Article Submitted By Gareth
Types of Airbrush
Single Action - This airbrush is simple press the
trigger and go, its set up to release a predetermined amount of air and paint
with each press. Continuously holding will give you a steady spray. You can
adjust sprays buy screwing on different nozzles.
Dual Action - This type of airbrush allows a great
deal of control. The button on top is pressed down for air release, and pulled
back for paint release. The more you pull back the more paint is released.
Paint Feed
Bottom feed - A glass jar is attached to the bottom of
the air brush. It siphons (sucks up) the paint up into the brush. Main benefit
is high capacity to hold paint.
Top feed - A smaller capacity which uses gravity to
feed.
Paint Delivery
Internal Mix - This method mixes the paint with the
air internally and spits it out through the nozzle. This has much finer
controlled results. And is typically of the dual action variety of airbrush.
External Mix - This type of airbrush is typical of
single action bottom feeds and the air siphoning the paint up also pushes it
out. This technique is prone to splattering.
Propellants
Air Can - Cheap at around £8 a can. Prone to running
out when you least expect it. Pressure drops as the can gets cold, being an
aerosol this happens quite quickly. So putting the can in warm water while you
spray keeps pressure up.
Single Piston Air Compressor - Kicks out 25-30psi
operating pressure, idles on around 60psi. You need one with a regulator (so
you can adjust the pressure), a water trap to take moisture out of the airline
and a pressure gauge. This one below is around £140... but check out the
difference between this and the one i own below....
What do i use and recommend?
You should definately get a Compressor if you want to
take up airbrushing properly, but if your not sure then the air cans will give
you a taste for it for limited outlay. Beginners may find the single piston
airbrush the perfect starting point, but i strongly advise on getting a dual
action bottom feed.
This is the kit i bought at xmas 06. It cost £82 for
the complete kit and includes delivery. The compressor has the regulator, the
water trap, and pressure gauge. The airbrush is dual action, internal mix and
bottom feed. It comes with all adapters so all you need to buy is paint and
thinners.
http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/AIRBRUS...AND_SPARES.html
http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/42904.jpg
Paints
GW paints clog airbrushes, even with thinners i've had
nothing but grief in both my single and dual action brushes. I recommend and
use vallejo game colour.
Vallejo also do an airbrush spepific range.
http://www.netmerchants.co.uk/section.php/...vallejomodelair
I also use vallejo acryllic thinners. Its reasonable
cheap and really helps the flow. Only need to use a small amount so last ages.