Airbrush Question

[Andym]

OK - I've finally given up on my current air brush and decided to get a new one. I've had it since the invention of paint and it needs to go into a museum somewhere.

So what should I get. What is the very best airbrush made for painting 1:8 scale cars and motorcycles? I don't intend to get into wild flame jobs or murals, I tend to focus on more classic single, two and (occassionally) three-tone paint jobs. About the most "artistic" thing I do is lay down some fine coach lines / pin stripes on a classic Rolls Royce. Keep in mind the size of a Pocher body... I want a brush/tip/needle configuration that does a good job of covering that kind of real estate.

I'm used to a gravity feed dual action, but a lot of folks have been telling me that syphon feed is what I really want.

If you could have ANY airbrush out there, what would you buy?

Thanks for any and all advice.

Andy.

[3.Star]

Hello Andy,
for myself, I made some good experience with the Iwata Hi-Performance plus HP-BC2P, which is a syphon-fed double action. Greatest advantage is the large paint container, which makes it easier for us large scale guys to have enough color on board for the work (especially priming a larger amount of parts), but makes it therefore a bit heavier to handle. Price is acceptable, too( got mine for $ 158,--). For the more subtile jobs, I am running an Iwata Eclipse, bought used on ebay for small money.


Cheers

Michael

[Herman]

Reading your demands, I would get not one, but 2 brushes. One for the delicate jobs, with a small nozzle.

The second one can be a "decoration" gun, which effectively is a small scale paint gun. Much more suited for those large scale models.

[Tage]

I just bought a new Iwata. Love it!

[3.Star]

IMHO opinion they're the best manufactured airbrushes worldwide. Easy to handle and cleaned very easyly. Until I got my first Iwata (tried Harder&Steinbeck and Badger before), I preferred to use spray cans...just for convienence. Connected with the right compressor, there are no problems with spotting and if you've got an Iwata model with the right rubber gauges, you can use every kind of paint, that you like. For instance, you can even use that old nitrocellulose-paint used on the cars until the fifties, which used to get dull, when not polished up, because of oxidating and UV-Beams. And most of all, there are some Mock-ups for Iwatas, like a sprinkler...giving the plastic parts this metal-cast look.

Cheers

Michael

[shadetree]

Andy,
Try to find a copy of Airbrush Action magazine with the annual airbrush buyers guide.
They list a ton of different makes as well as which models are most suited for the different types of painting that people do. As well as all the different paints they are suitable for. I think the newest issue covers compressors. Good luck.
Marc

[docwatson1938]

I have a Paasche VL0209, like the Iwata it is a siphon feed, double action and you can put on large paint vials.
I believe the Paasche is a little cheaper than the Iwata with no compromise in painting ability, it is fully adjustable. It comes in a kit with everything you need to maintain the airbrush , several paint vials, cleaning tools, several atomiser nozzles (Fine/med/course) air hose, and a gravity feed vial.
The only possible issue is if you have a small air compressor you will need an adapter to fit the hose.
I have no problems with the airbrush , I'm quite happy with it.

Doc.

[Don Garrett]

Iwata & Paasche both make excellent airbrushes......I have both but I tend to use the Paasche VL (dual action). I use the siphon feed system as it allows me to mix paint in screw on jars.
I always mix enough paint so that there will be some left, I cap it and set it aside for those (bound to happen) touch-ups without having to try a color match. Paint jars are cheap enough and available in various sizes. Beside, I look over the airbrush when I'm working and that gravity feed container sticking up there just annoys me.

[Tage]

I agree with Don.
I have a dual action syphon IWATA that takes the Alclad size bottles, and my old trusty Badger for Floquil size bottles. I can do much finer work with the IWATA HP-BCR.

I do miss the old Floquil... I love the smell of Zylene in the morning...

[Andym]

Looks like a couple IWATA brushes is the way to go.

Now I just need to figure out which model and which tips.

[Nortley]

I've had a Paasche VL and VJr for quite a while, and used the VJr whenever feasible because I liked the top feed, largely because of easier cleaning. Then their Talon came out and looks to combine the best features of top feed with greater capacity, as well as a paint cup cover. I just got one, haven't used it yet but it looks to be at least as well made as their Vs. And, Paasche is still made in Chicago, as in USA.

[xken]

Andy,

MicroMark has this on sale; just received a catalog from them. Check out this link!

Ken

IWATA BCR (R2100) DOUBLE ACTION AIRBRUSH SET

[Don Garrett]

Anest-Iwata Eclipse Series Airbrushes

[strevo]

Andy, I know you're looking for large coverage, but if you need one for fine details too, you can't beat the Paasche AB Turbo. I inherited one from my Grandpa and it can do pencil-fine lines if you want, although it is a pain to set up, clean and adjust, and it definitely can't do large coverage. It's a pretty cool airbrush though.

[Andym]

Ok. I'm going to order two Iwata Hi-Performance plus HP-BC2P airbrushes. So my next question is can I use my old Aztak compressor (8 years old) or should I also get the Iwata Studio Series Power Jet Pro Double Pistion Air Compressor?