1Can anyone tell me wich air brush is best for someone just starting out ? #2 Wich paint is the best,Solvent or water-base?
Any info will help
Wow, did you open a can of worms? Now I know the professional painters will jump on me for this but I have had absolutely wonderful results using the single and dual action airbrushes available from Harbor Freight Tools. The list price for their single action airbrush is $9.99 and $19.99 for their dual action airbrush. Both airbrush sets include several accessories. Both often go on sale for even less. The dual action unit is all metal and quite nicely manufactured. The trigger action is quite smooth, too. I use the single action for general purpose painting and the dual action for detailing and weathering. I use a 10 gallon portable air tank filled from my large garage compressor for the air supply. Use an in-line air regulator! If you keep the HF airbrushes clean, you will continue to get years of good service from either unit. The only downside is the lack of alternate size tips. However, I am able to paint lines as thin as 1/16" with the dual action and the single action can spray a fairly large pattern depending on distance from the work. Best of all, if I should ever damage one of these air brushes, I can replace the whole airbrush set for very little money!
I like to shoot acrylic paints. They don't smell, they provide good finishes, I can buy them cheaper, and they clean up easily. Yes, there are certain instances where a solvent based paint might adhere or cover certain parts such as railings a little better but I can always shoot solvent paints whenever necessary.
Hornblower
I like Pollyscale paint for water based
I use Floquil for solvent based.
I end up using both for different projects.
I have a paasche air brush and use the number 3 tip
I have a 50 dollar Campbell Hausfeld air compressor purchased at Harbor freight.
Difficult to give advice, as you did not state for what type of paint job you intend to employ the airbrush. The nozzle size determines the width of the spray. For painting locos and rolling stock, you will need a much smaller size than for painting tracks or backdrops etc.
I use a fairly cheap airbrush (Badger) and it is ok for the weathering jobs I do with it.
I only use water solulable paints, i.e. acrylics.
hornblowerThe list price for their single action airbrush is $9.99 and $19.99 for their dual action airbrush. Both airbrush sets include several accessories.
As of 7-18-09 the dual action air brush was $15.99 with a 40PSI regulated air compressor (w/hose) at $69.95.
Didn't see anything for additional glass jars, but additional nozzles are available.
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/
Ditto the Harbor Freight dual action airbrush. And I paid 15.99 for mine also. (though it was marked $19.99)
I would use water based (acrylic) paints at first because the are easier to "erase". Many stay with or have switched to Acrylics from enamels for a variety of reasons and there are those who wouldn't touch an acrylic. I suppose each has it's areas it is best in. I would say after you get comfortable, which to use and for what would be something that you would want to decide.
Have fun and remember practice makes perfect.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
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