My recent airbrush troubles have got me thinking that maybe I need to step into the 21st century and get a double action airbrush. Anyone have enough experience with them to make a recomendation?

One of the local hobby shops has a Paasche D/A for $79 but I've been hearing a lot about Iwata lately too.

When I take the time to set up and use it.. I use a dual action Badger. I can shoot just about anything in it I want.. like one of our other discussions,, sometimes you have to play with the mix and the air pressure.. I have heard alot of good things about the Iawata, just havn't had the opportunity to try one.
Chris

I currently use the Paasche VL's and never had any problem with any of them. A friend of mine bought the Iwata - he likes it and when I tried it out, I liked it too, but not so much that I would replace my Paasche's. If they were priced the same, I'd go with the Iwata, but I think they're more expensive.

Hey Kraz, what part of NE PA you from? and do you take on paint jobs?

Hey Kraz, what part of NE PA you from? and do you take on paint jobs?


I'm in the Wilkes-Barre area. My days of taking custom orders are over - time to do some stuff for myself! Actually, I still owe Mr. Stumpf two cars from a year and a half ago...................good thing he's a patient guy - and that is going to be it. When I feel like painting, I'll always do a handful and throw them on the Bay, but that's about it. Doing something to someone elses' specifications seems to take all the fun right out of it. I had a small group of bodies to post this week but they were all snapped up at the Parsippany show. Mike

I have been using airbrushes in one way, shape, or form for over 30 years in custom painting everything from HO cars to semi's and airplanes. Hands down, for a good, all purpose brush which will last a lifetime, go with the Paasche VL. I still have my first brush which was a VL. Purchase the kit with all three sizes, #1, #3, and #5. You will be able to spray everything from hair thin lines to back drops for your track. Iwata makes some great brushes but unless you are going to be doing a lot of "high end" work, they really are not necessary. Badger makes a good brush also but my experiences with them have shown me they are a bit on the delicate side.

The VL is a larger diameter brush thus allowing a bit more control for those learning to use a dbl action brush. Some have found it to be a little to much brush size wise. Also, parts for the VL can be found at larger hobby/craft stores such as Hobby Lobby and Michaels. Parts for the Iwatas can run 2 to 3 times as much as compared to the VL and typically not as easily found locally.

There are also several other brands of brushes out there that one might prefer.

Check here for a wide variety (13 brand names) and some of the best prices . . .

BEAR AIR (http://bearair.com/)


Doing something to someone elses' specifications seems to take all the fun right out of it.


You got that right!!!!!!! :thumbsup:

Mike,You can retire when I let you.Tom Stumpf

Doing something to someone elses' specifications seems to take all the fun right out of it.

Mike, I couldn't agree more. Where is the creativity in that? I've even had guys ask me to build a custom just like one of mine for them. Well, then it wouldn't be unique, would it? Besides, once I'm done with a project, that's it. I've exhausted that particular path and it's time to move on to something else. Doing a second one is almost like work and that's not why I do this.

Co Zee, Thanks for that link. I have it bookmarked righ now. They actually have the same Paasche I was looking at for $45 less than the first place I went and $20 less than the anywhere else in town. I also saw a Badger 150 there that apeals to me. (When I have good luck with a company I tend to stick with them.) And several others as well as parts and accessories I didn't even know I could get. I'll be spending a few days there. :thumbsup:

Mike, I couldn't agree more. Where is the creativity in that? I've even had guys ask me to build a custom just like one of mine for them. Well, then it wouldn't be unique, would it? Besides, once I'm done with a project, that's it. I've exhausted that particular path and it's time to move on to something else. Doing a second one is almost like work and that's not why I do this...snip

Ditto. Once the inspiration is exhausted dats it!
The free build is where it's at fer sure...a rough idea on a wing and a prayer is the ticket for me. Keep it loose...have fun...no mistakes-er any that I post LOL.

Next victim please! :thumbsup:

I've always got another project in the corral...just waiting for the blade. ;)

Dranoel,

I have an Iwata and love it. (pictures are of my Iwana air brush and almost 30 year old compressor) Others here have airbrushes that are just as good. It is a hard call for me to say that an Iwata is better as I have not used any other high end dual action airbrushes.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g282/bobhch/abrush1.jpg

My Iwana cleans up very well by just spraying Acetone through it after every use. I also clean the needle which comes out the back side by loosening a knurled nut by hand. I do have to say that Gravity feed upper bowl type airbrush has been a great change over the bottle below type for me. I just load the paint thinner and paint and shake and go. Easy clean up cause the whole thing is nice and chromed.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g282/bobhch/abrush2.jpg

Some people like the bottles below. I payed $89.00 for my Iwanta and believe that it was well worth that price for all that it does. If you keep your gun clean it will work very well. If you don't clean it up very well...Phttttt won't let paint come out...Clean the machine man!

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g282/bobhch/abrush3.jpg

I have recently experimented with Ultra Fine Glitter mixed in with my clear coat for that 70s Dune Buggy look. This requires a little better cleaning than just running one bowl of Acetone. I spray a couple bowl of Acetone in a paint rag and towards the end of each cleaning spray put the paint rag in front of the nozzle to push out the glitter the other way. Glitter is really messy but, worth the mess...sparkles like crazy and then spray a transparent color over that...oh yeah!

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g282/bobhch/abrush4.jpg

I have a el-cheapo airbrush that I payed $15.00 for at the hobby store and it came with a hose to hook up to my compressor! This is going to be used for the Bill Hall goop spray some day. It has a bottle underneath and that is what my old Pasche had also.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g282/bobhch/abrush5.jpg

This bowl may look like it has lots of paint left in the bottom of it but, that is just a light paint stain on the lower edges and is nothing to worry about. I may take some ELO (Easy Lift Off) cleaner and polish it up soon just to make it look nice and shiny again.

My single action Pasche painted up a lot of slot car bodies and even a few Tonka VW metal bodied resto cars very nicely. I used that little bugger for almost 30 years to paint RC lexan bodies also...it was time to upgrade. I didn't like the fragile cone on the front of my pasche very much. It was made out of thin metal and could be damaged if you tightened the cone over the nozzle to much. My Iwana does not have any breakable parts...bullet proof baby!

Once in a while I will spray a little goo gone in the spray button area to keep it freed up from any light paint over spray buildup.

Bob...sprays-o-lot...zilla

I have an Iwata as well, and it just feels good in my hand. Nice and heavy, but very balanced. I think I would paint more if I had the gravity feed like Bob mentioned, I have a bottle feed unit, the BCS, and it paints great, it's just kind of a pain switching out the bottles, but that is true of any brand.

Marty, Isn't it easier to switch out bottles rather than fill/clean out the bowl? F.Y.I. to anyone with access to a body shop - the airbrush siphon lids screw right onto touch-up bottles. That's what I keep all of my paint in, so I guess if others are dumping paint into the glass jar and having to clean that, the bowl might actually be less work.

This may help answer your question krazcustoms,

When you use a bottle you still have to change the bottle and then switch to another and then run the Acetone through it..then change back to another bottle.

With the bowl I just mix the amount of paint needed and spray. Then if there is any paint left pour it back into the bottle it came from but, for the most part I know about how much paint I will be needing. Then just run some Acetone through the airbrush spraying into a paint rag. Then quickly wipe and go...and go...and go...again and again.

I always put in the thinner in bowl first then the paint...shake, shake with a paint rag held over the hole....and then spray.

A bottle is just as easy and I would not discourage anyone from using either type of Airbrush. The fact that you are using a more controlled spray is what matters here.

Also lots of people do great custom paint jobs with rattle cans as well....You gotta be true to yourself. If that is what you are comfortable using...Then do that.

Bob...zilla