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Airbrush guys, help! I picked up a cheap one from Harbor Freight, just to play around with. I really like how it works for doing base coats, and would like to use it, but being a really cheap one, it has problems with sputtering.

I'm looking to pick up an entry level airbrush, nothing too fancy, but something that is decent quality, but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I already have the compressor, so that's not an issue. Also, recomendations on paint would be awesome too. I've been using Vallejo Air paints, and I really like them, but would not be opposed to trying out different types.

Thanks!

Vallejo Air paints are awesome, but I still thin mine a little. The sputtering is usually a result of clogging (from paint that is too thick). Also what type of compressor is it, and can you adjust the pressure?

As for A-brushes, I've only owned an Iwata (hp-cs) dual-action, gravity feed - and imo it's worth every cent. If you get anything, get dual-action and gravity feed.

For thinning; goto CVS and buy a big (cheap) bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol 97 or 99%.
In a glass jar, mix 7:1, water:alcohol and use a cheap dropper (also CVS) to your mix.

Vallejo Air is a fantastic line of paints, but no matter what--you're supposed to thin them. An important thing to remember is that each company makes thinners that usually work best with their own brands(ex: Tamiya's X33 Acrylic Thinner doesn't work as well with Vallejo paints as Vallejo's, and vice versa).

Vallejo also makes a specialized airbrush thinner+cleaner that I highly suggest.

Check out these brushes:

http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/nebapa10.html
http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/iwreai1.html
http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/newpata.html

Three quality AB brands, tried and true by mini painters... I can't vouch for these particular brushes however. The brush I have the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS is only 119...

Chicagoairbrushsupply.com and ASWexpress.com is where I get all of my ab stuff.

Thanks guys, looking at all of these right now. I was hoping to spend in the ~50 dollar range, but it seems that I'll have to go a bit higher.

The compressor I have is just a normal air compressor with a 3 gallon tank, and a pressure regulator. Didn't have any problems getting airflow, the only problem I had was with the sputtering.

Dual action is where you press down for air, and pull back for flow, correct? If so, the one I have does that.

I didn't thin my paints, so that was probably part of the problem, and also, it's not a gravity-fed brush.

Any comments on the Iwata Revolution that Gunzhard posted? That one's looking pretty good, and I've heard nothing but good things about Iwata (in here and in hobby shops)

Ask LBursley, he has a very nice airbrush.

If you go with the Revolution, this one looks the best for mini painting to me:
http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/iwrecr.html
Or even this one, which has a smaller needle meaning finer detail (imo not really a big difference at our scale but some) though it will also clog easier:
http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/iwrebr.html

I researched for several months before buying mine, and I also discovered that people only have good things to say about Iwata.

A note on thinning. I would strongly suggest getting some cheap paint pots/cups with lids and make your mix in them, then dump/pour the mix into your airbrush once you've achieved the right consistency. The reason I prefer the cheap alcohol mixture is because, A) it will work with any type of acrylic paint (I've used GW, vallejo, vallejo air, and reaper master in my AB), and B) it's cheap for cleanup of my paint pot.

I would also look at grex airbrushes.. I have done some testing with them and find them to be very good quality for the money.. there a lil cheaper than iwata.. I own both brands of airbrushes and use them as i see where i need them..

http://www.grexusa.com/grexairbrush/products.php5?id=Genesis.XD - this is one i have its got a .2 mm nozzle and needle.. so its a very fine line you can produce..

Check out there site.. It is bound to have a airbrush to suit your needs.. btw the pistol grip airbrushes are really nice as well..

Gunzhard wrote:Vallejo Air paints are awesome, but I still thin mine a little. The sputtering is usually a result of clogging (from paint that is too thick). Also what type of compressor is it, and can you adjust the pressure?

As for A-brushes, I've only owned an Iwata (hp-cs) dual-action, gravity feed - and imo it's worth every cent. If you get anything, get dual-action and gravity feed.

For thinning; goto CVS and buy a big (cheap) bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol 97 or 99%.
In a glass jar, mix 7:1, water:alcohol and use a cheap dropper (also CVS) to your mix.

This. I use the same airbrush and the same method of thinning, and Gunzhard has the source of splattering(excessively thick paint) dead on.

Ok, I will break out the brush again, and try thinning down the paint this go around (Was painting a Baal Pred for a friend, just to try it out)

I think the Iwata Revolution would be my best bet, but not the fine one. I really don't plan on doing detail with it at first, just basecoating (I like the built in shading effect!)

Couple of questions about it however, it states that you can quickly change colors. How would one go about that? It seems like the pot is part of the airbrush, but I could be looking at it wrong as well.

Hmm, not exactly sure what that means, probably just because you can spray some cleaner through it until it comes out clear and then switch up the color. That would be my guess anyway. It looks like the Revolution can also take a smaller needle and cap for when you decide to try some fine stuff or something.

Btw - if you've had some clogging issues already you might have some paint dried and stuck inside your brush. The biggest pain with AB-ing is that you really, honestly, seriously, need to take it apart and clean it after every use. Check out the Mack cleaning kit from ChicagoAB ...totally worth it.

Haha, thanks for the suggestion for the Mack cleaning kit, but I'm pretty sure I have all of that stuff in my rifle cleaning box!

I had to clean the needle multiple times while using the airbrush, and I'm not sure how to get it apart much further than taking the nozzle off, the second screw type part seemed to be on there really good, but I'll check it out later tonight if I have the time.

Also, something I forgot to ask earlier, how much should I thin the paint? 50/50? More? Less?

Well there is no correct ratio because every bottle/brand of paint is different, you just need to get used to seeing the right consistency. I often see folks say use the consistency of milk. Another reason I like to mix in a clear pot is to judge the consistency, for example vallejo Air paints will require less thinner than say gw...

either the iwata or the grex can change the colors quickly.. its just a matter of either using the thinner you can buy and running that threw the brush till there is no paint left or you can go wasteful and shoot the color of paint threw your brush till the new color comes out.. and you are right the pot is part of the airbrush.. it takes a small amount.. the iwata can take a .3 needle and nozzle.. but to switch it out is is around 30-45 dollars extrax over the cost of the brush depending on where you get the parts from.. just something to think about..