I seem to have lost the back lever on my Peak C5. I have no idea how. Anyway after after discovering a new needle, tip and lever will run me 38.00 I am now beginning to think about relegating it to the third brush and trying a Grex. I have been happy with the C5 which is Bear Air’s HP C clone buy I have noticed it to be not as durable as my HP CS. For one thing the tip is brass and needs replacing and the chrome in the cup is wearing down to the brass from cleanings.
I have two Richpens for detail and mottle work so i’m thinking of giving the Grex XG a try as my main Mr Color spraying .3mm brush. However, the reviews I have read on the Genesis series are not as good as those for the Tritium. The two I have read discussed issues with the trigger and needle being sticky and more finicky?
For those of you that have a Genesis Grex or that have tried one is this true? My other idea is to just pick up another HP CS for my acrylic brush but the idea of the easy to change tips on the Grex would be very handy.
I have a number of airbrushes and my personal favorite is my H&S Evolution Silverline. That out of the way, I just received a Grex Genesis XG as a gift (dropping a hint now and then seems to work) so experience with it is limited to the last 11 days, but for what it’s worth: I’m quite impressed, Finish is just great - haven’t seen another AB where the inside of the cup was so highly polished and the rest of the finish is flawless. I find the trigger action very smooth. Spraying some water color inks, I was able to get lines as fine with the Grex as I can with the 0.2 mm Evolution - don’t know why (me probably)!! I’ve used it to spray Vallejo primer on an F86 which I’m working on with no problems and sprayed some Alclad gloss 600 and Alclad II Chrome on the same model. I was pleased. So, I’ve sprayed acrylic, lacquer, ink, thinner with nary a hiccup from the AB. If I wasn’t so attached to the Evolution I think the Grex could do everything I need. My conclusion so far [Y].
Thanks for replying guys. Blick the evolution 2 n 1 has been seductively calling my name as well. Although I really don’t know if I need the .2 nozzle. Although if its really that good of a brush i could always sell one of my rich pens. Would you say the evolution atomizes better or about the same as the grex? Thanks SB
I’ve got the Evolution and a Grex Genesis XN (the small-cup gravity feed). In my opinion, I like the Grex better.
The Evolution, in my opinion, sprays significantly wider than other brushes with similar needle diameters. The Infinity is a bit better in this regard, but both brushes feel “loose” in their spray pattern compared to my Iwatas (the .4mm Evolution needle shoots much wider than the Iwata HP-CS firing down a .5mm needle). My H&S brushes are also prone to “first press” spatter, which never presents on my Iwatas or my Grex.
Compared to the Iwatas, the Grex is definitely a smaller airbrush (at least the XN is) and feels different in the hand. It sprays just as well as the others. And it’s easy to clean and more importantly, STAYS CLEAN. Seems every other airbrush I have, even after a serious deep clean, finds a little bit of extra paint from somewhere and manages to gum up the needle. I’ve never had it happen with the Grex.
At this point I’m seriously considering selling the Evolution and Infinity and picking up a larger-diameter Grex.
All this said, nothing, and I mean nothing, has been able to touch my Iwata HP-C+ for close-in detail work.
I haven’t noticed any difference in atomization between the Grex and the Evolution - if there is a difference it’s not within my abilities to see it. The Evolution does put out a smaller diameter spray - the difference between 0.2 (Evolution) and 0.3 mm (Grex) is obvious to me. The Grex also uses more air as judged by the time between full and restart on my compressor. I haven’t had the Evolution ‘spitting’ issue that Doogs mentions in his post. Comparing the two AB’s is difficult because they’re both high quality and very well made. I do like the interchangeable cups on the Evolution - I even bought the micro cup because I often use small amounts of paint. I also like the nozzle design of the Evolution over the screw type of the Grex. I think choice of a quality AB is a personal thing - the Evolution just ‘feels right’ for me but honestly either could make me happy. BTW I was concerned with the 0.2mm nozzle size when I bought the Evolution (even asked on the forum here) but needn’t have worried - I’ve done 1/32 scale with the Evolution with no problems.
I have decided on the Grex XG, thanks for your help. Does the Grex fit an Iwata hose, they seem the same size? By the way Doogs I am up in Georgetown. Kings is kind of a home away from home. According to my wife, Brad and Rudy are my enablers.
Yep, Grex, Iwata and Harder/Steenbeck all have the same diameter fittings. It’s Badger and Paasche that are the annoying ones there. I use a Grex GMAC permanently attached to the hose, then have quick couplers on all my airbrushes.
I’m way down in south Austin (Circle C), but make it up to Kings maybe once every two weeks or so. Last time I was up there, they “enabled” me in the form of a 1/32 Trumpy Me 262 and 1/32 Revell Tornado GR.1…
You going to be making the trip down to San Antonio for Modelfiesta in February?
You going to be making the trip down to San Antonio for Modelfiesta in February?
Absolutely! This is one of my favorite trips, as I grew up down there. A good friend whom I have reintroduced to modeling, my son and I will head down early. We usually make it an all day excursion with an evening trip to the river walk and a visit to either Martha’s or Las Palapas. I have never left that show without a load of goodies at awesome prices. Although I may have to tone it down a bit after Kings post Xmas sale. I finally nabbed that Special Hobby BR 20 Cicogna. and some books that have been calling out to me for awhile.
