Airbrushing Dye, Etc.

[Sixer]

For those of you that airbrush your holsters, what kind of set up do you use?

I'm starting from scratch here so...

What kind of compressor works best?

What kind of airbrush kit would you recommend?

Do you dilute your dyes, finishes, etc when airbrushing?

Any info to help me get started would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[Spinner]

Are you looking to do spirit dyes, oils, water based?

Multiple colors (two-tone, and detail spraying, etc) or just solid/single colors?

How many on average at a time?

All of those questions will reveal the answers you seek...

[jlaudio29]

I use a Paasche VL Dual action Air brush, and feibings die, I do not dilute it.

The Compressor im currently using is a Might Mini airbrush compressor which isnt the best but it works for right now. If I felt like spending the extra cash id get an airbrush compressor from Harbor freight.

My suggestion to you is to get one from harbor freight i think for $79.99 you can get the compressor with a deluxe airbrush included which is either a knock off of an Iwata or a Badger. Sometimes harbor freight quality come into play but an airbrush is a very basic thing so its hard to screw up. If your worried about the compressor breaking buy the protection plan and youll be good to go for years.

Just my two cents

[Spinner]

I use a Paasche VL Dual action Air brush, and feibings die, I do not dilute it.

The Compressor im currently using is a Might Mini airbrush compressor which isnt the best but it works for right now. If I felt like spending the extra cash id get an airbrush compressor from Harbor freight.

My suggestion to you is to get one from harbor freight i think for $79.99 you can get the compressor with a deluxe airbrush included which is either a knock off of an Iwata or a Badger. Sometimes harbor freight quality come into play but an airbrush is a very basic thing so its hard to screw up. If your worried about the compressor breaking buy the protection plan and youll be good to go for years.

Just my two cents

but an airbrush is a very basic thing so its hard to screw up

You'd be surprised...just like leatherworking tools there is a significant difference the higher up the price chain you go.

My Iwata Eclipse HP-CS is much smoother and can spray finer than my Badger 155 Anthem and both put my HF knock-off to shame.

However, each is good at what I use them for. All depends on what the purpose is.

[particle]

I use a Badger 150 that I've had since the mid 90's and mine works great for my uses. If you can afford it, you definitely want a dual action so you can vary the amount of dye you're laying down.

Regarding compressors - I use a cheap Craftsman compressor that I got on sale. It's very loud, but it does more than just airbrushing - it will run small to medium size nailers, air up car tires, blow off dust from my counters, etc. If you don't have a compressor, don't mind the noise and you're working in your garage, I'd suggest you go with a shop-type compressor. Personally, I'd recommend getting an "Oiled" compressor because they are MUCH more quiet than a "Oil-less" compressor - especially if you are in a residential environment and do most of your work at night and don't want to bother your neighbors. You will need to install a flow regulator, and adjust the pressure down to somewhere around 30-45 psi of constant flow. When you release the trigger, the pressure on the indicator will climb. When you depress the trigger on the airbrush to let air flow, the pressure will drop - the dropped pressure needs to be at 30-45.

If you already have a big compressor and just want something for your airbrush, I'd get a specialty airbrush compressor - very small, quiet, and pretty cheap - especially if you get the Harbor Freight model.

I don't dilute any of my dyes or finishes. As long as the liquid flows like water/milk, you're good to go with the airbrush.

When you do get an airbrush, read up on it and learn to properly clean it. It's very easy to damage the little bushings, gaskets, o-rings, etc., sometimes necessitating you send it back to the manufacturer for repair, depending on how hard the item is to repair/replace. And whatever you do, don't run a pipe cleaner through it.... Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.

[Sixer]

Excellent info!

Right now I am using Feiblings Pro Oil dye... I would like to be able to adjust the flow and vary the amount of the dye I'm using.

It sounds like the "shop-type" compressor is what I should get. I need one anyway, so I might as well get one that can be used for more than just airbrushing. If I can find a compressor that will air up my tires AND spray dye, THAT would be perfect! On that note, is there any certain size or HP I should look for? Something bigger than "hobby" size but smaller than a "industrial" type?

Thanks again for the help!

[particle]

Home Depot & Lowes have tons of compressors listed on their site. You'll want to look at "Portable" compressors. Beyond that, it really just comes down to how much noise and floor space you're willing to put up with. Do you have any use for nail guns? Brad nailers, staplers, finish nailers - you can buy combo kits that come with one or more of those, as well as a hose and required adapters. Brad nailers are great for small woodworking projects - you can glue and shoot a couple brad nails to hold it together while the glue dries. They're also great for installing crown moulding, so long as you nail properly and use long enough brads, and also caulk your crown to help 'glue' it into place. Finish nailers are better for larger woodworking projects, while the staplers are great for recovering furniture if you or your wife are into that sort of thing.

Pretty much any compressor you buy at the home improvement stores will be fine for airing up tires, water toys, rafts, etc. Some tools, like impact wrenches, larger paint spray guns, etc., require higher CFM (cubic feet per minute of air flow) to operate. Think about all the uses you might have, then buy accordingly.

And remember to take the noise level into consideration... Oil-less compressors are LOUD...

This is my compressor - it's pretty dang loud, but runs my medium size nailers (probably won't do well with a framing nailer because it'll run all the time), runs my Cobalt paint spray gun, etc., but it just doesn't have the CFM and capacity to run my impact wrench.

Edited March 16, 2011 by particle

[troop]

kinda along the same line.....has anyone applied dye, more particularly with an airbrush on english bridle? was curious how it takes dye before i start trying it.

Tony

[jlaudio29]

I forgot to add in my post, A good way to get a name brand airbrush at a good price is to print out a Joann Fabric's 40 or 50 percent off coupon (very easy to get by searching google) or Sign up for Michaels Crafts email alerts and they send you a 40 percent off, Either way if you get the joanns, Michaels will honor competitors coupons so you can go in Michaels and get yourself a Nice badger for 40-50 percent off.

Dont forget to check craigslist for some good deals on compressors or an airbrush setup.

Edited March 16, 2011 by jlaudio29

[particle]

That's a good point - Hobby Lobby is another good one. Don't know if they're up there or not, but we have them here in Texas. I believe I bought mine at Michael's.