So, I planned to start airbrushing today, but after watching some videos, I seem to be missing a few things. First, let me show you what I have.
Last Christmas, I got a Master's Airbrush compressor. Three days later, I was hospitalized for two weeks with an array of pulmonary embolisms, then found out I had cancer--I'm fine now--and only just recently was able to resume work on my layout after a full year being unable. Long story short, I opened the compressor box for the first time today.
I also have two sets of airbrush paints--one by Badger and the other by CreateX.
The airbrush is a new in box, but at least 20 years old Badger 150 siphon-flow airbrush. I actually have two of these, the other being in poor shape, probably just in need of cleaning.
The first thing that stands out as a problem is that the airbrush does not marry up to the compressor. Does anyone know what adapter I need?
The second thing is that I don't have any thinner, cleaner or retardent. What can I use as workarounds? The fact is that I cannot get anything (even from Amazon) before I leave for a two-week trip.
Is there anything else I need?
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
The good news - Your availabe Createx & Badger paints are water-based. Easy to clean the airbrush with vehicle window washer fluid, or even plain old soap and water. (I usually use window wash fluid. Blinker fluid will work in a bind. )
Createx does have a acrylic retarder, and if you need to thin, I usually use Golden Acrylic Airbrush Medium with my Badger and Createx colors. Mixed results on the Badger, pretty good with Createx.
Micheal's (and similar) stores will sometimes have it "in stock in store", but most times I use either Amazon or Blick. (Link to Blick here: https://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-airbrush-mediums/?clickTracking=true&wmcp=pla&wmcid=items&wmckw=25321-1008 )
What I can't tell, is what size the compressor air outlet is. However, if it is the same as my HF knockoff compressor it is the one in the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-Conversion-Connector-Compressors/dp/B002VZO0Y4/ref=asc_df_B002VZO0Y4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198071540295&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2576480302105440998&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1025202&hvtargid=pla-349719287904&psc=1
That's where the bad news comes in: If the air hose is a different size, that adapter is incorrect....
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
ricktrains4824What I can't tell, is what size the compressor air outlet is
The compressor has a 1/8" male fitting, evidently the same as Iwata. Badger uses a propriety fitting that is smaller than 1/8"
Masters makes an adapter for Badger--an Amazon's Choice no less--but unfortunately the threads are wrong for the Badger and there are listings after listings where people have stripped the threads on their airbrush.
Badger makes an adapter that fits an Iwata hose.
https://smile.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-Company-Iwata-Adaptor/dp/B004RM2DIO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pb_opt?ie=UTF8
This appears to be the right adapter.
Rick,
What do you use to thin the acrylic paints?
SpaceMouseWhat do you use to thin the acrylic paints?
For acrylics like Pollyscale, Model Master and Rapido, I use distilled water, available at most supermarkets.
Wayne
I use the airbrush medium I linked in my first post for thinning acrylics, as I've had better results using that than I have just the distilled water. Last bottle I ordered from Amazon, but I linked at Blick art supply as their's is now cheaper when counting shipping.
I even use that when making custom colors from craft store acrylics for truck and wheel set painting, with no issues. (And those get a bunch of airbrush medium to be airbrushed at all!)
Badger seems to be hit or miss if thinned with either though, some bottles work great straight, some work great thinned with the airbrush medium, but I have had a few bottles from Badger that will bead up on the surface, straight or thinned, no matter how well you prep the model. It's almost like they have bad batches of paint every now and then or something.
Because of this, on locomotives I've now gone to painting with TruColor, and a few freight cars I've used them on as well now. TruColor requires acetone to clean, and their brand thinner and retarder are the only ones I've been successful with when using their paint. (Something in their formula is slightly different from everyone else's.) But their paint sprays and covers very smoothly, nearly rivaling the old lacquer based line of ModelMaster. (If TruColor would switch to glass bottles, I think their evap issue would disappear, eliminating the need for thinning their paint at all.)
One other tip I will give on the airbrushing with acrylics, you might already know, but others who read this might not, is that you will need a higher PSI than with enamel or lacquer based paints you may have used in the past. Modleflex doesn't even start to spray until 25+ PSI, and most bottles of theirs requires 30-32 PSI for smooth coverage.
SpaceMouseThe first thing that stands out as a problem is that the airbrush does not marry up to the compressor. Does anyone know what adapter I need?
Chip,
For the second time today, I got to pull out my own 20+ year old Badger model 150 for a photo shoot! What a day.
This is the coupling for the air supply to the tank:
I think I have circled in red the part that you are most badly needing.
I have mine set up for quick-connect/disconnect to my regulated air supply. I use Milton style industrial interchange pneumatic couplers for these.
The air hose plugs in quickly and easily, and I am ready to paint. I have these connections on all of my airbrushes.
The adapter to go from the Badger airhose to 1/4" female NPT is part number 50-023. If you do not want to use quick connect/disconnect fittings, Badger also offers a 1/4" male NPT to 1/8" female NPT bushing part number 50-052.
Both of these parts are available from Spraygunner Dot Com, and I am sure many other places as well.
I hope this helped.
-Kevin
Living the dream.