question about airbrushes

[Nitroaddict]

I was thinking about getting an airbrush as I am having so much fun painting the bodies for my rc cars. The question I have is whether or not I can hook up an airbrush to a standard compressor, or do i have to use one that is a low enough psi for airbrush work. I currently have an air tank that we use for the automotive shop where i live. can i use the same tank for an airbrush that is used for pneumatic air wrenches?

 

[Candyman]

Shouldn't be a problem hooking up your airbrush. Just make sure you have a line pressure regulator. Then you can dial down the pressure to the recommended pressures for the paint you're spraying. I use a 5hp 13 gallon Cambell-Housfield compressor to power my airbrush. It works great. I usually only have to pressurize the tank once or twice per body. And also make sure you have an inline moisture trap. That will keep the air dry and keep the paint from spattering.

 

[FastEddy]

You can use any compressor you want.
You will need a regulator to adjust the pressure from 15-35 psi depending on your paint and equipment. You will also need a moisture trap.

 

[Nitroaddict]

thanks for the help. its my roomates compressor, hes a mechanic. The tank holds 150gallons, and stands about 7 feet high, think ill need to recharge it much? lol. i doubt a moisture trap would be installed, its just used for air tools. would u agree? they all have regulatros though, yes? what psi should an airbrush run at? u say about 5-15? it would say that on the brush kit, though, wouldnt it?

 

[Candyman]

Actually, the pressure you spray at is determined by the paint. I use Parma Faskolor water based paints. They're a little thick so they recommend somewhere between 30-40 psi. I usually spray them around 32 or so. But if you use acryl like Pactra, they are thin and are sprayed around 15-20 psi. Roughly...

 

[Nitroaddict]

is there a place that tells me all this? a website, or instructions on the paint, ect? also, where would i get the moisture trap?

 

[Candyman]

You can pick up a moisture trap anywhere you can get air tools and supplies. They're not too expensive.

As far as info on paints and painting, try these:

Parma

Pactra Racing Finishes

The ultimate guide to painting..


That should get you started.

 

[Nitroaddict]

thanks for the help so far, guys, I am going to keep this thread open, so that i may ask questions as i progress. I plan on purchasing an airbrush this friday. Saw a nice Pasche dual action for only 69.00 Is this a reasonable price? I've used airbrushes before, but o was very young, and i dont know how the prices have changed. I found out last night, that the air tank we have is a 100gallon tank with a snap-on compressor. It already has a dual regulator inline, and a moisture trap. So i should be good to go. Most of the paint i see at my LHS is either parma or pactra. I've been using pactra rattle cans, and they seem alright, is their liquid paint good too? do i need to thin any of the paint out, or can i use it right from the bottle?

 

[robriguez]

You will definitly have to thin the paint. Depending on the type of paint you may have to thin more for some and less for others. I've found that a 60 paint/40 thinner or 50/50 works ok on most paint but you may have to experiment with your airbrush/body for the desired affects.

You say that the tank you have has a regulator. Is it adjustable? I used to work in a shop when I was younger and our tanks were not adjustable. It brought it down to a set amount and that was it. But we were just using it for air tools so it didnt really matter too much. You will need to find out if you can adjust down to the 15-30psi for your airbrush.

 

[Nitroaddict]

i am not sure if it can go that low, but it is adjustable. remember - this is not a shop, it is in my garage in my home.