Am I the only one that don't like using a airbrush??

[BrummieModeller]

Hey guys,

kinder in the moaning mood tonight i guess having one of them times when whatever I do modelling wise it just dont seem to be going right

But anyways I have a airbrush and compressor but I just find it soo annoying and so much more hastle than using a brush, i know im proberly doing things wrong but ever since ive had my airbrush its never works right and never gone how i wanted!!

I will let you guys work out weather this is a cry for help or not but right now my airbrush is staying in its box because it pi**es me off!!!

LOL

[Paul]

I don't think I would model without an airbrush, it makes life so much easier and IMO gives a better finished model.

[Nige201980]

I use the a brush at the mo but I am wanting an air brush because there are things I want to do that I can't at the mo like pre-shading and I won't touch a bare metal surface with a brush tried it once and it just wouldn't go right and it put me of modelling for about a year so in a way can't wait to get one but I understand you I know a few people that just don't get on with airbrushes but it your hobby so it's what ever you feel most comfortable using.

[BrummieModeller]

I don't think I would model without an airbrush, it makes life so much easier and IMO gives a better finished model.

Maybe soo but I just can't get on with mine its a piece of pooh lol always end up blocks or ends up spraying to much or just crap looking paintwork lol

[Paul]

I don't think I would model without an airbrush, it makes life so much easier and IMO gives a better finished model.

Maybe soo but I just can't get on with mine its a piece of pooh lol always end up blocks or ends up spraying to much or just crap looking paintwork lol

What airbrush is it?

[BrummieModeller]

I don't think I would model without an airbrush, it makes life so much easier and IMO gives a better finished model.

Maybe soo but I just can't get on with mine its a piece of pooh lol always end up blocks or ends up spraying to much or just crap looking paintwork lol

What airbrush is it?

Erm i havent a clue it was a cheap one that came with the compressor

[Paul]

Erm i havent a clue it was a cheap one that came with the compressor

More than likely part of your problem.

[BrummieModeller]

Erm i havent a clue it was a cheap one that came with the compressor

More than likely part of your problem.

don't really want to spend stupid money on a airbrush :/

[Paul]

Erm i havent a clue it was a cheap one that came with the compressor

More than likely part of your problem.

don't really want to spend stupid money on a airbrush :/

£50 will get you an entry level Iwata Neo that'll do most jobs no problem.

[Tamiyasnob]

No need to spend stupid money, take a look a Paul,s review of the NEO, I wasn,t happy with the way my airbrushing was going.bought the NEO and the transformation was eye opening. I think it,s one of the reason,s I have got back into modelling again because I,m using an airbrush I am happy with and can achieve the effect I am looking for which is what it,s all about.

[BrummieModeller]

i'm not sure i want to buy a better airbrush but dont want to pay out stupid money for something knowing me i wont even get on with :/

[WebbyNZ]

No need to spend stupid money, take a look a Paul,s review of the NEO, I wasn,t happy with the way my airbrushing was going.bought the NEO and the transformation was eye opening. I think it,s one of the reason,s I have got back into modelling again because I,m using an airbrush I am happy with and can achieve the effect I am looking for which is what it,s all about.

Agreed. I started with cheap ebay airbrushes and was wondering what the fuss was about and found myself still going back to the rattle cans.
Then i got an Iwata cheap and I have not looked back, it gives way more control and cleans so easy. The other breakthrough was the model air range of paints, they dont need thinning and clean up really easy.

So i guess the moral of the story is get some good paints and run them through a decent airbrush, and decent can be cheap in the case of things like the neo.

[Bagpiper]

Hey Dan. Lots of great ideas here mate. Here is another suggestion. Get some cheap acrylic paint and play with your airbrush and compressor. I got some art paint which was very cheap and I played with the the setup until I had an idea on how it all felt. Wasted a lot of the paint but it did not matter as it was cheap but I now had an idea on how to use my setup and also how to clean everything. Then I tried spraying with my Tamiya paint and it did not feel half as bad as I had practiced using it. I just got a NEO and used it yesterday for the first time and made a bit of a mess but that was a mistake on my part using clear paint. We all make these errors but even a cheap airbrush can work if you learn it's quirks.

Good luck Dan

Jim

[BrummieModeller]

Thanks guys

[Andy]

I brush painted all my models prior to finding an airbrush with normal crafting acrylic paint. This put me off modeling for quite some time. I only have a couple years of experience but you can literally feel yourself get better with an airbrush if you take the time to learn its ups and downs. I bought my Iwata Revolution in a heartbeat and never looked back. My models come out cleaner, nicer, and overall it's fun, and that's the whole point.

[Johni044]

I'm in a similar situation as I have one of the budget set ups and find the experience of airbrushing a bit of a bind, particularly cleaning the bleeding thing.

I did get it out the second time this year last week to spray some Tamiya acrylic red/orange and I think some of the blockage issues were due to me under thinning the paint. Like many things it takes practice, trouble is I'd rather be making models.

[coladito1]

Do not be intimidated by the airbrush, think of it as another tool in your work bench. I think buying a cheap airbrush is a waste of "good money". You shouldn't take shortcuts with airbrushing. It's an investment, it' saves you money if you think about it because of the paint you save. In the other hand, I know plenty of modellers that use a paintbrush and their results are stunning!

Bottom line is: if you have the patience to practice and get used to it, I'd say go for it! remember that practice makes perfect! if it is taking the fun and just bringing frustration to your modeling, then it is not worth it! the decision is yours!

[Daishi12]

I'm currently bidding for an airbrush from airbrushsupplyonline via Ebay, it's a gravity/siphon dual action dual action airbrush with a starting price of 99 pence and no postage costs. If I win the bid I'll let you know how much I got it for.

[BrummieModeller]

Everytime i get it out n set it up i just get annoyed with it. I tryed it paint my GB tank but that failed. N its stressing me out that i cant get it to work properly stupid thing lol

[BrummieModeller]

I'm currently bidding for an airbrush from airbrushsupplyonline via Ebay, it's a gravity/siphon dual action dual action airbrush with a starting price of 99 pence and no postage costs. If I win the bid I'll let you know how much I got it for.

Ok thanks

[Gav0909]

In the end its your choice, but I imagine your issues are kit related.

I have the same airbush as you do, and I was the same. Went through a phase with it where I spent more time cleaning it, unclogging it etc than actually painting with it! But recently I have had no issues with it. And here is why.

I bought proper acrylic thinners and airbrush cleaner. Honestly that made the world of difference! I now mostly only spray Vallejo paints as well. Combined with their thinners and cleaners I have had no issues.

Yeah its not the neatest airbrush (gets a bit splattery when doing fine work) but as a tool for basecoating models, and painting larger camo patterns it now does the job fine. I will be getting an Iwata Neo when I get a job, but this will hopefully do until then.

[BrummieModeller]

In the end its your choice, but I imagine your issues are kit related.

I have the same airbush as you do, and I was the same. Went through a phase with it where I spent more time cleaning it, unclogging it etc than actually painting with it! But recently I have had no issues with it. And here is why.

I bought proper acrylic thinners and airbrush cleaner. Honestly that made the world of difference! I now mostly only spray Vallejo paints as well. Combined with their thinners and cleaners I have had no issues.

Yeah its not the neatest airbrush (gets a bit splattery when doing fine work) but as a tool for basecoating models, and painting larger camo patterns it now does the job fine. I will be getting an Iwata Neo when I get a job, but this will hopefully do until then.

Thats all i end up doing cleaning it then putting it away lol n i only own one vellejo paint haha

[Gav0909]

You can use the Humbrol ones, but I have found they don't spray so well. Using proper acrylic thinners with them rather than water does help though. If you can, I would suggest the Vallejo thinners, but the clear stuff, not the milky stuff in the small bottle as it doesn't seem to thin paints in the same way for spraying. It isn't the cheapest, but it def works, and doesn't smell to bad since its water based I think.

Honestly that made the world of difference to me. Make sure your brush is fully clean then add some paint to the cup and about the same amount of thinners, turn the psi to around 15 and give it a go.

[UKscalemodeller]

You can use the Humbrol ones, but I have found they don't spray so well. Using proper acrylic thinners with them rather than water does help though. If you can, I would suggest the Vallejo thinners, but the clear stuff, not the milky stuff in the small bottle as it doesn't seem to thin paints in the same way for spraying. It isn't the cheapest, but it def works, and doesn't smell to bad since its water based I think.

Honestly that made the world of difference to me. Make sure your brush is fully clean then add some paint to the cup and about the same amount of thinners, turn the psi to around 15 and give it a go.

I haven't used my 'el cheapo' airbrush much as yet, just test painting a train piggy bank and painting a biplane, I may well take the advice of Vallejo thinners though.

[UKscalemodeller]

Rob (Basicmodelling) is rather well known for his not using an airbrush and his work is excellent, way beyond anything I could manage now.

[Tiger131]

sorry bud but i couldn't do half the stuff i do to my models with out one would be lost with out it...i use brushes for certain things but i love the air

[PhildaFish]

I own a cheap airbrush and I can get it to do pretty much what I want it to do and, call me odd (amongst other things), I also enjoy cleaning it out. I asked my doctor about syringes for measuring paint and it turned out he made models as a child so he understood exactly what I wanted and happily gave me a handful of syringes and needles which makes mixing paint much easier BUT I still don't use it often and would rather use a good old fashioned hairy stick. There's no rhyme or reason to it, it's just what I prefer. I've seen some stunning graffiti done with spray paint and I've seen some work by the great masters with brushes and nobody, I mean NOBODY, can say that one is better than the other. If you're happy with the results you get then great and don't let anyone tell you different. The airbrush is not superior than a brush, it's just a different tool. The only thing that matters is enjoyment, FUN Dammit! This is a hobby - if you're spending a large amount of time at it and not enjoying it then it's not a hobby, it's work and somebody better start paying you!!!

[BrummieModeller]

I own a cheap airbrush and I can get it to do pretty much what I want it to do and, call me odd (amongst other things), I also enjoy cleaning it out. I asked my doctor about syringes for measuring paint and it turned out he made models as a child so he understood exactly what I wanted and happily gave me a handful of syringes and needles which makes mixing paint much easier BUT I still don't use it often and would rather use a good old fashioned hairy stick. There's no rhyme or reason to it, it's just what I prefer. I've seen some stunning graffiti done with spray paint and I've seen some work by the great masters with brushes and nobody, I mean NOBODY, can say that one is better than the other. If you're happy with the results you get then great and don't let anyone tell you different. The airbrush is not superior than a brush, it's just a different tool. The only thing that matters is enjoyment, FUN Dammit! This is a hobby - if you're spending a large amount of time at it and not enjoying it then it's not a hobby, it's work and somebody better start paying you!!!

Thanks mate

[Bagpiper]

Cannot agree with Phil more. FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN is what this is all about. I wish I had Phil's skill with a brush - but I don't. I also wish I had everyone else's skill with an airbrush - but I don't. I guess I'll just have to learn to enjoy this then.

Oh and airbrushing is so much easier Dan after 4 beers - trust me on that one mate.

Jim

[BrummieModeller]

Cannot agree with Phil more. FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN is what this is all about. I wish I had Phil's skill with a brush - but I don't. I also wish I had everyone else's skill with an airbrush - but I don't. I guess I'll just have to learn to enjoy this then.

Oh and airbrushing is so much easier Dan after 4 beers - trust me on that one mate.

Jim

Haha I will have to test that one out next time i have a few cold ones in the fridge jim

[Coen]

You can learn to do either brush painting or airbrushing and be really good at either of them... or both of them.
It the end it takes a lot of practice, patience, and half decent tools.

When I first got back into the hobby 7 or so years ago I didn't know that airbrushes were even used with modelling.
After seeing one in action I thought it was the tool of a cheater.
The fast and easy way to a quick build. Brush painting was where all the skill was at.
I even have a video of me at a local model show saying almost just that... it's quite embarrassing.
I may post it.

Now, however, I have come to understand that airbrush and brush painting skills are both very good things to have to turn out a model that I can be proud of.
Skill and practice is needed to use both, and only patience will help you reach your goals.
The first airbrush that I bought I thought was a steal.
It was a Badger P.O.S. and a Testors tiny compressor deal all for $100.
I was really wrong. Not long after my first attempt at using it I discovered that the brush and compressor were crap.
I also toasted a rare Michel Wittmann Tiger I kit that I paid too much for.
So I saved up and shelled out more money on a Badger Crescendo... not a piece of crap... but not the best either.
It did teach me that I actually could use and airbrush and brush paint... if I had good tools.
Now I use a Badger Anthem 155 and I love it.
I've got a Harder Steenbeck Evolution Silverline Two in One on order that I'm excited about using, but it's just a toy.
The Anthem is my baby.

In the end though it's all about what you think you want to do, and that can change almost as often as you change your underwear. And who cares... It's YOUR hobby... It's YOUR fun.
Own it.

[BrummieModeller]

You can learn to do either brush painting or airbrushing and be really good at either of them... or both of them.
It the end it takes a lot of practice, patience, and half decent tools.

When I first got back into the hobby 7 or so years ago I didn't know that airbrushes were even used with modelling.
After seeing one in action I thought it was the tool of a cheater.
The fast and easy way to a quick build. Brush painting was where all the skill was at.
I even have a video of me at a local model show saying almost just that... it's quite embarrassing.
I may post it.

Now, however, I have come to understand that airbrush and brush painting skills are both very good things to have to turn out a model that I can be proud of.
Skill and practice is needed to use both, and only patience will help you reach your goals.
The first airbrush that I bought I thought was a steal.
It was a Badger P.O.S. and a Testors tiny compressor deal all for $100.
I was really wrong. Not long after my first attempt at using it I discovered that the brush and compressor were crap.
I also toasted a rare Michel Wittmann Tiger I kit that I paid too much for.
So I saved up and shelled out more money on a Badger Crescendo... not a piece of crap... but not the best either.
It did teach me that I actually could use and airbrush and brush paint... if I had good tools.
Now I use a Badger Anthem 155 and I love it.
I've got a Harder Steenbeck Evolution Silverline Two in One on order that I'm excited about using, but it's just a toy.
The Anthem is my baby.

In the end though it's all about what you think you want to do, and that can change almost as often as you change your underwear. And who cares... It's YOUR hobby... It's YOUR fun.
Own it.

Thanks mate and very true i wouldnt mind a H&S evo 2in1 airbrush though

[Coen]

Yea... that's why I got it.. Blame Paul... he sold me on it and it's sooo shiny.

[BrummieModeller]

Yes the shinnyness does make you want it even more! dam it! LOL

[Bagpiper]

Quick question Coen. How did you find using the Crescendo? I have it. Cost way too much and it just does not feel like a good brush. My new NEO has a much better feel to it and seems to be the better, if cheaper brush.

Cheers
Jim

[Coen]

I've heard a lot of good things about the NEO so you should be happy with it I would think. It's a great all around brush for the money. From what I've heard about it, it's probably THE brush to start with if you can get one.
The crescendo seemed to be a good brush when I got it. It did what it was supposed to do, but it sucked for fine detail and it was too heavy for my tastes. It was more like a starter brush but it was too expensive for that. It was easy enough to maintain like all of the badgers that I've had but it just seemed.... I don't know... Off I guess.
Anyway... those are my two cents.

[Paul]

You can learn to do either brush painting or airbrushing and be really good at either of them... or both of them.
It the end it takes a lot of practice, patience, and half decent tools.

When I first got back into the hobby 7 or so years ago I didn't know that airbrushes were even used with modelling.
After seeing one in action I thought it was the tool of a cheater.
The fast and easy way to a quick build. Brush painting was where all the skill was at.
I even have a video of me at a local model show saying almost just that... it's quite embarrassing.
I may post it.

Now, however, I have come to understand that airbrush and brush painting skills are both very good things to have to turn out a model that I can be proud of.
Skill and practice is needed to use both, and only patience will help you reach your goals.
The first airbrush that I bought I thought was a steal.
It was a Badger P.O.S. and a Testors tiny compressor deal all for $100.
I was really wrong. Not long after my first attempt at using it I discovered that the brush and compressor were crap.
I also toasted a rare Michel Wittmann Tiger I kit that I paid too much for.
So I saved up and shelled out more money on a Badger Crescendo... not a piece of crap... but not the best either.
It did teach me that I actually could use and airbrush and brush paint... if I had good tools.
Now I use a Badger Anthem 155 and I love it.
I've got a Harder Steenbeck Evolution Silverline Two in One on order that I'm excited about using, but it's just a toy.
The Anthem is my baby.

In the end though it's all about what you think you want to do, and that can change almost as often as you change your underwear. And who cares... It's YOUR hobby... It's YOUR fun.
Own it.

I give it a week or two and the harder Steenbeck will become your baby

[Coen]

Ah it's all about the accessibility to parts my friend. I can just pop over to the Michael's Art store and buy a new needle or O rings for my Anthem... can't do that with the H&S.
It is pretty though... and sooo shiny.

Mmmmm....
I need a moment alone.

[Paul]

Ah it's all about the accessibility to parts my friend. I can just pop over to the Michael's Art store and buy a new needle or O rings for my Anthem... can't do that with the H&S.
It is pretty though... and sooo shiny.

Mmmmm....
I need a moment alone.

You must go through some parts then?

All my necessary parts are available online so no dramas there.

[Coen]

No not really... I just hate having to wait 2 or 3 weeks for a new needle when I can just go to the store down the street.
My impatience is more likely the culprit.
I'll just do what I do with all my other tools with the H&S, stock up. I have a feeling that I'll be worth it.

[Lee]

I'll just do what I do with all my other tools with the H&S, stock up. I have a feeling that I'll be worth it.

I always have 2 spare needles, a spare nozzle and O rings at all times...lol

[schweinhund227]

once you go A/B you will Hit yourself on the head and wondered why you never gone that way before....!!!

LOL

plz don't hit yourself on the head !

Its a tool and you will welcome it to your Hobby Arsenal in due time....
Don't rush buying one quite yet !!!

but when you do... buy a good tool and a good compressor and you will be set for LIFE !

if you buy cheap ! it may cost you in the long run! so save up now and Reap the rewards later on !!!

[Lee]

^^^ What he said

[Coen]

HAU!!!!

[Daishi12]

I'm currently bidding for an airbrush from airbrushsupplyonline via Ebay, it's a gravity/siphon dual action dual action airbrush with a starting price of 99 pence and no postage costs. If I win the bid I'll let you know how much I got it for.

I unfortunately lost the bid, but the finishing price was £9.99 and airbrushsupplyonline on Ebay seem to be selling quite a few airbrushes for reasonable prices.

[BrummieModeller]

I'm currently bidding for an airbrush from airbrushsupplyonline via Ebay, it's a gravity/siphon dual action dual action airbrush with a starting price of 99 pence and no postage costs. If I win the bid I'll let you know how much I got it for.

I unfortunately lost the bid, but the finishing price was £9.99 and airbrushsupplyonline on Ebay seem to be selling quite a few airbrushes for reasonable prices.

That's not a bad price at all

[Daishi12]

I was also outbid on a single action siphon airbrush kit by the the same supplier, that was sniped @ £6.50 in the last 4 seconds

[BrummieModeller]

That's abit of a bummer

[Daishi12]

Airbrushsupplyonline seem to putting a lot of airbrushes on Ebay on a regular basis, so I'll try again