So I just bought an airbrush

[cleen X]

Just got myself an airbrush and a compressor, now I\'m wondering, how much airpressure should I use? The instructions says 1,5-2 bar/20-30 psi, I\'ve heard people talking about 5-10 psi, and even 20 seems like a lot to me!

Any thoughts? It\'s an Evolution series airbrush, gravity fed and with double action, the compressor is SIL-AIR, pretty good model I believe, makes NO sound at all and is ready for use right when I turn it on

 

[Jarrett]

I use around 20-30 pretty comfortably - sometimes even more. You can try it lower but see if it gives you trouble siphoning the paint (unless it\'s a gravity pot style).

 

[cleen X]

it\'s gravity fed, I heard airhead say you only needed 5-10 psi, but maybe that was just for the airbrush he talked and not for everyone of them.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

Originally posted by cleen X
it\'s gravity fed, I heard airhead say you only needed 5-10 psi, but maybe that was just for the airbrush he talked and not for everyone of them.

base coating i use about 20psi, for cleaning i crank it to 30 and for shading and camo work on vehicles i drop it to roughly 8.

play with it and find what works for you.

 

[cleen X]

Thanks general

 

[airhead]

It will depend on the gun and the paint.

Top feeds will require less pressure than siphon feeds. (you don\'t have to lift the paint up....)

Thinner paints will require less pressure than thick paints.

Guidelines (YMWV):
detail work (top feed) fine line. 2-5 psi.
general work 5-15 psi.
base coating 15-25 psi.
flushing 40+
t-shirts 45-60 psi. with Vega guns. (if you didn\'t paint your backer board, you are not using enough air.)

I tend to overthin my paints and put on several layers. If I\'m not careful, I do the spider/centipede effect which can end your day with a lot of anguish and increase your liquer bill. Thus, I tend to use the lower side of the air pressure needed for the effect. Plus, I hate overspray.

Hope that helps.