I just received a Paasche H set from DixieArts (gotta help the N.O. folks get back on their feet [:)]) to use with my model RR for weathering and the like. I’ll be using almost 100% acrylics from Polly Scale and Badger, so I was wondering which is the proper tip to use. The manual that comes with the airbrush recommends the #3 for “water based paints” and the #5 for acrylics and enamels. But the #5 seems way too big, so my guess is the #3 is the one I should use.
My only airbrush experience is some playing with a Badger 200 with the medium tip that my wife bought me years ago, and recent playing with a Badger 250 that convinced me I might like the external mix better (the 250 has been relegated to ink washes now). So it seems like the medium #3 is the way to go with the H, but I figured I’d ask the more experienced folks here to be sure.
Thanks, Mike! Unfortunately, that means I’ll have to wait a bit to use my new airbrush, as the #3 air cap in the package was defective (didn’t screw into the body at all). I just dropped the #3 kit in the mail to Paasche for a replacement.
I guess in the meantime I can play with the #5 to get a feel for the airbrush.
The #3 tip is, like the fellas have already metioned, is good…an over-all good tip for many tasks. I would also suggest the #1 tip as well, as it’s actual size messures right at .5mm and is capable of all-around base coating as well as fine detail. What I do for fine work with acrylics (Tamiya) is to thin it with 70% Isoprophol) 1:1and turn up the compressor to around 30 PSI. For general sprayingie. base caots, I simply thin the paint 2:1 and turn down the air to approx. 15-20 psi. Works great. I’ve used the #1 tip even for large 1/72nd scale models, such as the big B-52, for example. After the base colors were airbrushed, I came back with the camo colors and was able to free-hand very well atomized fine line demarcation with it. To round out my Passche H, I simply purchased (1) of each tip, #1, #3, and #5 to cover any forseen application. Just a suggestion, works great, good atomization, and I haven’t had to replace any tip in over 6 years. I purchased the parts from www.Dixieart.com (very inexpensive). So why not try the #1 tip?
I’ll probably end up using both the #1 and the #3 eventually, but in the beginning the vast majority of my painting will be weathering rollings stock and track, so the #3 will be the one I’ll probably use the most. I’ll definitely play with the #1, too.
Now I just have to wait for Paasche to replace the #3 that came with the set. Hopefully that won’t be too long – I’ve got a bunch of stuff waiting for its weathering coat. [:)]
I have Paasche H that I use for my acrylic painting, usually tank treads and a clear coats, and interestingly I use the #1 tip. Basically, I went with the #1 just to make it easier to do some subtle color and weathing variations on the tracks. For the clear coating, I probably should have changed to the #3 tip, but got lazy and left in the #1, and it worked fine.
When I used the H to varnish a wooden display stand, I used the #5 tip. I do agree that normally the #5 is way to big. On the other hand, if you are spraying something very heavy and in a really wide pattern, like varnish, the #5 is right on.