I’ve been a plastic model builder most of my life. I am not the worlds best by any stretch, but I do an OK job and I enjoy it.
I haven’t built any plastic for a number of years now, but my kit collection keeps on slowly growing. I’ve decided I’m going to actually start on some and sell some others that I know I’ll never build (nor very interested in). My favorites are aircraft (1/48) and usually have multiple colors on them (camo, etc), so a spray bomb is out of the question. I’m going to get set up with airbrushing. Besides, I’m just dying to build my 1/48 Hustler and do a good job of it!
So far, I have lined up a 1.5HP industrial compressor with a 2 gallon tank, the airbush and the hose/fittings to connect them.
Do I need a water trap or anything else in the air line or is just draining the tank periodically good enough?
Am I forgetting anything? Is that compressor going to be good enough for me? Any general tips?
Some sort of regulator that will help you adjust the pressure of your spray is a nice addition. If you use different brands of paint the pressure adjustment can give you a bit more control.
A water trap won’t hurt, either. They’re inexpensive, and water in the line is one of those things that doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, it sucks. Are you in a humid environment at all when you’re working, or is it air conditioned? That will make some difference, but it sounds like you’re heading in the right direction so far. What kind of airbrush did you get?
Actually, the compressor I am looking at has a regulator built in. I can’t recall the brand of airbrush I purchased (I bought it eons ago). I’ll have to dig it up now!
For heath’s sake, you may want to consider purchasing some sort of breathing filter…you can get one at the dollar store. It prevents atomized paint from getting into your lungs.
I just started making plastic models again recently, and went out and bought a whole airbrush rig. I’d discovered that all the rubber seals inside my old airbrush had rotted away, and since it was a cheaper model there was no way to replace some of them. Now I have an Iwata Eclipse airbrush and a small airbrush compressor.
I love the airbrush, but am looking to replace the compressor with something closer to what you have. Thicker paints sometimes require more pressure than my little one can put out evenly. Anything bigger than 2 gallons seems to be overkill for airbrushes.
I regreted not getting a water trap when I was 3/4 of the way through putting a second coat on a car body and all of a sudden in spurted out a nasty blotch of water. I had to sand back down to the primer and start over.
And I second Bradjam’s suggestion of some sort of respirator mask.
I’d also put in a word for Aztec airbrushes. I don’t know if a professional would use one, but I’ve found mine to be the easiest one I’ve ever had. I use mostly water based paint and I mix a lot of my own colors (I do 19th Century railroads) and I’ve never run into any trouble. I don’t have a water trap, but I live in a pretty dry climate. I suppose I won’t get one until I ruin a paintjob.
I’ve got some masks and will definetly use them. Thanks for the heads-up. It looks like a water trap may be a good idea after all too. I’ll check into those as well.
I’m actually going with the 2Gal industrial compressor as it actually appears to be far more economical to do that then getting a true “airbrush” compressor from a hobby shop. I can pick this one up at a hardware store for $130CDN. The small hobby store jobbie is over $200 and has a fraction of the capacity. In addition, I can use it for small jobs around the house… like if I want to use air tools off and on or fill tires and the like. The “hobby” compressor would simply not be able to put out the capacity for those jobs with any reliability.
I would get an in-line air filter, the finer the better. Eliminates one source of dust in the paint job. The one that I have does double duty as a water trap, too.
Actually, for most stuff, where I don’t care much about shinyness, but just want it to be all one color, I use the Propel cans. Simple setup, silent. Expensive, though, and the pressure drops off pretty quickly as the can cools. For prolonged painting, I use my compressor.
This PM I found a 1/3HP compressor with a 2 gallon tank. It was so nice, small, light and quiet I think I will buy it instead of the 1-1/2HP. Is the 1/3 HP capacity going to be a problem in anyones mind? Bear in mind it is still a 2 gallon tank.
I strongly recommend a Pachet (sic?) airbrush… I used one for about four years, although I never knew how to spell the name because the outside of the casing was a little rusty.
Also, if you’re going to be using enamel paint, you might want to spend a long time practicing distance and finger position with lighter paints on paper, because you won’t get more than a couple minutes worth of painting time before you have to de-gunk the airbrush using enamel.
