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Just realized my compressor is filling up to about 45psi. Pretty sure that's too high... What's the best psi to work with for basecoating, and do I want the gauge there when the tank is full, or do I want it to dip to that pressure while spraying?

As far as settings go I find 15-20psi works nicely; less than that and you don't have enough power to mobilise the paint and more than that and it tends to send the miniatures flying!

I can only comment on my compressor, but I adjust the gauge down to roughly the right pressure before spraying. It sometimes dips when you depresses the lever on the first run, so I just adjust it up as necessary.

It depends on what you're spraying, but 45 psi is definitely way too high. And what do you mean by "basecoating?" Are you talking about using a primer or just laying down the general color for whatever it is you're working on?

As far as primers go, it can vary. I primarily use two primers: Alclad lacquer and Badger Stynylrez. The Alclad stuff gets sprayed at 15 psi while the Stynylrez gets sprayed 25 psi. If I'm just laying down a base color, I do it at my normal working pressure of around 12-15 psi.

When it comes to setting your pressure, push and hold the trigger of your airbrush while you set the regulator. This will give you a working pressure.

You're starting multiple threads on airbrushing that are all related. As much as I like a detective game, it's probably better to consolidate them somewhat.

Pressure wise it depends what you're spraying, what distance you're spraying and what sized nozzle you're using.

I typically use 15-25psi, maaaaybe up to 30 if I'm spraying something thick through too small of a nozzle, but ideally I just increase the nozzle size and drop the pressure back down to 25ish.

Too much pressure introduces too much air in to the paint which will contribute to the matting problem you talked about in this thread....

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/718196.page

...and reduce the need to add a gloss which you talk about in this thread....

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/718382.page

I think a better option rather than using a gloss varnish is to thin with a thinner that levels better, for example Humbrol Acrylic Thinner, or mix your own concoction from Vallejo thinner, drying retarder and flow improver. Combine that with thinning more and dropping the pressure (or use a larger nozzle so you can spray the paint in a more wet state.

That's all real good info, thanks guys.

Everybody is right, but it really depends on what kind of brush you are using and how big an area you need to do.

When I use my small brush (dual or single action) to do a mini fig I will be around 20 psi. However, when using my bigger airbrush and doing a piece of scenery or large model, I would be there all day at 20 psi, so I blow it out around 35 psi. But, again, this is a big brush, like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-250-1-Basic-Spray/dp/B000BPZ536

I am using an Iwata Eclipse. Currently painting Rhinos/ Razorbacks, and Drop Pods with it.

 MDSW wrote:
But, again, this is a big brush, like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-250-1-Basic-Spray/dp/B000BPZ536

Well that guy's a siphon feed, siphon feeds generally need higher pressure regardless of their size.