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Hi

I've booked a couple of days off work in which I'll do nothing but paint, and intend to use my airbrush for the first time. I have airbrush, leads and compressor.

What else should I get or will I need whilst keeping things on the cheap?

A good way to thin your paint if your not using airbrush specific colors. Les Bursley's "quick tips" section has some tips there you may want to watch on his awesome paintjob channel.

If you don't have a paint pot to clean your airbrush out in, you will probably need a mask. The cheap ones do fine (at local hardware stores used for painting) it keeps the fumes from getting into your lungs. You definately don't want vaporized paint or cleaner chemicals in your lungs.

If you've never used an airbrush before, I would suggest starting light duty. Priming models, and practicing line control on paper or cardboard like old boxes. This helps later when you want good lines for preshading and you get used to how your airbrush works in your hands.

some things to look for that are NOT cheap that you will need in the future: moisture trap and regulator valve (your compressor may have come with this, some do some don't, I'm making the assumption it didn't) I have no clue how much this is in UK but its a bit pricey here in the states. Also a paint pot to clean out your brush in. It has a filter for removing all the fumes when it cleans and its something nice and handy to use when switching out paint and need to fast clean the brush.

Your non airbrush stuff looks phenomenal, so I hope this only improves your paintgame! Good Luck!

Cotton swaps and Windex for cleaning the airbrush.
You can buy 5 liters of sprinkler fluid for the car at your local gas station and it will last you a life time.
Windex/sprinkler fluid can be used as both a thinner for your paints and as a cleaning agent.

I suggest you buy some "real" airbrush cleaner (from Vallejo, for example) to "finish" the cleaning.

You WILL need some airbrush cleaning brushes. Pipe cleaners are too big. Go buy those online right away!

If you feel that a mask and/or a well-ventilated area isn't important I suggest you paint for a bit....and then blow your nose. Nothing will make you worry more about proper protection than that.


Other than that, I suggest having things like tooth picks, a mixing palette, plastic pipettes, a variety of squeeze bottles and a big roll of tissue paper handy.
A cadboard-box with a side cut out will function fine as a backdrop/spray-booth.


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http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/479545.page

Thanks everyone :-) I'll be using gw paints so presumably I can mix in their medium to act as a thinner?

And my painting, phenomenal? Are you mad?! Lol but seriously, thanks man, a very unexpected compliment and gratefully received!