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Hello Dakka,

I recently purchased an airbrush, and I have been recommended many products for use with it such as Vallejo airbrush thinner, cleaner, flow improver, etc.
Which of these do I actually need to start airbrushing?

The Vallejo thinner is the only product I use of the ones you listed. I have other cleaning products that I use like windex and isopropyl alcohol. I've never used flow improver. There are lots of products from lots of companies you can use to fill these roles.

Really, to start you need a thinner to get your paint the right consistency so that it sprays well. Most thinners will work. For water-based acrylics, even water works up to a point. There's an alcohol-based thinner from Tamiya that you should avoid unless you're using Tamiya paints.

It's tricky getting the dilution right because the right level depends on your airbrush, air source, air pressure, distance from the model etc. It's a matter of trial and error until you figure out the right ratios of paint to thinner for your airbrush.

Of course you will need to have cleaning products for your airbrush, but you don't have to use something marketed specifically as an airbrush cleaner.

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All I use is vallejo flow improver for thinning the paint. Then I use cleaner or thinner to clean my airbrushed. That's it.

I'll never use anything else for thinning my paints.

It also depends on if you're using an Airbrush paint, or a stick brush paint in an airbrush. Vallejo Game Air paints are already pretty much set up for an airbrush, while a GW non-Air pot of Khorne Red or some other Base color will probably need to be doctored.