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I’m currently looking around for a starter airbrush kit, and was wondering if anyone might have any recommendations re: brands, important accessories, etc. Currently I’m considering getting the “ Timbertech Airbrush Kit with Compressor ABPST05” set on Amazon.

My max budget is £150. Apologies if there are any similar existing threads.

5-6 years ago I made the mistake you're looking at making, and regretted it, those airbrushes that come with those kits are absolute junk, not to mention you can't source spare nozzles or needles.

Do yourself a favour and look for an AS186 compressor, without an airbrush. One like this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RDG-AIRBRUSH-COMPRESSOR-WITH-TANK-ONLY-ART-CRAFTS-PAINT-SPRAYING-MODEL-MAKING/352136711218?epid=2169292697&hash=item51fcfbcc32:g:lo8AAOSw689Zixut

They are also sold, rebranded and slightly modified, as a TC90.

And then buy a Harder and Steenbeck Ultra - https://www.graphicair.co.uk/product/harder-steenbeck-ultra-solo/


I bought about 5 or 6 of those "cheap" airbrushes, costing me as much as a Harder and Steenbeck Ultra, until I found out about the H&S Ultra (and other good airbrushes).

The compressor and H&S Ultra won't/shouldn't cost you any more than your budget.

If you don't want a H&S Ultra I can recommend a Bartsharp 180, it's a Chinese clone of an Iwata, but still better than the airbrushes you get in those compressor kits. They and spares can be had from Bartsharp.co.uk - https://bartsharpairbrush.co.uk/product/bartsharp-airbrush-180-dual-action-gravity-feed/

Rob Lee is spot on if you are doing some serious detail brushing. It really does come down to what you really intend on using your brush for and you might quickly find one brush does not fit all of those needs.

I use 'cheap' single action brushes most of the time to prime and cover big areas and shading. My other brush is a super fine Iwata dual action gravity feed that will work with one drop of paint.

So nothing wrong in getting a cheap brush to learn and all, but if you want to do fine detail work you will quickly want to move to a better one.

For the compressor, the H&S is a good line. If you do not need your compressor to do anything but be used for an airbrush, these are perfect - just be sure it has a tank and a regulator you can set the output pressure. I moved years ago to the slightly larger tool compressors since they have a much bigger tank and do not have to turn on very often at all when airbrushing. And, you can use the compressor for blowing out the garage, airing up you tires, hooking up pneumatic tools, nail guns, etc.

Have fun!

To counter Rob above, I'd highly recommend those junk airbrushes that come with your AS186 compressor. I got a gravity fed and a siphon fed airbrush along with my compressor, and while I can't vouch for the siphon fed (don't go that route), the gravity fed brush has served me well this past year and a bit with no issues.

While it's true that spares and the like are impossible to source, for the price bundled into the compressor, they're perfect for beginners, it's no real loss if you wanted the compressor anyway and it's still no loss as you've not junked that H&S airbrush and have to shell out for spare parts.

The airbrushes that come with the compressor will serve you just fine for priming, basecoating and beginner techniques and then when you're up for more action, upgrade to the H&S ultra or go higher if it suits your budget.

Also, if you hate airbrushing, you've not sunk money into something other than just a compressor and a cheap brush

Thanks for the input! For more context, I recently moved into a second floor flat without any outdoor space, so I’m really looking at an airbrush as a solution for priming and basecoating since I can’t use spray paints.

As much as I understand and appreciate Rob’s points, I’m still leaning towards a cheaper option, since I’m not sure if I’ll seriously get into it

Have you had a look https://www.everythingairbrush.com/
I managed to find parts for my dads 30y/o devillbiss sprite

Number 1 tip. Don't get the cheapest brush out there because you'll get discouraged and learn to hate airbrushing.

Go with a Harder and Steinbeck Evolution as a midrange brush that isn't killer on the wallet.

 Rybrook wrote:
Have you had a look https://www.everythingairbrush.com/
I managed to find parts for my dads 30y/o devillbiss sprite

I got my brush-and-compressor kit from there. They were good for a follow-up order for nozzles, too.

 Freya wrote:
Number 1 tip. Don't get the cheapest brush out there because you'll get discouraged and learn to hate airbrushing.

I would say this is true, if you try to get advanced results out of it.
I am happy with my cheap brush for basecoating. A better brush is needed for other uses though.

I bought a starter kit which I don’t have the link for but I’ve had some real success with it. Yes you can pretty much only do pruning and basing but can do a bit more than that if you practice.

Also airbrushes are not as easy to maintain as you might think, the will work fine and then suddenly no paint. It’s good to learn about to difficulties of using, cleaning and maintaining an airbrush on a cheap one I think. Especially while you learn about thinning paints and using metallic paint Etc.

Usually in started kits you aren’t paying loads more for an airbrush so you can just buy a better one when you are ready and then you have 2 airbrushes. One for basing one for more important jobs.

This is one of my first projects with my junk airbrush. Hopefully you can see I. The picture how I’ve been able to blend colour shift paints. Then you can do your detail with your paint brush

That's the level I have got to, even with a better brush
Airbrush the base coats, and use a hairbrush to paint even coats and details over the top.

There is nothing wrong with buying a cheap airbrush to start with. An airbrush has a fairly steep learning curve to really get a good handle on them. I would recommend getting a cheap one first. Learn how to do base coats, basic pre shades and pre highlights, and basic colour transitions. Learn how pressure levels work and how they affect your painting. Once you've got a grasp of these things, you can then move onto a decent model.

I was a professional illustrator for years and still have my super detail Iwata brush. How often do I use it over my cheap single-action? Hardly ever - most of my airbrushing now is exactly as you say - base coating and priming. It was one I picked up year's ago at a discount freight store for about $12 and still works perfect to this day.

I bought a cheap ebay special a few months back and still use it now though only for priming. I graduated onto a Harder Steinbeck infinity which is night and day when it comes to smooth transitions but you can get the basics dialled in with the cheap one.

My tip would be to mount the regulator next to your working area so you can adjust it on the fly as you are painting, I find I make adjustments all the time.
Also buy bottles of flow improver, thinner and cleaner.

Get the AS186 compressor. It's the cheapest compressor that will be able to do everything you need it to do.


As for your starting airbrush, it's a difficult problem. Airbrushes are delicate and it's very easy for a beginner to break one by accident or through poor cleaning and maintenance. This is a good reason to start with a cheap airbrush. On the other hand, when something goes wrong, a beginner won't know whether it's their fault or just a crappy airbrush defect. So this would be a good reason to avoid a cheap airbrush.

I would recommend getting a very cheap airbrush - one that comes with the compressor would be ideal. However, I only recommend you use this a few times, and only to practice dots and lines on paper. You should learn how to set up, find the right paint consistency, air pressure, how to clean the tip, clear blockages, change colours, etc. You'll learn how easy it is to stab yourself with the needle. You'll learn how to take it apart and reassemble it without damaging the needle or nozzle.

Once you've done all this a few times, you'll be much better able to judge which mid-range airbrush is right for you. Also, you probably won't break it when you first use it either. Now you can start to learn how to airbrush minis.

 maxwin wrote:
I bought a cheap ebay special a few months back and still use it now though only for priming. I graduated onto a Harder Steinbeck infinity which is night and day when it comes to smooth transitions but you can get the basics dialled in with the cheap one.

My tip would be to mount the regulator next to your working area so you can adjust it on the fly as you are painting, I find I make adjustments all the time.
Also buy bottles of flow improver, thinner and cleaner.

For paint airbrush thinner I’d recommend green stuff world and you can use your normal citadel and Vallejo paints in your airbrush instead of buying their “air” ranges

@ OP Heres my take -

I recommend getting a cheap and cheerful compressor and airbrush combo from amazon. Most come with some sort of gravity dual action brush which is all you need really when it comes to basing/priming as control for detail is not simply not important

Make sure your compressor has a tank. And also worth investing in a decent quick release valve to save yourself hassle when changing paints. Also get some needle juice and cleaning bits.

Dont get me wrong the cheapo brushes are not amazing but for priming. basing + zenithal its all you need. As long as it works. You can change + experiment with nozzle/needle sizes as well.

Just spray away with your cheapo brush and learn to take it apart and clean it and put it back together. Why would you want to learn those things on a £80+ airbrush ??

Once you are confident and got some experience just invest in a better airbrush like an Iwatta Neo or soemthing for more detailed work while keeping your chepo brush for the bulk painting..

FYI - I have been burned by buying cheap £20 brushes but if they don't work just return them and get your money back. The one that comes with the compressor kit was solid enough while it worked. I also learned a lot of things that I shouldn't do the hard way but as I was using a cheapo brush it didn't really matter.