Thinking about trying airbrushing....

can someone recommend a good value in an electric air compressor for about 15 to 30 psi?

very interested in this subject. Any other reading / viewing options would help. I bought the mid grade HF airbrush and was going to use my standard compressor.

Spitsix wrote: very interested in this subject. Any other reading / viewing options would help. I bought the mid grade HF airbrush and was going to use my standard compressor.

Pressure for artistic/automotive airbrushing should be very low (under 10 psi). For T-shirt type work you can run 30 psi +. Because of this you will most likely need a pressure regulator near the work area unless your compressor regulator can control the pressure at low psi. Don't forget an air dryer if you don't already have one.

I airbrushed t-shirts years ago and did a lot sign/automotive work in the early nineties. My go to for information was Airbrush Action Magazine. I looked and found they had a YouTube channel and a lot of the same names are still in the business. The videos cover a lot of things that probably won't apply but you should be able to gain some good information.

Airbrush Action Magazine YouTube

In reply to mapper:

wow your right - there are a whole bunch of things that can be airbrushed! I'm just looking at slot car bodies!

Thanks for the link.

Airbrushing can be a fun hobby to get into.

In reply to ncjay:

Just remember that I did not start this - Recovery drugs have kicked in. She can't be British because certain lighting products are working. Please feel free to remove comment.

Y'know, I'm wondering if learning to Photoshop might be an easier way to get to the same point...?

I suggest the HF pancake compressors and an extra drier/regulator. You can't go too big on compressors. We used to use the air line on the ship, which was a bit over 100 PSI and, I dunno, hundreds of HP? As the HF pancake is about the same price as the airbrush only compressors, go for bigger.

Also, go double action. HF sells one that is a knock off of the Paasche double action, I think. It's a fraction of the cost. I'd start with that.

Back in the '80's, at Sturgis, there was quite an industry in air brushing vests, jackets, bikes, etc. Every single pro was using a double action Paasche, most with the back end left off so they could clean it out easier by just pulling all the way back on the action when they changed colors and blowing it all out. Most used leather dye, regardless of what they were actually painting.

In reply to Dr. Hess:

I'll agree with your thoughts on a double action to a point. For things like models and such where any kind of speed is not really needed, the simplicity of a single action is nice to have sometimes. Back when I airbrushed I had anywhere from 4-6 Paasche VLs working at any one time, mostly to keep the colors as pure as possible. I hated keeping the backs off because it only took a small bump to split the cone with the needle but it was necessary for fast cleanouts or color changes. When the Vega 2000 came out I bought a few. They had a cutout in the back to allow easy access to the needle. They were nice but never had the feel of a Paasche.