Airbrush, Airbrushing, and Compressor Questions

[Ziendall]

I found an airbrush and compressor nearby for 60$. It's a Badger 180-10 with a 100SG brush. I'm probably going to buy it simply for the compressor, but the 100SG is a nail brush. Would it be at all useful for gunpla? I do plan on buying a 150 once I can afford it, but I was curious as to whether or not the 100SG would be useful for fine lines or if it would just be a useless hassle.

[zerochill]

got a quick question... im planning to buy a 2nd hand tamiya spray works airbrush.. its been used for a year... seller selling it almost half the price is it ok?? or is it too pricey?

[K-Shaps]

http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM74520

Tamiya is having a sale on HLJ. Is this worth picking up for my first airbrush or this one

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-5-hp-58-psi-compressor-and-airbrush-kit-95630.html

In the Tamiya set is the brush that comes with it dual action? if not could i buy a seperate one and use that instead?

Thanks so much!

Basically which is the better deal in the long run. What would you buy?

[Indy aka Rex]

All right so I need a little help with my Crescendo; I started using it today to apply a basecoat to a few pieces and as soon as I started painting one of the pieces I noticed I was getting an insane amount of runny pieces, at first I thought I'd thinned my paint to much but after fixing that problem I noticed it did it regardless, then I noticed that the head of the airbrush was doing this:

http://yfrog.com/15jdjz

At first it was the bottom section, so I tried tightening it just in case but then the upper part started doing it and intermittently both sections do it... any ideas on what's to blame?

[Zircor]

All right so I need a little help with my Crescendo; I started using it today to apply a basecoat to a few pieces and as soon as I started painting one of the pieces I noticed I was getting an insane amount of runny pieces, at first I thought I'd thinned my paint to much but after fixing that problem I noticed it did it regardless, then I noticed that the head of the airbrush was doing this:

http://yfrog.com/15jdjz

At first it was the bottom section, so I tried tightening it just in case but then the upper part started doing it and intermittently both sections do it... any ideas on what's to blame?

REALLY can't tell what we're looking at in the vid (really blurry).  Is the primer coming out from the threading in the needle cap?

What PSI are you at when this is happening?

[Indy aka Rex]

It's not primer, it's the base coat. I can't explain what it is, I think it's moisture bubbling out of the spray regulator and the head because there's no color to it, it's just liquid bubbling out of the threaded sections like a leak but I've tightened them. I never checked the PSI, I'll do that next.

[CasusLuciferi]

This is going to sound really dumb, but remember, I am a a n00b to this, so just want to make sure I don't make any dumb mistakes 

Are there any problems painting wise if I buy a model with 'clear parts'? Just because it seems like the rereleases come with an arm and a leg being clear X_x

[Zircor]

This is going to sound really dumb, but remember, I am a a n00b to this, so just want to make sure I don't make any dumb mistakes 

Are there any problems painting wise if I buy a model with 'clear parts'? Just because it seems like the rereleases come with an arm and a leg being clear X_x

The clear parts are an extra runner.  You'll still get the normal colored parts.

As far as painting, just use primer and it'll be ok (point, look at the repaints people are doing of Unicorn, and the psycho frame).  From what I've noticed on the few clear kits I've had, the clear tends to be more brittle than normal colored stuff.

[Sephiroth1089]

Hi I had couple of questions about the compressor/airbrush kit i bought from harbor freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-5-hp-58-psi-compressor-and-airbrush-kit-95630.html

I'm not sure how exactly the water drain valve works. I can push the valve upwards so that it looks like water would fall out but right now it seems only water droplets have formed which not enough to let the water flow out. The reason why I'm asking is because the last time I was painting, my airbrush would spit out water every few minutes. I'm assuming I need a moisture trap to prevent that from happening. I also thought it might be that I need to clean the airbrush better or find a way to remove the water droplets from my compressor.

I've included a image of the area where the water droplets are formed on my compressor.

Airbrush, Airbrushing, and Compressor Questions

[FichtenFoo]

It helps to have the compressor running when emptying the trap. Also I use an in-line trap in addition to the compressor one. Both help, but on REALLY humid days it gets spittery. On those days I have to use a dehumidifier.

[Garylok]

I am currently using the "Tamiya Spray-Work Basic Air Compressor W/Airbrush"
http://www.tamiya-shop.com.au/shop/tamiya-74520-tamiya-spraywork-basic-compressor-with-airbr-p-5839.html

I want to step it up a notch and get a double action airbrush and possibally a new compressor aswell.

I recieved a air compressor from an old friend of mine and I have no idea what it is capable of. I just cleaned it out and tested it on the airbrush it came with which is the "Gunze Sangyo Pro-Spray Mk-III". Both AB will not work on the opposite compressors due to the hose not being the same in diameter so i couldnt test it properly.

This new compressor has a big "Sil.Air" sticker on the top and on the front it reads "Werther Reggio Emilia - International Italia" (L.T = 1.5, bar = 6)
Anyone have any idea what all this means or how good this compressor is?

http://img8.imageshack.us/i/r0011393.jpg/
http://img440.imageshack.us/i/r0011394.jpg/
http://img176.imageshack.us/i/r0011396.jpg/

It has a pressure gauge which is in PSI or bar and builds up gradually when i turn it on, loses it when i use the AB. I know this sounds stupidly noob but my old compressor did not have all this fancy stuff. There is also that humidity filter and below is some type of gold dust, not sure what this is, at first i thought it was rust but it looks more gold.

The airbrushes ive been keeping my eye on;
- PROCON BOY WA Double Action Platinum 0.3-MR HOBBY PS289
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320609366223&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
- PROCON BOY FWA Double Platinum 0.2mm - MR HOBBY PS270
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320609377764&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
- PROCON BOY WA Trigger Type Double 0.3mm- MR HOBBY PS275
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320609371336&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Now a few questions about the X.Xmm needles. I believe that the thinner the needle is, the finer you can spray. So if i get a 0.2mm, will i still be able to spray as wide as a 0.3mm? Out of these 3 AB, which one would you get?

[Myopic]

Hi there,

I've been lurking the website on and off for awhile now but decided to post after a few quick searches didn't seem to help.

Basically, I bought a budget external mix airbrush as a temporary replacement to my proper one which I don't have access to atm, and realise that the paint quality (I suppose bad atomization?) is turning out rather rough (coarse droplets, they are especially apparent on a piece of paper). I've tried increasing the PSI and adjusting the nozzle height yet not much success; spraying at different distances didn't either. I've also tried thick and thinned paint (Tamiya) with similar results. Is this as expected from such an external mix airbrush or am I clearly missing something? Many thanks!

[zader]

I found a couple of mini ultra-portable airbrush compressor's on ebay
As i'm new to modelling, I was wondering if anybody could give an opinion on either?
Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Portable-Airbrush-Air-Compressor-Pump-w-Hose-/270683885996?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f060451ac#ht_1682wt_1139

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Portable-Mini-Air-Compressor-Metal-New-Unit-Airbrush-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem43a4cc9bc5QQitemZ290527681477QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

[craiken]

Hi guys, I'm new. I had an AB'ing kit from my other hobby and it happens to be the Harbor Freight air compressor + airbrush set.

I didn't know you could adjust the pressure on it whatsoever. But I am a little confused after reading the topic:
Seems you can adjust the amount of air the tank can hold (can you?) and the amount of air that flows out into the hose.

Didn't need to ever adjust the pressure to paint props but using the Tamiya acrylic, I'd really like to know how to adjust it.

Thanks in advance.

[Zircor]

Hi guys, I'm new. I had an AB'ing kit from my other hobby and it happens to be the Harbor Freight air compressor + airbrush set.

I didn't know you could adjust the pressure on it whatsoever. But I am a little confused after reading the topic:
Seems you can adjust the amount of air the tank can hold (can you?) and the amount of air that flows out into the hose.

Didn't need to ever adjust the pressure to paint props but using the Tamiya acrylic, I'd really like to know how to adjust it.

Thanks in advance.

That'll depend on if the compressor has a regulator or not.  Look at it and see if there's some kind of needle dial that indicates air pressure.  That dial should have the pressure knob on/near it.  If you don't see one, you'll need to get a pressure gauge/regulator for the airbrush.  I'm assuming your talking about this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-5-hp-58-psi-compressor-and-airbrush-kit-95630.html

If so, then yes, you have the regulator built in.  The knob should be somewhere near the gauge/moisture trap.  It's not sticking out to me as obvious just from looking at the picture, though; on the Badger one I have, there's a knob sticking out of the flat top there beside the gauge, that you pull up and turn to adjust air pressure.  Maybe RTFM?  :)


EDIT:  After RingTFM and looking at the diagrams and pictures again, your pressure regulator knob is under the carry handle, on the OTHER side from where the moisture trap is.  Pull that sucker and turn it and you should be good 

[craiken]

Hi guys, I'm new. I had an AB'ing kit from my other hobby and it happens to be the Harbor Freight air compressor + airbrush set.

I didn't know you could adjust the pressure on it whatsoever. But I am a little confused after reading the topic:
Seems you can adjust the amount of air the tank can hold (can you?) and the amount of air that flows out into the hose.

Didn't need to ever adjust the pressure to paint props but using the Tamiya acrylic, I'd really like to know how to adjust it.

Thanks in advance.

That'll depend on if the compressor has a regulator or not.  Look at it and see if there's some kind of needle dial that indicates air pressure.  That dial should have the pressure knob on/near it.  If you don't see one, you'll need to get a pressure gauge/regulator for the airbrush.  I'm assuming your talking about this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-5-hp-58-psi-compressor-and-airbrush-kit-95630.html

If so, then yes, you have the regulator built in.  The knob should be somewhere near the gauge/moisture trap.  It's not sticking out to me as obvious just from looking at the picture, though; on the Badger one I have, there's a knob sticking out of the flat top there beside the gauge, that you pull up and turn to adjust air pressure.  Maybe RTFM?  :)


EDIT:  After RingTFM and looking at the diagrams and pictures again, your pressure regulator knob is under the carry handle, on the OTHER side from where the moisture trap is.  Pull that sucker and turn it and you should be good 

Looking at the areas you mentioned and at the manual for the compressor disassembled:
The area under the carry handle doesn't quite feel like a regulator of any sorts. It's pretty solid and there's no way to remove or adjust anything in that area. (Area circled with on it)
Only knob that adjusts is the one circled on the left that's below the moisture trap, which has a spring inside when you unscrew it all the way. Playing with it, it does adjusts the air flow so I'll assume it is.

Is there a point where I should not turn down the air flow anymore? Notice that it starts leaking air from that knob after so low.

Edit: Forgot the pic:

Airbrush, Airbrushing, and Compressor Questions

Sorry for the questions, already read the thread and I'm really new at this.

[Zircor]

Hi guys, I'm new. I had an AB'ing kit from my other hobby and it happens to be the Harbor Freight air compressor + airbrush set.

I didn't know you could adjust the pressure on it whatsoever. But I am a little confused after reading the topic:
Seems you can adjust the amount of air the tank can hold (can you?) and the amount of air that flows out into the hose.

Didn't need to ever adjust the pressure to paint props but using the Tamiya acrylic, I'd really like to know how to adjust it.

Thanks in advance.

That'll depend on if the compressor has a regulator or not.  Look at it and see if there's some kind of needle dial that indicates air pressure.  That dial should have the pressure knob on/near it.  If you don't see one, you'll need to get a pressure gauge/regulator for the airbrush.  I'm assuming your talking about this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-5-hp-58-psi-compressor-and-airbrush-kit-95630.html

If so, then yes, you have the regulator built in.  The knob should be somewhere near the gauge/moisture trap.  It's not sticking out to me as obvious just from looking at the picture, though; on the Badger one I have, there's a knob sticking out of the flat top there beside the gauge, that you pull up and turn to adjust air pressure.  Maybe RTFM?  :)


EDIT:  After RingTFM and looking at the diagrams and pictures again, your pressure regulator knob is under the carry handle, on the OTHER side from where the moisture trap is.  Pull that sucker and turn it and you should be good 

Looking at the areas you mentioned and at the manual for the compressor disassembled:
The area under the carry handle doesn't quite feel like a regulator of any sorts. It's pretty solid and there's no way to remove or adjust anything in that area. (Area circled with on it)
Only knob that adjusts is the one circled on the left that's below the moisture trap, which has a spring inside when you unscrew it all the way. Playing with it, it does adjusts the air flow so I'll assume it is.

Is there a point where I should not turn down the air flow anymore? Notice that it starts leaking air from that knob after so low.

Edit: Forgot the pic:

Airbrush, Airbrushing, and Compressor Questions

Sorry for the questions, already read the thread and I'm really new at this.

I've found having the air pressure AFTER pressing down the trigger on the AB at around 20-25 PSI is good, depending on what you're doing (and that's with a dual-action AB, too - I honestly can't tell if that one is single or double action).  I've been using the Tamiya paints, too, and that seems to work well.  Make sure you've got it thinned properly (about 1:1 ratio for everything except gloss white; don't thin that).

I'm not familiar with the model of compressor you have, so not really sure which would be which.  Reading the manual, though the black knob by where the handle is should be your pressure regulator (it looks EXACTLY like the knob on my Badger moisture trap/gauge/regulator).  On mine, if you pull on the knob, then twist, the part that clicks out will be the adjusting part.  I THINK the part you're talking about underneath the gauge is actually the button you press UP on to release the moisture from the trap.  Don't unscrew that    Look at page 12 of the manual, where it has the breakaway diagram and part list.  Part # 31 says "pressure switch".  That's your adjuster knob.  Part #23, which is the part with the screw I think you're talking about, is the "water drain valve".

[psecody]

Hello everyone, it's been a while.
Well now that schools over for the year I'm stuck two hours away from home with nothing to do so recently I've got back into modeling full swing. Anyway I'm getting stuck pretty quick on a lot of models because I don't have an air compressor up here so no airbrush. Long story short I want to get a new air compressor and found one that comes with an Iwata airbrush (I'm currently using a $5 badger from hobby lobby) so I figure it's time for an upgrade.

Here's the set I've been looking at.

I found it on Airbrush Depots site the other night but now there seems to be a problem with their site on certain pages. Anyway the compressor is the TC-196 which is basically the same as the TC-20T only it's twin piston. I thought about the 20T but decided that the 196 would probably last longer based on what I've read. Anyway I was just wondering if anybody has either of these compressors and could tell me how they like them. So far I've only found one guy's review of it and it basically was just him saying "I like it" without going into too much detail. Also it says 59db is how loud it is, can anyone comment on how loud it is? I don't really have anything to compare 59db to and I live in an apartment type situation so I don't want a really loud compressor (the neighbors already have to put up with my guitar haha). Sorry for the long winded post, I'm just not too familiar with smaller compressors and their application for painting so I wanted to make sure and ask before I jumped in and dropped $300 on a compressor and an airbrush. The only compressors I'm used to using are the big ones and while having a huge air tank keeps them off most of the time I really want to avoid it sounding like an airplane is taking off in my condo when it does have to fill it's tank back up haha.

Thanks for any replies guys I appreciate it.
Cody

[Sharkdog]

I've recently started planning to take my modelling up a notch. I've built plenty of gundams out of the box, but never painted one.

I'll hopefully be able to start on my first real project soon, which would include customising a bit, plus a new paint job.

Initially I thought I might just go with spray cans all the way for this project, but thoughts about airbrushing always linger in the back of my head.

Being located where I'll be when I can get started on this project, I know it'd be super easy to pick up one of these:

Tamiya Spray-Work Basic:
http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/74520basic_comp/basic_comp.htm

Tamiya Spray-Work HG
http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/74530comp_revo/index.htm

The question is, does anyone have any experience with either of these sets? I don't really have any experience painting anything yet, so this would be very much a starters kit for me, which is why I don't want to spend too much on this yet.

I've actually seen quick mentions of these sets in this thread, but never saw them followed up with an answer, so I figured I'd be a cheeky monkey, and ask again :)

[Grail]

psecody

The compressor you are looking at is pretty high end. Better than mine, and I do fine. The fact that it has a tank will mean there will be no spattering as the reserve will keep the flow smooth. As for loudness, I don't think it will be a big deal. My compressor has no tank and the same 2stage carb so it goes the whole time and I had no problem with noise when I lived in an apartment.

Sharkdog

I personally have no experience with the compressors you have listed,but personally I would just save up for something a little more industrial. I have seen some results of these compressors that weren't that good, and it seems like they would give you a lot of trouble with inconsistent air flow and spattering. As I said, I have no experience with these,but that is the best opinion I can give you .
Hope this helps a little guys.