God-Potato of Mankind Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Right so I've been reading through a lot of topics and I definitely want to get an airbrush, my only conern is the type and whether or not I am getting screwed over. To ease advice I want 3 main things from this purchase: 1) Ability to produce smooth, bright green basecoats across a lot of miniatures 2) Ability to make smooth, bright green vehicles 3) I want to learn how to airbrush for more advanced techniques eventually At first I considred the GW spraygun as I thought I just needed to basecoat, but as it is Christmas and it seems initial investment is the better way to delve into airbrushing I wanted to see what I could find. I've come to the conclusion I will need these things as a minimum Gravity, dual-action airbrush around the 0.3mm size Air compressor with water trap and air bottle Some form of paint thinner So far I've found http://www.amazon.co.uk/KMS-Airbrush-Compressor-Double-Airbrushes/dp/B0054Q384A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-3&keywords=airbrush+kit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mini-Airbrush-Compressor-Kit-AS18-2/dp/B004Y4J252/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-5&keywords=airbrush+kit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Airbrush-Compressor-Airbrushing-Accessories/dp/B002RI8K8C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-6&keywords=airbrush+kit The latter one being my favourite as the kit seems more comprehensive. Also what would be the equivalent of Warpstone glow? I have been priming my minis with Caliban Green and manually painting the base with WSG. I've heard citadel paints are meh in airbrushes, but useable? I know it's hard to find a definitive verdict on this topic but I'm hoping I've elaborated my needs enough that you guys can offer some good suggestions. Also as a final question - what else can I do with an airbrush? My ideal goal is crisp and cleanly painted miniatures, and my flailing brush attempts usually destroy that dream - can an airbrush help with precision at all? I've also read in only a few places that you can't/shouldn't airbrush whole minis, but do each component individually. Now this sounds like a pain in the ass, combined with having to thin etc rather than dunking a brush and getting going so how much....quicker is airbrushing? Also I take it one would airbrush the basic colours on, then assemble and do the finer details by hand? Cheers, Pock Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovidius Incertus Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 I got an brush/compressor kit by Paasche from Chicago Airbrush Supply a while back. Has everything you need (compressor with trap, hose, brush with 3 needle sizes, instructions) and, IIRC, it was under $200. Decent quality and well worth it, IMO, in the kit form for a beginner like me. I did find that switching more or less to Vallejo Model Air really, really helps, since it's already more or less ready to run through the brush without diluting. I found GW paints to always clog the brush, even when thinned. If I use Vallejo Game Color or Model Color ranges, I thin either with the Vallejo dedicated thinner or a mix of distilled water and Liquitex flow aid (10:1). A lot of the VGC range duplicates the GW range, more or less, from what I can tell. The VMA range has a lot of greens, but they're often muted, but would work well for a base coat. Highlight colors abound in the VGC range. VMA primers are the bee's knees, IMO. I'd suggest either gray or black. What I have learned in my short experience with the airbrush is that doing an individual model is extremely time consuming, because when you change colors, you need to clean it up, so lots of color changes = lots of time. Great for doing a lot of minis at once (or a vehicle) and provides for a lot of consistency, but slow for doing a single mini. Regardless, practice with the brush first on paper or a sheet of primed plasticard and then maybe a vehicle. Thin layers and keep moving, otherwise you'll end up with running paint. Also, even with my novice skills, I can do two or three layers of highlights accurately without messing up my base coat. I do separate pieces, though. I keep head and pack removed and paint separately, and pauldrons too, since my FT scheme is red body and black head/pads/pack. Much easier IMO to do the colors separately. If you're doing a single-color scheme like Salamanders, this is moot, save for the pauldrons. I'd keep them separate, spray on black and then a highlight of VMA German Grey and then paint the green rim by hand. Or keep them on and just brush paint the black. Dunno which is better or more efficient. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3533842 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bung Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 The question is, how much are you able and willing to spned for your airbrush. I bought a set with an Evolution Silverline pistol from Harder & Stenbeck which came around 250 € (Pistol alone is around 110 € here in Germany). It aint a cheap pistol but its actually my workhorse which sees the most airbrushaction (i own an Infinity too, but thats my Porsche Airbrush i use only for high precision work). If you are planing to got for more advanved technics, get a good gun, if you buy a cheap one you will it replace sooner or later cause the expensive guns are designed to be more precise and other things, its not that you omly pay for the name. After i bought the Infinity which is twice the price of the Evolution its was like going from a family van to a Porsche i can do things with a bigger nozzle in the Infinity which aint possible with the Evolution witht the same nozzle size. On the other side i would suggest that you go to an Artist store, where you can try the guns to see which gives you a good feeling while working with it for hours. To the citadel paints you can use them with an airbrush quite easily except for the base colours and the old foundation colours, the pigments are to big and will clog the airbrush. For the thinner, i would suggest Tamiya X-20a Thinner, its based on alcohol but it works with all colors from Citadel, Vallejo, Armypainter, Andrea, Secret Weapon Washes and Tamiya of course, others too but that are the color brands i treid myself. To paint clean, is like paint with a brush, practise, practise and practise. You need a feeling how much u need to thin your paints and how much pressure to use, cause everyone got their own recipe. My tip here is you try a 1:1 paint / thinner mix and then go on and try how to work with it. Here is a tutorial i made a while back for Imperial Fists but you could easily adapt it for Salamanders, just need a color change. http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/279231-fast-yellow-marines/ Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3534165 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Lazarou Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 These are great to begin with for someone who hasn't used one before, I bought the same style for my first one a couple of years ago. I still have the compressor which is going strong but upgraded to a better brush. The pro's are it's cheap and a good way to learn if you like to use an airbrush, there's no point in spending hundreds of pounds if you end up not liking it. Con's are the brush quality may not be the best but if you're using it for basecoating etc it's more than capable for the task. A few points from my own experience are... Vallejo polyurethane primer is very good, you will probably recuperate your money back on what you save on cans. It does need to cure for about 24hours though after priming. If you go down this route make sure you clean the airbrush thoroughly afterwards I find medea airbrush cleaner the best personally. An cleaning station would be a good idea too along with a respirator. When it comes to paint I generally use citadel paints mixed with water 1:1 in a eye dropper bottle and have never had any problems, this is great if you are sticking to a certain colour. Vallejo air are also good as they are pre thinned for you so no messing around there. Their metallic range are very good too. Last thing is youtube is full of tutorials on airbrushing so abuse that to your advantage. If you go down the airbrush route you wonder why you didn't do it earlier!! Hope this helps Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3534197 Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.k.i.t.t.l.e Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Right so I've been reading through a lot of topics and I definitely want to get an airbrush, my only conern is the type and whether or not I am getting screwed over. To ease advice I want 3 main things from this purchase: 1) Ability to produce smooth, bright green basecoats across a lot of miniatures 2) Ability to make smooth, bright green vehicles 3) I want to learn how to airbrush for more advanced techniques eventually At first I considred the GW spraygun as I thought I just needed to basecoat, but as it is Christmas and it seems initial investment is the better way to delve into airbrushing I wanted to see what I could find. I've come to the conclusion I will need these things as a minimum Gravity, dual-action airbrush around the 0.3mm size Air compressor with water trap and air bottle Some form of paint thinner So far I've found http://www.amazon.co.uk/KMS-Airbrush-Compressor-Double-Airbrushes/dp/B0054Q384A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-3&keywords=airbrush+kit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mini-Airbrush-Compressor-Kit-AS18-2/dp/B004Y4J252/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-5&keywords=airbrush+kit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Airbrush-Compressor-Airbrushing-Accessories/dp/B002RI8K8C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-6&keywords=airbrush+kit The latter one being my favourite as the kit seems more comprehensive. Also what would be the equivalent of Warpstone glow? I have been priming my minis with Caliban Green and manually painting the base with WSG. I've heard citadel paints are meh in airbrushes, but useable? I know it's hard to find a definitive verdict on this topic but I'm hoping I've elaborated my needs enough that you guys can offer some good suggestions. Also as a final question - what else can I do with an airbrush? My ideal goal is crisp and cleanly painted miniatures, and my flailing brush attempts usually destroy that dream - can an airbrush help with precision at all? I've also read in only a few places that you can't/shouldn't airbrush whole minis, but do each component individually. Now this sounds like a pain in the ass, combined with having to thin etc rather than dunking a brush and getting going so how much....quicker is airbrushing? Also I take it one would airbrush the basic colours on, then assemble and do the finer details by hand? Cheers, Pock That 3rd kit is basically the one I got a year ago, and its still working great for me. I haven't used the bottom feed cup however, don't need it. If you have to get one of those kits it'll do ya fine. However, since you want better control for more advanced techniques, I'd recommend that you get a better airbrush. A Harder and Steenbeck Ultra 2 in 1 is less than £80 on ebay, and you can pick up a compressor (without a tank though) for about £35. Might seem like quite a bit more, but the H & S will last a long time if you take care of it, and its superior build quality will help with better techniques later on. I will say this though, my cheap kit has served me well, and while I will eventually get a better airbrush, I'm not going to do it until this one is busted as it's working fine for me right now. I've used it for priming, basecoats and blending, and it's more my skill (or lack thereof) that has been the thing that holds me back rather than the quality of my equipment. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3534242 Share on other sites More sharing options...
God-Potato of Mankind Posted November 30, 2013 Author Share Posted November 30, 2013 Thanks for all the advice guys, it's been very helpful. I think my primary concern now lies with mass prepping mini's and keeping price low. I'd only just started researching air brushes so my needs are still in flux a little bit, so apologies for that. I think this one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Airbrush-Compressor-Airbrushing-Accessories/dp/B002RI8K8C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-6&keywords=airbrush+kit as linked before is going to be an excellent initial investment. I think making a smaller purchase and upgrading would be the best way to go. At the moment I Just want my Salamanders armour to not look all...brush marked. I've tried multiple layers but I just can't get a good effect I like, and I've made Novamarines, World Eaters and Imperial Fists without this problem so I'm fairly confident it's not me. Plus I have nigh on 50 models to prime & base so a..cheaper airbrush sounds perfect. With regards to colours as half my army is already WSG I think I am a little stuck, but I will just be careful pushing thinned GW paints through my brush! So I think I shall leave my desire to do advanced things for now, and settle on the ability to prime and base quickly and effectively. I'm thinking this will be a suitable kit for now. Again any further thoughts would be most welcome. Cheers Pocktio Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3534252 Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.k.i.t.t.l.e Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Thanks for all the advice guys, it's been very helpful. I think my primary concern now lies with mass prepping mini's and keeping price low. I'd only just started researching air brushes so my needs are still in flux a little bit, so apologies for that. I think this one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Airbrush-Compressor-Airbrushing-Accessories/dp/B002RI8K8C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-6&keywords=airbrush+kit as linked before is going to be an excellent initial investment. I think making a smaller purchase and upgrading would be the best way to go. At the moment I Just want my Salamanders armour to not look all...brush marked. I've tried multiple layers but I just can't get a good effect I like, and I've made Novamarines, World Eaters and Imperial Fists without this problem so I'm fairly confident it's not me. Plus I have nigh on 50 models to prime & base so a..cheaper airbrush sounds perfect. With regards to colours as half my army is already WSG I think I am a little stuck, but I will just be careful pushing thinned GW paints through my brush! So I think I shall leave my desire to do advanced things for now, and settle on the ability to prime and base quickly and effectively. I'm thinking this will be a suitable kit for now. Again any further thoughts would be most welcome. Cheers Pocktio Thanks for all the advice guys, it's been very helpful. I think my primary concern now lies with mass prepping mini's and keeping price low. I'd only just started researching air brushes so my needs are still in flux a little bit, so apologies for that. I think this one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Airbrush-Compressor-Airbrushing-Accessories/dp/B002RI8K8C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1385724728&sr=8-6&keywords=airbrush+kit as linked before is going to be an excellent initial investment. I think making a smaller purchase and upgrading would be the best way to go. At the moment I Just want my Salamanders armour to not look all...brush marked. I've tried multiple layers but I just can't get a good effect I like, and I've made Novamarines, World Eaters and Imperial Fists without this problem so I'm fairly confident it's not me. Plus I have nigh on 50 models to prime & base so a..cheaper airbrush sounds perfect. With regards to colours as half my army is already WSG I think I am a little stuck, but I will just be careful pushing thinned GW paints through my brush! So I think I shall leave my desire to do advanced things for now, and settle on the ability to prime and base quickly and effectively. I'm thinking this will be a suitable kit for now. Again any further thoughts would be most welcome. Cheers Pocktio Just sit yourself down and get all those mold lines off in one beast session of prepping. Put a movie or two on in the background work your way through it. It's a bit of a pain (especially for someone like me, I hate prepping...)but once you get all of them done, at least thats it, you can get on with the good bit. :D I did this for the Dark Vengeance boxset minis, and I felt so relieved once they were done. Priming and basecoating with an airbrush is sooooooooo fast, you could prob get all fifty done in an afternoon, no problem. I'd definitely recommend the Vallejo Polyurethane primer, its gnarly. :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3534257 Share on other sites More sharing options...
God-Potato of Mankind Posted November 30, 2013 Author Share Posted November 30, 2013 Well I bit the bullet (and told myself - it's Christmas!, basically!) and got the 3rd one. I'd noticed it's the only one with a tank and water trap and is only a tenner more than the preceding kits. So I got the whole package for 45 squiddies and get: Compressor Tank 2 Brushes Pretty good value, my fellow painter has told me. Will certainly be posting pics of results, till then - MASS ASSEMBLY TIME! Woop! Again thanks for all the help! Cheers Pock Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3534302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
facmanpob Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Watch the video at the link - its long but I think it tells you everything you need to know about purchasing an airbrush Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3535652 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemal Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Well I bit the bullet (and told myself - it's Christmas!, basically!) and got the 3rd one. I'd noticed it's the only one with a tank and water trap and is only a tenner more than the preceding kits. So I got the whole package for 45 squiddies and get: Compressor Tank 2 Brushes Pretty good value, my fellow painter has told me. Will certainly be posting pics of results, till then - MASS ASSEMBLY TIME! Woop! Again thanks for all the help! Cheers Pock Where'd you buy it at this price? Definitely interested in purchasing one for myself, if only to do mass base-coating of marines and even Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3541441 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkMark Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 @OP; change the colours slightly, but here's a decent squad painting . @Hemel; try RDGTools for decent budget AB kits, but remember you'll still need to buy cleaning brushes etc as well! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3541486 Share on other sites More sharing options...
irwit Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I go this kit.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airbrush-Compressor-Double-Action-Airbrushes/dp/B004XP7K9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386605755&sr=8-1&keywords=airbrush+kit eventually got a much better airbrush too, a harder and steinbeck. The compressor ideally you want a tank or it is going to be noisey as hell! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3541711 Share on other sites More sharing options...
God-Potato of Mankind Posted December 16, 2013 Author Share Posted December 16, 2013 I got the one irwit got, and hilariously have yet to even try to use it. I've been revising through those videos linked, which are all verrrry helpful! I fear for my gear when it is anything more complicated than a brush.. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3547658 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkMark Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 The AS186 is a decent compressor as long as you keep the sessions to 30-40 minutes max you'll be fine. There's a bunch of stuff you'll need to learn but one big tip is to only put a few drops of paint into the cup and check its spraying nicely before you load up the cup. Have fun, and remember to start by learning on old sprue or models not your new shinies! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3547771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
irwit Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Just remember, outside sticking super glue through it, you're not gonna do anything bad to your airbrush with acrylics. People talk about 'wrecking' an airbrush with paint thats too thick. Its nothing a bit of cleaner can't fix. You'll learn the most trying it out than watching Vids. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3547790 Share on other sites More sharing options...
irwit Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 nice... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3550023 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemal Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 This one looks quite promising, might convince the mrs I "need" it... http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/CHRISTMAS-SPECIAL-S.html Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3550533 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemal Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Looks like I've got my package today - will unpack tomorrow and post pictures hopefullt when I'm back from holiday on teh results I'm getting... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3551495 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Well I bit the bullet (and told myself - it's Christmas!, basically!) and got the 3rd one. I'd noticed it's the only one with a tank and water trap and is only a tenner more than the preceding kits. So I got the whole package for 45 squiddies and get: Compressor Tank 2 Brushes Pretty good value, my fellow painter has told me. Will certainly be posting pics of results, till then - MASS ASSEMBLY TIME! Woop! Again thanks for all the help! Cheers Pock That is an amazing price...where and what please :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/283940-getting-an-airbrush-for-my-salamanders-army/#findComment-3552524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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