Airbrush Pre-Purchase Sanity Check

So after a great deal of hemming and hawing and thinking it over, I've finally decided to put down the cash for an airbrush setup, because basecoating vehicles and lots of minis by hand sucks.

Before putting my card down and buying these new shiny toys, I figured I'd ask for a quick once-over on the potential purchases, primarily to ensure I didn't forget anything important, or picked the incorrect item, etc. Makes life much easier.

Airbrush: Badger Air-Brush Co 105 Patriot Fine Gravity Airbrush
Compressor: Badger Air-Brush Co. Air Star V T909 Compressor
Hose: Badger Air-Brush 10-Feet Company Braided Air Hose

and some pipettes for good measure.

I've got plenty of pipe cleaners lying around (Mrs. Hamster is a crafty one), so I decided not to grab some of those.

Is there anything I'm missing? Something I should take a second look at?

Might want to make sure that the connections are the right size. Also, some thinner and cleaner (even if obvious are good things to get right off the bat.

Zaakath wrote:

Might want to make sure that the connections are the right size. Also, some thinner and cleaner (even if obvious are good things to get right off the bat.

Got the cleaner on the list now. I've got a bottle of Liquitex Flow-Aid I use for making washes; would that work, or should I look at something specific for airbrushing?

Sounds crazy, but all of the great airbrushers that I know use Windex to thin their acrylics. 50/50 does it. I use Testors universal acrylic thinner and have had really consistent results. I use Badger's cleaner. Best of luck with your new toy!

I use tap water and a tiny bit of dish soap for my thinner. Works just fine.

One thing I would be very conscience of is making sure you get a water trap in the line or in the compressor.

There is a lot of humidity here in Houston, and the water trap traps water in the line so it does not come out in brush and splatter water all over your hard work. It is so worth it.

I am not familiar with the badger airbrush you are picking up, I have a cheap Iwata for base colors and mass painting and a Sotar 20/20 for detail work. Both use the same connection.

Another recommendation is to get an airbrush stand so you can set the brush down and also to get a cleaning station.

In between colors, a water squirt bottle is good to clean out the paint pot between colors. You can one on for about a dollar at a craft store ( I picked up a new one a couple days ago for $0.89).

That's about it.

I have been using the Valejo model and air colors, and have been using their thinner, but anything will work.

The others gave some good ideas too, so pick what you wanna try first.

You forgot mask. It is not very healthy to work airbrush without one, you'l get much paint particles inside your lungs.

Also airbrush cleaning liquid is a must for a quick and easy work.

Im also using this from the start

Some place where you can comfortly place airbrush and not worry about it during painiting cant be overestimated.

would not recommned Windex for airbrush use. It is ammonia-based so can be dangerous to spray around. Look to something eslse for a thinner.

I used windex for a little while, because some one recommen ded it online. Everytime I used it I would be light-headed after every airbrush session. Then I learned that Windex in Europe is not ammonia based, but in the US it is. That bad advice had come from a European.

What you need to start airbrushing is:
airbrush
Airbrush cleaning kit
air compressor
cords
paper towels
ventilated space for spraying
little plastic cups for mixing paints


I really recommend using Vallejo Model Air paints...these are so great, they don't even need thinner.