If you've noticed I haven't commented at all. The questions are the same and so are the answers. Is there a dedicated section in the forum for such a discourse?
I'm with
Dave as the
airbrush is no black art or a miracle tool unless handled by an experience painter...I repeat experienced painter and experience comes with practice, practice, practice, spits, spats, hissing, nada and finally revelation. Rome wasn't built in a day.
When you press the trigger on any
airbrush single or dual action, the air comes out contant at whatever pressure the compressor can put out. If you want a precise amount of air then a regulator needs to be installed preferably one with a water trap. I have learnt to gently press the trigger to regulate the air further.
Every
airbrush has its idiosyncrasies and I've tried them all including the Paasche brushes and the first starter Badger sucker feed(Had a tyre in my room for free air). They all deliver the same air and paint, all need their regular service but not everytime after one spraying sitting. The frequent undoing and rescrewing parts will wear out even the best tools. The cheap ones are rougher to the touch and the Rolls Royces of course feel like RR's but they both deliver the payload out the same nozzle. What comes out and hits the surface boils down to the operators air preference, dexterity of his fingers on his hand and his mixed concoction...that's all, and of course artistry or if you don't have that then it is handy as a spray gun to cover large surfaces, do graduation and soft edges.
Never hide away from experimenting, find anything that blocks your spray and surface to see the effects of masking. My first masking was my thumb. Spray over something you have painted before and see how it doesn't disturb the underlying paint unless there is a chemical reaction then it's a new lesson on compatibility of paint and solvents to remember.
You'll find airbrushing is fun and masking is the opposite. Airbrushing is great for weathering dust, streaking, mud splattering, camo, spotting, applying varnishes, blowing away dust, cooling oneself on a hot day and paint realistic exhaust stains.
The LHS has an
airbrush boot set up for anyone willing to try and get a feel for any of the brands on sale. I notice many who've never held an
airbrush before are like those who've never tried chopsticks...you hold it like a pen.
After all this I still use the paint brush to hand paint small stuff, do pin washes and mix paints for airbrushing.
Cheers,
Richard