Dual action airbrush and tank compressor suggestions?

[nickelplate759]

I have the same issue as chicken45.  Drives me nuts

[Santa Fe Guy]

Most of my painting is indeed with acrylics, but I nearly always, run into the problem with them drying out the brush. It's always inconvenient when it happens. I'll paint a shell, put it down for a minute. Then go back a few minutes later and my output is decreased because something is drying actively somewhere.  The answer is to modify my technique to work in smaller batches, but that's the fundamental difference between the different paints.

Yep smaller batches, slightly thinner paint(maybe) can help.
And yes you do have to be on your toes to spray acrylics.
Rod.

[peteski]

Yep smaller batches, slightly thinner paint(maybe) can help.
And yes you do have to be on your toes to spray acrylics.
Rod.

That's exactly why I don't airbrush them - not worth the extra pain(t).  Besides, I enjoy the smell of those stinky paints (whatever is not sucked out by the exhaust fan).

[nuno81291]

So today I’m going to test my new booth. Have a backlog of projects and excited to see how effective or ineffective the booth will be. Also a test for the AB and I decided to use some leftover floquil colors and to decant some of the rustoleum spray cans I’ve been primarily using in my modeling. I have seen great info for how to decant, but wonder whether I should decant more than I think I need for a project at a time? Also how one would go about storing any left over decanted paint? I have a bunch of small mason jars and could use pipettes to use in the AB. It sounds like due to the aerosol that storing decanted paints may not be a great idea...

[Peavine]

I have been airbrushing for the last 30 years. Have gotten (I think) pretty competent with Model master and Floquil paints. Every time I go to my hobby shop though, there are less and less model master enamels available. So in the last few months, I’ve started changing to acrylics, and I think I can say unequivocally that they suck in an airbrush. They dry in the brush, they are much more sensitive to mix proportionally with thinner, they don’t cover as well, and they require a primer and a clearcoat for any sort of durability. It has become a frustrating exercise every time I use the brush now...

[peteski]

I have been airbrushing for the last 30 years. Have gotten (I think) pretty competent with Model master and Floquil paints. Every time I go to my hobby shop though, there are less and less model master enamels available. So in the last few months, I’ve started changing to acrylics, and I think I can say unequivocally that they suck in an airbrush. They dry in the brush, they are much more sensitive to mix proportionally with thinner, they don’t cover as well, and they require a primer and a clearcoat for any sort of durability. It has become a frustrating exercise every time I use the brush now...

There are still non-water-based hobby paints out there. Tru-Color, Scalecoat, and Humbrol are few of such paints.

[basementcalling]

I have the same issue as chicken45.  Drives me nuts

Dude, be careful where you admit stuff like that.

[nuno81291]

Well I tested the Iwata brush finally... why did I wait so long to get this. I am totally blown away. Tried a few plastic spoons and paper towels and eventually brought a part from the partsbin to paint. Totally blown away by the control offered by this brush. Knocking myself for not investing sooner.

[peteski]

Yeah, the rattle-can users have no idea what they are missing, just by using the "airbrush is a pain to clean" excuse.    The difference you have in controlling the spray over the rattle can is huge.

[Peavine]

I might have missed it earlier in the thread, but which Iwata model did you get? I’m thinking of switching to a Toploader after 30 years of siphon just because I’m having so much difficulty getting the acrylics to spray the way I want them to.  Congratulations on making the switch to airbrushing, I think you’ll notice a massive difference in the quality and enjoyment of your modeling!

[nuno81291]

The model is the eclipse hp-cs. My first tear down/cleaning was not a chore and relatively simple procedure. Like a dope I first just added paint thinner, which didn’t seem to do the trick. I then put in laquer thinner and that took care of the remaining paint.  Impressed by how robust the unit seems. Going to play around with the enamel paints I have before I try (if I try) any acrylics. Anyone who says they can’t afford it may be fair; sitting at about 140 on the AB, 120 on the compressor, about 200 on the booth materials. Understandable it is easier to go pick up a 5$ rattle can and get to it but it is a world of difference. And not as hard as I thought it would be. Guess the time in research is paying off in that regard. Thanks for all the great advice folks.

[Point353]

... I’m having so much difficulty getting the acrylics to spray the way I want them to. 

https://www.testors.com/~/media/DigitalEncyclopedia/Documents/Testors/ebook/MRH-Acrylic-painting-guide-post-Floquil-Portrait.ashx

[Santa Fe Guy]

The model is the eclipse hp-cs. My first tear down/cleaning was not a chore and relatively simple procedure. Like a dope I first just added paint thinner, which didn’t seem to do the trick. I then put in laquer thinner and that took care of the remaining paint.  Impressed by how robust the unit seems. Going to play around with the enamel paints I have before I try (if I try) any acrylics. Anyone who says they can’t afford it may be fair; sitting at about 140 on the AB, 120 on the compressor, about 200 on the booth materials. Understandable it is easier to go pick up a 5$ rattle can and get to it but it is a world of difference. And not as hard as I thought it would be. Guess the time in research is paying off in that regard. Thanks for all the great advice folks.

Well done enjoy a new world of model painting. If you are into military modeling wait till you start camo effects, these type of airbrushes are great to use.
Rod.

[Chris333]

My 2 gallon oil less compressor has been running kind of slow and taking forever to fill. Took it apart and shot oil down the cylinder and now it is working like new again. A pain they don't include some sort of port to oil it.

[peteski]

My 2 gallon oil less compressor has been running kind of slow and taking forever to fill. Took it apart and shot oil down the cylinder and now it is working like new again. A pain they don't include some sort of port to oil it.

I thought that oil less piston-type compressors used a plastic (Teflon?) sealing ring around the piston which needs no lubrication.  I wonder if the ring is simply worn down? Oiling an oil less compressor sort of defeats the reason they are called oil less.  Do you have an oil trap installed in your air line? You might need it now.