Airbrush kit for a newbie.

[couzens]

Hi all,

Looking to get back into modelling (used to build airfix kits when I was a kid)

Now looking to do a few models of cars etc in my spare time.

I don't really want a brush stroke finish, so I've been looking at getting an airbrush kit.

Any recommendations? I'm not looking to spend the earth, presuming a compressor kit is better then a can of compressed air? Or is this not the case?

Will also need a starter kit I guess of scalpels etc.

Thanks.

Edited by couzens on Wednesday 24th November 14:12

[clockworks]

If you are just building plastic car kits, it might be easier to stick to aerosol paints for most of the parts, and brush painting for the small details.

Halfords acrylic car spray cans work well for bodyshells and chassis parts.

[Eric Mc]

I'm using one of the Chinese made Expo AB range at the moment and I am quite pleased with its performance. Not bad for a £40 purchase.

Have you thought about what you plan to use for the compressed air supply?

[couzens]

Eric Mc said:

I'm using one of the Chinese made Expo AB range at the moment and I am quite pleased with its performance. Not bad for a £40 purchase.

Have you thought about what you plan to use for the compressed air supply?

Will have a look at that, £40s not a bad price at all.

No thoughts, was just going to look at the Revell offering as it's the manufacturer of kit I want to build.

[Eric Mc]

Revell don't really make airbrushes. They will rebadge some other brands as "Revell". I expect that the Revell brushes are basically the same as the AB range - which in the UK are marketed by Expo.

I think this might not be a bad set to get for a beginner -

[audikentman]

If you get one with a compressor you may want to get an inline filter and quick release couplers for the airline both readily available on ebay.

[Explorer1959]

I just started after many years away. Not sure of your budget but I went for this combo plus a selection of Vallejo Model Air paints. Came in a shade over two hundred quid.

https://www.everythingairbrush.com/product/ab-as-1...

Had a long chat with Tim before committing. He couldn’t have been more helpful.

[Zad]

A compressor with a tank costs very little more, and is worth the extra investment. When you hand paint, do you thin your paints at all? That can help reduce brush marks. You will need several coats of paint, but the result is worth it.

[couzens]

Thanks for the advice all, will do a bit of researching on what's been posted.

Zad said:

A compressor with a tank costs very little more, and is worth the extra investment. When you hand paint, do you thin your paints at all? That can help reduce brush marks. You will need several coats of paint, but the result is worth it.

I've not attempted a model kit in over 15 years, I just remember my attempts as a boy being a bit heavy on the painting and kits covered in glue marks.

I'm hoping to do away with both of those this time around so thanks for the tip!

Kit in mind is this: https://www.revell.com/ford-gt-le-mans.html

But wearing the purple of the Wynns car 85.

Seems to be a few shops out there that will supply the decals and paint.

[Zad]

15 years ago, I think we were still mostly using Humbrol enamels. I say we, I mean me

Acrylics made a huge difference for me. Much faster drying, capable of being thinned easily and somehow far less prone to messiness. Not Tamiya though, they can be horrible to hand paint, although they are really good in an airbrush.

[Yertis]

Explorer1959 said:

I just started after many years away. Not sure of your budget but I went for this combo plus a selection of Vallejo Model Air paints. Came in a shade over two hundred quid.

https://www.everythingairbrush.com/product/ab-as-1...

Had a long chat with Tim before committing. He couldn’t have been more helpful.

Another vote for Everything Airbrush, incredibly helpful.

[couzens]

Explorer1959 said:

I just started after many years away. Not sure of your budget but I went for this combo plus a selection of Vallejo Model Air paints. Came in a shade over two hundred quid.

https://www.everythingairbrush.com/product/ab-as-1...

Had a long chat with Tim before committing. He couldn’t have been more helpful.

Quick update. Purchased the above with a decent new years discount on top.

Thanks for the recommendation.


I've been watching a few videos of the model I'm going to make. Alot of people use micro sol on the transfers. I can't seem to find anywhere that have stock of it though, are there any alternatives people recommend?

[CotswoldsChap]

couzens said:

Quick update. Purchased the above with a decent new years discount on top.

Thanks for the recommendation.


I've been watching a few videos of the model I'm going to make. Alot of people use micro sol on the transfers. I can't seem to find anywhere that have stock of it though, are there any alternatives people recommend?

https://anticsonline.uk/Product/Microscale-MI2-Mic...

You could also use Tamiya Mark Fit which you can get from Amazon

[Explorer1959]

couzens said:

Quick update. Purchased the above with a decent new years discount on top.

Thanks for the recommendation.


I've been watching a few videos of the model I'm going to make. Alot of people use micro sol on the transfers. I can't seem to find anywhere that have stock of it though, are there any alternatives people recommend?

That’s good to hear - have fun

[robemcdonald]

Nice airbrush. Stick with the 0.4 nozzle to begin with the 0.2 can be a bit of a pain.