Expert: Dick Cole - 12/26/2001

Question
dick,

I have recently decided to move into the airbrush realm.  I am looking to go straight into the double action type so I only have to learn one way.  I build plastic model airplanes in 1/72, 1/48 for modern military and WWII, and 1/144 for airlines.  Can you recommend a good brand and model airbrush to get me by with good all around usage (Camo as well as general coverage)?  Also, the terms for small medium and large heads?  Are all interchangeable and which one should I start with?  I want to be able to use both enamels and acrylics.  One last thing.  Can I use a regular standard garage compressor (dont care about noise - I am in the garage building anyway)or should I buy a different type of compressor?  Is there a matching of compressor to the brush I need to do?  What is a standard starting point for air pressures?

Thanks in advance !!!!  Hope I didnt ask too much

Robbie Shepherd

Answer
Robbie:

What you didn't tell me is whether you are currently using an airbrush.  If not, I am surprised that you are selecting a double-action brush as they can be difficult for an inexperienced painter to use.  A double-action brush controls both the amount of paint going to the spray tip and the amount of pressure.  This mix is achieved by pushing down to control the air pressure, and pulling back to control the paint flow.  A good single-action brush is easier to use, easier to clean, and can provide as good or better results as a double-action brush -- especially in the hands of a novice user.

However, since you have asked about double action brushes, there are two I would recommend.  The least expensive of the two, the easiest to clean, and the more durable of the two is the Aztek brush.  It is sold in art supply stores under that brand name and in hobby shops as the Testors Model Master series airbrush.  The brushes are identical.  The body of the brush and parts of the spray tips are plastic; however the brush is very durable.

The other brush I would recommend, which is also excellent, but more expensive and requires meticulous cleaning and care is the VL by Paasche.  These brushes are also available from good art supply stores and hobby shops.  Either of these two brushes are quite suitable and I recommend them.

Personally, I use a single-action Paasche H series brush with an H-1 tip for my modeling and it is very versatile.  I've had great success in using it on aircraft models from 1/144 scale to 1/24 and it does very convincing and realistic camouflage schemes.  I have sprayed both enamels and acrylics with it with equal success.  (I use almost strictly acrylics these days -- either Gunze Sangyo or Tamiya as they are easily sprayed and give an excellent finish.)  I wish I could attach a photo of a Ki-45 Nick in 1/48 that I sprayed a mottled camouflage scheme with using this brush for you to see.  It turned out very realistic with no overspray problems and the model has won numerous awards.  The Paasche VL (dual-action) and H series (single-action) brushes are quite reliable and easy to obtain parts for.  If they have a drawback, it is that the tips must be carefully handled and cleaned.  If one is dropped on the floor, or if the needle is dropped, it normally is ruined and must be replaced.  Replacement tip/needle assemblies cost $15-$20.  To clean them, I usually soak mine in lacquer thinner when they are not in use which helps to keep them clean.  You can mail order a Paasche VL for approximately $70 for the "pro" set.  The H runs as little as about $27 in a basic set up to $45 for the most elaborate kit.  The Testors/Aztec basic double-action brush (the A430) starts at about $65.  Teir most professional brush -- simply called the professional -- sells for approximately $115-$125.

I should mention that Badger brushes are also quite good for the more "professional" models.  They can vary in price from $48 for the 200 series (single-action) to as much as $125 or so for a double-action model.

As to your question about a compressor, I would not recommend using a normal household compressor for spraying with an airbrush unless it is equipped with a regulator which can drop the pressure to about 15 psi, and unless it has a water trap.  These things are notorious for creating water during the compression process which can be routed through your airbrush and ruin your paint work.  Most folks I know who use a household or large garage-type compressor have it hooked up to a small, portable storage tank.  The storage tank has the regulator and water trap attached and is used to provide the air to the brush much like using cans of spray propellant.  When the storage tank is depleated, you just hook it up to the compressor and fill it up again.  I have many friemds who use this system very successfully.

I hope I've answered your questions.  If you need more information, feel free to contact me at rcole2@cox.rr.com.

The brushes I described may be ordered from http//www.squadron.com or from http//www.towerhobbies.com or lots of other online or mail order companies.