paint sprayer question

[masterKamera]

If acrylic can go on evenly with a brush, does sprayer even become necessary for quality painting?

Years ago i remember reading about a company that was making a spray gun attachment for "air in a can"

[Bughunter]

I strongly advise to paint with an airbrush.
A good paint job is much easier to achieve with an airbrush and painting with an airbrush is really a fun part of the hobby.
The investment needed is no more so high now as in earlier times as there are good starter sets around. The airbrush is used now in more areas, e.g. nail art, so this helps to bring the prices down.

With an airbrush you can paint in very thin layers, so less paint is needed -> money saved

Just my 2 Cents,
Frank

[masterKamera]

i havent had experience with a modern airbrush system, the only airbrush compressor i have dealt with was a rather big one that weighed abou 11 pounds.

Is there a place to go to get actual reviews on the amazon mini portable airbrush compressor kits they are selling these days? Im worried about NOISE levels as most of my modelling will be done at night.

[Dirigible-Al]

Airbrushes are not very noisy and neither are the compressors, if you have your TV or radio on at night it probably would not be as lowd. I cannot say much about spraying from a can, I did it when I was a kid and actually have an unused can of air somewhere in the house. The thing with compressors is they do not run out of air, the pressure is constant and in the long run they are cheaper because you only have to buy one. I cannot help you much re reviews I spent some time looking at UTube tutorials on airbrush techniques and if I recall some of the tutors said what model they use.
Alan.

[WD]

masterKamera,
                      Any advice on airbrushing is dependent on location, altitude, temperature, humidity levels, etc. What works for someone in Cornwall, UK will not work for someone in Denver, Colorado, or for someone in Brisbane, Australia. Since we don't know your location, or any other details, it's hard to give advice. I cannot stress strongly enough that you look into the articles by Dr. John Miller of Model Paint Solutions ( https://modelpaintsol.com/  ) aka "Dr. Strangebrush",and this goes double if you plan on airbrushing acrylic paints. (BTW, the term "acrylic" can mean so many different things.)
He's had several great interviews on the Plastic Model Mojo podcast which have helped me, and he's very responsive to help folks that write him through his website.

Just my two kopecks,

HTH, YMMV,

WD

[masterKamera]

masterKamera,
                      Any advice on airbrushing is dependent on location, altitude, temperature, humidity levels, etc. What works for someone in Cornwall, UK will not work for someone in Denver, Colorado, or for someone in Brisbane, Australia. Since we don't know your location, or any other details, it's hard to give advice. I cannot stress strongly enough that you look into the articles by Dr. John Miller of Model Paint Solutions ( https://modelpaintsol.com/  ) aka "Dr. Strangebrush",and this goes double if you plan on airbrushing acrylic paints. (BTW, the term "acrylic" can mean so many different things.)
He's had several great interviews on the Plastic Model Mojo podcast which have helped me, and he's very responsive to help folks that write him through his website.

Just my two kopecks,

HTH, YMMV,

WD

that is a decent site you linked to, but the constant sales pitch throws off the whole game.

 im in michigan usa.  hot and moisty in summer, and cold and dry or cold and damp rest of the year.

[WD]

masterKamera,
                      Any advice on airbrushing is dependent on location, altitude, temperature, humidity levels, etc. What works for someone in Cornwall, UK will not work for someone in Denver, Colorado, or for someone in Brisbane, Australia. Since we don't know your location, or any other details, it's hard to give advice. I cannot stress strongly enough that you look into the articles by Dr. John Miller of Model Paint Solutions ( https://modelpaintsol.com/  ) aka "Dr. Strangebrush",and this goes double if you plan on airbrushing acrylic paints. (BTW, the term "acrylic" can mean so many different things.)
He's had several great interviews on the Plastic Model Mojo podcast which have helped me, and he's very responsive to help folks that write him through his website.

Just my two kopecks,

HTH, YMMV,

WD

that is a decent site you linked to, but the constant sales pitch throws off the whole game.

 im in michigan usa.  hot and moisty in summer, and cold and dry or cold and damp rest of the year.

Similar to what I get here in Western Kentucky.
Lot's of great info on his site. If you're more of an auditory learner, or just want a good listen, here are the PMM podcasts he was on:

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/7474723-plastic-model-mojo-episode-30-dr-strangebrush

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/8475404-plastic-model-mojo-episode-37-return-of-dr-strangebrush

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/9412146-plastic-model-mojo-episode-49-revenge-of-dr-strangebrush

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/9955779-plastic-model-mojo-episode-56-dr-strangebrush-files-1

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/10400405-plastic-model-mojo-episode-61-dr-strangebrush-files-5-in-the-clear

If you go to the Model Paint Solutions website, he usually has a breakdown of each episode so you can fast forward to different parts so you don't have to listen to the other stuff. I have to say, that PMM is the best two hours of plastic modeling listening I enjoy each month. I follow three to four scale modeling podcasts, and this one is my favorite.

I hope this helps you out. I'm deep in the learning curve of the ins and outs of relearning how to airbrush myself and learning how to use my double-action airbrush, so I feel your pain!

Let me know here of via PM if I can help you in any way, or if you just want to bend the ear of someone learning this stuff too.

WD

[masterKamera]

masterKamera,
                      Any advice on airbrushing is dependent on location, altitude, temperature, humidity levels, etc. What works for someone in Cornwall, UK will not work for someone in Denver, Colorado, or for someone in Brisbane, Australia. Since we don't know your location, or any other details, it's hard to give advice. I cannot stress strongly enough that you look into the articles by Dr. John Miller of Model Paint Solutions ( https://modelpaintsol.com/  ) aka "Dr. Strangebrush",and this goes double if you plan on airbrushing acrylic paints. (BTW, the term "acrylic" can mean so many different things.)
He's had several great interviews on the Plastic Model Mojo podcast which have helped me, and he's very responsive to help folks that write him through his website.

Just my two kopecks,

HTH, YMMV,

WD

that is a decent site you linked to, but the constant sales pitch throws off the whole game.

 im in michigan usa.  hot and moisty in summer, and cold and dry or cold and damp rest of the year.

Similar to what I get here in Western Kentucky.
Lot's of great info on his site. If you're more of an auditory learner, or just want a good listen, here are the PMM podcasts he was on:

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/7474723-plastic-model-mojo-episode-30-dr-strangebrush

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/8475404-plastic-model-mojo-episode-37-return-of-dr-strangebrush

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/9412146-plastic-model-mojo-episode-49-revenge-of-dr-strangebrush

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/9955779-plastic-model-mojo-episode-56-dr-strangebrush-files-1

https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/754676/10400405-plastic-model-mojo-episode-61-dr-strangebrush-files-5-in-the-clear

If you go to the Model Paint Solutions website, he usually has a breakdown of each episode so you can fast forward to different parts so you don't have to listen to the other stuff. I have to say, that PMM is the best two hours of plastic modeling listening I enjoy each month. I follow three to four scale modeling podcasts, and this one is my favorite.

I hope this helps you out. I'm deep in the learning curve of the ins and outs of relearning how to airbrush myself and learning how to use my double-action airbrush, so I feel your pain!

Let me know here of via PM if I can help you in any way, or if you just want to bend the ear of someone learning this stuff too.

WD

Dr Strangebrush has pretty much helped me figure out the air compressor i should try to get based on my needs. Same one he uses.

Paint is actually as bad as shaving forums arguing over what constitutes a "barber shop" scent.

[KiwiZac]

shaving forums

You learn something every day!

[WD]

shaving forums

You learn something every day!

Same here! I had no idea!  I guess there's a forum for everything. (FWIW, I quit using "shaving cream" years ago and swithed to shaving soap and a boar bristle brush. Closest shave I've ever had and smooth as a baby's butt. Your madness may vary.)

The thing I like about John Miller is he's a retired chemist. I worked in a lab in college, and for our tests to be valid, they had to be consistent and repeatable. OTOH, a lot of advice you get about airbrushing, i.e.: thin to the consistency of skim milk, is all but useless IMHO. John Miller comes from a lab background, and it shows. My airbrushing has improved greatly since listening to him, or going back to his website. If you're going to spray acrylics, it's the place to be.

I hope I've been a help in directing you there.

WD

[masterKamera]

shaving forums

You learn something every day!

Same here! I had no idea!  I guess there's a forum for everything. (FWIW, I quit using "shaving cream" years ago and swithed to shaving soap and a boar bristle brush. Closest shave I've ever had and smooth as a baby's butt. Your madness may vary.)

The thing I like about John Miller is he's a retired chemist. I worked in a lab in college, and for our tests to be valid, they had to be consistent and repeatable. OTOH, a lot of advice you get about airbrushing, i.e.: thin to the consistency of skim milk, is all but useless IMHO. John Miller comes from a lab background, and it shows. My airbrushing has improved greatly since listening to him, or going back to his website. If you're going to spray acrylics, it's the place to be.

I hope I've been a help in directing you there.

WD

A major help in pointing me to him. Very likable fellow, surprised he is not on model forums. I will admit i dont understand his reasoning behind some of his paint to thinner/flow ratios, but its far better then "thin to consistency of skim milk".

I just dont go to "skim" milk.

But yes, shaving forums are real, and are really really bad.  Best way to put it for a quick reference, 50 guys screaming at each other over the "proper" way to hold a razor when you shave, or change the blade.  You really want to see a zoo, ask for the "right consistency of lather"

[WD]

masterKamera,
                        His primary reasoning with his thinner/flow ratios are to enable consistent fine-line work (1mm paint line) and to prevent tip-dry when using water-based acrylics in an airbrush which you'll get if you don't get the pressures for spraying and paint thinned just right which, as he'll tell you, differs from place to place.
 
I'll say this: when you order from him, he'll throw in freebies and a handwritten note every time. My sis-in-law, who's been a successful commercial artist for 40+ years and a spook for US Army Spec Ops Command, has started ordering from him and loves the guy, really impressed by his knowledge, professionalism, and products.

I have no connection to this guy other than being a very satisfied customer and as someone that's benefited greatly from his help.

WD