Airbrushing - paint cup size

[NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class]

So, I am about to purchase an airbrush but the cup can hold 2ml. This doesn’t seem like enough, for painting one coach side at a time, would you recommend a 2ml cup? 

[murrayec]

Hi

Go for a airbrush that takes a small cup and a paint jar, also go for a dual action airbrush- they are a lot more controllable of air and paint mix with one's trigger finger. There is a huge range out there and it all depends on how much you want to pay.....

Here is a link to guys I have bought stuff from, the link is to bottom feed guns which take a jar;- https://www.air-craft.net/acatalog/Bottom-Feed-Airbrushes.html

Eoin

Edited May 25, 2020 by murrayec

[Noel]

24 minutes ago, NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class said:

So, I am about to purchase an airbrush but the cup can hold 2ml. This doesn’t seem like enough, for painting one coach side at a time, would you recommend a 2ml cup? 

These are excellent affordable air brushes (formerly VEDA now made for Bartsharp themselves).

https://bartsharpairbrush.co.uk/product/bartsharp-airbrush-130/

You don't really need or want a large cup, it can be more of a nuisance. Its easy to top up the cup during spray sessions (eg spraying two coach bodies at the same time, or weathering track work). Avoid airbrushes with paint bottles, a complete PITA.

 

PS: Don't forget a compressor.  One with a decent reservoir so the motor should be off most of the time while your spraying. These ones also have a moisture trap.

 

https://bartsharpairbrush.co.uk/product/bartsharp-airbrush-compressor-kit-tc80t-130-airbrush/

 

Edited May 25, 2020 by Noel

[Glenderg]

450, 

You could always go with an airbrush with multiple cups like this one. 

https://bartsharpairbrush.co.uk/product/bartsharp-airbrush-186-dual-action-gravity-feed/

R

[Noel]

22 minutes ago, NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class said:

Great, thank you Sir

I have one of those on Richie's recommendation and it works a treat, I use the medium sized cup. Bartsharp are keen on price and good on spare parts. Worth giving Alison a call.

Edited May 26, 2020 by Noel

[murrayec]

Yes, the compressor with a tank will come up to pressure in a minute or so, if no tank when switched on your ready to go. Adjust the output air to the airbrush down to around 2-3 psi or as required for type of airbrush and paint mix- you need to be activating the trigger on the airbrush when doing this as you will see mainly on a tank-less compressor there is a drop on the indicator so you set the pressure activating the airbrush.

Mix your paint to the consistency of milk in a separate container and then decant to the airbrush cup, some paints are already mixed by the manufacture ready to go.

Use kitchen towel to clean things but as it gets old and raggedy it starts to shed and those little bits will block the airbrush- change the towel frequently during a paint session.

Play with the brush before yo go spraying a model, use sheets of paper to spray on and play with settings and paint mix.

Clean the brush regular during use and when finished a session clean it out thoroughly with whatever thinners your using to paint with. Cellulose thinners is a good cleaner if stubborn paint will not move but do not leave rubber O rings or fibre washers in it for to long. Always clean the brush after use and refer to the instructions for details on taking it apart.

....and one on here might tell you to clean it with a sonic cleaner!! Do not do this if you value your airbrush- the needles on these can be forged parts which sonic cleaning will destroy, and anything screwed together can be rattled free and cause damage....

Regardless of type of paint do ware a mask (rated for gas) eye protection, and work in a well ventilated area.

Eoin

 

 

 

 

[NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class]

Many thanks for that

 

[NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class]

Thank you both, most helpful

 

[NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class]

20 hours ago, Glenderg said:

450, 

You could always go with an airbrush with multiple cups like this one. 

https://bartsharpairbrush.co.uk/product/bartsharp-airbrush-186-dual-action-gravity-feed/

R

Great, thank you Sir

[NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class]

 

4 minutes ago, Noel said:

I have one of those on Richie's recommendation and it works a treat, I use the medium sized cup. Bartsharp are keen on price and good on spare parts. Worth giving Alison a call.

Thank you so much for the advice, I hadn’t heard of them before but I’ve now compiled a comsiderable basket! They’re very helpful and the value for money is astonishing. Again, thank you for pointing that out

NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class

[NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class]

Received my airbrush set yesterday from Bartsharp. How would you recommend setting it up to use for the first time? Do I need to switch on the compressor first and let it run for a while? There aren’t many tutorials I can find online

[popeye]

Have a look at youtube they have enough videos to keep you busy for days.

[NIR 450 ‘Castle’ Class]

3 hours ago, murrayec said:

Yes, the compressor with a tank will come up to pressure in a minute or so, if no tank when switched on your ready to go. Adjust the output air to the airbrush down to around 2-3 psi or as required for type of airbrush and paint mix- you need to be activating the trigger on the airbrush when doing this as you will see mainly on a tank-less compressor there is a drop on the indicator so you set the pressure activating the airbrush.

Mix your paint to the consistency of milk in a separate container and then decant to the airbrush cup, some paints are already mixed by the manufacture ready to go.

Use kitchen towel to clean things but as it gets old and raggedy it starts to shed and those little bits will block the airbrush- change the towel frequently during a paint session.

Play with the brush before yo go spraying a model, use sheets of paper to spray on and play with settings and paint mix.

Clean the brush regular during use and when finished a session clean it out thoroughly with whatever thinners your using to paint with. Cellulose thinners is a good cleaner if stubborn paint will not move but do not leave rubber O rings or fibre washers in it for to long. Always clean the brush after use and refer to the instructions for details on taking it apart.

....and one on here might tell you to clean it with a sonic cleaner!! Do not do this if you value your airbrush- the needles on these can be forged parts which sonic cleaning will destroy, and anything screwed together can be rattled free and cause damage....

Regardless of type of paint do ware a mask (rated for gas) eye protection, and work in a well ventilated area.

Eoin

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the very comprehensive reply, most helpful