Airbrush Working pressure

[Tecumsea]

Can anyone give me an idea of a sensible working pressure for air brushing?

Keith

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Keith, a lot depends on the medium you intend to spray + the needle/nozzle size. A ball park setting would be 18 - 22 psi.
This can be increased for larger needle/nozzles......and decreased for finer ones. You would also decrease the pressure if working close to the subject.
Just be aware that very low pressures are used to induce 'spattering'....which is very much like the old trick of pulling your finger across the head of a stiff brush....to give a dirty spatter to clothing etc.
I use a setting of 12 - 15 psi for ink illustrations.....as thin mediums will 'blow' across the surface when working close in with a higher psi.
Hope this helps.

Cheers

Ron

 

[Tecumsea]

Thanks Ron, much as I suspected, I saw an article the other day advocating a working pressure of 5 PSI which had me guessing. I suppose it is a bit of trial and error as well!

Thanks again......Keith

 

[housecarl]

Trial and error sums up my method, that is if I have one.
The pressure varies with the viscosity of the mix, and paint type.

 

[FigureLover]

What Ron is saying is pretty much spot on, I tend to spray at a high pressure, but only really do large surface areas. This gives me a good coverage, and keeps the paint smooth. I also only use acrylics such as Tamiya, thinned around 60%thinner to 40% paint.
Ben

 

[swralph]

Hi Keith, a lot depends on the medium you intend to spray + the needle/nozzle size. A ball park setting would be 18 - 22 psi.
This can be increased for larger needle/nozzles......and decreased for finer ones. You would also decrease the pressure if working close to the subject.
Just be aware that very low pressures are used to induce 'spattering'....which is very much like the old trick of pulling your finger across the head of a stiff brush....to give a dirty spatter to clothing etc.
I use a setting of 12 - 15 psi for ink illustrations.....as thin mediums will 'blow' across the surface when working close in with a higher psi.
Hope this helps.

Cheers

Ron

this is a really good starting point. If I`m pre shading I`ll use about 10psi with a very thin mixture and make a few passes with the brush. For base colours about 20-25psi.It`s all a matter of trial and error. try practising on something plastic,cardboard or even stones from the beach. good luck

 

[Tecumsea]

So I am assuming the thinner the mixture the lower the pressure? seems to make sense!
I've got 4 air brushes and 3 compressors..............thought it was about time I learnt to use them

Thank you all for your advice............Keith

 

[Stephan]

In my opinion, you want to brush details you have to take a lower pressure.
I work normaly from 1,5-2,0 bar.