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So, I've been using an airbrush for about 2 years, and in that time I've gotten good experience on how it works and how to keep it clean.

But in all honesty, it's basically useless for me beyond basecoating. And that's not nothing, especially for larger models or building up paint layers for yellow models.

I feel like there might be more to use, though.

For example, I'm starting a fresh batch of ork boyz. Is it even possible to use my airbrush to, say, paint the skin, pants, boots, gun barrels, etc, without ridiculous amounts of masking off model parts?

If so, what can you do to get fine control? I think that lowering PSI helps a bit, but in the end it always seems like there's too much overspray, and I spend so much time either masking off areas or fixing overspray (or both) that I'm better off with a brush.

For reference, I have a pretty decent airbrush, an iwata hp cs. It seems like a bit of a waste to use it only for basecoating, but it does a fine job of it at least.

Given the correct level of skill, it's possible to paint most of a model with an airbrush. You don't necessarily have to mask things off in every case. Sometimes it's enough to hold a piece of paper over the area you don't want to hit. Also, don't discount painting in sub-assemblies. If you want to, you can switch out your needle and nozzle for a smaller one in order to do finer work, but nothing will replace trigger control. Getting to the place where you're able to do that will take a lot of practice, though. I personally just use my airbrush to basecoat, as well.

Hrmm. What nozzles work for different jobs? I honestly have no idea what my nozzle is, whatever it originally came with.

For example, my airbrush came with a 0.3mm needle and 0.2mm needle. The 0.2mm needle will allow for a smaller, tighter spray. It also might clog more easily, though.

You can try using plastic wrap to cover areas you don't want sprayed. Also, obtain a smaller needle.

I'm much the same as you in that regard. I can only do FIRST area first safely so if there's large amount of something that I can (justabout) do. If two areas I would like to airbrush are next to each other...Nope. Not enough brush control.

But for example in ork case I could see myself painting skin with airbrush and move on from there. Maybe boots as well. For my 30k blood angels I'm doing the armour with preshading but albeit that covers like almost 90% of the job Leaves just edges of shoulder pads, weapons etc basically.