Well, I cracked open the airbrush first time last night… Wasted a lot of air in the stoopid can just getting the hose on. Tested around on some cardboard and a beat-up M7 I had… That was fun, but I was too eager for more… Sprayed the lower hull on my T-35. Not too bad, got the paint/thinner mix right. Sprayed the lower hull on my Ferdinand… Looked great. Practiced a few little cammo lines on some cardboard. Easy as pie. Attempted to spray some cammo on the Ferdy… by that time, the air in the can was almost gone (yeah, I wasted a lot of air by being a dummy and not hooking it up right)… So, since the air pressure was too low, SPLATTER SPLATTER SPLATTER SPLATTER… Cleaned off the paint on the sides I messed up on and she sits waiting for the next try.
You actually managed to spray THAT much with a can of air? It’s a LOT more than I can say for my first attempt. I got the testors offering to work with their airbrush, but every few minutes, I’d have to wait for the can to warm up and ‘re-pressurise’. My patience lasted the better part of 10 minutes, before I chucked the can.
MAN!! have i been there and done that. i started the same way. but mine was monogram PZ-4 and old tamiya king tiger. all i can say is get away from the cans as soon as pos. after i did. things where much easyer. i started with badger + can [X-)][banghead][banghead] then pas single action + comp the brush died now i have the badger 155 brush & badger 180-11 comp with automatic shut-off and i have too inline moisture traps and i’ll get in a big rush and still make flub’s but you’ll get it and i want to see it when you do. how about a before and after. [8] just have fun with it.
You have to be really careful using those cans. I had the same thing happen to me too. Eventually I just bought a compressor. I was spending too much money on cans, and having too many heart attacks when the splutters started.
Float the can of air in a bucket/tub of warm (not hot) water while you’re using it. It will help keep the pressure consistant longer.
You can get a small compressor (Sears, Home Despot (Depot), Lowe’s, etc.) for around $80-$100, but you will still need to get a pressure regulator and a moisture trap. The closer you can get the trap to the brush, the better. (I don’t use a trap, but it’s very dry here, usually. Someday I will have to get one.) Bearair and Dixie Art have traps for anywhere from $30 to $70. Some are the regulator and the trap together.
I feel your pain,you can buy a mighty-mini compresser and airbrush by Testors at Wal-mart for about $50.00.I’ve found the compresser is pretty decent,the airbrush is crap,if you are stuck using cans of air sink the can in a container of warm water while air-brushing,this should help some with the sputter.I’ve always used carbon-dioxide tank with moisture trap and pressure guage.I like using Co2 because of its exspansion ratio of 350 to 1and this for me is easier than using commpressed air tanks and lasts a lot longer between refills.good luck!
The cans are a good way to start. My son gave me a Badger 150 and 6 cans. Cans worked OK spraying the underwater red on a 1/300 ship, but for detail work NG. I also bought and Iwata compressor – the “Sprint” not the “Smart”. Too many people complained about the Smart cutting off on them. About $150 at DixieArt, free shipping. I wish I’d bought the Iwata right in the beginning.
I haven’t heard that about the Smart Jet. I haven’t had any issues with mine at all, though. Whether that is luck or they fixed the problem, I can’t say, but mine works perfect (I say this and tomorrow it will burst into flames)
Some people use an airtank which can be refilled at a gas station I believe. But you’ll need a pressure regulator and moisture trap-stilll much much cheaper than a compressor. Mine was $450.00!
Dan
Like you, I learned the hard lessons of propellant cans. I paid about $70 for my 2 1/2 gallon compressor. Before you know it you’ll earn your money back and your paint jobs will turn out so much better. Buy one soon.
Heck Geoffrey! just sit out a couple of group builds, and you’ll have the $$$ for a new compressor.[:)] It will change your whole outlook on airbrush painting. Semper Fi, mike
Need a better supply of air then in the can. If you are going to use the can try placing it in a bowl of warm water, That will keep then can warm and it will not freeze with condensation nor will you need to wait for the can to warm up before you use it again
Bummer, I hate those cans of air [}:)]
Some of you that have two compressors should send tankergeoff one to borrow for a while. Or then again we could just watch him suffer [:p] Geoff, I have a spare badger compressor you can borrow. Email if interested and I’ll get it in the mail.
If you have the adapter, you can use a spare tire [:0] Before I got my compressor I used an old spare wheel. It would last a good while (about 1 model) but I kept going to the gas station to fill it up.
TankerGeoff:
You might also want to get a compressor with a tank attached. I have a Paache diaphragm compressor and I’m noting a slight “pulsing” of the air out of the compressor. I’ve been told pumping the air into a tank attached to the compressor eliminates that problem.
Just my two cents,
Dennis[^]
thanks everyone… I apologize for the loooong delay in my reply, been out on the road all day… mike, if i sit out too many group builds, i would go into a fetal position mumbling to myself. LOL!!! Gonna take someone up on his offer, gotta send him an email and then start looking for a compressor…