Airbrushes.

[Balthazar]

So, I find myself wanting to pick up an airbrush, you know, just something for a beginner, it's something I would like to work on and see if I can get into it.

Anyone here have any suggestions, link to places online where I can find it, etc. etc.?

I want to start out with painting on metal, and to show how much of a complete noob I am, I don't even know if there is a particular type of paint that adheres well to metal.

I've spent some time paying attention to they way others airbrush, and I get some of the basic ideas of it, so, like I said, just mostly looking for a good beginner kit to test the water.

Thanks!

 

[Balthazar]

Anybody?

 

[arcas]

Be aware that there are two types of airbrushes. Single action vs dual action and external mix vs internal mix. The ones you see the professional airbrush guys using are dual action internal mix but for your first kit, stick with a simple single action external mix kit. These can be had at any craft store (Michael's, Garden Ridge, even Walmart) for under $50. They're simple and usually have a siphon jar but some also have a gravity feed option (mine does). It since it's external mix, it puts out somewhat larger drops than an internal mix so it's not as good for fine detail work but it's a good place to start since it's more foregiving (larger orifice so less likely to clog with thicker pigments).

Oh, and don't waste your time using cans of air. Get yourself a small compressor and an aftermarket airbrush airhose (the rubber hoses in those kits suck ass). If you get a tankless compressor, you'll definitely need to add a water trap. If you get a small compressor with a tank, they say you still need one but in my experience it's not really necessary. The obvious benefit of a general purpose compressor with a tank is you can use it for other things and it really doesn't cost much more.

edit: grammar

 

[Balthazar]

How much would you expect to pay for an internal mix, single action (does double cost more?), with the small compressor+tank?

 

[LookingGlass]

i use an air brush, dual action = more air, less paint, vise versa. External mix, I like because I am constantly mixing colors. I can change the needle from small to large. The company I use is Badger. I highly recommend them, I use my airbrush quite heavily. When I need my airbrush fixed, I send it to them, they'll fix it for FREE. I get new parts with it too. Can't beat that.