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I am looking at getting an airbrush, I just picked up a tyranid army and it would take years to paint them by hand, does anyone know of a relatively cheap airbrush starter kit?

Also are there any paints that have a way to see what hex code they use to get one close to GW colors?

I would suggest flipping through the forum on airbrush & compressor threads because there's just so many. But, I think the cheapest are from Amazon ($85+ with compressor).

There is the color match chart on Dakka, but I would consider it more a "this color is a suitable substitute for this color", rather than a match. A lot of the colors on the chart don't match up at all (speaking as a person who multiple paints in many of their matchups).

Also/and/but: An airbrush will help you prime, and put a single basecoat color on your Tyranids. If you want to paint a second color onto that Tyranid, your options are: paint really, really close with tiny amounts of paint and almost no pressure or do a lot of masking.

The former requires tremendous skill, and better tools than a cheapo airbrush; plus, it isn't really practical as a way to paint all the parts of a small miniature.

The latter requires a lot of time. For me, if it takes 10 minutes to mask and airbrush, or 20 minutes to paint with a brush, I will take the brush every time. The reason is, there's a lot of cleanup with the airbrush, you have to clean up the mask after, and unless you have *tons* of models with the same color range, all you end up doing is waiting for airbrush coats to dry (you can't plaster it on).

Keep in mind also that just like a paintbrush, you want paint to go on really thin. This means it will take many layers to make some colors opaque. There is no cheating: put it on too thick and the paint pools like crazy, and looks awful when it's dried.

I'm not at all trying to discourage you from using an airbrush (it's a great tool), but a lot of people think that an airbrush will magically get everything painted at breakneck speeds, and that isn't really possible, unless all you're doing is treating an airbrush like a can of spray paint.

Seconded, search the forum. There are dozens of threads and I've ranted in many of them. It all boils down to; check ebay for a good deal and DO NOT buy a compressor without an air tank or moisture trap.

Buy vallejo game air color based on matching between GW colors and vallejo game colors.

Or learn to mix GW paint so that it goes out the airbrush just as well (it takes a while).

Thanks, for the info I found a decent airbrush and a compressor with a tank on it. Can't wait till it gets here so I can start on the massive pile of tyranid models I need to paint. though I am gonna start on some sprue and unused bits to practice a little while before model I care about. I counted(and should not have) I have about 260 tyranid models that need painting. and can you use GWs washes with an airbrush?

I've used both without adverse effects.

I have heard a few places to get a mask(or respirator) to wear when I am using the airbrush, does anyone have a recommendation or at least know what I need to look for in one?

 TheAvengingKnee wrote:
I have heard a few places to get a mask(or respirator) to wear when I am using the airbrush, does anyone have a recommendation or at least know what I need to look for in one?

For me I don't use the airbrush long enough to merit the purchase of a breathing apparatus. Personally, I'd hit up your local large-scale pharmacist (CVS, Walgreens, etc. in the USA) and pick up one of those papery/clothy surgical masks with the rubber band that goes around your head and the metallic thingy (thats a trade/technical term) that secures it around your nose. Then again I've never used the airbrush beyond 30-40 minutes as I myself am a beginner, but looking to the future, if I do hours-long sessions, definitely going to invest in something a bit more involved.

If you're doing any modelling or crafting (including LARP and stuff), get a painting mask with a filter (about 30-40 bucks, has a replaceable filter cartridge).


Now for some warning:

even if you use your airbrush 15 minutes, that's 15 minutes of breathing atomized paint.

It's not a big deal if you're running pure water (no windex, no non-water based thinners), but you should still avoid breathing paint.

Try your local (preferably Military Hobbies) store and ask if they have any starter kits. I've seen some at my local store and they come with everything you need to get started. Pumps, filters, the airbrush itself, etc.
The ones at my local store cost around $200 AUS, so for USA that's probs, $100-150.

The good thing about this is not only is it relatively inexpensive for a reasonable quality item but generally local hobbies stores want your custom, so they are willing to help you get the most satisfactory deal. If if there are any problems you can just take it back or talk to them. Better than online customer service anyway.

 November wrote:
Try your local (preferably Military Hobbies) store and ask if they have any starter kits. I've seen some at my local store and they come with everything you need to get started. Pumps, filters, the airbrush itself, etc.
The ones at my local store cost around $200 AUS, so for USA that's probs, $100-150.

The good thing about this is not only is it relatively inexpensive for a reasonable quality item but generally local hobbies stores want your custom, so they are willing to help you get the most satisfactory deal. If if there are any problems you can just take it back or talk to them. Better than online customer service anyway.

ended up going to hobby lobby(the only store in town I could find that carries airbrushes), and slightly abusing their mobile coupon, 40% off no need to print, gotta love that.

http://m.hobbylobby.com/coupon

 TheAvengingKnee wrote:


ended up going to hobby lobby(the only store in town I could find that carries airbrushes), and slightly abusing their mobile coupon, 40% off no need to print, gotta love that.

You wish. Even with that coupon, you're above internet prices

morgoth wrote:

 TheAvengingKnee wrote:


ended up going to hobby lobby(the only store in town I could find that carries airbrushes), and slightly abusing their mobile coupon, 40% off no need to print, gotta love that.

You wish. Even with that coupon, you're above internet prices

You have said that more than once now - and to be perfectly honest, I can't help but wonder what your agenda actually is.

Other than being wrong, (Hobby Lobby Retail for something like an HP-CS is $209.99 - $126 with coupon...Dick Blick $142.50, TCP $142.50, Coast $142.50, Chicago $142.50...) - it adds absolutely nothing.

The reality is that most things from Hobby Lobby are a good deal with that coupon, regardless of any sort of internet pricing. It is even a better deal when you take into account things like being able to return it directly to the store if needed (and take home a new one right then) as well as having it today...not a week from today.

I got my HP-CS at Hobby Lobby. Came in a bundle with some paint and a moisture trap for $209, less 40% came out to about $125.

Amazon sells the HP-CS by itself for $121. Can't find it any lower than that -- AND you get a free moisture trap and some paint!

Seems Hobby Lobby wins this round.