Airbrushing Leather (Buying An Airbrush)

[dikman]

GP, that kit should be fine. The black airbrush is what's termed an external mix, the paint is sucked up by venturi action, they do not do as fine a spray or have the control of a double action gravity feed (the other two) but are great for covering larger areas. They are also much easier to clean! If you bought that kit as Beehive mentioned it might be worth considering adding quick-release air fittings, they're not necessary but do make it easier to swap between airbrushes.

[fredk]

A suction feed a/b needs a compressor with a lot of free-air delivery and a higher pressure

[GingerPowered]

On 2/10/2025 at 4:56 PM, dikman said:

GP, that kit should be fine. The black airbrush is what's termed an external mix, the paint is sucked up by venturi action, they do not do as fine a spray or have the control of a double action gravity feed (the other two) but are great for covering larger areas. They are also much easier to clean! If you bought that kit as Beehive mentioned it might be worth considering adding quick-release air fittings, they're not necessary but do make it easier to swap between airbrushes.

Thank you, I had no idea what the difference was lol I have a lot of learning to do. I did end up buying the one from my link only because HF didn't have any near me. I have no idea how to do any of this so I'm flying blind but I'm sure I'll learn. My biggest obstacle is matching paint, that I think is going to be my undoing. But if I can nail airbrushing bags, this will seriously change my small business so I'm really hoping I can do this. You all have been so helpful and I'm grateful!

[GingerPowered]

On 2/10/2025 at 12:33 PM, Zonker1972 said:

you may also want to look for an airbrush that has a fan tip. airbrushes normally spray a cone of paint. to effectively cover something with dye a fan pattern would be better. I have several Badger Airbrushes, yet another hobby but the Paasche TS is the one that I have for spraying fan patterns. I mainly use it to spray clear on small motorcycle parts. 

this kit has all you need. 

https://www.paascheairbrush.com/TS-3AS

the smaller 0.25 and 0.38 heads may work with dye with increased dye thinning but the 0.6 fan head should work really well with minimal thinning.

Zonker

Thank you for the advice. I am spraying paint not dye, not sure if it matters but wants to clarify. I did assume that I will purchase a good gun after I get the hang of it. I have seen many people reference this brand so I'm sure I'll be back when I'm ready to pick more brains. I don't know if I need to thin this paint, I have seen contradicting advice. That and a filter? I feel like I have endless questions but I guess that's expecting when learning something new

[GingerPowered]

 just got my airbrush kit in! I appreciate all the advice I've gotten here. I know I have lots of practice ahead of me. You all have been so amazing! 

Follow up questions...Are polishing needles really necessary? I've gotten contradicting info on that. Cleaning solution, what do you all use or Make your own? 

[fredk]

5 minutes ago, GingerPowered said:

...Are polishing needles really necessary? I've gotten contradicting info on that. 

Not absolutely necessary but it helps

6 minutes ago, GingerPowered said:

Cleaning solution, what do you all use or Make your own? 

Don't use anything very aggressive. The a/b has tiny rubber seals inside it which can be destroyed by strong cleaner*. As you will be using acrylics an alcohol can be used to clean it out. A rinse will do, with a complete strip down only occasionally.

On a strip down; do it on a tray with a big magnet handy on the tray. Let the small steel parts go to the magnet, that lessens the chance of loosing them

* there are special dedicated a/b cleaners available

[Beehive]

I second the alcohol. I use the 91% rubbing alcohol ~after~ a warm soapy water rinse. Holding the airbrush under the running faucet, while spraying and letting it gurgle. Anything left is poured out the cup and then the rubbing alcohol rinse. 

Leaving a tiny bit alcohol in the cup as it's stored. 

[dikman]

If you're spraying acrylics there's a huge range of ready-to-spray paints available from model-making stores, also used by fishing lure makers.

[Beehive]

Spraying the hands on a clock you're putting together. Adding leaf shapes to your backpack. If you have any kids or grandkids. Hook them up with airbrushed t-shirt or pillow case. 

The t-shirt paints are low priced enough, you can go wild. Learn an airbrush. 

 

I've tried wiping finish on leather. Acrylic sealer and other things. I make a mess. It looks a mess. So, these days, I only use an airbrush. It really makes things nice. Smooth and even finish.

[fredk]

1 hour ago, dikman said:

If you're spraying acrylics there's a huge range of ready-to-spray paints available from model-making stores, also used by fishing lure makers.

and they are cheaper. They work great on leather. They're the only paints I use

Sometimes I spray a coat or three of resolene because I've found that brushing or sponging it on will lift the carefully made dyeing