All you guys who keep showing your masterpieces here...

I'm thinking about getting a spray kit and don't know Jack about these or even where to begin. I want a tool, not a toy, but I don't want to go overboard either. This is just for my personal use. I've become reasonably good with the rattle cans, but with these little cars I end up throwing away a lot more of the can than I use. Yeah, I also sometimes put on too much paint with the cans. I can see using it for many applications, but my primary use first off will be lexan racing bodies and, of course, custom HO hard bodies.

Fire way...

Hey AfxToo-
Can't really fit into the "masterpiece" thing here as pretty much I use Krylon on slots, but I have used airbrushes a lot in the past, and still do if it requires a special color that needs to be mixed.
I've got 2 nice 2 stage airbrushes. My favorite is the old reliable Paasche VLS kit that came with several bottles 3 different tips etc. Bought it in 1978 and it still works fine.
5 or 6 years ago I bought an Aztek 2 stage, a radically different design from the older one. It comes with 2 bottles 4 different size cups and 6 different tips. Testors makes the Aztek.
The Aztek sprays thinned solvent/oilbase paints great and cleans up easier than the Paasche, but I had a hard time spraying water base paints like Createx with it. Seemed to dry too quick causing tip pluggage. You probly know that there is better paints for Lexan out now than Createx, but havent gotten to try them.
The Paasche also gets tip pluggage with the Createx but not during the coat of paint you are spraying. Gotta clean it between coats. Probly more improper paint mixing causing these problems, but I dont get much R&D done on the waterbase stuff.
Try www.testors.com for info for the Aztek. I dont have a web addy for Paasche, but I still see the same VLS kits in hobby stores.
Badger and Iawata also makes some good quality ones but Ive never used them.
Hope this info helps some, man.

Circle Track DAC

hey Afxtoo, not to hijack your thread, but maybe I can add to it... I've been meaning to post this for a while and now maybe it'll help you too.

I've been saying I'm going to get an airbrush since 20 years ago when I was a kid building 1/25 cars. I never did it. Then this summer I saw this at a yard sale:

http://home.comcast.net/%7Erwurtz/images/airbrush.jpg

For $4, I couldn't resist, even though I knew it was probably cheap Taiwanese crap. The brand name is Cummins. I still haven't used it. It looks like it's never been used. I'm assuming you can probably get one like this from Harbor Freight or similar discount tool places. Anybody have experience with a set like this? Any good as a starter kit, or more trouble than it's worth?

--rick

Thanks guys, now I have somewhere to start. I've wanted a kit since the first time I saw those ultra cool custom 1:24 and RC lexan bodies in the 70s. My goals of course are far simpler. If I can spray on a uniform coat that doesn't crack off like a crispy chip I'll be happy. Oh yeah, any painting pointers, tips, or links to "how to spray paint without harming yourself or loved ones" web sites would be cool.

The glaciers are set to return to the nothern climes here in a few more weeks, barring any significant delays due to global warming (or Rush not shutting up). Stick the mower in the shed and tune up the slots. I can hardly wait for winter.

If you just want to do base coats just get a testors can and bottle cheap and easy...I still use one to do all my undercoats. I like the Aztec for detail work and bought a line painter attachment with pinstripes of 1/64th to 1/18th of a inch.. works pretty good. When I finish part one of my course I will get some pics done and post them up...One word of advice..if your going to do a lot of painting get a compressor I know I probibly should unload for one soon. The Cans last a lot longer then you think they will but......

Ok The Compressor would just be more fun.. I admit it...


Coach

Go to http://www.airbrushcity.com/ or http://www.bearair.com/ they have all the info you need on airbrushes.If you think your going to like it spend some money on one because a cheap brush will just make you made. There`s lot of water base paint that shines up well and clean up easy with warm water.I`ve been painting to long to deal with junk brushes.
Good Luck
Coro Kid

Hey, me again. I use an airbrush daily for my "real" job. I have 6 now & have owned a dozen or so over the years.

I have had Badger, Paasche, Thayer/Chandler....and others. Now my stable has 1) Thayer/Chandler Vega 2000 & 5) Iwata brushes. The best place to go for price & especially service is www.bearair.com as the last post suggested.

I use a couple of Iwata Eclipse's & a HP-C, a HP-BCS & a Micron Custom all by Iwata. These are simple(except the Micron) & easy to clean & service.
Iwata Eclipse's are a little over a hundred & they offer an entry level unit called the Iwata Revolution for under a hundred. It is worth it to spend a few bucks & get a great airbrush that will last you a lifetime for around a hundred+. You can get an adapter for a propane tank to fill at the gas station or an auto parts store will have a portable air tank already with a pressure guage attached for around 25-30 bucks. I use a 60 gallon compressor & have a 5' x 4' paint booth. I paint slot car bodies with lacquers & water base paints with great results. Make sure to really clean your airbrush well after each use.

Jim

Thanks Jim, more great info from a pro!

I have to agree with Jim. I have been airbrushing both as a hobby and in a professional position, having earned a living by it for a number of years. I have had well over 80 different airbrushes in that time. At 1 time when I was painting shirts I had a manifold set-up with 36 Paasche VLs. I have painted everything from HO bodies, both hard and lexan to semi trucks and trailers and my recommendations are to spend the extra $$$ and get a quality brush. You'll thank yourself in the long run. Once you start airbrushing the small things, more than likely you'll want to try out brushing on bigger things and the cheaper brushes just can't cut it. The cheaper brushes do not offer the control of a quality brush either. And as Jim pointed out above, clean your brushes well. 95-98 percent of most troubles with an airbrush are due to having a dirty brush. It doesn't take much to hang up in the tip to make a a person wanna cuss! :wave:

Here is a link to a few pics of some old work on slotcars and R/C cars:

Cozee's (http://stingerhead.itgo.com/photo6.html)

Please excuse the majority of the site for it has been the victim of neglect! :freak:

In addition, don't allow yourself to be limited by what the hobby has to offer in the way of paints. I have had great success mixing media also, ie solvent based and waterbased, on either lexan or hard plastic. Parma's line of waterbased paints are good but Createx offers a line of waterbased custom paints designed for the automotive custom painter that offers an awesome selection, including shade shifting paints. They are available at the Bear Air links above or you may find them at your nearest automotive bodyshop supply jobber.

If you are wanting to venture into some really trick automotive paints check out INNATE (http://www.innate.com/home.htm) . Nate sells in small quanities but even the smallest will do many an HO body. In a few months I may have an alternative for those only wanting to but an ounce or two. Keep your eyes open here on this site and the major HO racing BBs. Also, don't limited yourself to painting with just an airbrush. Many of the custom painting tricks used on full sized cars can be used on smaller scales. On the link to my pics you'll find a couple of 1/24th scale slotcar bodies which were marblelized and these where lexans painted on the inside! Once ya get to painting and have any questions feel free to email me. I am more than willing to share what I know and do give free airbrushing lessons.