Hi, I am a total noob when it comes to airbrushing, and I was wondering if you could help me out and answer a few questions of mine. Question 1, how much paint do you think the average midtower will need? Will I need only a few ounces or much more? Also, Airbrush Depot had a decent looking compressor called the TC-20T (http://www.airbrush-depot.com/script...m=compress.bbx) which has a lot of goodies included. I can't find any reviews or anything so I was wondering if you would check it out and tell me what you think. Also, I'm planning on using an IWATA Eclipse BCS to paint cases, does that seem adequate or do you think I should go with a Badger Anthem which has a larger spray pattern (3 inches). Thanks in advance for your help.

Personnaly speaking, I make a third of a pint of base, then reduce it 50% and spray with a Sata RP Digital. I an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS for shadowing and artwork. I would hate to try to paint a complete case with an airbrush, especially when it comes to laying on some clear.
The compressor you chose will work fine.
One thing when using your airbrush is to use a slow reducer, because you are puting it on so fine and it is so atomized that it will sputter if 'under' reduced or using too fast of reducer.
Hope this helps

Thanks a lot!

One more quick question, can you think of any cheap (under $150) spray guns or similar products I might be able to use for general coverage with an airbrush compresor? The only really viable option I've found so far is the IWATA eclipse G6, but thats a little too expensive for me.

/What do you think about these spray guns from paasche for use with the TC 20T compressor? (http://www.paascheairbrush.com/sprayers_and_guns.html) I was thinking of the 62 Series (62-2-3) or the L series in combination with a IWATA eclipse BCS or maybe a Testors Aztec A4709 (http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-su...res/online/517).

If could find some cheap air, just get you an old Devilbis JGA. All of us painters have a few of them lying around under the bench and you could pick one up very cheap. They work great and if you turn the air up, they atomize todays paint just fine. The only suggestion I would make with todays clear in a JGA is to keep the material turned down to minimize the 'urethane roll'.
I understand you are wanting to use the airbrush compressor and they work great for airbrush work, but I just don't see the cfm required to put on flow coats of clear. In my shop we just chuck the airbrushes into our regulators and use our shop air. Of coarse not all of us have 2 10 horse compressors laying around, I am just suggesting finding a compressor that can generate around 9 CFM @ 90 PSI.... even 60 PSI, for small areas, with a JGA gun. With that setup the compressor would hardly run at all with your airbrush. I have worked my little Iwata compressor on bigger jobs and have it start pumping water after a few hours.
Just a suggestion, but if you want, I have three JGA's laying around....sell you one REAL cheap, you just need some air.
Hope this helps,
Insom

Thank you so much, you have been a lot of help. I've got another quick question for you. Would a 4 HP 8 gallon compressor be able to handle the Devilibis JGA? The link for the compressor is (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90385). Also, how much would you sell the JGA for?

I just keep thinking of questions, sorry, but where do you think the best place is to get decent quality automotive paints for a decent price?

Yeah that compressor would work fine for doing smaller jobs like a case, go nutz trying to paint a car though
$50 sound fair for the JGA? The one I have in mind looks and sprays like new. I just put a 'kit' in it before I put it up. Here is my everday gun, after getting used to it, I can't go back.
As far as paints go, if you where close to Eugene, OR, we could just play in the paint rack, but any local automotive paint jobbers in your area could hook you up. Diamont bases, for example, are very easy to apply and not near as "hot" as Sikkens bases. TO sum up the difference, the reducers are not near as aggressive. After Sikkens 'crazed' a Ferrari Mondella front end on me, I haven't used their bases since Diamont has a great, cheaper, very fast urethane clear that is perfect for cases, it is their DC3000, used with the 3070 activator.
Got to go, hope this helps,
Insom

Thats a really good price! I'm seriously considering this, but I have another question for you, do you think that I might be better of with this because it is HVLP and has better efficiency (http://www.gleempaint.com/hvcongunnew.html) instead of the JGA? You have been really helpful, thanks again.

Quote: Originally Posted by jmanjohns Thats a really good price! I'm seriously considering this, but I have another question for you, do you think that I might be better of with this because it is HVLP and has better efficiency (http://www.gleempaint.com/hvcongunnew.html) instead of the JGA? You have been really helpful, thanks again.

You would be better off getting a Gravity Feed HVLP. A siphon feed, although HVLP still requires a bit more air pressure to siphon the paint out of the cup.

Really all you need is a cheap solution like the one below for painting cases.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90978

I have one of these and find myself using it quite often. It lays down clear almost as good as my Sata (non-digital) RP, although at slightly higher pressure.

Another decent choice for that type of work would be the DeVilbiss Finish Line gravity feed gun, at just around $130. Although they have plastic fluid nozzle and baffle, I had one that lasted quite a while and they are cheap to replace. They also do a decent job laying down high solids clears.

I was just thinking that a beginner in the business, would have an easy start with the good 'ole JGA. You know, they spray everything, parts are everywhere and very easy to understand. Luna, has a good idea though, the mini's are very easy to control and work very well for blending colors and such.
I just disagree on the volume of material the mini's put out for a beginner to lay on a nice wet coat of clear.
Just my opinion,
Insom

Quote: Originally Posted by Insomniac I was just thinking that a beginner in the business, would have an easy start with the good 'ole JGA. You know, they spray everything, parts are everywhere and very easy to understand. Luna, has a good idea though, the mini's are very easy to control and work very well for blending colors and such. I just disagree on the volume of material the mini's put out for a beginner to lay on a nice wet coat of clear. Just my opinion, Insom

I agree for the most part a beginner should stick with something with a little more "guarantee" if you will, to lay down the material. I was just shooting some cheaper options as most beginners either cant afford expensive equipment, or cant justify the reason to spend so much on a tool that will seldom get used, which was what I was mainly shooting for.

Now, I don't wanna look like a thread hi-jacker or anything...but I've been looking into buying an airbrush for a while now and I have been totally unable to find anywhere to actually go about buying one....other than online....which I can't really do seeing as how I have no credit card So I was wondering if anyone would be able to let me in on where I would go if I were wanting to pick one of these puppys up. Also Insom does that offer for the JGA apply to anyone or just Jman.....and if Jman doesn't seem interested would you be interested in sending it my way?

Latency

Check out the local Hobby shops, art stores, and paint stores, also Michaels art stores are everywhere here and they cary all the Badgers. I own a Anthem (155) Im still a noob at painting but I like the brush so far.

sorry for another hijack but you guys have been talking about $200+ worth of stuff just to get started, I haven't really looked into it much but is there a cheaper way to give it a shot?

Quote: Originally Posted by Arkangyl sorry for another hijack but you guys have been talking about $200+ worth of stuff just to get started, I haven't really looked into it much but is there a cheaper way to give it a shot?

I went out and spent $75 on a good brush, and $25 for a moisture trap and regulator to hook it up to my air compressor that I already had. About a week later I went to watch some rc car race at the local track and some guy was selling a single action badger brush with a badger compressor for $50 bucks with some paint and extra bottles. I bought it and it was plenty enough to get started, might wanna try some ting like that it's worth a shot.