Air brushes

[Michael ToppingParticipant @michaeltopping17870]

Hi,

I am tkinking of purchasing a new air brush, mainly to paint 5" gauge locos. Which air brushes do others recommend?

I have had a couple of Badger units which work ok but not brilliant . I don't like the type where the paint pot hangs down on a piece of plastic tube as I fing it keeps coming loose. I would also like a bigger paint pot than the smaller glass ones as these do not give enough capacity for 5" loco parts. I will be using Precision Paints enamels and thinners.

Michael

[Michael ToppingParticipant @michaeltopping17870]

Which air brushes do others use.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

as you can see from my picture I don't have a need for 'air brushes! Try to get hold of a copy of 'How not to paint a locomotive'. **LINK** This goes into different spray guns at great length. They were giving it away with subscriptions not too long ago, perhaos someone will sell you a copy at a knock down price

[VicParticipant @vic]

This site has reviews of most of the air brushes out there.

**LINK**

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I too have several Badgers but for ME work I now always reach for the Iwata Neo, this will take a small side up right upto a large bottle.

[Michael ToppingParticipant @michaeltopping17870]

Thanks for the replies. I have ordered the book. Looking at reviews the Iwata air brushes all seem to score highly so that is the way I am looking to go.

Michael

[VicParticipant @vic]

The Iwata Neo range seem to be made in China (rather than Japan) and get mixed reviews.

**LINK**

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Certainly high end Chineese rather than bucket basement which you would hope they were at 6-7 times the price of a Machine Mart far eastern airbrush. Anyway they gave a good enough finish for a medal at last weeks MEX so can't be too bad.

Edited By JasonB on 25/09/2016 13:13:40

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

I have a couple of airbrushes.

1. Iwata Custom Micron SB. (Made in Japan)

– Nice narrow body design.
– Dual action.
– Side feed, from either side.
– Comfortable to hold and use.
– Very well manufactured.
– Cleans relatively easily.
– Tends to clog easily but this depends on the paint used and how it's mixed. I get real trouble with Vallejo paints (you really can see this paint drying) so I tend to stick with Humbrol, Tamiya or Polyscale.

2. Paasche VL (Made in USA)

– Slightly fatter body design than the Iwata but still comfortable.
– Bottom feed.
– Dual action.
– Very well manufactured, but with a plastic half-body.
– Cleans up ok, a bit easier than the Iwata I reckon.

I think the Iwata is suited to finer work than the Paasche but this depends on the needle and nozzle combinations used. I've used mine for painting, detailing and weathering armour, aircraft and ship models.

I'd recommend either of these two brushes.

Ed.

PS. I also have the old Humbrol single action, spray and pray set but it's not really matched to anything from the proprietary companies.

 

Edited By Ed Duffner on 25/09/2016 15:05:35

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

I've not painted a steam model (yet) but I'd imagine after investing the time and effort to build one, it would be proper to put a fine finish on the paint yes? i.e flatting with paper and rubbing compounds to get that ultra finish? So would it really matter what the delivery system is? aerosol for instance.

 

Edited By Ed Duffner on 25/09/2016 15:14:51

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

I used to have a Devilbiss years ago when I used to build plastic kits. I think it was AeroSprite or such like, very good it was. Have not seen it for years, god knows where it went.

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