Need advice an airbrush and compressor

[roubaixrider]

Hi All. I'm new to this website. I build models as a kid and I'm getting back into it with a vengeance. Mainly tanks and military vehicles but I'm up for anything. I got a Badger 350 airbrush from the local hobby store and a Testors blue plastic compressor. The Badger is fine for general vehicle painting but lacks control for fine details. The Testors compressor is horrible and I'm going to sell it on ebay.

What is a good high quality airbrush that will allow me to do fine detail work and give me flexibility? I'm not too worried about the cost, just want good equipment.

Also, what's a good compressor, where I can control the pressure, it has a water trap, etc. Again, I want to get good stuff so I don't have to upgrade later.

Thanks!!

[Paul]

An as-186 compressor from the like of ebay is a great compressor that wont break the bank and you can go wrong with a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution or infinity. I review an infinity in this months news show and they are top quality airbrushes.

[DaveWithAirplanes]

Also, what's a good compressor, where I can control the pressure, it has a water trap, etc. Again, I want to get good stuff so I don't have to upgrade later.

I literally just started airbrushing, but if you're looking for a good compressor with a moisture trap and regulator built in, take a look at the Iwata Smart Jet. I got the Ninja Jet, which is smaller and has less PSI range, but it doesn't have a moisture trap built in, and I had to get one separately...

If you are in the US, you might want to look at Chicago Airbrush Supply or Dixie Art Supply. Chicago Airbrush has some good deals on packaged kits, where they put a quality airbrush together with a compressor and various other accessories. In full disclosure, that's what I just got: a kit that is the H/S Ultra + Iwata Ninja Jet (I'm a total newbie). I'm pretty sure they have an airbrush+compressor kit that includes the Infinity that Paul recommended.

Good luck!

[roubaixrider]

Thanks for the tips! Airbrushing is SO much better than spray paint. I have about 20 Tamiya models from about 35 years ago that were mostly never painted, or painted by hand, and it's fun to take them apart and practice painting them, weather effects, etc. I'll post a before and after picture when one is done.