Paint/Air brush

[Anonymous]

Hey guys,
Ive been model railroading for a while now but I've never actually had a good airbrush for painting, Ive mainly done it by hand. So I'm wondering what is a good airbrush in the under $100 range? Thanks

[Anonymous]

There's a bunch of good ones under $100; in fact, you can find good beginner sets under $60 on the web. There's a recent thread on this in the Layouts and Layout Building forum that'll give you good info: http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=42956

[Adelie]

I've been using a Paasche VL for about 10 years, and been happy with it. So happy I bought a second airbrush (not the whole kit) recently to help in doing multiple paint tasks in one session.

I've been buying airbrush stuff, including parts, from www.airbrushoutlet.com. I think he only sells Paasche, so if you are thinking of a Badger or Testors model, he can't help.

[Anonymous]

If you buy a air compressor, I just bought one yesterday at Lowes for $99.00 it was a Task Force 1 HP



it came with a regulator and has a tank so you get a more even air supply. I also bought a water trap for an additional $20.00. I was able to fanagle this by telling the girlfriend we could use it for car tires and other stuff, but pricing the airbrush compressors I was seeing prices of $160 on up. While I could be wrong, I would think as long as the compressor is consitant and has a regulator they should all be the same in the air getting to the brush.

[Anonymous]

Nope, you're right -- general purpose compressors are fine if they have a regulator and air tank, and you use a moisture trap. I have a Campbell Hausfeld I got at Walmart for about $70 that works great. It's a bit noisy when it's running, but the tank holds enough air that I can use the airbrush for a good hour or more with it off, and just let it refill earlier in the day.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the Paasch VL. I have been using one for about 4 months now and I like it a lot better than the Badger I had about 15 years ago. I find that I can use the double action Paasch better then I ever could use the single action Badger. Some people will disagree but I found the learning curve much easer with the double action gun.

Single action just means that pulling the trigger starts the flow of the air and paint. With double action guns you push down on the trigger to start the air flow then pull back to start paint flowing. It sounds more complicated but I found it easier.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys I'll look into those.

[modelmaker51]

I concur with the Paasche VL. I've been custom painting for 15 years and that's been my airbrush choice, I've tried others and none of them held up. And unless you want to spend lots $ on a Binks Wren, the only choice is the VL. I did have to replace some internal parts ($10) after about 12 years and about 2000 locos!

Actually, it's compressors I end up replacing more often, the last 2 have been the Cambell Hausers from walmart (I paid $79), the first one lasted about 3 years, but then I run mine 24/7. I'm a little hard on my equipment. But for the hobbiest I think they a good buy.

To keep the noise out of the shop, I put the compressor in the garage and ran 50 ft of high-pressure flexible hose (Ace Hardware) thru a couple of walls and across a ceiling down to shop in the basement. I also ran a 50ft heavy duty extention cord to a power strip located at the homebuilt paint booth to turn it on and off. I removed the regulator and gages and relocated them at the booth. With some parts (and teflon tape!) I plumbed this all for 2 quick connects so I could have both of my VLs connected to enable quick color changes.

As the layout room is next to the workshop, I picked up 30 ft of the clear poly hose and another set of quick connects so I can switch hoses and use the airbrush on the layout. No more toxic spray cans in the layout room and it sure made painting and weathering the track a brease!

Everything in the photo was painted with the airbrush including the RS-3, ( I haven't had time to lay in ground cover & stuff, but I got tired of looking at pink styrofoam!):

[BentnoseWillie]

I have a Badger 200, and I love it to bits. A snap to maintain, easy to use, and great results. I generally run it off a 1/8 HP medical compressor.

[AntonioFP45]

Good advice above.

I would suggest staying away from the small hobbyist compressors if a modeler is going to be painting very frequently or for long time periods as these units can potentially burnout after a while. But for the once in a blue moon paint warrior, these are adequete. [;)] I own two small compressors and a giant vertical unit in my garage (I'm an ex-paint and body tech).

A compressor like the Task Force unit that DTHurman uses is a much better bargain, price and durability wise. A water trap is a must!

I have a Paasche VL-1airbru***hat I've been using since the late 1980s. Good little unit, but very "finnicky" if not kept absolutely clean. In addition to flushing out material after use, the needle and cap should be wiped clean as well.

High Greens.