This guide is offered to help airbrush users select th - PDF document

AIRBRUSH101 . Asimpleguidetounderstandingairbrushterminology, typesofairbrushes , andtheirrecommendeduses Thisguideisofferedtohelpairbrushusersselectthebestairbrushfortheirapplication, andtoprovideimportantusage / maintenan ceinformation. Comprisedandprovidedcomplimentsof BADGERAIR - BRUSHCO. “Yourownpersonalairbrushdepartment” www.Badger AirBrush .com AIRBRUSHTERMINOLOGY,TYPES,SELECTION,ANDOTHERBASICINFO ACTION – referstotriggerfunctionsoftheair brush SINGLEACTION referstoairbrushesonwhichthetriggercontrolsonlytheairflow.Theamountof sprayedmaterial is adjusted by turning /setting a needle (color) adjustmentscrew.Whenthetriggerisdepressed,apre - setamountof material issprayed . DUALACTION referstoairbrushesonwhichthetriggercontrolsbothairand materialflow ( press down onthetrigger forair, pull back on thetrigger for materialflowadjustment ). Thisstyleairbrushallows theusertoadjust linewidthwhilesprayin g. Singleactionissimplerfor applying uniform evencoatsofcolorwithout anynotable shadeortonevariation , andisalmost alwaysprefer r e d forsinglecolorand basicspray coatingapplications.Dualactionispreferablefor “ artistic ” applications asit allows theuser tovaryspraypatternwhilesprayingtheairbrush, thisenables theartisttogofromfinetowidelines ( and vice - versa) withoutlimitation.Dualactionis preferred forshading effectsand colorgradations,aswellasbeing morepr oficient for detail airbrushapplications andtruerrealismeffects. MIX – referstothe mannerinwhich airand material cometogether(atomize)whileairbrushing EXTERNALMIX indicatesthatairandpaintmixoutsidetheairbrush , produc ing acoarse roun d spraypattern. INTERNALMIX indicatesairandpaintmixinsidetheairbrush,producinga precisely atomized“finedot”spraypattern. Airbrushessprayaseriesofdots(atomized material ). An externalmixairbrushspraysalarge r coarserdotpattern, whichis preferableforlargersurfacecoverageandvolumesprayapplications. An internalmixairbrushspraysfiner“softer”dots, andis prefer r e d for precision finishingneeds, suchas colorgradations,shading effects ,andfineline s. FEED – referst otheplaceofentryandmannerinwhichthesprayedm aterial enterstheairbrush BOTTOMFEED referstoairbrushesonwhich material entersthroughasiphontubeorcolorcupattachedtothebottomoftheairbrush. Thistypeofairbrush shouldhave atleas t 18 PSI whilespraying tooperateproperly. GRAVITYFEED referstoairbrushes onwhichmaterialentersatthetopoftheairbrushthrougha top - mountedcolor reservoir.G ravity draws thematerial intotheairbrush. Thistypeofairbrushcanbeoperated atspraypressures aslowas8PSI . SIDEFEED referstoairbrushesonwhich materialentersatthesideoftheairbrushthroughasideattachedcolorreservoir .Thistypeof airbrush operatesbest at approximately 1 2 PSI . DUALFEED referstoanairbrush thathastheabilitytobeusedaseithergravityfeedorbottomfeeddependingonthe user’svarying applicationneeds .ThistypeofairbrushispatentedandexclusivetoBadgerAir - BrushCo. The B ottom F eedairbrush isbestforgeneralandproduction applications.Thebottomfeedairbrushfacilitatestheuseofmore materialwithout havingtofrequentlyfillthematerial reservoir.Thebottomfeedairbrush also allows(orcauses)theartistto workata brisker pace, enabling fasterspray application whendesired . The G ravity F eedairbrush , alternatively,allowstheartisttoslowdown.Gravitypulls material intotheairbrush,sothe airbrush canbeoperatedata lowerpressure forimprovedairbrushcontrol .Th i smak es iteasiertodo finerdeta il work asthe finishing processcanbedone ata moredeliberate pace. G ravity feed isusually thebestchoice fordetail airbrushing . TheSideFeedairbrush allowstheusertoworkwithaswivelsidecupwhichallows moreflexibility forairbrushing in difficultto reachareasoroncontouredpieces . Manyartistprefersidefeedairbrushesfordetailapplicationsbecausethesidefeedcupalso eliminatesanysightlineobstructiontotheneedletipwhendoing“closein”intricatedetailwork . Whati sPSI?Pressurepersquareinch ,it isameasurementofthelevelofairpressure . Whensettingairpressureforairbrushingitisbesttodepresstheairbrushtrigger,allowingairtoflowthroughtheairbrush.Thiswillenable theaccuratesettingofs praypressurewhiletheairbrushisinuse/ Nozzlesizes - Therearevaryingairbrushnozzlesizesforsprayingarangeofmaterials.Althoughtheyhavesomeeffectontheline anairbrushproduces,nozzlesizes(Fine,Medium,Heavyor1, 3,and5)apply moretothematerialthatshouldbesprayedthrough theairbrushthanthefinenessoflineanairbrush will produce. T he line finenessis ultimately determinedby multiple factors – nozzle size, theneedle’s linearairflowangle,pigment/baseratio ofpa int ,pigmentsize ,operatingpressure,etc. NOTE: You need tohavetherightnozzle /needlesize withtherightspraymedium for optimumairbrushperformance. Fine/1: Bestsuitedtospraythin , lowviscositymediums(inks,watercolors,dyes,stainsand gouache ) . Medium/ 3 : Themostpopularchoice;willsprayairbrushreadypaints,properlythinnedacrylics,lacquers,enamels ,urethanes,and specialapplicationmaterials(foodairbrushingcolors,tanningsolutions,airbrushcosmetics,bodypaints,etc.) . Heavy/ 5 : Best forheavilypigmentedandhigherviscositymaterials(glazes,gesso,latex,andvarnish) SPRAYINGANDCLEANINGTHEAIRBRUSH Spraying – Thekeyfactorsinproperlysprayinganairbrushare operatingairpressure,amount of material being releasedbythe airbrush , andthedistancetheairbrushisbeingheldfromthesurfacebeingsprayed. Forfinelinestheairbrushshouldbeheldascloseaspossibletothesurfacewithasmallamountof material being released,forbroaderspraycoverage theairbrushshouldbeheld4”to6”fromthesurfacebeingsprayedwithalarger volumeof material beingreleased. NOTE:Theairbrushwillproduceoverspray.Thisisthe“fuzz”ofdotsthatspraysoutsideoforaroundthespray’s desiredfocalpoint .Ifasharpedgeisdesired,amaskingmedium(stencil,frisket,low - tacmaskingtape,sprayshield, etc.)mustbeutilizedwhenairbrush ing . Therearesomesimplelearningexercisesthatcanbepracticedtohelpdevelopskill,comfort,andconfidencei nusing theairbrush:creatingagridofdots(onablanksheet)withyourairbrush – thengoingbackandconnectingthedots, drawingfigureeights , and/orsimplywritingyournamewiththeairbrush. Theseareallbasic,buteffective,airbrushing exerci ses. Topracticeairbrushtechniqueonthreedimensionalobjects , paintitemssuchasscratchplastic/metal,pop cans,shampoobottles,orothercontoureditemsthatareoflittleornovalue. THEONLYTHINGTHATCANNOTBETAUGHTRELATEDTOUSINGANAI RBRUSHISPRACTICE. Cleaning – Stepone: Thekeytokeepinganairbrushcleanistonotletmaterialsetup(dry)init.Thiscanbedonebysimply sprayingtheappropriatecleaningagentthroughtheairbrushwithreasonablefrequency(whenchangingcolo rand whensettingtheairbrushtorestforanyperiodoftime).Threeimportantthingstoremember:1.Yourcleaningagent shouldbedeterminedbasedonthematerialyouareusing,nottheairbrushyouareusing2.Materialdriesasfastinan airbrushas itdoesonthesurfaceitisbeingsprayedonto.3.Anythingyouthinkwilltake2secondswilltake2 minutes,andanythingyouthinkwilltake2minuteswillusuallytakeatleast20 – sospraythecleaner. Steptwo: Shouldmaterialsetup(dry)inth eairbrush,itmaybenecessarytobackflushtheairbrush.Thisisdoneby suffocatingtheairflowoftheairbrushatthenozzle (whilesprayingcleaner) bycarefully“pinching”asoftclothoverthe nozzle’send .This deflect s airbackintotheairbru shchamber - loosen ing driedmaterial and sendingitintothe cleaningbottle /colorcup . Ifdonecorrectly,thecleanerwillbubbleduringbackflushing.Afterbackflushing, dump/removebackflushedmaterialfromtheairbrush – don’tsprayitoutofair brush.S pray fresh cleanerthroughthe airbrush afteryouhavebackflushedit . Stepthree: Onwhatshouldberareoccasionsitmaybenecessarytodisassemblesomepartsoftheairbrushformore thoroughcleaning.Thisshouldonlybe necessaryifthep reviouscleaningstepsarenotdoneregularlyorareunsuccessful incleaningtheairbrush .Ifdisassemblyisrequired,itshouldonly be ofpartsthatcomeincontactwiththesprayed material;fromthematerial’spointofentryintotheairbrushandfor ward.Th is include s arethenozzleassemblyandthe needle.Tothoroughlycleanthenozzleassembly,useanultrasoniccleanerordenturecleaner(yes,denturecleaner – followthedirectionsonthepackage).Theneedleshouldbewipeddownwithasoft clothsaturatedwiththeappropriate cleaningagent.Ifresidueontheneedleisstillapparentitmayberemovedbygentlyrubbingafinesteelwooloverthe residualdepositarea.WhiletheneedleandnozzleareremovedfromtheairbrushitisOKtoru na pipecleanersaturated withcleaningagentthroughthechamberoftheairbrush,followingthesamepathassprayedmaterial,andouttheairbrush front. Forbottomfeedairbrushesthatisupthe jaradaptor stemandoutthefront,forgravityfeedair brushesitisdownthe colorcupandoutthefront.Onlydothiswhentheneedleandnozzleareremoved - forcinganythingthro ughthenozzlewill damageit.Acleanersaturatedcottonswabcanalsobeusedtocleanth e airbrush’sjarstemandtheairbru sh’spainttip housing. Becarefulnottoscratchordamageanysealrequiringsurfaces. Afterusingthepipecleaner /cottonswab , blow out theairbrushtoremoveany“fuzz”.Afterallnozzle/needlecleaningstepsarecompletetheairbrushcanbereasse mbled andwillbereadyforuse.Thisdisassemblyprocessshouldberarelynecessaryifstepsoneandtwoarefollowed,butitis recommendedifstoringyourairbrushforanextendedperiodoftime. OTHERAIRBRUSHRELATEDEQUIPMENT,MATERIALS,ANDACCES SORIES AirSources COMPRESSORS - Aunitthatgeneratesatleast30PSIisrecommendedtostartairbrushing.Someapplications,suchasT - shirtpainting orotherfabricpainting,maybemoreefficientlydoneathigherpressures(upto65psi).Otherapp lications,suchasfingernailartand illustrationmaybemoreeffectivelydoneatlowerpressures(aslowas10psi).Forapplicationsrequiringhigherandlowerpressureitis recommendedtousearegulator(describedbelow). CO2(orotherinertpress urizedgas) - Apressurizedtankofinertgascanbeusedtooperateanairbrush.ACO2regulatorisrequiredto connecttheairhoseandmoderatetheairpressure. AIRTANK - Acompressorfilledairtank( or sparetireofacar)canbeusedforshort termprojectorientedairbrushapplications. PROPEL - Acanof “ air ” thatenablesspray ing for5to15minutes(dependentoncansize)canalsobeusedtooperateanairbrush.This isbestforbeginnersandthosenotcertaintheywillcontinueairbrushi ngaftertryingit. After5cansstartlookingatcompressors. AirHoses BRAIDEDairhoses arethemostcommonandmostdurabletypeofairbrushhose.Abraidedairhosecanhandleover100psi(morethan enoughforairbrush ing ).Braidedairhosesa reavailablewithin - linemoisturetrapsandquickdisconnects. CLEARairhoses arebestforairbrushinginenvironmentswherein - linemoistureorcontaminatesmaybea concern,becausetheusercan seeanymaterialpassingthroughthehosebeforeitreac hestheairbrush .Aclearairhose can handleupto50psiandairbrush applicationsperformeduptothatpressure.Clearairhosesareavailablewithmoisturetraps. RECOILairhoses arebestforsmallworkarea airbrushing,becausetheystayoutofthe way .Recoilairhoseshandleupto 5 0psiand canbeusedinairbrushapplicationsperformeduptothatpressure. VINYLairhoses handleupto40psiandareprimarilyforusewithpropel.Vinylairhosesarenotrecommendedforcompressors. Compress or RegulatorsandMoistureTraps AIRREGULATORSWITHAGAUGE allowtheairbrushusertosetairpressuretoexactpsilevelswithadialsetting. AIRREGULATORSWITHOUTAGAUGE allowtheairbrushusertoadjustairpressurebasedona“trialanderror”se ttingprocess. MOISTURETRAPS capturemoistureproducedbyacompressorwhenaircools.Theyaredesirableinhighhumidityareastoprevent moisturefromflowingthroughtheairhoseandouttheairbrushontoaworksurface. AIRREGULATORSWITHAGAUG EANDMOISTURETRAP combinethetwoitemsdescribedabove . Accessories A stencilcuttingknife isusedtocutcustomstencildesignsinstencilfilm(describedbelow)andacetate. Airbrushneedlelubricant helpspreventpaintfromdryingonthenozzle/nee dletip,reducingrelatedairbrushclogging. An airbrushholder providesamuchneededaplacetosetyourairbrushwhenyou’renotusingit.Thatneedisusuallyrealizedwhenyour holdingyourpaintfilledairbrushlookingforaplacetosetitdown. Fa stBlastjaradaptors connectthejartoabottomfeedairbrush.TheFastBlastonepiecesiphontubedesignismucheasiertocleanand isavailableinavarietyofjarmouthsizes.Many professional artist s put anadaptoroneachcolorthey’reusing. Sip honfilters slideoverthejaradaptorsiphontube,preventingun - sprayableparticlesfromenteringandcloggingtheairbrush. MaskingMediums STENCILS arepre - cutdesignmasksusedtoaidinthecreationofanimage.Stencilsmakeairbrushingeasierfo rbeginners,andarean excellenttoolforproducingrecurringdesignstimeandcosteffectively. Stencils areavailablewithandwithoutadhesivebacking. FRISKETFILM isalowtackadhesivebackedfilmusedtocutandmaskdesignsorcoveraspecifica reaofan image topreventsprayed materialfromgoingontoit. Frisketfilmisavailableinglossormattefinish.Themattefinishenablestheartisttodrawonthefrisketfilm. Thereisalso“liquid”frisketforeasiermaskingoffofcontouredshape s. STENCILFILM ,anuncut ( usuallynon - adhesivebackedmylar ) filmusedtocreatecustommaskingdesignsforairbrushing. Paints - Theruleofthumbforpreparingpaints(orothermaterials)forairbrushingistoreducethemtotheapproximatevisualvis cosityof 2%milk. A sstartingpaintviscos i tiesoftenvaryfromcolortocolor,evenwithinaspecificpaintbrand ,itisbesttoavoidfixedthinningratios . Itisalsobesttovigorouslymix/stirpaintratherthanshakingitbeforeusebecausemixing/s tirringpaintbetterblendspigmentandbase creatingamoreconsistentpaintfromthetoptothebottomofthebottle,andcausespigmenttore - settleslower. Variouspainttypesand materials,includingacrylics,lacquers,enamels,urethanes,inks,wate rcolors,dyes,stains,cosmetics,andfoodcolorscanbeappliedwith anairbrushifproperlyreducedforspraying.Airbrushingcanbedoneoncanvas,paper,textiles,plastics,metals,wood,etc.Eventhe humanbody(skin/nails)canbeairbrushed. Paint Accessories A paintmixer shouldbeusedtoproperlyprepareandmixpaintforairbrushing.Itisalwaysbestforpaintconsistencytomixitratherthan shakeit,orbettersaid“stirrednotshaken”. Colormixingkits ,whichconsistofasmallcupand stirsticks,canbeusedtomixcolors,creatingnewcolors. LearningAids - Books/DVDsongeneral usage and /or specifictechnique provide excellent instruction fortheaspiringairbrushartist. CHOOSINGTHERIGHTAIRBRUSHFORYOURAPPLICATION Soyouwa nttoknowwhichairbrushisbestforyou(orbettersaidforyourapplication).OrInthewordsofmanycurious aspiringairbrushusers“what’sagoodairbrushtostartwith?” Thesimpleandbestruleofthumbwhenselectinganairbrush is“figureoutw hichairbrushbestdoeswhatyouwanttodo,getit,andlearntouseit”.Airbrushshouldnotbeagraduated process.Therearedifferenttypesofairbrushesdesignedfordifferentapplications.Withineachairbrushtypedifferent airbrushmodelsmayp erformatvaryinglevelsofproficiency(dependingonvariousfactorssuchasmediatypeand preparation,nozzle/needledesignandsize,correctairpressuresettings,userexperience/skill),butforthemostpartforeach applicationthereisabesttype ofairbrushforthejob,andthat’sthetypeofairbrushyoushouldgetandlearntouseforyour specificapplication. Belowisalistingofvariousairbrushapplications,anindicationofwhattypeofairbrushisbestfortheapplicationandabrief ex planationwhy.Toprefacetheinformationbelowoneshouldknowthatforgeneralpurposeapplicationsandgeneralspray needsabottomfeedairbrushisusuallypreferableandmostefficient.Fordetailapplicationsagravityfeedairbrushisusually pref erredbecauseitenablesbettercontrol(throughloweroperatingpressure),thusmakingdetaileasiertoachieve.Ifyour airbrushneedsinvolvetheusageofbothgeneralpurposeanddetailairbrushes,andyourbudgetonlyallowspurchaseofone airbrush, it’salsogoodtoknow(becauseoftheincreasedcontrol)itisusuallyeasiertoadaptadetailairbrushtoageneral purposetask,thanitistoadaptageneralpurposeairbrushtoadetailtask. NOTE: Althoughreferencedonlyoncebelow,themostve rsatileairbrushesaretheBadgerUniversal360andtheThayer& ChandlerMatrix,whichareefficientinvirtuallyanyairbrushapplication.Thesetwoairbrusheshavetheuniquepatented featureofarotationalfrontendthatenablestheirusageaseither abottomfeed(generalpurpose)airbrushand/oragravityfed (detail)airbrushdependingontheuser’sneedatanygiventimeduringanairbrushingproject. Art - CommercialIllustrationand/orPinUpArt Bestairbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,gravityf eed,internalmix SOTAR2020,RenegadeVelocity(Jet),100G/LG,OMNI4000/5000 Professionalillustration/pinupartisaboutexactdotcontrolandmanipulationmorethanitisaboutfinelines.Generallyamaskingmediumis usedtocreatetheillustration ’sdefined“sharp”edges,andtheairbrushelementofillustrationisaboutfinedotcontrolandmanipulation. Illustrationandpinupartrequiresmaximumairbrushcontrolandfine“soft”dotpatternsthatcanbemoreeasilycontrolledandmanipulated by theillustratortoformtheexactdetailfinishestheartistdesires.A gravityfeed airbrush,thatcanbeoperatedatlowairpressures,is necessaryformaximumcontrol.An internalmix airbrush,thatspraysfinerdots,isnecessarytoachievemaximum spraypatternprecision. Additionally,asmanyillustrationsrequiretheabilitytovaryspraypatternwhilespraying,itisnecessarytousea double/dualaction airbrush forillustrationandpinupartapplications. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Inks ,Watercolors,Dyes,Air - Opaque,Spectratex Art - FineArt Bestairbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix Badger150,155Anthem,175Crescendo,VEGA2000,OMNI3000 Theairbrushisthebestkeptsecretinthefineartworld.Nonetheles s,theairbrushisanexcellenttoolforpaintingcanvasbackdropsand backgrounds.Itisalsoanexcellent,usuallymoreefficient,toolforshadowing,colorgradations,andantiquingeffectsthatarecommoninfine art.Asmanyoftheseeffectsinvolve adjustingspraypatternwhilespraying,a double/dualaction airbrushisusuallybestforfineart applications.Usageofa double/dualaction airbrushdictatesusageofan internalmix airbrush(thereisno double/dualaction externalmix airbrush),whic hisagoodthingbecausean internalmix airbrushisabetterchoicetopreciselyachieveeffectsthataredesiredinfineart applications.Additionally,muchoffineartairbrushusageisgeneralinnatureandcanbemostefficientlydonewitha bottom feed airbrush, usingjustacolorcupforsmallerprojects. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Inks,Watercolors,Dyes,Air - Opaque,Spectratex Art - MuralPainting/LargeCanvas(seeAutomotivecustompaintingformural/largecanvasdetail) Best airbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix Badger150,155Anthem,175Crescendo,VEGA2000,OMNI3000 Muralpaintingisanapplicationthatinvolvestheuseofvaryingtypesofairbrushesfordifferentaspectsofthejob.Asmuralpain tingisalarge scaleapplicationthereareaspectsofitthatarebestdonewithaspraygunratherthanairbrushsimplyduetothelargesprayneedsformost muralbackgrounds.Duetoworksize,spraygunapplicationsaside,thelargerairbrushoriented taskinmuralpaintingareusuallybestdone witha bottomfeed airbrushthatcanaccommodatealargercolorreservoirandperformmoreefficientlyforlargerareacoverageneeds. Regardlessofthescaleofwork,muralartiststillneedtovaryspraypat ternswhilesprayingtobettercreaterealismeffectsandcolor gradations,soa double/dualaction airbrushisusuallypreferableformuralpaintingapplications.Usageofa double/dualaction airbrush dictatestheusageofan internalmix airbrushform uralpaintingairbrushapplications,whichispreferablenonethelessformoreaccuratespray controlandimagecreation.Additionally,withinmanymuralsthereareareasoffinerscaledetail(theartwithintheart),fortheseaspectsof muralpaintingt herecommendationsaboverelatedtoAutomotive/HardSurfaceCustomPaintingcanbeappliedtoairbrushselection. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,Urethanes,Imagineaire,Mural - Air Art - PhotoRe - touching Bestairbrushtype:Double/Duala ction,gravityfeed(orsidefeed),internalmix SOTAR2020,RenegadeVelocity(Jet),100G/LG,OMNI4000/5000,(100,RenegadeSpirit) Professionalphotore - touchingisaboutgoodmaskingtechniqueandexactdotmanipulation.Amaskingmediumisrequired tocreatedefined “sharp”edgeswithinthephotograph,andtheairbrushisthenusedtorecreateoreditdesiredareaswithinthephotograph.Photore - touching requiresmaximumairbrushcontrolandfine“soft”dotpatternsthatcanbemoreeasilymanipula tedandbuiltuptothephotore - toucher’s requirements.A gravityfeed airbrush,thatcanbeoperatedatlowairpressures,isnecessaryformaximumcontrol.Manyphotore - touchers alternativelyuse sidefeed airbrushes,sothe gravityfeed cupdoesnot obstructtheirsightlineforcloseinwork.Theabilitytoswiveltheside feedcupifworkingonacompletelyhorizontalworksurfaceisalsoabenefitofthe sidefeed airbrush.An internalmix airbrush,thatsprays finerdots,isnecessarytoachiev emaximumspraypatternprecision.Additionally,becausephotore - touchingoftenrequirestheabilitytovary spraypatternwhilespraying,itisnecessarytousea double/dualaction airbrushforphotore - touchingapplications. CommonlyUsedMedia – Inks ,Dyes,Acrylics,Air - Opaque Art - T - shirt/TextilePainting Bestairbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix Badger150,155Anthem,175Crescendo,RenegadeRage,VEGA2000,OMNI3000 T - shirtpaintingisahighvolumeapplication.Itis bestdonewitha bottomfeed airbrushthatallowsuseoflargercolorbottlesandquickcolor changes.Becausefabricabsorbspaintrapidly,mostT - shirtartistssprayathigherpressuresallowingforafastermoreproficientworkpace. Additionally,the creativedesignsandfreehandstylingoftenusedinT - shirtartrequirestheabilitytofrequentlyvarytheairbrushesspray patternfromfinetowideandback,soa double/dualaction airbrushisanecessityforT - shirtairbrushing.Formaximumproduct ionefficiency manyT - shirtartistuse“multi - gun”setups,assigninganairbrushtoeachcolortheyregularlyuse. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Spectratex Automotive - HardSurfaceCustomPainting(cars,motorcycles,helmets,skateboards,snowboards ,etc.) Bestairbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,gravityfeed,internalmix Badger100LG,105Patriot,RenegadeVelocity,OMNI4000 Custompaintingisaboutdetails.Forqualitycustomfinishesadetailcapableairbrushiscritical.Detailforanairbrus hartistrelatestotwokey factors – thefirstbeingthequalityandprecisionoftheairbrushitselfandthesecondbeingthecontroltheartisthaswiththeairbrush.There areothercontributingfactors,butthesetwofactorsareparamountinacustom paintingairbrush.Regardingairbrushquality,thereare variousprecisionmadeandperformingairbrushes,includingtheBadgerandThayer&Chandlermodelslistedabove.Inregardstocontrol,a gravityfeed airbrushwillalwaysprovidebetterusercon trol – thusmakinga gravityfeed airbrushamoreproficientcustompaintingairbrush. Becausea gravityfeed airbrushutilizesgravitytopullcolorintotheairbrush,ratherthanthesiphonprocessofa bottomfeed airbrush,the gravityfeed airbrushca nbeoperatedatalowerairpressure.Thisloweroperatingpressureallowsforamoredeliberatehandmovement whenairbrushingthusgivingtheartistgreaterairbrushcontrol,makingdetaileasiertoachieve.Additionally,formanycustompaintingeffe cts itisnecessarytoadjustspraypatternwhilespraying.Suchspraypatternadjustmentismoreeasilyaccomplishedusinga double/dualaction airbrush.Andasafinersofterdot/spraypatternismoredesirableforthefinedetailcustompainting,an i nternalmix airbrushisalsoabetter choiceforcustompaintingairbrushapplications. CommonlyUsedMedia – Lacquers,Urethanes,WaterBourneEnamels,Imagineaire Automotive – MobileTech(Nick/ScratchRepairandTouchUp,InteriorVinylRepair) Bestai rbrushtype(s) – InteriorVinyl:Singleaction,bottomfeed,externalmix - Badger250,Badger350Easy Exteriorlargesurfacearearepair:Singleaction,bottomfeed,externalmix - Badger350Easy Exteriorsmallnick/scratchrepair:Singleaction,bottom feed,internalmix - Badger200Precise,VEGA600 Thekeytoqualitynickandscratchrepairissmoothcolorgradation/buildupandundetectablerepairblending.Someofthisisaccomplished throughfinespotsandingandbuffing,butapreciseuniformsp raypatternisamustwhendoingqualitynickandscratchrepair.Asthis applicationissimplifiedbyfindingandsettingaspraypatternrelativetotherepairsize,itismucheasierandmoreefficientlydoneusinga singleaction airbrush.Additional ly,asnickandscratchrepairofteninvolvesthemixingofcolortoproperlymatchanexistingfinish,most “mobiletechs”finditmoreefficienttousea bottomfeed airbrushsotheycanmixthedesiredcolorinamixingjarandthenattachitdirectlyt o theairbrushtoperformtherepair.Asgenerallyvinylrepairinvolvestheusageofahigherviscositymediaitismoreeasilydoneusingan externalmix airbrush,liketheBadger 250 or 350Easy .The 350Easy isalsosuitableforlargerexteriorrepai rsthatinvolvelargerareasofspray coverage.Smallerexteriornickandscratchtouchupisbestdoneusingproperlyreducedautomotivepaints,whichcanbesprayedthroughan internalmix airbrush,likethe 200Precise or Vega600 tobetterminimizeov ersprayandenableeasiercolorblending.Soforsmallerfiner scratchrepairaninternalmixsingleactionairbrushisbestforthejob. CommonlyUsedMedia – Lacquers,Urethanes,WaterBourneEnamels Bakery - Home/SmallBakeryDecorating(cupcake s,cookies,roundcakes,some¼sheets) Bestairbrushtype:Singleaction*,gravityfeed,internalmixw/freeflowairvalve 100GB/LGB,BakeAir4000/5000,VEGA1000B *thetermsingleactionwhenreferringtospeciallysetupbakeryairbrushesdiffersfrom thantheconventionalairbrushrelateddefinitionof singleaction.Whereassingleactionusuallymeansthetrigger’sonlyfunctionistheon/offforair(passingthroughtheairbrush),inthecaseof speciallysetupbakeryairbrushestheairiscontinu allyon,andflowingthroughtheairbrush,andthetrigger’ssolefunctionisadjustingcolor volumeandspraypatternwidthbyitsbeingmovedbackandforthbythedecorator. Theairbrushistheonlyeffectivetoolforapplyingcreativecolorgradations andstencildesignsonbakerytreats.Whetheraddingcolortocup cakes/cakeedgesorstencilinganameorteamlogoontofondanticecookies,theairbrushisafunandusefultool.Asfiner“softer”sprayis preferableforcreativecontrol,an internal mix airbrushisthebestchoiceforhomeorsmallbakerydecorators.Additionally,mostsmallbakery andhomedecorators’airbrushprojectsaresmallerinsizeandrequiresmallamountsofairbrushfoodcolor – makinga gravityfeed airbrush, thatonlyn eedsafewdropsofcolor,idealforsmallbakery/homedecoratingapplications.Forsmallbakerydecoratorswhomayhave occasionallargerorproductionorientedprojects,alargercup gravityfeed airbrush(100LGBorBakeAir4000)isabetterchoicethan the smallercupairbrushes(100GB,BakeAir5000,orVEGA1000B). Gravityfeed isalsobeneficialformanybakeryairbrushapplicationsbecauseit allowsforlowpressureoperationoftheairbrush,thuseliminatinganypossibledisturbanceoffrostedsurf acesthathigherairpressuresmight cause. Thecontinuousflowofairthroughtheairbrushaidsinpreventingairbrushfoodcolorfromdryingwhiletheairbrushisnotbeing sprayed.Forthisreason,a “bakery”singleaction airbrushisabetterandmor ecommonselectionforsmallbakery/homedecorators. CommonlyUsedMedia – AirbrushFoodColors Bakery - Large/ProductionBakeryCakeDecorating(volume¼sheetsandlarger) Bestairbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix Badger150,Bak eAir3000,175Crescendo,VEGA2000,Badger360,BakeAirMATRIX Productionbakeriesapplyalargevolumeofcoloronalargenumberofsizeablecakes(mostly¼tofullsheet).Becauseoftheamountof airbrushcolorusedinproductionbakeryairbrushappl ications,a bottomfeed airbrushthatallowsusageoflargervolumeattachedjarsisbest. Additionally,asdesiredspraywidthcanvaryondifferentareasofeachcakeandfromcaketocake,dependentoneachcake’sdesign,a double/dualaction airbrush - thatwillenabletheapplicatortovaryspraypatternwhilesprayingisbestforproductionbakeryairbrushing.The primaryreasonairbrushisusedoncakesisitsabilitytoapplycreativecoloreffectswithoutcomingincontactwiththecake’ssurface ,sothe finished/frostedsurfaceisnotdisruptedwhilethecoloreffectsareapplied.Inordertocreatetheoftendesired“soft”colorgradationsand othercreativecoloreffectstheairbrushisusedfor,thefineatomizationpatternofaninternalmix airbrushispreferableinproductionbakery airbrushapplications. CommonlyUsedMedia – AirbrushFoodColors Bakery – Chocolate(cocoabutter) Bestairbrushtype:Singleaction,bottomfeed,externalmix Badger250,Badger350Easy T hecoloringofchocol atecandiesbycoatingthechocolatemoldwithcoloredcocoabuttershasbecomeapopulartechniqueforchocolate artisans.Thetwokeyelementstoperformingthistechniquearetheproperheatingofthecocoabutter(85 - 95degrees)togetittoaspray - a bleviscosity,andtheusageofanexternalmixairbrush.ANINTERNALMIXAIRBRUSH CANNOT BEUSEDEFFECTIVELYTOSPRAYCOCOA BUTTERS.Ifsimplycoatingtheentiremoldtocreateauniformlycoloredchocolateshell,abasicinexpensiveBadger250basicsp raygunisthe bestandeasiesttousetool.IfdesiringtocreatesomecolorgradationsandexteriorshelleffectstheBadger350isabetterchoiceasitallows settingspraywidthvariations,andisstillexternalmixsoitcanspraytheheavierviscos itycocoabutter.Allexternalmixairbrushesaresingle action,sotheyaresimpletolearnanduse.Theyarealsoallbottomfeedandacceptglassjars(33mmmouthsize),thatcanholdalarger volumeofmaterialandcanhandlethelevelsofheatthec ocoabutterhastobeatinordertobesprayed. CommonlyUsedMedia – CocoaButter BaseCoatingandBackdrops - mostapplications Bestairbrushtype:Bottomfeed,internalmix(externalmix) Badger150,155Anthem,175Crescendo,Badger200,VEGA2000,V EGA600,OMNI3000(Badger350) Manyairbrushprojects/applicationsrequirethesprayingofinitialbasecoats.Thisisusuallyanapplicationthatrequiresmorematerialand sprayingathigherpressuresforgreatersprayvolumeifdonebyairbrush.Thus itisbesttousea bottomfeed airbrushthatallowsuseoflarger jarstoholdagreateramountofmaterial.Astheunderlyingbasecoataffectsthefinenessofthefinishappliedoverit,an internalmix airbrush isusuallymoredesirableforbasecoatin gbecauseitwillprovideafinermoreuniformbasesurfaceforairbrushingonto.Asthekeyto applyinggoodbasecoatsisgoodevensurfacecoverage,itdoesnotparticularlymatterifa singleaction or doubleaction airbrushisused.The keytogood basecoatsismoreintheproperapplicationtechnique,whichcanbedonewitheithera singleaction or double/dualaction airbrush.Sotheairbrushselectionforbasecoatingandbackdropsmaybebetterifbasedonwhichairbrushmightbebestforthe balanceof project(ifitcanbedonewiththesameairbrushusedforthebasecoat/backdropapplication).Ifthebalanceoftheproject/applicationis bettersuitedtobedonewitha singleaction or double/dualaction airbrush,usethatairbrushtypefor thebasecoating/backdropapplication aswell.(Forbasecoat/backdropapplicationsinwhichsprayfinenessisnotascriticalassimplyapplyinganevencoatofcoverageinanefficient controlledmanner,a singleaction , bottomfeed , externalmix airbru sh,liketheBadger350,isthemostcosteffectiveairbrushforthejob.) CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,Urethanes,Spectratex,Air - Opaque,MODELflex,Imagineaire Beauty - AirbrushTanning Bestairbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,bott omfeed,internalmix TotallyTan3000,155Anthem,175Crescendo,VEGA2000,(Badger350) Aprofessionalsalonappliedairbrushtangenerallyrequires1 - 1.5oz.oftanningsolutiontocomplete,whichmakesa bottomfeed airbrushwith a2oz.attachedjar - thatwillholdenoughsolutiontocompleteafulltan,thebestfeedselectionforairbrushtanning.Thebestmethodof airbrushtanningistouseabroadersprayonlargerareas(back,torso,upperlegs,etc.)andathinnerspraypatterninmoreintri cateareas (face,feet,underarms,hands,etc.).Inordertocompletebothareatypesefficientlywithasingleairbrusha double/dual actionairbrushisthe bestchoice.Asasoftfinedotatomizationprovidesthebestcontrolandmostefficientuseof solutionfortheairbrushtanningtechnician,an internalmix airbrushisgenerallybestforprofessionalsalontanningtechnicians.(Ininstanceswherespeedandsimplecoveragewithoutmuch attentiontomoreintricateareasissufficient,fortheclien tandtechnician,alessexpensive - lessprecise singleaction , externalmix airbrush canbeusedforapplyingairbrushtansinaless“pampering”manner.) CommonlyUsedMedia – DHATanningSolution,TotallyTan Beauty - BodyArt/TemporaryTattoos Bestai rbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix Badger150,155Anthem,175Crescendo,VEGA2000,BodyArt3000(Badger200Precise,VEGA600) UsageoftheairbrushinbodyartiscomparabletoitsusageinFineArtapplications.Theartistis simplyusingthehumanbodyashis/her canvas.Theairbrushisthebesttoolforapplyingbackground,foundationcolor,shadowingeffectsandcolorgradationsthatarecommonin bodyart.Asmanyoftheseeffectsinvolveadjustingspraypatternwhilesp raying,a double/dualaction airbrushisbestforbodyart.Onthe otherhand,mosttemporarytattooapplicationsaremoreefficientlydonewitha singleaction airbrush(becausemosttemporarytattoosare doneusingstencils).However,mosttemporaryt attooartistsalsodofullbodyart,andwilloccasionallyaddfreehandarttostenciledtattoo designs – somosttemporarytattooartistsstillusea double/dualaction airbrushfortheirtemporarytattooapplications.Usageofa double/dualaction airb rushdictatesusageofan internalmix airbrush(thereisno double/dualaction externalmix airbrush).Aninternalmix airbrushwillprovideafineratomizationpattern,whichallowseasierspraymanipulationandbetterartisticcontrol.Additionally, withthe exceptionofminimalfreehanddetailsprayingmostbodyartairbrushingisgeneralinnatureandcanbemostefficientlydonewitha bottom feed airbrush,usingjustacolorcupforsmallerareasofwork.Whendoingtemporarytattoostheartist willusuallysetupacolorjarwithan adaptorforeachcolortheyareusing – thisfacilitatesfastercolorchanges.(Ifitiscertainalltheairbrushwillbeusedforistheapplicationof stenciledtemporarytattoos,a singleaction , internalmix , b ottomfeed airbrushliketheBadger200PreciseorVEGA600isthebestchoice.) CommonlyUsedMedia – Waterand/orAlcoholBasedBodyPaints,TotallyTattoo,BodyAire Beauty - Cosmetic/Make - upAirbrushing Bestairbrushtype:Single action*,gravity feed,internalmixw/freeflowairvalve 100GC,AirElegance5000,VEGA1000C *thetermsingleactionwhenreferringtospeciallysetupcosmeticairbrushesdiffersfromthantheconventionalairbrushrelateddefinitionof singleaction.Whereassinglea ctionusuallymeansthetrigger’sonlyfunctionistheon/offforair(passingthroughtheairbrush),inthecaseof speciallysetupcosmeticairbrushestheairiscontinuallyon,andflowingthroughtheairbrush,andthetrigger’ssolefunctionisadjust ingcolor volumeandspraypatternwidthbyitsbeingmovedbackandforthbythetechnician. Theairbrushisthemosteffectivetoolforapplyingbeautifulnaturalappearingmake - up.Forthesaloncosmetologist,theatricalmake - up artist,ormortician,w hetherapplyingundetectablefoundationorperfectblushtones,anairbrushisthemostefficienttoolforapplyingperfect make - up.Afine“soft”sprayisrequiredforcreativecontrol.Thusan internalmix airbrushisthebestchoiceforcosmetic/make - up airbrushing.Additionally,ittakesaverysmallamountofairbrushcosmetictocompleteacosmetic/make - upapplication,soasmallcup gravity feed airbrush(100GC,AirElegance5000,orVEGA1000C)thatonlyneedsafewdropsofcosmetic,isidealfo rcosmetic/make - upairbrushing. Gravityfeed isalsobeneficialforcosmeticairbrushapplicationsbecauseitallowsforlowpressureoperationoftheairbrush,thuseliminating anydiscomfort fortheclientthathigherairpressuresmightcause. Thecon tinuousflowofairthroughtheairbrushaidsinpreventingairbrush cosmeticfromdryingwhiletheairbrushisnotbeingsprayed.Forthisreason,a “cosmetic”singleaction airbrushisabetterandmorecommon selectionforcosmetic/make - upairbrushapp lications. CommonlyUsedMedia – AirbrushMake - up,TrueAir(mortuary),AirElegance(salon/glamour),Pixel(HD/theatrical) Beauty - FingernailArt Bestairbrushtype:Double/ Dualaction,gravityfeed,internalmix 100SG/G,RenegadeVelocityJet,VEGA1000 /Nailaire,OMNI5000/Nailaire,105PatriotArrow(200SG,200G) Becauseofthedetailnatureoffingernailairbrushinga gravityfeed , internalmix airbrushisthebest,easiesttouse,airbrushtypeforfingernail airbrushing.A gravityfeed airbrushallo wsbetterusercontrol,andan internalmix airbrushprovidesafineprecisespraypattern,whichis moredesirabletofingernailairbrushartists/technicians.Asmanyfingernailairbrushartists/techniciansdosomefreehandairbrushdesign, mostprefer d ouble/dualaction airbrushesthatallowthemtovarytheirspraypatternwhilespraying.Becauseofthesmallamountofmaterial (only2or3dropsofcoloratatime)andminutesizeoftheartwork,mostfingernailairbrushtechniciansuseairbrusheswit hverysmallorno colorreservoir.Thesesmallcolorreservoirairbrushesallowtheartisttovisuallyworkrightovertheneedle/nozzletip,givingthembetter creativecontrolastheirfingernailairbrushartdevelops.(Ifexclusivelyusingstencils tocreatefingernailairbrushdesigns,a singleaction airbrushiseasierandsimplertolearnanduse) CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Air - Opaque,NailFlair DecorativePainting - Ceramics Bestairbrushtype:Singleaction,bottomfeed,internaland/o rexternalmix Badger350Easy,Badger200Precise,VEGA600 Althoughmanyceramicistusetheairbrushinafineartorientedmanner,forwhichtheabovefineartairbrushrecommendationsapply,most usetheairbrushforbasecoatingandapplyingglazesto theirceramicpieces.Inthesemostcommonceramicapplicationstheartistsimply requiresaconsistentuniformsprayforgoodevensurfacecoverage.Asinothersimilarapplicationsthebesttypeofairbrushforthisusageis aneasytouse singleacti on airbrush.Additionally,becausemostceramicistworkinawiderangeofsizestheyarebestservedtousea bottom feed airbrushthatgivestheabilitytoattachajarforusinglargervolumesofmaterialifthesizeofworktheyaresprayingrequires it.On smallerpiecesthe bottomfeed airbrushcanbeusedwithanattachedcolorcupthatwillallowtheuseofsmalleramountsofmaterial.Often timesthesizeofworkwillcontributetodeterminewhethertheceramicistshouldusean internalmix or e xternalmix airbrush.Forlarger piecesan externalmix airbrush,liketheBadger350,ismoreefficientbecauseofthelargerpatternandgreatermaterialvolumeitiscapableof spraying.Forsmallerceramicpieces,thatan externalmix airbrushmayhi dedetailon,an internalmix airbrush,liketheBadger200,will provideafinermorecontrollablespray. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Glazes,CeramicStains,MODELflex DecorativePainting - Scrapbook/Stenciling Bestairbrushtype:Singleac tion,bottomfeed,internaland/orexternalmix Badger350Easy,Badger200Precise,VEGA600 Theairbrushisauniqueandfunadditiontothecreativitybinofanyscrapbookerorstencilartisan.Whetherbeingusedforaccentingpageor pictureedgesor addingdecorativestencilpatternsoncraft/scrapbookprojects,airbrushingcanbeafunandeasynewtechniqueforthe scrapbook/stencilartisantoaddtotheirartisticprocess.Tosimplifythetechniquea singleaction airbrushisbest.Thestencils willcreate desiredimagesandpatterns,andasimplelightsprayofcoloraroundapicturespaceoronapageedgeareeasilyappliedwiththepre - set spraypatternofa singleaction airbrush.Whereasofterspraypatternforcolorgradationsandstenci lpatternedgingisdesired,an internal mix airbrushwillworkbest.Forlargerstencildesignsorlargerpagecoveragean externalmix airbrushisbest.Asmanyscrabookersworkon multiplepagesduringascrabooksession,a bottomfeed airbrushthatw illholdenoughmaterialtospraymultipleprojectpagesorstencil designsisusuallymoreefficientforscrapbook/stencilairbrushing. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Watercolors,Spectratex,Air - Opaque Dental Bestairbrushtype:Singleaction,bottomf eed,internalmix Badger200Precise,200 - 20,VEGA600Badger350 Theairbrushisusedbymanydentallaboratoriesforthepropercoatingofcrownsandimplantswithporcelainsandveneers.Thisapplication requiresapreciseuniformspraypatterntoensu reevenandcompletecoverageofthedentalenhancement.Thisisbestaccomplishedusinga singleaction airbrushthatprovidesafixedpre - setspraypattern.Asthespraymediaforthisapplicationissometimesofheavierviscosity manydentallabtechn iciansuse externalmix airbrushes,whichareeasiertosprayheavierviscositymaterialsthrough.However,thisgenerally meansmorematerialwillbeusedandtheapplicationcontrolislessrefinedbecauseofthelargeratomizationprocessofthe extern almix airbrush.Otherdentallabtechniciansprefertousean internalmix airbrushthathasamorepreciseatomizationpattern,whichwilluseless materialandprovideafinercoating.Ineithercase,becauseoftheamountofmaterialrequiredinthe coatingofmostdentalenhancements,it ismostcommonandefficientforthedentallaboratoryairbrushtechniciantousea bottomfeed airbrush. CommonlyUsedMedia – porcelain,veneers FishingLurePainting Bestairbrushtype(s) - Singleaction,bottomf eed,internaland/orexternalmix – Badger350Easy,Badger200Precise,200 - 20detail,200gravityfeed Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix – Badger150,Anthem155,Crescendo175,VEGA2000,OMNI3000 Goodfishinglurepaintingisaboutconsist entspraycontrolandevensurfacecoverage.Mostlurepaintersutilizestencilpatternsanduniform spraygradationtocreateattractive“real”lookingfishinglures.Bothofthesetechniquesaremoreeasilydonewitha singleaction airbrush. Formore artisticfreehandlurepainting,itisbesttolearntousea double/dualaction airbrush.Asfinedotsaremostdesirableforsoft gradationsandeasiercolordepthbuilding,an internalmix airbrushisbestformostfishinglurepaintingapplications. Largergamefishlures (andbasiccompletecolorcoatingofsmallerlures)canbeeffectivelydonewithan externalmix airbrush.Manylurepainterspaintmultiple luresatonce,thusmakinguseofa bottomfeed airbrushmoreefficienttominimizehowo ftencolorneedstobere - loaded.Forsmallerlure paintingprojectsacolorcupcanbeusedtoholdthesmalleramountofpaint. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,Urethanes,Woods&Waters(withUVclearcoat) HobbyModelFinish ing - finescaledetail(figures,z/nscaleRR,museum/competitionfinishing) Bestairbrushtype:Double/ Dualaction,gravityfeed,internalmix 100G/LG,105Patriot(Arrow),RenegadeVelocity(Jet),SOTAR2020,VEGA1000,OMNI4000/5000 Thedetailaspect ofmodelfinishingequatestothatofafineillustratorwhohasselectedastaticmodelashisworksurface.Precisedetail modelfinishingrequiresmaximumairbrushcontrolandfine“soft”microscopicdotpatternsthatcanbecontrolledandmanipulated bythe artisttoformtheexactdetailfinishtheartistdesires.A gravityfeed airbrush,thatcanbeoperatedatlowairpressures,isnecessaryfor maximumcontrol.An internalmix airbrush,thatspraysfine“hair - line”dots,isnecessarytoachieve maximumspraypatternprecision. Additionally,asmanydetailfinishingapplicationsrequiretheabilitytovaryspraypatternwhilespraying,itisrecommendablethattheartist usea double/dualaction airbrushfordetailorientedfinescalemodelfinis hingapplications. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,MODELflex(freakflex,Marine&MilitaryMODELflex) HobbyModelFinishing - prototypicalfinishes,simplecolorcoatapplication,figurebasecoating Bestairbrushtype(s):SingleAction, bottomfeed,internalmix Badger200Precise,200 - 20detail,200gravityfeed,VEGA600 Ifonlyapplyingprototypicalfinishesonmodelsorbasecoatingfigures,anairbrushthatcanapplysimpleevencoatsofcolorisbestandmost costeffective.Thi smakesa singleaction airbrushthatprovidesapre - setspraypatternforuniformcolorcoverageanexcellentchoiceforthis application.Inordertoachievemodeldetailenhancement,ratherthanhidemodeldetail,an internalmix airbrushthatprovides finercolor atomizationispreferable.Thechoiceof bottomfeed or gravityfeed isdependentonthescaleofmodelbeingfinished.Mediumtolarge scalesaremostefficientlyfinishedusinga bottomfeed airbrush,whereassmallscalescanbedoneusing a gravityfeed airbrushwithasmall colorreservoirbecauseverylittlepaintisrequiredtofinishanentiresmallscalemodelorbasecoataminiaturefigure.Itisnotuncommonfor smallscalemodelerstouse bottomfeed airbrusheswithcolorcupsin steadofjars,ratherthantryingtolocatesometimehardtofindsingle action gravityfeed airbrushes.Either gravityfeed or bottomfeed airbrushescanbeusedtoproperlyapplypreciseevencoatsofcolorfor prototypicalmodelfinishingorfigurebas ecoating. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,MODELflex(freakflex,Marine&MilitaryMODELflex),RC - Air Rememberbecauseofthegreatercontrolenabledbyagravityfeeddetailairbrush;youaregenerallymoreabletoadaptadetail airbru shtoageneralpurposetask,thanyouareabletoadaptageneralpurposeairbrushtoadetailtask. HobbyModelFinishing - RadioControl(lexanbodies/canopies) Bestairbrushtype(s) - SingleAction,bottomfeed,internalmix – Badger200Precise,Vega 600 Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix – Badger150,155Anthem,175Crescendo,RenegadeRage,VEGA2000,OMNI3000 Thesameairbrushesthatarebestforstaticmodelprototypicalfinishapplicationsarealsothebestairbrushesforairbrushing RadioControl (RC)car/planebodiesandhelicoptercanopies.ThedifferenceinpaintingRCsubjectsisthattheapplicationofcolorisinreverse – meaningthe colortoappearontopisthefirstcolorapplied.RCsubjectsarepaintedontheirundersid ewiththefirstcolorappliedbeingthemostvisible whenthebody/canopyisviewedfromitsoutside.Theactualapplicationofcolorismostsimilartoapplyingniceevencoatsofcolorasin prototypicalstaticmodelfinishing.Thisisbestdoneusing a singleaction airbrushthatprovidesapre - setspraypatternforuniformcolor application.MuchofthegraphicarteffectsappliedtoRCbodies/canopiesisdonethroughtheuseofmaskingmediumsthatcreatethegraphic imagetoagreaterextentthan theairbrushdoes.ForRCbody/canopyfinisheshavingartisticcolorgradationsandfreehandeffects,usageofa double/dualaction airbrushishighlyrecommended.Thefinedotpatternofan internalmix airbrushismostpreferableinRCbody/canopy pai ntingsothecolordepthcanbecarefullybuiltuptothepainter’sdesire.AsmostRCbody/canopypaintingismediumtolargeinitsscale,a bottomfeed airbrushisusuallymoreefficient.Theprimaryexceptionissmallerslotcarbodies,whichrequire muchlesspaintandcanbe efficientlydonewitha gravityfeed airbrush.Manyslotcarpainterssimplyuse bottomfeed airbrusheswithcolorcupsinsteadofjars. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,MODELflex(freakflex,Marine&Milita ryMODELflex),RC - Air HobbyModelFinishing - scenery/structure(dioramaandlayout),modelbases Bestairbrushtype:Singleaction,bottomfeed,internaland/orexternalmix Badger350Easy,Badger200Precise,VEGA600 Applyingpainttoscenery,structur es,and/ormodelbasesisusuallyasimplebasicprocessrequiringaconsistentuniformspraypatternapplied fromanequaldistanceacrosstheentirepaintedsurface.Thistypeofapplicationismostefficientlydonewitha singleaction airbrushthat en ablesusageofapre - setspraypattern.Additionally,theseapplicationsofteninvolveusageofmorematerial,whichusuallymeanstheyare bestdonewitha bottomfeed airbrushthatenablesusageofmorepaintthroughuseofanupto2ounceattachedjar .Thedeterminationof whattypemixairbrushismostdependentonthescalebeingworkedon.GenerallyforScenery,structures,andbasesforHO/1/35 th scaleor smalleran internalmix airbrushisbestasitenhancesdetailwellstillprovidingabroa denoughspraypatterntoefficientlyfinishapiecefroma timestandpoint.Forlargerscales,wheredetailsaremorepronouncedbecauseofthelargerscale,an externalmix airbrushcanbeused effectivelyandisgenerallyalessexpensiveoptionthant he internalmix airbrush. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,MODELflex(freakflex,Marine&MilitaryMODELflex) Industrial - lowvolume/smallscaleproduction Bestairbrushtype(s) - Singleaction,bottomfeed,internalmix – Badger200 Precise,VEGA600 Double/DualAction,bottomfeed,internalmix – 155Anthem,VEGA2000 Anythingproductionwillusuallyinvolvetheusageoflargervolumesofmedia,soitwillbemoreefficientlydonewitha bottomfeed airbrush. Assmaller,non - baseco at,productionprojects(i.e.;sprayingstripesonstuffedanimalsorresintoys,codingormarkingapplications)usually requiresmallermorecontrolledspraypatternstheyareusuallymore internalmix airbrushspraypatternoriented.Iftheapplication project requiresrecurringusageofauniformspraypatternitwillbemostefficientlyandcosteffectivelydonewitha singleaction airbrush.However, iftheproductionprojectdoesrequireavarianceofthespraypatternthroughouttheproductionpro cessitwillrequirelearningandusageofa double/dualaction airbrush. Industrial - non - spraygunhighvolumeproduction Bestairbrushtype(s) - Singleaction,bottomfeed,externalmix – Badger350Easy Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix – 1 75Crescendowithlargeneedle/nozzle,VEGA2000withlarge(#5)needle/nozzle Anythingproductionwillusuallyinvolvetheusageoflargervolumesofmedia,soitwillbemoreefficientlydonewitha bottomfeed airbrush. Aslarger,non - basecoat,prod uctionprojects(i.e.;markingconstructionequipment,stencilingshippingcrates)usuallyrequirewiderspray patternstomaximizeproductionspeedandefficiencytheyareusuallybetterdonewithan externalmix airbrush,oralargenozzle internalmix a irbrush.Iftheapplicationprojectrequiresrecurringusageofauniformspraypatternitwillbemostefficientlyandcosteffectivelydonewith a singleaction airbrush.However,iftheproductionprojectdoesrequireavarianceofthespraypatternt hroughouttheproductionprocessit mayrequirelearningandusageofa double/dualaction airbrush. SignPainting Bestairbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,bottomfeed,internalmix Badger150,155Anthem,175Crescendo,VEGA2000,OMNI3000 Everycomplete servicesignshopshouldhaveanduseanairbrush.Insignpaintingtheairbrushcanbeusedforhighlights,colorgradations, andfreehandart - suchasairbrushedletteringorimagecreation.Signpaintingapplicationsareverysimilartobothmural paintingandT - shirt airbrushing.Thesameairbrushesthatarebestforthoseapplicationsarealsobestforsignpainting. Double/dualaction triggeringenables sprayadjustmentwhilespraying,whichisnecessaryformostsignpaintingapplications.An internalmix airbrushprovidesafinermoreprecise atomization,whichispreferredformanyoftheartisticeffectsusedinsignairbrushing.Andlastly,becauseofthesizablenatureofmostsign paintingprojects,a bottomfeed airbrushthatcanhold largeramountsofmaterialisbestforsignairbrushingapplications. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,Urethanes,Spectratex,Imagineaire TaxidermyandWoodcarvingDetailFinishing Bestairbrushtype:Double/Dualaction,gravityfeed,int ernalmix SOTAR2020,RenegadeVelocity(Jet),100G/LG,OMNI4000/5000,VEGA1000 Taxidermyandwoodcarving(reallifesculptureanddecoy)detailpaintingisaboutexactreplicationofreallifeappearanceandcharacteristic. Forperfectaccuracyafine atomizing,absolutecontrolproviding,airbrushisnecessary.Thismeansusageofa gravityfeed internalmix airbrushthatcanbeoperatedatverylowairpressureandspraymicroscopicdots.Additionally,manyrealisticeffectsinvolveprecise undetect ablecolorgradationsthatrequiretheabilitytovaryspraypatternwidthduringthepaintingprocess.Thesetechniquescanbemore easilyandefficientlydonethroughlearningandusageofa double/dualaction airbrush.Theabovelistedairbrushesare allexcellentfor taxidermyandwoodcarvingdetail,andareregularlyusedbyWorldChampiontaxidermistsandwoodcarvers. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,Woods&Waterstaxidermypaint TaxidermyBaseCoatApplications(seebasecoating ) WoodworkingandAntiquing Bestairbrushtype:Singleaction,bottomfeed,internaland/orexternalmix Badger350Easy,Badger200Precise,VEGA600 Theairbrushisanexcellenttoolforapplyingbasecoatsandproperlyreducedsealerstowoodwork.Itp rovidesafarmorecontrolledspray thanspraycans,andenablesprecisecolorgradationsforartisticeffectandantiquing.Theairbrushisalsoanefficientcontrolledspraytoolfor stencilingpatternsoftenusedinwoodworkingaswellaslawnornament production.Asmostwoodworkapplicationsaremostefficientlydone withacontrolledpre - setspraypatterna singleaction airbrushisbestsuitedforwoodworkapplications,andasthereislittleifanyfinitedetail intheseapplicationsa bottomfeed airbrush,accommodatinglargerjars,willallowformoreefficientworkatafasterpace.Thetypeofmix fortheairbrushisdependentontheuser’sneedforafinerdot/spraypattern( internalmix )versusalargerbroaderspraypattern( externalmix ) forfaster“heavier”colorcoverage.Forantiquing,an internalmix airbrushwillprovidebetterspraycontrolandmoreprecisecolorgradations. CommonlyUsedMedia – Acrylics,Enamels,Lacquers,Urethanes,WoodStains,Spectratex,Air - Opaque TECHNIC ALANDTECHNIQUETROUBLESHOOTINGTIPS:cause/correctivemeasure 1)Bubblingincolorreservoir(colorcuporjar): A.Damagednozzleseal/Makecertainthepainttipisproperlyseatedintheangledrecessoftheairbrushbody,andthatall surfacesb etweenthetwocomponentsareclearedofanydebrisandarenotmarredorscratched. B.Tipdry/Removethedriedpaintfromthepainttipbypickingitoffwithyourfingernailsorsprayingcleanerthroughtheairbrush. Iftipdryoccursfrequentlyi nyourapplication,itishelpfultokeepapaintbrushandsmallcontainerofwaternearbytowetthepaint tipwhennecessarytogetyourairbrushsprayingproperlyagain.Tipdrywilloccurmorefrequentlyduringdetailairbrushing applications,andwh ensprayingathigherairpressures. C.Incorrectsprayregulatoralignment/Tightenorloosenyoursprayregulatorin¼turnorlesserincrementstodetermineifthatis thecauseoftheproblem.Ifitis,yourairbrushwillstopbubblingandspray properly onceyouhitthesprayregulator’s“sweetspot”. D.Splitpainttip/Replacethepainttip. 2)Off - centerspray: A.Bentneedletip/Carefullyattempttostraightentheneedletip.Agroovedsharpeningstoneisaneffectivedevicefor str aighteningbentairbrushneedletips.Ifyouareunabletostraightentheneedletip,areplacementneedlewillneedtobeinstalled tocorrecttheoff - centersprayconcern. 3)Aironbutnocolorspraying: A.Swollenordamagedairvalveo - ring/Ifa irvalveor - ringisswollenduetosoakingairbrushallowittodryout.Itmayreturntoits correctsize.Ifo - ringdoesnotreturntoitscorrectsizeorisdamagedandnotfunctioningproperly,itneedstobereplaced. 4)Media/colorseepingtorear ofairbrush: A.DamagedorwornPTFEinnerseal/Tighteninnersealadjustmenttorestoresealaroundairbrushneedleandstopseepageof media/colortotherearoftheairbrush.Ifsealisnotadjustable,itneedstobereplaced. 5)Spraywillnotsh utoffand/oroccurswithoutslidingthetriggerback: A.Improperseatingoftheneedleinthepainttip/Re - seattheneedlebylooseningtheneedlelockingnutandslidingtheneedle forwarduntilitstopsandseatsinthenozzletip,thenre - tighten theneedlelockingnut.DONOTUSEFORCEwhenseatingthe needleinthenozzletip,whenitstopsitshouldbeseatedproperly. B.“Flared”painttip/Itisnecessarytoreplacethenozzletip. C.Partialtipdry/Removethedriedpaintfromtheneedl e/nozzletipbypickingitoffwithyourfingernailsorsprayingcleaner throughtheairbrush.Iftipdryoccursfrequentlyinyourapplication,itmaybehelpfultokeepapaintbrushandsmallcontainerof waternearbytowetthenozzleandgetyourai rbrushsprayingproperlyagainwhennecessary.Tipdrywilloccurmorefrequentlyin detailairbrushingapplications. 6)Spraypatternpulsation: A.Damagedseal/Lowlevelsofairleakagearecommon,andshouldnotadverselyaffectanairbrush’ss prayperformance.Check allthreadedpartsandsealstoensurethereisnoexcessiveairleakageatanyofthesepoints.Theairhoseconnectionatthe airbrushshouldbeproperlysealed.Ifthereisairleakageatthisconnection,itcanbeeffectively sealedwiththewrappingofPTFE “plumber’s”tapearoundthemalethreadedpart.Theairbrushalsohasaninnersealthattheneedlepassesthrough.Ifthe airbrush’sinnersealisnotsealingproperly,itneedstobereplaced.Thisreplacementisdone insertingasmallflat - headscrew driverintothebacksideoftheairbrushbodyandremovingtheoldsealbyturningitcounterclock - wiseuntilitcomesout,then insertingthenewsealintothebackoftheairbrushbodyandturningitclock - wisetosecu reitintoplace. B.Inconsistentmediaviscosity/paintshouldbeadjustedtopropersprayingviscosity.Theruleofthumbforpreparingmediafor airbrushingistothintotheequivalentviscosityofskimmilk.Asstartingpaintviscositiesvaryfro mcolortocolor,evenwithinthe samepaintbrand,itisbesttoavoidfixedthinningratios. C.Inadequateairsupply/itmaybenecessarytorepairorreplacetheairsupply. 7)Airleakageatthreadedconnection: A.Partsnotsecurelytightened /Onfingertightassemblynozzles,firmlygripconnectingpartsinfingersandtighten.Some nozzles/componentsmayrequireawrench/plierstotighten.Itisadvisabletopadthewrench/plierstoavoidmarringorstrippingthe components. B.Threads notsealed/someairbrushes,designedwitheasiermaintenancefingertightassemblynozzles,willhaveslightair leakageatnozzleconnections.Thisslightairleakageisexpectedandincorporatedintothenozzle’sdesign.Airleakageisa concernift heairbrushdoesnotatomizeproperly.Ininstanceswheretheairbrushdoesnotatomizeproperly - iftheairleakageis atthenozzle,itisrecommendedtosealthenozzlethreadswithbee’swaxorchapstick.Iftheairleakageisatthehose/valve casi ngconnection,itisrecommendedtowrapthemalethreadsoftheconnectionwithPTFE“plumber’stape”. 8)Grainyspray: A.Medianotproperlythinned/Mediashouldbetheviscosityequivalentofskimmilktosprayproperly.Addtheappropriate th inningagenttoreducethemediatoaspray - ableviscosity. B.Inadequateairpressure/makesureyourairsourceissupplyingadequateairpressure:Gravityfeedairbrush10 - 30psi/Bottom feedairbrush20 - 40psi 9)Dotblotchingorspatteringatbegi nningorendofspraying: A. Nozzlefloodedwithmedia/“flooding”thenozzleoccurswhentheairbrushisnottriggeredproperly.Itisimportanttolearnand usecorrectairbrushtriggeringtechnique - makesuretoalwaysreturnthetriggertothefo rward(coloroff)positionbeforereleasing thetriggertoturnoffair. 10)Centipede/spiderspraypatternsorbucklingsurface: A.Paintistoothin/remixpaintorstartwithfreshpaintthatisproperviscosityforspraying. B.Toomuchmediare leasedwhilesprayingclosetothesurface/takecaretonotslidetriggerbacktoofar,releasingtoomuch media,whenworkingclosetothesurface. C.Mediaappliedtooheavily/applymediainlighter/softercoats – allowingonecoattodrybeforeapp lyinganother. 11)“Barbell”spraypatterns,flaredspraypatternends,and/orcurvedspraypattern: A.Impropertriggeringtechnique/besuretobeginhandmovementbeforeslidingtriggerbacktoreleasecolor,anddonotstopyour handmovementbefo rereturningtriggertotheforwardpositiontoturnoffcolorflow.Thiscanonlybecorrectedthroughpracticeof propertriggeringtechniques. B.Turningwristatendspraystrokeorarcingclosertothesurfaceduringthespraystroke/learnprope rtriggeringtechniqueand practice,practice,practice! www.BadgerAirBrush.com