I have a cheap battery compressor and airbrush kit I picked up from Amazon. I get on well with it as a concept and have no inclination at the moment to upgrade to a proper compressor. What I am considering is purchasing a higher quality airbrush which will hopefully allow me to do some finer airbrush work. I can’t seem to find a suitable needle and nozzle set for the generic airbrush.
Has anyone any experience of combining a “posher” airbrush with this kind of compressor?
(I appreciate the limitations of the current compressor but really don’t want to move to a full blown one at this time )
If you are referring to the really cheap compressors, I am afraid a good airbrush will not make a huge difference for the final result.
I have one and according to my experience using acrylics, the main problem is the limited pressure they can deliver so a fine job can not be done. They splat.
I find them useful for primers, base coats, varnish and even painting camo if you can mask the limits because enough splats make a solid, flat coat.
I have tried it with a Gaahleri and there is a big difference in control, you do not waste so much paint, but still splatters.
I would answer with a solid “It depends.” Can you regulate the air output on the compressor? A good airbrush, especially with a smaller needle, will operate best at around 15PSI, and if the compressor is putting out a steady 30 you’re going to wind up with big clouds of overspray and a hot mess.
Correct…hobbyist air compressors come with a moisture trap (included or optional) because any water in the air will output with the spraying and ruin your airbrushing job. You want dry air all the time to airbrush.
Most modelers buy the moisture trap if their air compressor doesn’t have or include one. Expensive or dedicated hobbyist air compressors often come with a moisture trap.