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My girlfriend knows how much I been wanting to start airbrushing my models.
She told me tpday she will help me get my first starter brush kit, gravity feed, compressor the works.

I am completely lost on paints. What to start with, how to thin the paints. Easy cleaning tips.
Any little bit would help.

Thanks everyone
Chris.

You cant't go wrong with vallejo model air. its an airbrush ready paint that requires no thinning and come in easy little dropper bottles. This gives you more precision over how much you want and also when mixing (1 drop x 1 drop y).

The minitaire line produced by badger are also airbrush ready and are easy to use. These both come in a variety of colours, but for the most variety you could go for vallejo game or model colour or gw paints. However, vgc, vmc and gw are quite thick, and will need thinning with a suitable medium. ( i use vallejo airbrush thinner). If you have a <0.2 mm airbrush, i would recommend thinning even model air and minitaire as its a very thin tip. For cleaning, if its a gravity fed airbrush then just pour water or airbrush cleaner in the cup and spray until all fluid and paint is removed. For bottom feed, just put cleaner in the jar, reattach and again just spray through until all paint is removed.

Hope this helps you
SS

That's perfect information. I know its not a complicated hobby to get into but knowing me ill find a way to mess sonething up lol.

Thanks my dude.

Thats alright i was actually almost frightened to get into airbrushing because youve got to buy the airbrush the compressor, the paints etc. Im not a great painter by any means of the word but in my opinion the results are worth it.

Also, something i forgot to mention was drying retarder. i dont think its essential because i dont use it and my airbrush works fine, but if you have a small airbrush size, it helps to stop the paint from drying on the end of the needle.
ss

Skillingspree wrote:


Also, something i forgot to mention was drying retarder. i dont think its essential because i dont use it and my airbrush works fine, but if you have a small airbrush size, it helps to stop the paint from drying on the end of the needle.
ss

Just take caution (as with everything). Read the directions, and do your homework. If you add too much retarder, it will NEVER DRY. EVER.

Like anything, especially related to our hobby: it takes a great deal of time, patience, and practice. You'll make mistakes, and (hopefully) learn from them. Even the Golden Daemon winners started off as weasly lookin' kids with plastic toy soldiers once.

One of the greatest sources of knowledge for airbrushing, besides here @ dakka is actually Youtube. And, of course, the manufacturers website.

Nice I appreciate the info. Im looking into Brushes this week so im sure ill be skimming the forums for more tips soon.

Thanks again.

If your'e going to start airbrushing, you should check some youtube videos on the subject, these ones are a great place to start:
WGConsortium
- Getting Started Using an Airbrush (Airbrushing Intermediate Part 1)
- The Airbrush and Complete Overhaul (Airbrushing Intermediate Part 2)
- Airbrush Color Changes and Cleaning (Airbrushing Intermetiate Part 3)
- A Look At Cheap Airbrushes

Awesomepaintjob / Les Bursley
- Airbrush Rant

Would highly recommend subscribing to these guys, and if you're interested I can link some more channels with good airbrushing vids. The airbrushing intermediate vids will be a big help if you're new to it.