SPA Modeler

Wondering what you guys are running for your setup?

Are you running the brush off the compressor? Running it off a tank that the compressor fills?

I’d like to get a compressor with a tank, just for the noise issue. Having it run occasionally compared to constantly would be nice. But for now I have one that is a basic on/off compressor with a pressure gauge & dial, and moisture trap.

Also this is the brush I am looking at:



Or an Iwata Revolution.

If there is a Hobby Lobby or Harbor Freight near you, you can usually get a good price on a compressor from either store. The Mr Hobby air brush is likely a good one. And you certainly can’t go wrong with an Iwata. I personally am very happy with all the Badgers that I’ve used. No matter what you get, just learn how to master it. There is always a learning curve for a new tool. And no one size fits all answer.

Far away from me. I dont mind paying to get good quality stuff as I buy once cry once type of mentality.

Now will a .3mm airbrush paint exhaust stains for 1/48 or should I look at a .2mm brush?

0.3mm is a very good all-around tip size. My Iwata HP-C Plus has a 0.3mm tip and I've been very happy with it, doing mostly 1/48 and 1/32 aircraft models. Recently, I purchased a Badger Sotar and that has a smaller (0.21mm) tip but I've yet to feel like I NEED to use it.

I think the airbrush that you've shown would be fine!

As for air supply, I have a compressor with two tanks and I highly recommend it. It's a California Air Tools 4610A. You can get it from Amazon or Ebay for a little less than $200. I like it because it is relatively quiet even when the motor is running. Not silent but quiet enough to hold a conversation without raising your voice. Check out the video clips.

https://www.californiaairtools.com/ultr ... at-4610ac/

Before that I was using a Campbell-Hausfeld compressor with a small tank that I bought from Walmart. Less than $100. But that sucker was LOUD like a jackhammer. It gave me a heart-attack whenever the motor kicked in. So thankful that it died and had to be replaced.

Sounds like a good plan. I will probably buy that kind of compressor set up next year since I have budgeted about $140 for the compressor for now. The airbrush I pictured above is Mr Hobby which is the same company that makes Mr Colors other products (surfacer, etc) which is Creos. Had high reviews and I have had good luck with the products from that company along with Tamiya supplies. Anyway, after the brush and compressor I need to buy a supply of paint, thinner, small detail brushes, microsol&set? a bottle of Future (if that is what it is still called) and Mr thin cement

I started with a Revell Beta compressor with a Badger 200 airbrush. I got quite reasonable results with that. However, upgrading my compressor to a Eurotec 20a was a great improvement. It is a silent compressor (no more noise then a refrigerator) and it can run for long times. My Revell Beta could only run half an hour but the Eurotec automatically shuts off and has a tank. For long airbrush sessions (like motteling) it is ideal. Especially in combination with a steady airflow that can be come at any pressure.

The Badger 200 is single action internal mix. That is not a great combination. So I bought a Harder Steinbeck Ultra, a very nice airbrush for a good price. I use it for all sorts of detail painting. For large surfaces/gloss/flat/primer u use a Badger 350 single action external mix.

Long story shit: get yourself a compressor with a tank! No airbrush can work good without a nice and steady flow of air.

If I was to get an airbrush that's the kind of compressor I'd want - something totally silent. That way I could do some painting in the house whilst everyone else is asleep.

I also have a California air tools compressor with a two gallon aluminum tank so one no worries about rust ever. The compressor is basically the same type that's on a refrigerator but it's strong enough to still run 100psi constant if you want to use it for bigger projects too witch I do. As for air brushes I love my iwata eclipse.