New airbrush or compressor?

[CWChief]

Hey guys. I'm looking at possibly getting a new airbrush. Right now I have a badger crecendo 175. I'm wondering if I should stick with this one or find something better? I just don't feel like it has the touch at detailing that I want. It's a double action, internal mix, bottom feed brush. Should I look for a new brush or maybe a compressor? I have a badger whirlwind 80 compressor, nothing special.
Any info would be great! I love to paint bodies, but I get so darn frustrated because they never come out the way I pictured.

[illuminatielect]

Whats wrong with that airbrush? I have been airbrushing for 7+ years,badger crecendo looked and fealt nice. I own and HIGHLY recommend to anyone an iwata airbrush. They seem to be top of the line nothing better. Right now I use a custom micron c for detail and a paasche vl pro for general stuff.

That badger should be doing really well. Let me know whats wrong exactly I can help.

[CWChief]

Maybe the problem is me? I can't detail paint the way I want. Paint does not come out the fine needle unless I thin it alot. I'm trying to do shadows and they come out too big.
Your detail brush how do you like that? How much was it?
I don't know what to do, so like I said maybe it's me. Should I be looking for a new compressor?

[illuminatielect]

in my opinion airbrushes are one of the most finicky tools on the planet. If your compressor isnt producing enough psi the paint will not spray properly. The same goes for paint thin/thick. How many psi is that compressor pushing? what happens if you use full air(trigger all the way down) and ever so lightly pull back? An extremely fine mist(i.e. almost hairline) or what? As for the fine needle and thin thin paint,that is just the way it goes. When I use paint in my micron,which does hairline(true hairline!) to 1 inch,I have to thin it to almost 50-50.

I would suggest a iwata hp-c,or similar. It should run ya around 100.00. But you may just need a different compressor.


Well lemme know the answers,I have had to troubleshoot alot with airbrushes. Like I said,the most finicky tool on the planet!

P.S.A good tip for airbrushers,mix windex,or preferably a generic counterpart 50/50 with water. This solution cleans brushes and parts really well,and is MUCH cheaper than the commercial airbrush cleaning fluids. Spray it through your brush till all is clear and clean.

[CWChief]

I don't think the compressor puts aout enough "umphf". The iwata hp-c is that a compressor? And where can I get it at? I want hairline results so where can I get the Micron?
What's a good place to look for this stuff?
I'm kinda stupid when it comes to this stuff so sorry for dumb questions. I just have a ton of ideas and I can't produce them.:confused:
Thanks for your help.
By the way where in OH are you?

[paaschepainter4]

i would recomend bringing your airpressure up to about 100psi
then u don't have thin the paint as much. the paint has to be perfect to do thin lines at a low air .i have a badger 250and
i hate it (:mad:)it sprays horrible.

[illuminatielect]

I would look around www.bearair.com for parts,and anything airbrush related. You probably need a higher air pressure. I would try that,but also maybe your brush is not capable of producing hairline. I read the specs on it and it says pencil line,which should be good enough,but hairline is truely hairline. The iwata hp-c is an airbrush.

I dont know if I would go as high as 100psi,as this doesnt allow my iwata or paasche to work properly. I use 80psi,which is high. But I also spray thick paints,car auto paint and such.

Try and find a good paint company,and stick with them. I like createx(but dont think they make rc car body paint,for that I use pactra). What I do is I mix several different thicknesses of paint,usually 20/80,30/70,and 40/60. Then I see which sprays best. Then I stick with that mixing ratio for that type of paint. It usually gets me very close to where I need to be.

Did you just start airbrushing? If so have you been practicing the simple spheres and cones? I learned fast that way,you have to use an airbrush for a long time to be able to do somethings with them. An airbrush can do many many many different styles of painting. At low pressure the brush will spit out dots,good for effects,stippling and such.

In your case I would say mainly concentrate on spraying extremely small lines. Try and be at full air and see how little paint you can release and be consistent at. Once you can spray a consistent fine-medium line you can do some cool shading effects.

[illuminatielect]

i am in dayton ohio,u?

[paaschepainter4]

i just got a paasche vl1 , it sprays great at 50psi.. i know a pro
who uses about 100psi ..his work is amazing!!!got any ideas for
my next paintjob???

[illuminatielect]

My general purpose brush is a vl pro which is for sale,it works great from 30-85psi. About or below it does nothing. I am trying to trade it right now for an rc car or sell the complete ready to brush set for 125.00. I would like to see a mercedes dtm touring body. fade from purple pearl to chameleon gold. Ghost chameleoon white flames up front. Thats all,simple but very nice...

[nitronutz]

I've used a Badger and a Paasche airbrush before and always had problems with sputtering and cleaning I got an Iwata double action airbrush and it is like night and day. The Airbrush pro at my LHS turned me on to them... now thats the only airbrush they sell.

when you spray it ... it comes out like fog... I tested in on a sheet of paper and the texture looked like velvet... you couldnt make out a single dot.

What I like best is there is no fussing with different size needles or heads... one sizes does all... trust me you wont be disappointed. For cleaning the manufacturer doesnt even suggest that you break it down... just spray whatever solvent or cleaning solution is approriate and you are good to go...

It fades like a dream and handles glitter paints, acrylics, watercolors, enamels, everything just the same.... awsome.

Tony:) :)

[CWChief]

Thanks for the info. guys, keep it going.
I'm leaning towards getting an iwata hp-c and a new compressor. I'm not sure though.
I saw some air compressors at Home Depot that looked good they had regulators and put out enough psi, is there anything wrong w/ these kind of compressors? I mean for the $$$ it seemed like a good deal?!?!
Anyways for right now I'm just gonna practice my shapes and shading till the BOSS (wife) gives me the o.k. to get some new stuff.... I should be pretty good when that happens.LOL:D
Keep up the conversation and I'll try to get some pics up of my xxxt body.

[illuminatielect]

as long as the pressure is variable and is around the right range 30-100 psi or so.

[HauntedMyst]

The only problem with generic Home Depot type compressors is the noise. Their loud. I use one and can't hear my wife yelling at me from the next room. Most don't have moisture traps so I would invest the $25 in one. If noise isn't an issue, they are the way to go since they have practical uses beyond airbrushing.

[illuminatielect]

if the noise will be a problem you could get the compressor,throw it in the garage or other place where noise doesnt matter,and run hoses or get a scuba tank or some type of airtank and use it,completely silent air.