airbrush advice

S

shakes

New member
ive been with out an air-brush for quite some time now, my old one having worn out, and am considering investing in a new one. my old brush was cheap and i just used it for base-coating, i was hoping that with my new airbrush i might actually be able to paint complete mini\'s or at least do basic highlighting etc. i mainly paint 28mm and 54mm. the brush im looking at is an iwata cmc +. has anyone used one of these? or have any suggestions as to another quality airbrush, that with practice i may be able to paint complete mini\'s with? to atleast a tabletop standard. any advice would be appreciated :D

cheers, shakes
 
Einion

Einion

New member
As mentioned there are older threads which touch on the issues around airbrushing small pieces - but in short, be prepared to spend as much time masking as spraying! Personally when I took to using the airbrush on models (busts and 1/16 figures to be begin with) the job of masking really began to wear, but you do get used to it.

Can\'t remember how much detail we went into on another aspect so I\'ll mention it also: don\'t really expect to be able to spray highlights and shadows in-place. Rather you can use the spray to mimic light falling on the figure, by spraying from above and below (zenithal spraying).

Because of this, you don\'t need an expensive AB to paint small figures. As long as the atomisation is good enough the brush will work, which is why I recommend Azteks so much for this kind of thing - inexpensive for what you get, light in the hand, much easier to clean thoroughly and very user-friendly overall (you won\'t bend a needle tip in one of these!) :)

Einion
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
What Enion just said... +1

A CM is capable of producing lines near pencil thin. But why? It is still quicker and cleaner to paint the details with a brush.
I think you\'ll find you just spent a whole lot of money on a gun that does not live up to your expectations. The CM is a wonderful tool, but not necessarily the best tool for the application you\'ve cited.

How do you wear out a brush? All the wear parts are replacable (as long as the company is in business).
Air valve (I\'ve worn one out in 20 years of shooting)
Needles are disposable parts.
Cones are coupled with needles.
Air caps are cleaned with q-tips after each days use.
Trigger springs (never needed to replace one)
Seals (Only one brush after shooting laquer through it - non solvent proof seals....)
Only brush I ever tossed was due to cross threading the tip on the body.

Just curious...

Originally posted by Einion
....you won\'t bend a needle tip in one of these!) :) ...
Click to expand...
I did, but I had to work at it...
:rolleyes:
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
Enion, just curious, do you take the needle cartridge apart and clean it at the end of your session?

I found lots of paint left in the spring up there. A quick flush under the tap and it was all good to go again.
 
Einion

Einion

New member
Often, yes. But not every time - usually the end of spraying is with very watery paint for me, so that tends to rinse them out somewhat.

They do need to be disassembled to be properly cleaned, leastways unless you want to flush with lacquer thinner or something (although honestly, I don\'t think that works fully either).

Einion
 
S

shakes

New member
poor brush care i believe, it was very cheap and i was fairly young, it was all plastic and only had 3 pieces that i can remember. i dont believe i cleaned it well enoughy (though not intentionally) and it eventually clogged beyond my ability to clean. i was about 13 :p

on another note i was looking at the tamiya superfine brush today, i can get one for $135 canadian at my local hobbie shop, a lot less than the $700 tag on the cmc +. anyone have an opinion on this particular brush?

lastly, if you needed a new compressor (im not replacing, i just dont have one :D) and were willing to put around $300 into it what would you get, im hoping for something relatively quiet. the guy in the shop reccomended a silver jet but it has no tank which from what ive read sounds like its a must.

cheers, shakes
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
Originally posted by shakes
on another note i was looking at the tamiya superfine brush today, i can get one for $135 canadian at my local hobbie shop, a lot less than the $700 tag on the cmc +. anyone have an opinion on this particular brush?


lastly, if you needed a new compressor (im not replacing, i just dont have one :D) and were willing to put around $300 into it what would you get, im hoping for something relatively quiet. the guy in the shop reccomended a silver jet but it has no tank which from what ive read sounds like its a must.

cheers, shakes
Click to expand...

COMPRESSOR:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915215000P?vName=Tools&cName=Air+Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors#descriptionAnchor

That one was on sale last month for 59 or 69. If you can stand the noise, it is a great buy and will power any airbrush you could own.

The big difference between the \'airbrush\' compressors and the \'homeowner\' grade ones is noise.
Airbrush models tend to be lower HP (1/10 to 1/4) and very quiet.
Homeowner grade tend to be a bit more powerful 1/2 to 2 HP models capable of airing tires, running spray guns and nailers.

Ask them to plug it in at the store. There are vast differences in noise factors from various compressors. Very important if you are living in an apartment or painting while your wife is asleep. (or trying to...)

BRUSH:
Enion will steer you to an Aztec. Very nice idea in guns - change the cartridge to change the characteristics: fine tip, wide tip, stipple tip, etc. I like the Iwata guns. Personal preferences and experiences in both cases.

***

For the money you\'ve priced, you can get a pretty complete aztec or a good Iwata Eclipse HP-BS (top feed).

I did a little research on the Tamaya, it has a very expensive tip coupled with a cheap needle. You should replace both as a set once you\'ve damaged a needle (and you will.)

Aztec new cartridge: less than $10.
Iwata Eclipse HP: nozzle = $20 plus needle = $9.
Tamiya = nozzle = $27 plus needle = $12.50.

(based on WestCoat airbrush. You might find it cheaper....)

But you are looking at a knock-off gun at name-brand prices. And I can get Iwata parts at LOTS of places.
 
Einion

Einion

New member
If you want to stick with a traditional metal-bodied brush, some other airbrushes you might want to consider were tested head to head in a couple of magazines recently. Here\'s a link to a similar one on Armorama.

Harder & Steenbeck airbrushes are getting a lot of press recently too. They do a couple of cheap(er) but very impressive brushes you might want to look into.

Edit: BearAir.com are also well worth having a look at if you want to order online. But general art-materials suppliers like Dick Blick should be checked for prices too (maybe Currys too since you\'re in Canada).

Einion
 
cleen X

cleen X

New member
I have a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution airbrush :D top fed, don´t know what model it is. Got it for my birthday. I am very happy with, I haven´t bent the needle yet :D
 
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