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Hi guys as stated in the title i am looking into getting into air brushing but there are so many different models and set ups that i feel very lost. Could people give me recommendations?

It depends what you want to do with it.

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/746545.page#top
Or https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/743233.page#top

Ah yes, about that time again, Here is a list of things you will need to get your started into airbrushing. This brush here is a work horse and will do great for basing and vehicles.

https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-Patriot-Gravity-Airbrush/dp/B002W84GTO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513174162&sr=8-1&keywords=badger+105
https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-Co-51-042-Coupler/dp/B003EGZB2Y/ref=pd_sim_201_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E0Z7XVHHN4W6WH3VX3TK
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-Fitting-Conversion-Adapter/dp/B0038NJYHG/ref=pd_sim_201_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E0Z7XVHHN4W6WH3VX3TK
https://www.amazon.com/ZENY-Airbrush-Compressor-Multipurpose-Tattoo/dp/B01M33C8MV/ref=sr_1_11?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1513174172&sr=1-11&keywords=airbrush+compressor

These are really helpful for mixing and for cleaning
https://www.amazon.com/Yimart-Disposable-Applicator-Individual-Microbrushes/dp/B075HBCKF9/ref=sr_1_sc_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1513174213&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=pink%2Bmicro%2Baplicators&th=1

Use a mix of 1 part alcohol 9 parts water for your airbrush mix
https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Isopropyl-Alcohol-99-Pint/dp/B001B5JT8C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1513174222&sr=8-3&keywords=rubbing%2Balcohol&th=1

Mix in this
https://www.amazon.com/HomEquip-Graduated-Medicine-Non-Sterile-Disposable/dp/B01MZ64XGJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1513174246&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=mini+disposable+cups&psc=1

When mixing your paint the goal is to get it thin enough to be able to pull it up the side of the cup, have it run back down, but leave a nice deposit of the paint on the side of the cup. Never scrub your air brush to clean it.....ever. Use the Alcohol to disoldge the paint and rinse it out. Most of the stuff for airbrushing you will need to learn on your own via trial and error. But have fun with it.

As far as paints go, anything will work, but i personally suggest reaper as it flows SUPER nice through an airbrush and unlike vallajo or games work shop, its not heavy in latex so it does not peel when it drys. This clogs the brush a lot.

Here is an amazon list for what you will need
http://a.co/6LEOASF

 Backspacehacker wrote:
Ah yes, about that time again, Here is a list of things you will need to get your started into airbrushing. This brush here is a work horse and will do great for basing and vehicles.

Use a mix of 1 part alcohol 9 parts water for your airbrush mix
https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Isopropyl-Alcohol-99-Pint/dp/B001B5JT8C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1513174222&sr=8-3&keywords=rubbing%2Balcohol&th=1


When mixing your paint the goal is to get it thin enough to be able to pull it up the side of the cup, have it run back down, but leave a nice deposit of the paint on the side of the cup. Never scrub your air brush to clean it.....ever. Use the Alcohol to disoldge the paint and rinse it out. Most of the stuff for airbrushing you will need to learn on your own via trial and error. But have fun with it.

As far as paints go, anything will work, but i personally suggest reaper as it flows SUPER nice through an airbrush and unlike vallajo or games work shop, its not heavy in latex so it does not peel when it drys. This clogs the brush a lot.

I'd avoid using an alcohol mix, some paint lines react poorly to it, either use a dedicated airbrush flow improver if one is made for the line of paint you use or plan old water. RMS can be thinned with water.

The Iwata airbrush cleaner works very well to clean up or loosen RMS paint, a bit better than the badger one does. I'd avoid iso-alcohol as a cleaning agent when there are dedicated ones out there.

Alcohol does have some issues with some paint lines, the only one I know of so far is some of the vallajo paints. I have been using rubbing alcohol to clean my brush with no problems, and so far so good, I choose it over pre mixed stuff as well. A lot of premixed stuff is amonia which can be irritating to the skin and lungs especially when atomized. But it really comes down to opinion and preference.

I used to use the iwata cleaner, but I get the same result with water and alcohol after. I can tell you now though, alcohol in no way will damage your airbrush when cleaning.

Also to add you should not be thining with just pure water. You need something to break the paint down, either alcohol or amonia to act as a medium.

 Backspacehacker wrote:
Alcohol does have some issues with some paint lines, the only one I know of so far is some of the vallajo paints. I have been using rubbing alcohol to clean my brush with no problems, and so far so good, I choose it over pre mixed stuff as well. A lot of premixed stuff is amonia which can be irritating to the skin and lungs especially when atomized. But it really comes down to opinion and preference.

I used to use the iwata cleaner, but I get the same result with water and alcohol after. I can tell you now though, alcohol in no way will damage your airbrush when cleaning.

Also to add you should not be thining with just pure water. You need something to break the paint down, either alcohol or amonia to act as a medium.

I agree, it really comes down to opinion and preference.

Rubbing alcohol won't damage the brush, it is also an irritant when aerosolized. If you believe the president of Badger, they get a lot of airbrushes in for service that have been cleaned and/or thinned with alcohol that gunked paint and KO'ed the brush. He won't speak negatively of other brands, but I suspect he's specifically referring to Vallejo as the video where he makes that statement is a gaming convention.

To be fair, I thin with what works for me... water is generally fine, but I have a flow improver and drying retarder handy. Flow improver is what 'breaks down' paint by removing surface tension, while the retardant prevents it from drying before it hits your model. Alcohol does one of those things, but not the other in fact, it accelerates drying.

Yeah he won't say is Vallejo, but it's vallajo lol. Use alcohol with their black paint and watch the hilarity insue

I'm very happy with my iwata eclipse.

Honestly, if your new to airbrushing, just get the basic starter set. People think that the airbrush is gonna be magically turning them into a pro painter overnight. Its still a skill you have to practice and learn.

I have been using this. I think i am ready to actually get a "quality" airbrush like a badger or iwata.

This will give you what you need why you learn.

https://www.amazon.com/PointZero-Airbrush-Dual-Action-Guns/dp/B010TQCOEE/ref=sr_1_6?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1513367505&sr=1-6&keywords=airbrush+kit

Get this to clean.
https://www.amazon.com/Airbrush-Cleaning-Needle-Nozzle-Holder/dp/B0154HN2NA/ref=sr_1_2?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1513367587&sr=1-2&keywords=airbrush+cleaner


Get this. It will help you with the frustrations of clogs. I used to get clogs ALL THE TIME. I would spend more time cleaning than painting.

https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Airbrush-Thinner-200ml-Paint/dp/B002X6DTHK/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1513367613&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=vellajo+flow+improver

Finally, take a look at Next Level Painting. He has a unique personality but his basic tips are gold.
His mixing, gangsta gumbo, hobo sink, backflow technique, and many ancient Chinese secrets...

 Dynas wrote:


Finally, take a look at Next Level Painting. He has a unique personality but his basic tips are gold.
His mixing, gangsta gumbo, hobo sink, backflow technique, and many ancient Chinese secrets...

I've learned so much in general from Next Level Painting. He's been a huge influence on my style. His persona may not be for everyone, but at I appreciate how he's always upbeat and positive.

Yeah, it took me a few vids to get used to his persona. But honestly, after watching some other videos of great airbrush painters they were all monotone. Dont get me wrong, they have great instruction, but its like im in art class and am wanting to here the class bell ring so i can GTFO. His persona/style and attitude makes hobbying, a solo activity for the most part somewhat social and entertaining; while also providing actual USEFUL info. I throw on his old stream videos while i paint now just to listen to him.

Definitely recommend.