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I am 99% sure I am getting an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS airbrush and I wanted to know really how fine of detail have you been able to get? From the million and a half reviews and articles I have read it seems like it is a good for doing basing but also at a decent amount of detail. This will be my first airbrush and it seems to be a good pick. Also a basic airbrushing question, what should I look for in a compressor? I have read a ton on them but without actually using one it seems hard to pick. I appreciate any help you can give

I use an HP-CS, and I love it. Its perfect for doing detail work on tanks and larger infantry models, like space marine armor. Its a bit coarse IMO for doing things like smallish power swords... I'm looking into getting an HP-BS for things like that because of the smaller tip. That said, I wouldn't want anything smaller than the HP-CS for doing vehicles.

For a compressor, I really like my paasche d3000r. Works great! In a compressor, look that it has a regulator, and a tank.

Awesome thanks man! Looks like I will probably be going for that setup then.

I too have a hpcs, its a good brush and I like it a lot.

As far as compressor, if you are on a budget, get one of the cheap airbrush compressors from harbor freight, they are cheap and effective.

However, the Paasche D3000R is also a good compressor, and slightly quieter than a basic compressor (a tank is a good thing as well, as even a small tank can give you slightly better air pressure consistency).

Similar to any tool (like oh...a paintbrush) better quality tools will enable higher skill levels to achieve better results...an airbrush has a learning curve like any other painting device.

However, in my experience once you start using it, you will love it!

The HP-CS is a gateway drug into Iwata products. I bought one, loved it, and wanted another brush for smaller detail... just bought an HP-B Plus today... another bunch of money :(

Still, I love it so far, and it + my HP-CS make a great combo I don't think I'll be adding to any time soon.

I got an Iwata HP-CS not too long ago, and so far I am pleased. Biggest hurdle so far is figuring out the right formula for thinning down Vallejo Game color paints....but once I get that down I think I will be good to go.

Jburch wrote:I got an Iwata HP-CS not too long ago, and so far I am pleased. Biggest hurdle so far is figuring out the right formula for thinning down Vallejo Game color paints....but once I get that down I think I will be good to go.

Thinning paints is an art unto its self I have found.
(I *hate* trying to thin citadel paints).

I truly suggest to any airbrush users to actually get airbrush paints;
* they are already thinned, so you don't have to mess with it trying to get consistent results
* they have VERY finely ground pigments, which work well with airbrushes (as opposed to just thinning regular paints).

You will thank yourself later if you do.

I have used createx, golden and vallejo model air. Personally, I favor the golden and model air brands, but your results may vary.

I've been having good luck so far thinning my Vallejo model Color and Vallejo game Color paints, using Vallejo thinner medium.

Easy to get a good consistency, have only had problems with a paint mix once or twice.

Is Createx paint good quality? could it be compared to vallejo or GW? I might pick up my iwata from Hobby Lobby and it comes with 5 or 6 paints but I can get it quite a bit cheaper online so just curious how those work. Is there something specific you buy to thin paints I have heard a lot of different ways like windex and alcohol but I figure I would just buy some thinning product.

Maybe I need to try the thinning medium. I have been trying 1 part windex to 3 parts paint...but sometimes, depending on what colors I am using..that can be too thick...

and then of course..when I go to thin it back down..I get it too thin lol

UnCool Villain wrote:Is Createx paint good quality? could it be compared to vallejo or GW? I might pick up my iwata from Hobby Lobby and it comes with 5 or 6 paints but I can get it quite a bit cheaper online so just curious how those work. Is there something specific you buy to thin paints I have heard a lot of different ways like windex and alcohol but I figure I would just buy some thinning product.

I use Vallejo Thinner Medium... works well enough for me.


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Jburch wrote:Maybe I need to try the thinning medium. I have been trying 1 part windex to 3 parts paint...but sometimes, depending on what colors I am using..that can be too thick...

and then of course..when I go to thin it back down..I get it too thin lol

I use thinning medium in ratios of 1-1 with paint pretty often... mix it well, and spray away!

Its hard to get paint too thin. If you notice your just pushing paint away when you spray (not getting an even coat) reduce PSI or hold the airbrush further away. I've sprayed things as liquidy as black ink with thinner, and as long as you keep the pressure low enough you can get away with it.

UnCool Villain wrote:I am 99% sure I am getting an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS airbrush and I wanted to know really how fine of detail have you been able to get?

This is entirely based on skill and will require you to get some real practice in. Do you know what size needle you are getting? I also have an HP-CS and I am running a .35mm needle. Once I thin my paints correctly, adjust my psi right I can easily get a line about an 1/8 thick, maybe less. I think it was Horst that mentioned that the HP is a bit course for small detail work, but that is the result of technique, not needle or brush size. The size of the needle only effects the spray pattern, spray quality is the result of paint/thinner ratios and technique.

As much as I love my Iwata and will always keep it, I would suggest just taking a look at this brush;

Harder & Steenbeck

http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/hastinaise.html

A friend of mine has one, and I have used it a few times and it is just a jewel of a brush. They also sell a combo set that includes a .2mm and .5mm needle for switching between patterns.

Ashton

This is entirely based on skill and will require you to get some real practice in. Do you know what size needle you are getting? I also have an HP-CS and I am running a .35mm needle. Once I thin my paints correctly, adjust my psi right I can easily get a line about an 1/8 thick, maybe less. I think it was Horst that mentioned that the HP is a bit course for small detail work, but that is the result of technique, not needle or brush size. The size of the needle only effects the spray pattern, spray quality is the result of paint/thinner ratios and technique.

As much as I love my Iwata and will always keep it, I would suggest just taking a look at this brush;

Harder & Steenbeck

http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/hastinaise.html

A friend of mine has one, and I have used it a few times and it is just a jewel of a brush. They also sell a combo set that includes a .2mm and .5mm needle for switching between patterns.

Ashton

Thanks for the help! Yeah I planned on probably going for a .35 needle seeing as it seems not too big but not to small. I actually had looked into a Harder & Steenbeck and it seems like they have a lot of range with detail and doing basic work. The problem with that is the price and so I figure I would go for an all around good airbrush for my first go around then go for something with more detail like those airbrushes.

Thanks again for all the info it has helped greatly... I am dying to get my airbrush now it is all I can think about.

UnCool Villain wrote:

This is entirely based on skill and will require you to get some real practice in. Do you know what size needle you are getting? I also have an HP-CS and I am running a .35mm needle. Once I thin my paints correctly, adjust my psi right I can easily get a line about an 1/8 thick, maybe less. I think it was Horst that mentioned that the HP is a bit course for small detail work, but that is the result of technique, not needle or brush size. The size of the needle only effects the spray pattern, spray quality is the result of paint/thinner ratios and technique.

As much as I love my Iwata and will always keep it, I would suggest just taking a look at this brush;

Harder & Steenbeck

http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/hastinaise.html

A friend of mine has one, and I have used it a few times and it is just a jewel of a brush. They also sell a combo set that includes a .2mm and .5mm needle for switching between patterns.

Ashton

Thanks for the help! Yeah I planned on probably going for a .35 needle seeing as it seems not too big but not to small. I actually had looked into a Harder & Steenbeck and it seems like they have a lot of range with detail and doing basic work. The problem with that is the price and so I figure I would go for an all around good airbrush for my first go around then go for something with more detail like those airbrushes.

Thanks again for all the info it has helped greatly... I am dying to get my airbrush now it is all I can think about.

The Iwata is a great starter brush, and I have had mine now for about 6 years, those H&B's are definitely a higher quality and one that I will be switching too at one point in the not too distant future.

Ashton