"Airbrush question." Topic

I was recentely given an airbrush that was found on somebody's attic. It is a Badger no.200, it seems to be in good repair altough the airhose looks to have seen better days.
Does anybody have any experience with this model?
Can I use it for 15mm figures/vehicles and do I need a special compressor or can I use the one I have for my tools in the shed.
Thanx.

I had one like that back in the day. You should be able to get Camo onto 15mm models with it.

To use a tool shop type compressor, you would need a regulator:

link

You can use the compressor you have. All you need is a pressure regulator (probably already on the compressor) and an inline moisture trap. You can get that at the same place that you purchase a replacement hose from (get the braided one not the plain plastic hose). You will also probably need an adapter fitting so the airbrush hose will fit on the compressor. The Badger 200 is a good solid airbrush. Nothing fancy, but nearly indestructable if given even modest care. I bought one in the early '70s and it still works like it was new.

cheers

I assume that your compressor has a tank. If it does, there is no need for a moisture trap. The regulator needs to bale to adjust to very low pressure. I spay Vallejo primer at 35-40psi. That'ss pretty high for painting.

Paint for airbrushing is thinner than for brushing. This tends to result in a situation where the paint is so thin that it won't cover without many coats. Model (specifically for plasitic models) paint have much finer pigmanets because they regularly get sprayed. Artist airbrush opaques also have these very finely ground pigments.

You can spray any paint, though, just be prepared for many coats.

By the way, if your regulator won't go low enough and you're not sure if airbrushing is something you want to pursue (it does take practice to develop skills) you might want to just go to your local craft store and buy a can of air. These are simply cans of compressed air. They are pricey, but not as pricey as a new regulator. If you decide you like airbrushing, then buy a regulator that will get the outlet pressure down to 35 or 40psi (and lower if possible as very thin paints, some laquers and inks will need lower pressures).

Airbrushing is a great skill to develop--espcailly for making terrain and vehicles. You can make short work of buildings with an airbrush! Which just some fundamental skills, you can weather building that will rival what you see in the magazines.

Old Badger stuff is great.

FYI: Liquitex makes an airbrush medium for thinning paints. It works great! Many folks use water, some alcohol and some use windex: I find water is adequate, alcohol can react badly with some paints(they get gummy/stringy)and I worry that Windex breaks down the paint too much.
And I totally agree with going with a braided hose. The plastic ones are awful.

Thinning paint with alcohol isn't a good idea. When spraying, the paint will dry in mid-air. Some pain, of course, will make to the model normally, but the stuff that drys on the way will imbed in the wet paint and give it a rough texture or will cause the paint on on the model to develop an "orange peel" surface.

Water or proper arylic medium is best. It is also wise to aquire some airbrush cleaner for acrylics. Testors and several other companies offer this. Don't get it mixed up with the thinner.

Tip: Have a supply of clean water (if you live in a hard water area use filtered) in a dispenser and in a bowl. You will shoot the water through the brush between colors. You drop attachements, like paint bowls or jars, into the bowl while you're working so the paint doesn't dry on them before you get to clean up.

As for the braided vs. plastic. I have use both and, frankly, there's no difference in use. The pressures are so low that the performance of the hose is simply not a factor. I will say that the "braided" hose is simply a rubber hose encased is braided fabric cover. It's quite a bit heavier than the the plastic hose and is a little more managable and resistant to abrasions. You're not going to be using this in a shop everyday for hours on end so that's nt really a factor. Plastic hose is cheap and functions perfectly well for our purposes.