finishing

I'm thinking of buying some sort of spray outfit for finishing my future construction efforts. Problem is, what kind?? There are all sorts , and the guy at my local model emporium says "double action, internal mix" airbrushes are the way to go. Realizing you almost always get what you pay for, but not wanting to drop a mint for something that may not be much better than my brush attempts so far, Is there a reasonably inexpensive, simple airbrush or sprayer that will do a creditable job of finishing, but won't be outgrown and need replacement once novice level has been overcome? Now ,if I could only get past that for flying. Even the THOUGHT of DA PATTERN gives me nightmares. Cheers: greatcircle.

I bought a Badger 400 Trim Gun when they first came out MANY years ago and it still is working very well. I think that it is the best investment I ever made towards modeling. They are still available from Badger.
Bigiron

Agreed, a "touchup gun" is the smallest thing to get. An airbrush can be handy, but is about #10 on the list, good for murals and 10" plastic kits. A full sized spraygun would be good for those who put clear topcoat on measured in quarts or gallons. Last summer I found Harbor Freight (Fright?) had DeVilbis brand touchup guns for $15, bought two. I'm sure they're made in "Cheapistan", but for $15...! Then you'll need a real air compressor, water trap, regulator. Sorry, but have you priced spraycans lately? The Taggers and EPA have run the price up and out of sight. Steve

I'm not a painting expert, but I would recommend a small air compressor that has a storage tank and a "touchup gun". This is kind of a halfway point between an airbrush and a full size spray gun. If you build large models, an air brush might be kind of small for painting. But a full size spray gun is probably overkill. You can buy an imported touchup gun fairly cheaply at a place like J.C. Whitney or other catalog order businesses. You may be able to find the air compressor, used, at a garage sale. New air compressors can be expensive.

There are spray cans, also, depending upon what type of paint you're applying. These work better than a brush. There is also another spraying device that is available in auto paint stores. This consists of a glass jar with a cylinder of propellant screwed on top. It works like an aerosol can. You mix up your paint, pour it in the jar, screw on the cylinder, and push down the spray button. You buy replacement cylinders when you need them. I don't know what this system costs, but you can probably buy quite a few cylinders for the cost of a compressor. If you do a LOT of painting, the touchup gun and compressor is probably the best bet in the long run, though.

Great C --

In another thread, seemed like the consensus of the gang was to go cheap, bottom line 4 gallon tank compressor and a touch-up gun. The touch-up guns are often on sale, and offer more setting options than an airbrush. The compressors and tanks are small, but not apartment size.

I bought a package on sale at Lowe's, and I can't remember the exact price. But it was cheaper than a good airbrush and "weenie" compressor, and it can do a lot more stuff.

Thanks for the input. I've been looking at the small Campbell-Hausfeld compressors at Walmart. They have a gallon tank, and can be had for around $100. That's about the cost of 10 cans of compressed air, around here. From what has been said, the one gallon tank is a bit small. Why? something to do with the cubic feet per second requirements for the gun, as opposed to an airbrush? I do have the possibility of obtaining a 15 lb. CO2 tank & regulator to power the gun. The tank should be enough to complete at least 3-4 planes of average stunter size, and only $15 or so per refill. Decisions, decisions! Greatcircle

Greatcircle,

I have been using a Campbell Hausfeld compressor a little larger than the one you describe, although mine only cost about $189.00 at Home Depot. I have added filters and dryers to my system, and they are nice to have, because you don't want a drop of water coming out of the gun along with the dope. I use my outfit regularly, as do two other modelers nearby and it does a teriffic job. I have been using the Campbell Hausfeld touch up guns Windy offers and find they allow good control of the pattern and material flow.

Good luck,

Ditto's to what the other gents are saying. One thing I'll add though is get your hose couplings and connectors from a auto shop. To pay a little more for these small items is worth it. My two cents.

The one gallon tank won't supply enough volumn for a sprayer of any size. I tried a five gallon tank that I refilled at gas stations to power an airbrush, and found that one load of air was only enough to paint one HO size boxcar model.

>Thanks for the input. I've been
>looking at the small Campbell-Hausfeld
>compressors at Walmart. They have
>a gallon tank, and can
>be had for around $100.
>That's about the cost of
>10 cans of compressed air,
>around here. From what has
>been said, the one gallon
>tank is a bit small.
>Why? something to do with
>the cubic feet per second
>requirements for the gun, as
>opposed to an airbrush?
>I do have the possibility
>of obtaining a 15 lb.
>CO2 tank & regulator to
>power the gun. The tank
>should be enough to complete
>at least 3-4 planes of
>average stunter size, and only
>$15 or so per refill.
>Decisions, decisions! Greatcircle

Sears sells a Campbell-Hausfeld 8 ounce gun for $50. It doesn't say Campbell-Hausfeld, but then again I don't think it said Sears, either. It's a good size for what we do.

Hmm, well, I use a Craftsman compressor. Just the little upright job they sell for like $259. I've got a Simfield HVLP touch up gun with 1.5mm, .8mm and .5mm tips that works very well and costs about $150 or so. Lines and connection I picked up at the auto paint store. This included a pressure regulator and moisture evaporator system. I've also got an Eclipse air brush for doing trim and such. This is a nice little brush but is a bit pricey. I got a deal.

I'm considering a rebreather system with outside air that the auto paint store sells so I can use Acrylic Polyurethane (better know as plutonium) and not put myself in the hospital. That's a good point, be sure to use a decent air filtration system, even if your working with lacquer. A cheap particulate mask just doesn't get it. At least get a cartridge type charcoal rebreather.