yet but have found a couple of books that don't have to bad a price. Even Kalmbach has one.

But the best resource is those who have done it. So if anyone has anything more to add, I would sure appreciate seeing it. [:)]

[Anonymous]

If thats all you want to do. I'd suggest you get one of the Harbor Freight $20 double action air brushes. You can find them at www.harborfreight.com . Truth be told these brushes are more than 90% of modelers have need for.

Randy

[Anonymous]

I have had good results using a double action Aztek airbrush made by Testors. It's constructed using more plastic than Badger or Pasche but it doesn't seem to affect its performance, and handles enamels and laquers well as well as well as the thinners.

Clean up takes a little time but is not difficult. The interchangable tips seem to make clean up a bit easier as well as adding versatility to the system (although I mostly use the fine tip nozzle).

There is a "deluxe" kit available that comes with a video that provids some basic how to info, but the best way to learn how to use it is to practice. I generaly thin paint more than is recommended on paint jars, usualy 30% or more.

I have found many brands that work well, Floquil and Testors "Model Master" enamels always yield a superb finish. Tamiya acrillics do very well too but the acrillics seem more prone to clogging the fine tip nozzle on the Aztek. The only time I use a primer is on bare metal.

hope this helps