Recommendations for an airbrush to upgrade my precision?

[Magos Takatus]

Hi. I've been using an airbrush for a few years now and I've been using an Iwata HP-CS Eclipse (I think it's called), and I've got decent results out of it, mainly priming, basecoating and basic gradients but I would like to learn how to use a finer detail airbrush so that I can do slightly more precise jobs a little more easily. I imagine working with a finer needle risks clogs more often so I am looking for a brush that's hopefully easy to partially disassemble to clean easily as a bonus. One thing I love about my Iwata airbrush is the front is all friction tightened, needing no tools to take apart. Hopefully an airbrush with a similar design would be handy. I also understand I'll need to treat it more delicately and less like a flamethrower, but that's part of the learning process.

 

So I ask you, airbrush users of the B&C, what's you're go-to brush when you've got to get up close and personal with a miniature?

[tychobi]

I have a .2 but my eclipse is better for fine work. Trigger control. Super quick feathered spurts can put down a tiny pattern up close.  Finger masking or tape to control overspray and use the airbrush on all sorts of tiny stuff. 

[Bung]

I use an Iwata Eclipse Takumi with a 0.35 nozzles and its easily on the same Level of precision like similar priced guns like H&S Infinity etc. 

Maybe just get a new nozzle / needle Set for your Eclipse and practise more, cause If you really want a more precise gun your are looking at the Iwata Custom Micron Ränge which is around 500€ for the gun depending on the model.

[Firedrake Cordova]

As a general rule, smaller/finer needles and nozzles are more delicate an harder to clean, to that's something to watch out for if you go that route.

 

Whilst it seems intuitive that a smaller needle gives finer detail, this is a little bit of a misnomer - finer needles are for more fluid mediums, and the needle should be matched to the medium. What controls the fineness of the line that can be produced is the shape of the spray cone produced, and how far away from the tip of the needle the finest point of the cone is (this is defined by the shape of the needle/nozzle). I can't find it right now, but Harder & Steenbeck had a video discussing this on their YouTube channel.

 

How fine a line are you able to draw, and how fine a line do you want to draw? My H&S Evolution (0.4mm) can produce "hairline" lines, but you've got to be very close to the subject. To be honest, I'd have thought your airbrush should be capable of fine work - it certainly gets very good reviews (I've never used one, but it was one of 3 I considered buying when I was shopping for mine). 

 

One thing which might be worth checking is if the needle in your airbrush has been re-designed. The one in my Evolution was redesigned a couple of years after I bought it, and again with the 2024 Evolution - apparently these changes were to increase control and detail ability (I don't know if Iwata were involved with this or if the changes were fed back to them*).

 

* Iwata bought H&S when the owners retired a few years ago.

[Magos Takatus]

Thanks for the replies! I know I do have a solid airbrush and yes, I am a fairly experienced airbrush user, but not an expert by any means. I know trigger control is a weakness of mine, I'm always worried that an unexpected twitch in my finger is going to ruin a paintjob! 

 

My airbrush came with a piece of paper that presumably the brush had been tested on and they had extremely fine lines, but I've never been able to replicate the effect myself. I'm not sure if they tested with the thinner paint/ink than I use, or if it's 100% a skill issue. I also feel like my spray cone is drifting to the right now, I'm not sure if that means I need to dismantle and clean the brush or replace the needle? I feel I've taken care of my brush pretty well over the years but I do know the parts aren't indestructible.

 

I will take your advice and have a go at some back-to-basics testing and practice, though I was considering a back-up brush in case my first one goes down but if I can save some money by not bothering that is a plus. 

[Firedrake Cordova]

Well, there's no substitute for experimentation and experience.  Drawing fine lines requires getting close and good trigger control, and unfortunately your airbrush doesn't have a needle-stop (aka cheating device ), so if you're not happy with your trigger control, I'd recommend getting a piece of plasticard, and some cheap paint, and do some basic exercises over and over until you're happy (AIR space, Airbrush Asylum and Harder & Steenbeck all have good videos). 

 

The reason for suggesting plasticard is that it won't absorb paint (like your model and unlike paper, so you won't get any nasty surprises relating to applying too much paint and it spidering), and you can wipe it down with some IPA on a piece of kitchen roll and re-use it. For the paint, Vallejo's "Premium Colour" line is a good choice - you get a 60ml bottle for little more than cost of a GW Shade paint.

 

 

I also feel like my spray cone is drifting to the right now, I'm not sure if that means I need to dismantle and clean the brush or replace the needle?

There's a few things it could be - paint stuck inside the nozzle (I've had this), or a bent needle tip are the most common causes.

Edited September 28 by Firedrake Cordova