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So I used to paint pretty decently like 7 years ago, and I've recently gotten back into Warhammer. I've never used a spray gun but it seems very nice for base coating an army quickly! I'm going to be painting my Tau in the Farsight Enclaves scheme. Since I haven't painted in a long time, should I just start again base coating by hand and not risk ruining a bunch of models with a spray? I have the GW spray gun (I know, I know...)

Thoughts?

First get a cheap airbrush, there are hundreds of posts on them, but its worth it.

Secondly, do ONE model of each type, see if you like the results.
if you don't, then base coat by hand.

If you are careful, you can get the spray gun to work - or even a ratttle can of paint. But honestly, I would look into getting an airbrush - you can get a decent set up of brush and compressor for less than a hundred bucks (again, see one of the hundreds of recent threads on buying an airbrush).

Regardless, never do many models with ANY new technique - varnish, primer, basecoat, etc. Always do test models.
That way, if something goes wrong....you have not lost a ton of work.

best of luck.

Thanks for the quick response! I'll do some research on airbrushes. The Citadel Spray Gun I got seems extremely weak and cheap. I bought that and two cans of their compressed air. =(

I totally blanked on being able to just test one model out with an airbrush, good idea! Once I get my hands on one I'll have to give it a go.

I'm assuming for Farsight Enclaves I would airbrush the basecoat color that is most present on the models (the darker red) and just paint over smaller areas that require other color basecoat?

Uhm... I'm for familiar with products other than GW for doing GW models (fanboy alert) but what about the base coat sprays you can get? There's the Blood Angels red?

Sadly the Blood Angels red is a bit too bright for what I'm doing. I did think about that though! My friend is using the Space Wolf colored one and it's working out great!

Oh well.

What about a heavy wash over it?

I tried to use to use the GW spraygun too, and it catagorically sucks.

Spraying is the only way I basecoat any more, but I do so with my airbrush. Look into getting a mid-range brush and a solid compressor. Do not spend a bunch of money on an "Airbrush" compressor. Any compressor from a hardware store will do fine and likely have a lot more capacity than the little airbrush ones. Spend your money on the brush and paints.

Cannot recommend them enough. It has been what allowed me to finish whole armies when I never had the patience before. It really helps avoid burnout.

So unlike the GW propellant that I got, I would buy a nice compressor that I refill or something? Sorry, very nice to airbrushed in general.


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Would this compressor work? Seems to have nice reviews! I think I'll pick up an Iwata Eclipse.

Quiet Compressor with Hose

That compressor looks good!

Iwata is a good brand, in fact one of my brushes is the iwata hp-cs eclipse. (gravity feed cup is much better than siphon feed).

Its is a great workhorse of a brush. If for what ever reason you decide to NOT get the iwata, the badger patriot 105 is an excellent alternative (I have both - long story).

best of luck and I let us know how it works out!!!

That compressor looks the same as one I'm getting off ebay only mine has a 3 litre tank aswell and comes with 2 airbrushes(of a sort) for a lot cheaper

Will definitely post some pics when I start working on it! Thanks for all the help.

soitra, what are the 2 airbrushes?