To airbrush or not too??

[tonphil1960]

Hi all, How many of you guys DO NOT use an airbrush at all? I really don't want to use one if I don't have to. I airbrush in the garage and it's a chore to get it warm for a 1 minute spray job. If you do not use an airbrush, how do you prime, if you do at all. and how do you dullcots? I usually prime with a spray can, it's the dullcote that Ito spray on.

Thanks Tony........

 

[KeithP]

Tony-

I use an old Paasche H1 for groundwork spray. I am not very AB skilled.

I use the model RR figure primer spray can. I also recently began using the humbrol 01 enamel brush on primer, too. Many options here...

Nothing wrong with using an AB. I see alot of it here for prime, horses and garage/sci fi/fantasy.

I don't usually use any dullcoat. I try very hard to make sure my final product (oil or acrylic) is dull or bright as needed. Many do use spray cans or brush dullcoat.

Good Luck.

Keith

 

[Le Lancier]

I do not use an air brush at all. But make no mistake, it's not the will but the means that are lacking. To tell you the truth, I'd love to try airbrushing on figures. Painting such things as capes, groundwork or any other large surface, be it on or around the figure, would probably have better results with an AB. That's my HO :lol:

 

[BigDaddy]

I use an airbrush all the time- but I live in a climate that allows me to use all the time. I spray mostly acrylics. Since I do large scale figures, it is pretty easy to lay in base coats and basic shading.

For primer, I use Tamiya Grey primer in the spray can. Nice stuff, does not hide detail.

Airbrush is the only way to go for dullcoat- I have several airbrushes- Aztek, Iwata, Paasche I use the Aztec the most. Easy to clean, sprays a nice line.

I love using it, it realy is great for everything, groundwork, etc.

Matt Wellhouser

 

[Einion]

Hi Tony, I've airbrushed quite a bit over the years but not for priming, I prime usually with automotive acrylic primer from a spraycan. If I have to prime by hand I brush on an acrylic that works on plastic as these bond much better than 'normal' acrylics or vinyl colours. Like Matt I use the airbrush for a lot of basecoats and basic shading, I just don't limit myself to large-scale models (it works on Hornet figs easily).

As for Dullcoat, I don't use it but as far as I know you have to apply it by spraying as it will lift or craze paint if you do it by brush, so if you want an alternative there is apparently a very good Modelmaster acrylic matt varnish.

Einion

 

[CondeJulian]

I use a Gunze Sangyo Airbrush ...
Wonderful toy .
I can't prime without it ....and shadows , and painting AFV , no other way .
54mm figures can go without , but otherwise not for me...
Regards
Julian Conde

 

[Kisifer]

I do not use an airbrush at all and never used one so far. Only recently started priming my figures with Acrylic grey primer by Andrea and i have to say that i'm really impressed. I used to prime my figures with brush and white enamel so go figure. But to be honest if i could afford a good airbrush i would prolly get one for those pesky groundworks

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Guys

I personally have been trained in using an airbrush, albeit 20 years ago, but only started using it for figure painting 18 months ago, I now find it invaluable for all aspects of painting figures and groundwork especially horses, I have been using a DeVillebiss Aerograph 63 A Body Dual Action, that is now coming up to its 50th birthday and is still as good today as it was when brand new, I can still get parts for it, if needed. the reasons I use such an old airbrush, because its what im used to, I was given it when I started art college. And it possibly gives one of the finest lines an airbrush can give (less than o.5mm).

But at the end of the day I still finish off with a paint brush...

Now primer is another thing, I find that the games workshop Skull White in a spray can gives the best light coat finish, ready for painting.........


Dave

 

[quang]

When I was working as an illustrator some 20+ years ago , the Devilbiss Super 63 was considered as the Rolls-Royce of the airbrushes (in quality and...in price).

But ever since, the airbrushes have improved tremendously both in design and in technology.

I bought my last one a year ago: an Evolution 'two-in-one' model made in Germany. Not the cheapest but highest-quality materials and exceptional performance. IMO the 'Devilbiss' of the 2000s, especially when it comes to 'modern' paints (inks, acrylics and vinylics).

Check it out: EVOLUTION AIRBRUSH

Also cleaning the airbrush is almost as essential as the airbrushing itself. Click HERE to learn how.

HTH

Q.

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi quang

I totally agree it has to be the cleanest of clean to get the best quality of painting.

That was how I learnt my trade, as a Technical Illustrator and designer. In some circles the devilbiss is still the RR of airbrushes, providing you get yourself an old one, the newer ones are not so good on quality of manufacturing. But at the end of the day, you buy the best you can afford at the time and you get used to it

Dave

 

[tonphil1960]

Hi guys, Thanks, I will probably get a small compressor for indoor use, now I am using a garage comp. and as I said it's a bitch to go out there, start a fire, get the propane heater going, let it get warm for about 3 hours and go and spray for 60 seconds. I need to use dullcote as I am now using Humbrol's and not all the colors are flat or matt. I am going to give oils a try too. I am concentrating on 54mm so they are small enough I can probably get by without the airbrush, for this season anyway.

Thanks Tony

 

[thegoodsgt]

Tony, I actually airbrush in the house! With a double-action airbrush, I can carefully control the amount of paint (primer) applied to the figure, so overspray isn't a major issue. But it helps to have a spouse who's tolerant of the odor (which I've found dissipates fairly quickly). And no children.

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Tony,
Great thread!
I have been toying with the idea since Bob Knee talked up his airbrush. Like many here, he uses his for primming, basecoating and dull coat application.

Any reads on where to find a good small compressor?

All the best

Patrick

 

[Einion]

Hi Patrick, I used to use BearAir.com all the time for checking things, should still be a good first place to start for comparisons between products.

For anyone considering trying an airbrush, I recommend an Aztek for hobby use as they are so cheap and much easier to clean than a traditional metal airbrush. Their learning curve is also a lot shallower, which for someone who might use it infrequently like us I think is a good selling point.

Einion

 

[Lancer]

Hey Guys
Badger makes a good silent compressor, a must if you have a family! I use a Badger 150 for everything, priming base coats etc. The majority of the time I like the finish enough not to bother using oils. Always had a problem getting smooth undercoats with a brush. I have an Aztek, and a couple Paashes but neither of those will let me do the belts or basic faces on a 54mm figure!
Cheers
Mark

 

[tonphil1960]

Yeah, I have a Iwata and a Aztek, I would just be using it for prime and dullcote anyway. So I am thinking about is it worth it to buy the comp. just to use it rarely. I guess I would get more use out of the airbrush if I could use it indoors.

Tony