Anyone used airbrush?

[jtkkz]

Anyone familiar with airbrushes?

What is a good airbrush kit to buy?

Where to buy?

I am using this to paint small sections of my car with small surface rust areas.

[Dennis Kalma]

Just did some today on my '75. I have a Paasche VL, dual action (means that pressing the trigger varies air flow, rocking the trigger back controls fluid flow). I use it with my compressor (5 hp Speedaire) with an adapter.

It is great, you can paint a spot the size of a dime easily, using the same techniques as for larger painting. The process is the same of cours (good prep, prime, base coat, clear coat, colour sand, polish) to get to pretty well the same as original finish.

I just bought mine at the local hobby shop, I had a Badger before (single action) and didn't get satisfaction with it. I did a bunch of research, found Paasche to be pretty high on the pecking order of air brushes, bought one of their VL sets with multiple needles (for varying viscosity of paints).

One thing, do not use the cans of compressed air/gas, they run out fast and they get cold...which affects the paint spraying. Use your main compressor or get one of the little ones....

And yes, if you get good enough with it, you can avoid the cost of your wife's next bikini by supplying her with a spray on version.....

Dennis

[89911]

I painted a portion of my front valance of my X5 with an airbrush and touch up paint. It really worked nice, much easier then using any rattle cans. Many scratch repair centers use airbrushes to touch up and blend scratches.

[kycarguy 935]

I use the Paasche VL same as Dennis and have used it for years. I used it many years ago to paint RC car bodies and used it for flames on some hot rods. I know there are some newer models out but this model works great for me. I have the Badger 400 touch up gun too and its perfect on the slightly larger areas.

[DavidI]

My preference is an Iwata Micron C. The atomization is incredibly precise. I have done a number of custom jobs with it. The line control is unsurpassed.

There are some other considerations you must think about too. The compressor MUST have both a moisture trap and a regulator. You will most likely be shooting a urethane or enamel paint. If water gets in your system, and with a normal compressor it will, you will get imperfections and fisheyes. You also need to control the amount of air pressure when painting too.

You can also use a cheaper one like a Thayer and Chandler. If you have any questions, PM me or email me and I'll happily answer whatever questions you have. A good place to shop is "Coast Airbrush" in Anaheim, CA. A net search will bring them up.

Good luck, David

[buster73]

I use a Badger 150 (dual action). Airbrushes are great for fine detail stuff (chips, scratches) and to paint small to medium parts. Sure you don't want to paint a fender with them. You can buy a single action brush for approx. $ 50. A good dual action brush will be $ 100-150. For small jobs you can use propellant from a can, but if you use it more often you might look into buing a small compressor (ca. $ 150). You can find good deals on Ebay.

[Tim Hancock]

I do not want to start an air brush quality arguement here, but I bought a couple for about 10 bucks a piece at Harbor Freight in the past for touch up work and at that price they are disposable.

Just make sure you thin the paint quite a bit and they will work just fine.

[Norm Faustino]

Iwata and Sato guns, seem to be the choice of the pros for the reasons mentioned in the previous posts. I have a Paasche which I love, But I will be a getting an Iwata micron as well.

[1982911SCTarga]

I do not want to start an air brush quality argument here, but I bought a couple for about 10 bucks a piece at Harbor Freight in the past for touch up work and at that price they are disposable.

Just make sure you thin the paint quite a bit and they will work just fine.

Ditto. For the price, they're throwaway items, but I'm still using my first one.

Brian