Think I will go straight for an airbrush....

I have 5+ 1:48 kits coming from the US so I have had time to research a few things before I dive right in.

I’m glad now I didn’t jump straight in and get the paint (45 @ A$3.00 each) as I’m having second thoughts on my approach here.

Basically been looking into getting into air brushing.

From all the advice on the Internet I’ve come to the conclusion that…

Compressor should be one with a tank for a constant (non-pulsing) delivery. Seems the need oil type models are meant to be longer lasting. Must have a regulator and a moisture trap.

Have priced a few that seem quite capable around the A$150 mark…2.0HP, 25 Litre tank, regulator, moisture trap, 206litres/Min, 115 PSI max. The size and specification will also mean I could use it to do other things like air blasting all the dust out of my computer and other electrical stuff.

For the air brush themselves. Seems the dual action gravity fed is the way to go with a fine nozzle.

I prefer enamel paint…but after reading tips, etc I don’t feel like turning my room into a toxic vapour haze waiting for a naked flame.

After I finish…will just have to add a final sealer. The other good side to using the acrylic paint is I can order it from the US at half the price here as it can be shipped (unlike enamel).

I assume the acrylic paint has a similar range of colors and glass/flat/satin as the enamel does.

Are there an other things I should be looking out for?

look here:
http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/18/ShowForum.aspx

The solution to fumes in your work area is not acrylics—it is a spray booth. Frankly, you don’t want to spray anything without one, including acrylics. This does not have to be expensive. There are several threads in the forums here on how people have done it, and FSM still has articles available, too, IIRC.

Generally speaking, the colors and gloss options for acrylics are as good as for enamels, but not all brands have everything. Here is one site with current equivalents. My favorites are PollyScale and Tamiya, and many have posted good reviews of Vallejo.

Because acrylics do not contain solvents that will dissolve oils, like those from skin or form release agents, the surface of the model must be CLEAN before painting.

For me it’s Vallejo all the way… either the Vallejo Model air colors or the Color of Eagles branded but Vallejo made set of WWII colors… here is a paint conversion chart done by Darson here that I put up on my 1 page website… (this is the only page haha)

http://www.geocities.com/tho9900@verizon.net/Vallejo_Paint_Inventory.htm

The paints go on like enamels… and with the Vallejo branded thinner there is less tip dry than with MM Acryls which I used previously… and I ditto Ross’s comments on a spraybooth… the fumes are not an issue but who wants plastic particulates in their lungs?

A compressor with a tank is a plus… not only does it not pulsate but after hours you can paint for a bit without disturbing family members…

Which brushes are you contemplating? Badger and Iwata are among the best with Paasche being in the running as well… I do recommend an internal mix double action as you said… and on top of that a gravity fed… the Omni 4000 and Iwata HP-CR are both good brushes and they won’t set your pocketbook back a lot in the meantime! ($69.95 with free shipping from www.dixieart.com if you are in the states)

Good luck!!! when you get ready to make you final decision be sure to post this in the painting and airbrushing forum… you’ll get a lot of feedback there…

oops I just saw your time zone… in the UK and surrounding area either ordering from dixieart and paying (possibly) VAT and about 10 pounds international shipping is good, or getting the Harder and Steenbeck Evolution from www.obeeliks.com are good ideas… obeeliks is in Belgium so it would be faster shipping…

either way spare parts are available from within the UK for the Badger or Iwata from Hannants or the H&S from I forget where in London… good luck!!!

(the brushes at Hannants are marked up considerably… it would actually work out about 30 pounds cheaper to get it from one of the sources I mentioned)

Dunno where you are–UK?–or what you might otherwise use your air compressor for, but I think you’re right in going for one that is all-purpose rather than just a toy for modeling. I use mine to change tires on my racecar and to switch from summer to winter tires on all three road cars, plus a variety of other uses such as keeping tire pressures correct, etc.

I don’t have a helluva lot of airbrush experience but recently upgraded from a single-action Paasche to a double-action, and I love it. Nor is it gravity feed, just suck-outa-the-bowl. Very easy to learn to use, despite people saying it’s like rubbing your belly while patting your head

Paint booth? Mine is a large cardboard carton with a metal-foil clothes-dryer hose stuck into the top and a squirrel-cage fan duct-taped into the hose. The hose leads through a chink in the house foundation–my “shop” is in the cellar–and the vapors are blown outside. I wouldn’t worry about blowing anything up while airbrushing–you’re not by any means going to create that ignitable a mixture, you’re in more danger lighting your kitchen gas stove–but you should consider what you’re inhaling without a paint booth of some sort.

Stephan