When to Airbrush and when to spray from a Rattle Can?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

Hi everyone,

I’ve returned to the hobby after several years and I recently attended a hands-on airbrushing tuturial at my local hobby shop. It was fantastic, and I recently purchased an Iwata Revolution airbrush, which I’ve been having some difficulty with, but the tutorial I attended really helped out.

My question is this: My main interest is model cars, but I also plan on builiding other subjects, such as planes, tanks, Star Wars, etc. I noticed that there are not many colourful glossy paints available in Model Master and Tamiya in the jar, but they have a great selection in their lacquer spray cans. Because of that, I think I want to stick with rattle cans for painting car bodies, as I really like the selection of colour better in the cans. I don’t know why Tamiya offers these great colours in cans, but not in bottles? Anyone know?

Anyway, I think my plan will be to use my airbrush for planes, tanks, figures, car interiors, etc, but will use the rattle cans for the bodies.

So, my question is: When do you use a rattle can and when do you use an airbrush? Are you strictly an airbrush only modeller or do you use both?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

2

I often use rattle cans for preliminary color coats, if I can find same color in can and bottle. I put on a couple of rattle can coats, then wet sand with #600 to get rid of any imperfections, and then go to the airbrush for finish coat.

3

I don’t use rattlecan paints at all,I have been able to find my colors in something other then a rattlecan.

The only rattlecan I use is my primer coat,either Tamiya Fine or Mr Surfacer 1200

4

Certainty don’t use rattle cans for aircraft. Maybe for primer but airbrush for all other things.

5

I use some Tamiya spray can lacquer colors. But I decant and spray from my Iwata ABs.