hi guys, is airbrushing the only pretty way for painting an armored vehicle or painting it in a traditional way will turn out fine? I’m looking for airbrushing sets and compressors here in the philippines and its too expensive [:(]
I don’t think so. When I was a teen I made more that my share of German armor and I never owned an airbrush and I was always happy with the way mine turned out. If you looking for that factory fresh look you might want to use one. But there are many handbrush techniques you can use and get great results. You might want to browse through the painting forums.
Hi Jedi_Mike8. I think it’s a matter of preference. I too, used to paint all my models using brushes only. However, when I got older my German tanks in particular just didn’t look right with hard edged camo jobs. This is the beauty of an airbrush, you can get the soft edged results that you can’t with brushing. Not to mention that you don’t get brush marks either.
I think the results speak forthemselves. You might try www.dixieart.com ? or www.bearair.com for airbrushing supplies. Sorry, I dont know if tthe first one is correct.
“It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond o fit.”-R.E.Lee
Hey Jedi_MIke8,
I’ve painted models both ways and my opinion is if you’re going to do anything larger than 1/72, use some form of spray or airbrush paint. I made the mistake of trying to paint a 1/35 Tiger using a brush. Luckily, I started on the underside of the hull and recovered by doing the rest with a spray. I recently finished a 1/16 Tiger I and the airbrush was indispensible: no brush marks, no hard lines, plus your paint goes a lot further.
For most of the armor that I’ve done I use a spray can but then again I model mostly US WWII armor. Even when I do a camo job the base color is with a spray can.
I never tried it but I would guess with some preplanning and creative masking you could do a nice camo job with a spray can.
Thanks tigerman, I am in the market for a airbrush. The badger anthem looks good.
mark956
I build only 1/72 scale Armor, and I’ll put the base coat on with a spraycan, when I have the color. Then I brush on the camo pattern over it. I’ve found that’s the easiest way for me in Braille Scale.
I’ve tried some brush painting with artist oil paints in 1/72 and loved the result. You can thin them down and featehr them to no end. The long dry is both a plus and a minus. But if your looking for good results on th echeap, this is a way to go. Bill
I hate to admit it, but I have a nice air brush and actually use it very little. Most times, I use masks of various materials (tissue, tape, silly putty, cotton, string, salt) anything that will work. I also brush paint in areas. Most of the time, I’ll overcoat with the canned spam spray paint. However, the airbrush is MUCH nicer if you want a thin cover coat (if you’re applying several different colors), but by no means the ONLY way to go!
My feeling is, if it looks good, who cares how it was applied!
Ron.
It all depends on your standard, and how much of a perfectionist you are.
The truth is, brushed finish cannot compare with thin, even airbrushed coats.
Can’t you buy one off Ebay?
It was probably said before, but your tool can depend upon the date that the vehicle is being modelled, the age of the camo, and what kind of camo. I do with brushes, always have-can’t afford an airbrush either…BUT I do see the need for an airbrush on some things-not all.
jedi_mike8;
Although I now own an airbrush ([:D] well I call it one, many don’t - its an AZTECK[:D]) Most of my earlier models were hand painted due to the costs of airbrushes and compressors here in Australia when I first started modelling. A few things I did learn during this time were;
a. not to use acrylics due to their quick drying time.
b. ensure that enamels are thinned correctly.
c. use good qualitly brushes and apply the coats evenly and in one direction only.
d. Use a spray can to apply a primer over the model first.
There were members of my last club who would only paint by hand and they have obtained excellent finish, their secret was they kept practicing until they developed their techniques to their current level.
thanks guys, i guess i just have to practice more to hone my skills the traditional way and hopefully I can buy the airbrush sooner. Are primers have different colors or its just transparent? pls correct me if im wrong im still a little bit ignorant with regards to paintings. Any website for painting techniques?
kamusta! Just check the painting section of the forum or just search for it in google, goodluck![:)]
I use the Anthem 155 and I think you will really like it. It has taken over as my favorite, beating out the Aztech.
Jedi-mike:
What’s your budget for the airbrush set? I only have the Tamiya Basic Airbrush Set. It’s a small compressor with a basic airbrush. It cost only P4600 ($83). I have been using it for about a year now and I think it is good enough as a starter set. I also believe that it will still last for a couple years more.
If you intend to really go for a more advanced set I think a small industrial-type compressor will costs about P5000 and an airbrush also about P5000.
My suggestion is if you don’t want to spend that much, and you really want to have an airbrush set, go for the Tamiya one.
Just my opinion.
Ok, some Military equipment is shipped in the base colour only to the units and the crew often paints their own schemes using “colour sets”.
Those are times are brushed and sometime spray-painted.
If you use retarder and similar you can get a pretty smooth finish on 1/35 vehicles, soft edges can also be achieved but take quiet a bit of work and time.
There are a few alternatives to using Compressors and canned air.
Quiet a few people I know use their scuba-tanks or car-tires with appropriate valve attachements.
Also have a look at compressors/air-pump that are designed to fill your car-tire you can often get those cheap for a few bucks from the automotive shop.
Either of those will tie you over till you can afford a good compressor.
Eric, I just got the Anthem 155. I have not used it yet, but it really looks nice.
mark956
There is another alternative to compressors. I have used a CO2 tank with my Aztek airbrushes (2) for about eight years now and I LOVE it! In my opinion, CO2 is the perfect way to go. It is quiet because there is no motor as on a compressor, it is totally non-toxic, and it is totally dry so there is no need to add a moisture trap. With a CO2 tank, a pressure regulator, and a good airbrush I can paint literally dozens of models before needing to recharge the cylinder. And CO2 is cheap, about $20 for a refill every few years.
That was quick Mark, do you have a compressor? Enjoy!