Put together an airbrush setup

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:54 pm

One of my favorite stores is Harbor Freight. Tons of cheap shit. It's fun
to just walk around the store and let your mind wander.

I didnt intend to buy all this stuff, but in my head the parts seemed to
come together. And then they were in my cart.

Portable 10 Gallon Air tank w/pressure guage 27$
Oil and moisture filter(silica dessicant) 10$
Paint gun specific air pressure regulator(not a needle valve air regulator) 10$
Couple 1/4 NPT fittings and some teflon tape 5$
230psi air compressor(yes the tire inflator types) 5$

Picked up an Iwata eclipse hp bs airbrush from a local art store for 65$.
Been playing with it all day with some black acrylic paint(all i had bought).
The gravity feed cup is the bomb, kinda amazing how far you can stretch
just a few drops of paint. With the .35mm nozzle it's going from pencil
thin to about 2" lines.

There's also a .50 and a .20 nozzle, although
it's probably easier to buy a second AB than constantly swapping em out.
Cleanup is also simpler than I thought it would be.

(iwaver for scale..thx nammy)

It takes about an hour to fill the 10gal tank from empty to 80 psi with that
pos tire inflator. It would only take 30 minutes, but the compressor needs
a 10 minute rest after every 10 minutes of use so it doesnt overheat.
For 5$ it's worth buying a second to swap while one is cooling. The 10 gal
tank is definitly large enough so there's no point to run the compressor
while using the AB. The silence is nice.

After using the AB this afternoon, when it was all said and done, i still had a
tad over 40psi in the tank. Oh and i'm powering the compressor with a 12v
line from a PC power supply, not the car plug adapter that comes with it.

I royally suck at painting with a brush or spray can. Even after 1 day the
AB is actually easier to lay down a consistently thin even coat. I'll actually
try to paint bodies with more than just a single solid color now.

edit:ooh this would be a perfect little compressor for this setup. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=47801

DarkTari · Post by **DarkTari** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:14 am

That's great Clint ! I've been ordering from them for years til they
opened up a few stores around here. You can spend a lotta time in there
and get shit you never really intended on purchasing. I bought the small
Air Brush compressor (can't rmember the PSI) 1 1/2 years ago
w/moisture filter for like $29.00 (on sale and I had a 20% off coupon).

Got a brand new Badger 155 Anthem off ebay before that for $42.00.
Seller just happen to be in the area so there was no shipping.
So I have the setup, never took the time to use it.....

Can't seem to weene myself off the Rattle Cans .

crazydave · Post by **crazydave** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:23 am

Oh nice, just a few day after I finally got an airbrush.

Oh well I'm really happy with what I got. I got a Badger Crescendo for $95, and a Model Master 1/8th hp compressor with water trap, and regulator for $120.

You got a deal on that Iwata. My local art store didn't have an Iwata brush for under $200. In reading up I found that Iwatas have the smoothest trigger action, but the Badger brushes also got great reviews and has a lifetime warranty on parts, so I figured it shouldn't be a bad investment.

So far I've found that airbrushing is just straight up fun, but it sucked getting it clean between coats. Anyone got any advice on cleaning? I'm using Parma Fascolors paint, and I'd spray some Parma cleaner through, but I was going through that too fast, so I started just using a little, and then spraying a 3/4 oz jar of water through it. Gets it clean enough eventually, but by the time I'm done cleaning, its time to stick the jar back on, and lay another coat, so I felt like I was constantly cleaning. Is it safe spraying household cleaners through? I got some stuff from the dollar store called Awesome, it works "awesome" for paint cleanup, even dry paint.

Another question I got is air pressure. The Badger manual reccomended 30 psi, but sometimes when I pull all the way back on the trigger to get a coverage coat, it sputters. Even though my paint jar if plenty full. Will the air pressure help with that, and if so, do I need more or less air pressure to rectify that? Oh yeah, and also the instructions for my air compressor said to turn the regulator all the way counter clockwise before I turn it on, the slowly bring it up to pressure. Do I have to do that everytime? Or was that just a precaution for the first time, and once I have my setting I can leave it?

SuperFly · Post by **SuperFly** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:01 am

Hmmm, I run my air pressure around 12psi, and usually hold the airbrush about 3-5 inches from what I'm painting. The spatter might be from trying to use it similar to a rattle can. Another sputter issue can be how thin the paint is. I try for a consistency like whole milk.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:43 am

I read that you can use windex(ammonia) to clean it out for water
acrylics, but long term use will tarnish the chrome. The tarnish wont affect
its performance.

On a compressor, it's never good to spike a diaphragm regulator with full tank pressure. It's a rubber flap and can rip. I've blown a few regulators
working with automotive air tools this way. I have a 5.5hp 25gal in
storage that i still need to fix.

crazydave · Post by **crazydave** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:47 am

SuperFly wrote:Hmmm, I run my air pressure around 12psi, and usually hold the airbrush about 3-5 inches from what I'm painting. The spatter might be from trying to use it similar to a rattle can. Another sputter issue can be how thin the paint is. I try for a consistency like whole milk.

Hmmm, I just went back to double check and it says:

When air is regulated pressure should be between 15 to 50 psi. Normal operating pressure is 30 psi.

I think I'm gonna aim around 20.

I was doing good on practicing on paper, but when I went to paint a body, I was trying to use it more like a rattle can at first. I was in too big of a hurry trying to cover too much area. I quickly realized I got my best results with very low paint flow, and about 2-3 inches away from the surface, but it still irritated me it was sputtering. I want it to work in the full range of operation.

These Parma paints are prethinned for airbrushing and are pretty much a milky consistancy, but some were like whole milk, and some were more like skim. It was the thinner colors I was having problems with.

I just noticed you guys got single action brushes. That's still a good deal on that Iwata. I wanted dual action, because I also want to do illustration type stuff. My wife wants use it too. She's already a natural at doing that script that everybody gets on t-shirts.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:02 am

crazydave wrote:
I just noticed you guys got single action brushes. That's still a good deal on that Iwata. I wanted dual action, because I also want to do illustration type stuff. My wife wants use it too. She's already a natural at doing that script that everybody gets on t-shirts.

hmm, it's a gravity fed dual action-or should be. press down to get air,
pull back for paint volume. Iwata Eclipse HP-BS. unless i'm not
understanding the difference between dual and single action.

retail price was marked 189$. The dude at the store said he sells more
HP-CS and HP-A+ than the BS model so he marked down the last BS in
stock. The only difference being size of the paint cup. HP A+ has no cup
and the HP CS has a large cup..the HP BS is a medium sized cup.

Edit:Phew.

It's a dual action(what i wanted as well).
you scared me for a sec.

Code: Select all

HP-BS

Paint Reservoir 		1/16 oz. (1.8 ml) Gravity-Feed Cup
Nozzle 			0.35-mm Drop-In Self-Centering Nozzle
Trigger Action    	Dual-Action
Spray Pattern		Hairline to 2 in. (50-mm) Round

SuperFly · Post by **SuperFly** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:48 am

About the spatter:

Actually the biggest cause of spatter that I forgot to mention is too much paint.

Yes, I have a single action Badger. The difference is a dual action has control of paint volume (as you mentioned, clint, by pulling back). With a single action, you adjust the needle with a set-screw type of adustment at the back of the brush. I don't mind this at all for painting cars, because 99% of the time I'm just trying to get a nice, smooth, even coat, so once I dial it to where I want it, I don't want it to adjust.

Dave, the thing I do with my single action is open it up and get the paint flowing, then screw the needle back in till the paint flow stops and just air is coming out, then back it back out just short of spattering. I use mostly enamels and laquers, but I do use water/ammonia based acrylics from time to time. Like shooting nail polish, the acrylics dry really fast, which can be good and bad. Good, because you don't have to do the typical SuperFly wait-a-week-before-touching-it thing, but it also makes it more difficult and more critical to lay it down just right the first time. Nail polish dries hard as a rock with a semi-gloss finish, so you have to get out the superfine wet sandpaper, rubbing compound and polish, but the range of colors, availability and price is right. My contest-winner is nail polish.

DarkTari · Post by **DarkTari** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:53 pm

The Badger 155 was recommended to me. It's dual action and only
needs one tip/needle combo for all purposes so it's very easy to use.

Hey Cavey,

When I have questions about air-brushing, I ask Kevin over at KBK.
This guy has been doing it for many years, custom bike and auto jobs.
Also does Hot Wheels and the like, and no question is too minuite......

http://www.airbrushdiecast.com/kbkustom ... board=10.0

Final Answer wrote:
More Info Needed wrote:
Question wrote:Ok I am haveing some problem with my paint splattering. Do you guys use laquer thinner to reduce your paint? What ratio? 50/50? I was using 1shot paint I know thats problably not ideal however I just want to use it for a bit of practise then I am going to buy some house of color.
few questions.... I know you will be asked ...LOL! trust me!

what airbrush
what pressure are you spraying at
what paint are you using
whats the square root of 43650

just kidding on the square root
One shot is an enamel sign lettering paint. Its not really meant to be sprayed, so, you will probably have some "coverage" issues no matter what ratio you use to thin. I am not saying you cant spray it, but, its not all that good performance wise and it also has a tendency to cause reactions with some types of urethane clears sprayed over them. Some say using a little of the clears hardener mixed with the One Shot color will aleveate that problem, but, its been years since I used one shot....I believe I used mineral spirits instead of lacquer thinner though.
As for the ratio....try the 1:1 (50/50%) and if that still sputters, thin a little more....if it sprays, but is like water and runs when it hits the surface, add more paint. You will have to experiment with it I am afraid.
But, yes as T6 said....generally the consistency of milk is a good rule of thumb.
Hope that helps until you get some HOK...its a lot better stuff!!!!

My Experiences:

After 1st Purchase Advice:
http://www.airbrushdiecast.com/kbkustom ... pic=9452.0
Dedicated Gun Question:
http://www.airbrushdiecast.com/kbkustom ... pic=9618.0

crazydave · Post by **crazydave** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:09 pm

Oh ok, I thought you guys had single action because I saw an adjustment nut in the back. My bad, sorry. I'm kinda jealous of that Iwata.

I hear ya, superfly on the convenience of single action for paiting cars. I considered that, but figured I'd just learn the hard way. Don't want to limit myself later.

Oh and to be clear, I wasn't getting spatters, it was sputtering. Maybe that's the wrong word, but it was like the paint would stop and start, like it had air bubbles or something. The sound the air compressor made would fluctuate like it was getting back pressure or something. It only did it a couple times with the really thin paint. I think I was pulling back too quick.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:58 pm

Picked up this pump on my way home from work this morning to replace that peice of shit 5$ one. I wish i grabbed this one from the
beginning.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=47801

Just filled the tank to 80psi in ~15 minutes and it's actually kinda quiet
running too(didnt expect that). Installed a quick disconnect between the
regulator and the nylon hose. I'm happy with this setup now, air all day
long baby.

Now I need to setup a paint station/work desk(I'm in the middle of painting the house, so all my decent furniture is still in storage, even my
computer is on a folding table).

Stage 1: hardware: Done!

Stage 2: buy some damn paint already.

Maxximum Attack · Post by **Maxximum Attack** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:15 am

My friend has an airbrush, I'm thinking of borrowing it for a spell.
SuperFly, this one is for you, with the nail-polish, can I use it straight or do I have to thin it?
Also, can I spray rattle can paint into the jar to mix them and spray "as is" ?

SuperFly · Post by **SuperFly** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:35 pm

Maxximum Attack wrote:My friend has an airbrush, I'm thinking of borrowing it for a spell.
SuperFly, this one is for you, with the nail-polish, can I use it straight or do I have to thin it?
Also, can I spray rattle can paint into the jar to mix them and spray "as is" ?

You have to thin nail polish quite a bit, as it is almost a gel to start with. You'll have to experiment with what kind of thinner you use, but laquer thinner of some kind. You'll be able to tell if it seems to thin nicely, not curdle like bad milk. Rattle can into a jar works too, but I would probably thin that out with a few drops of thinner as well.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:45 pm

Starting to get a feel for the airbrush.

Playing around with some freehand fire using extreme-pa's tutorial.
came out real rough, but I'm having fun. Noticed afterwards that it would make sense to wipe the template after each spray and wait a little longer
between each spray to prevent the template from smudging the work.

some closeups.

template made using xmod packaging, traced some coins and washers
to make the curves, cut it out with curved lexan scissors.

crazydave · Post by **crazydave** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:53 pm

Cool. I was gonna play with some soft masking techniques this week.

Airbrushing is fun, huh?