Larger scales = different airbrush?

[YellowHound]

I will have a couple of new car kits to build in 2025, namely a 1/12 Lancia Stratos and a 1/8th Trans Am.

Current airbrush is a Harder&Steenbeck Evolution 2024 CRPlus with a 0.45mm needle.

Given the larger scales will call for a lot more paint coverage, and I'm likely to build more at larger scales, should I be looking to get another airbrush to give a higher paint coverage?

Actually I'm very attracted by the idea of a fan pattern brush.

If so, what should I be looking at?

Thanks!

Edited December 18, 2024 by YellowHound

[Shark]

Me personally, I use a small automotive paint gun, most call it a door jamb gun. I've got one at Harbor Freight and it works good. You can crank the air pressure down at the gun and the pattern and volume have a wide range of adjustment. I have shot enamels, lacquer and base coat / clear coat with it. Had mine awhile, but I think it was about $40.

[YellowHound]

6 hours ago, Shark said:

Me personally, I use a small automotive paint gun, most call it a door jamb gun. I've got one at Harbor Freight and it works good. You can crank the air pressure down at the gun and the pattern and volume have a wide range of adjustment. I have shot enamels, lacquer and base coat / clear coat with it. Had mine awhile, but I think it was about $40.

Thanks. Do you know what flow rate your gun needs?

All of the small spray guns I have looked at need an air flow rate beyond what my compressor can achieve.

The more I think about it, and the more I research it, the more I am convinced a fan spray pattern (air)brush would be a good purchase.

[robdebie]

Assuming you're using enamel paint, I would recommend a Paasche H. It's based on this video, showing the 'Donn Yost' technique. I tried it, and it works really well. All enamel paints came out super glossy and shiny, something I never achieved with my other airbrushes. You do have to crank open the nozzle for the final layer. It's a fairly cheap airbrush, give it a try!

Rob

 

 

 

[NOBLNG]

I have a Paasche H and although it is a really great airbrush, it may be a little small for 1/8 scale projects. Here is a video that may give you some good info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0dKHxv0gGo

[Big_John]

I've had a Paasche H since the late 60's and have always loved it.  When I started using acrylics, I started using a Paasche Talon as the H really didn't work as well for that.  The gravity fed Talon just works better for acrylics.  I also bought a fan air cap for it the Talon that I use all the time and while I don't due larger scales,  the fan gives a wider pattern that I think would work. 

I've used door jam guns, but not for  modeling.  They work great for some 1:1 stuff I've done and and an entry level could easily be a Harbor Freight version.  At $15 for a gravity fed jam gun, it's worth a try.  FWIW, I've used their larger HLVP purple guns and they do a great job and if they get too dirty, you  toss it.  

Paasche fan air cap.

[deuces wild]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

I have a Paasche H and although it is a really great airbrush, it may be a little small for 1/8 scale projects. Here is a video that may give you some good info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0dKHxv0gGo

Wow, Thank you sir!!!!....🙂👍

[deuces wild]

1 hour ago, Big_John said:

I've had a Paasche H since the late 60's and have always loved it.  When I started using acrylics, I started using a Paasche Talon as the H really didn't work as well for that.  The gravity fed Talon just works better for acrylics.  I also bought a fan air cap for it the Talon that I use all the time and while I don't due larger scales,  the fan gives a wider pattern that I think would work. 

I've used door jam guns, but not for  modeling.  They work great for some 1:1 stuff I've done and and an entry level could easily be a Harbor Freight version.  At $15 for a gravity fed jam gun, it's worth a try.  FWIW, I've used their larger HLVP purple guns and they do a great job and if they get too dirty, you  toss it.  

Paasche fan air cap.

Those can't be cleaned????.....

[Big_John]

16 minutes ago, deuces wild said:

Those can't be cleaned????.....

Yes, they can be cleaned, and I do clean them,  but there comes a point with a $10 (on sale) spray gun gets gunked up enough that it's cost effective to toss it.  It depends on how much paint work you do and how well you clean it between uses.  

 

[Monty]

The Gaahleri Swallowtail comes with .28, .5 and .7 needles.  

Review: 

 

[Shark]

You asked about air pressure, I adjust it until it feels right, no gauge, just a disposable inline filter. I use my large 20 gallon compressor when painting with the jamb gun, and shooting automotive paint on car models.

Edited December 19, 2024 by Shark

[gotnitro?]

I was also gonna suggest the Gaahleri swallowtail. I just received mine and dying to try it. 

[Dave G.]

The H with #5 tip will do the job fine. Just don't try to use it with a tankless hobby compressor, because that 1.05 tip set with the unrestricted H body flows more air than the compressor can steadily supply, without sputtering splattered paint at your car.

[TransAmMike]

12 hours ago, Dave G. said:

The H with #5 tip will do the job fine. Just don't try to use it with a tankless hobby compressor, because that 1.05 tip set with the unrestricted H body flows more air than the compressor can steadily supply, without sputtering splattered paint at your car.

Hi Dave, maybe off topic but since you mentioned "sputtering splattered" paint does low air pressure cause that to happen?  Sprayed Mr. Hobby lacquer paint a couple days ago on the '57 Chevy I'm now doing and experienced a bit of that issue.

[Dave G.]

On 12/20/2024 at 8:05 PM, TransAmMike said:

Hi Dave, maybe off topic but since you mentioned "sputtering splattered" paint does low air pressure cause that to happen?  Sprayed Mr. Hobby lacquer paint a couple days ago on the '57 Chevy I'm now doing and experienced a bit of that issue.

In the example you quoted, the spatter is from pulsing air pressure that is insufficient to begin with. So with that off the table we move on, assuming ability to set nice even pressure setting.

Paint viscosity and air pressure go together. So in other words, paint thinning and pressure. Lacquer can usually be thinned at least 1/1, often more. From there several variables can be introduced, from paint straining to airbrush model, tip size and air pressure accordingly. Some airbrushes were never intended to be super low pressure devices, though people manage to force them to work. It probably isn't the ideal.

But at the head of all that is thinning lacquers enough.. Some lacquers can take two times their volume in thinner and still go on great, if not even better.

To me shooting lacquer equals more thinning than expected and then shooting it with your finest atomizing tip. In fact my favorite tip is a Badger .25 ( not because it's a .25 but because it my best atomizing tip). You can even see in the mist how well atomized it is, and the over spray around the main body of paint hitting the surface of the model says it all. Super fine feathering, even, no flyer droplets etc. 18 psi. Just sayin. I'm sure others have their stories about the sweetest needle tip for lacquers combo in their brand as well.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Dave G.

[TransAmMike]

 

9 hours ago, Dave G. said:

In the example you quoted, the spatter is from pulsing air pressure that is insufficient to begin with. So with that off the table we move on, assuming ability to set nice even pressure setting.

Paint viscosity and air pressure go together. So in other words, paint thinning and pressure. Lacquer can usually be thinned at least 1/1, often more. From there several variables can be introduced, from paint straining to airbrush model, tip size and air pressure accordingly. Some airbrushes were never intended to be super low pressure devices, though people manage to force them to work. It probably isn't the ideal.

But at the head of all that is thinning lacquers enough.. Some lacquers can take two times their volume in thinner and still go on great, if not even better.

To me shooting lacquer equals more thinning than expected and then shooting it with your finest atomizing tip. In fact my favorite tip is a Badger .25 ( not because it's a .25 but because it my best atomizing tip). You can even see in the mist how well atomized it is, and the over spray around the main body of paint hitting the surface of the model says it all. Super fine feathering, even, no flyer droplets etc. 18 psi. Just sayin. I'm sure others have their stories about the sweetest needle tip for lacquers combo in their brand as well.

Thanks for the reply Dave. The brush I used in this instance is the Mr. Hobby Procon Boy PS-290 that has a .5mm fan tip.  My compressor is a dedicated hobby compressor with a tank.  I really don't think there was/is pulsating pressure when I use it.  So it likely comes down to the Mr. Hobby lacquer thinner to paint mixture that was 1:1.  So it would seem everything was done right but I'm kinda thinking maybe 1:1 was not the ideal mixture.

Edited December 22, 2024 by TransAmMike

[Dave G.]

16 minutes ago, TransAmMike said:

 

Thanks for the reply Dave. The brush I used in this instance is the Mr. Hobby Procon Boy PS-290 that has a .5mm fan tip.  My compressor is a dedicated hobby compressor with a tank.  I really don't think there was/is pulsating pressure when I use it.  So it likely comes down to the Mr. Hobby lacquer thinner to paint mixture that was 1:1.  So it would seem everything was done right but I'm kinda thinking maybe 1:1 was not the ideal mixture.

What was your pressure set to, Mike ? You possibly could use a couple extra lb compared to a standard tip, for the fan tip. But ya, I wouldn't be afraid to try, say, 25% more thinner as well. You gotta do what you gotta do to get a nice spray. The first thing I'd do is shoot straight thinner and watch the pattern. If that won't spray right then you have other issues. Then think, ok straight thinner shoots great, my paint mix doesn't. What do I do about that ? Maybe get my paint closer to the thinner consistency ? Maybe a bit more pressure ?

Nice choice in airbrush !

[TransAmMike]

1 minute ago, Dave G. said:

What was your pressure set to, Mike ? You possibly could use a couple extra lb compared to a standard tip, for the fan tip. But ya, I wouldn't be afraid to try, say, 25% more thinner as well. You gotta do what you gotta do to get a nice spray. The first thing I'd do is shoot straight thinner and watch the pattern. If that won't spray right then you have other issues. Then think, ok straight thinner shoots great, my paint mix doesn't. What do I do about that ? Maybe get my paint closer to the thinner consistency ? Maybe a bit more pressure ?

Nice choice in airbrush !

Hello again Buddy.  Yep, I do like the Procon. The fan tip is sure a different animal then the regular tip on my Procon 270.  I like it. 

Pressure was 25 while spraying.   Wouldn't there be more of a chance of spurting if the paint was too thin?

[Dave G.]

38 minutes ago, TransAmMike said:

Hello again Buddy.  Yep, I do like the Procon. The fan tip is sure a different animal then the regular tip on my Procon 270.  I like it. 

Pressure was 25 while spraying.   Wouldn't there be more of a chance of spurting if the paint was too thin?

Every airbrush that works properly that I've ever encountered will spray thinner, reducer , alcohol or even water perfectly.  Try it to see. So spurting, pulsing, blobs of paint, to me has to be something else besides thin paint. Given that the brush passed the clear liquid test. Also make sure your needle is seating when you release the trigger. A needle not seating can make quite the mess each time you let off, then re engage.

At this point I'll pass the torch to the Procon users here, they may know something that I'm not aware off.

 

Edited December 22, 2024 by Dave G.

[TransAmMike]

2 hours ago, Dave G. said:

Every airbrush that works properly that I've ever encountered will spray thinner, reducer , alcohol or even water perfectly.  Try it to see. So spurting, pulsing, blobs of paint, to me has to be something else besides thin paint. Given that the brush passed the clear liquid test. Also make sure your needle is seating when you release the trigger. A needle not seating can make quite the mess each time you let off, then re engage.

At this point I'll pass the torch to the Procon users here, they may know something that I'm not aware off.

 

Got cha... Thanks Dave. 

[YellowHound]

Thank you all for your thoughts.

I've ended up buying a new Hyundai compressor and a Procon P290 airbrush with a fan tip.

Yesterday I painted a 1/16 chassis with primer and I have to say it was effortless. Great coverage from the brush and the finish is superb.

[Dave G.]

6 hours ago, YellowHound said:

Thank you all for your thoughts.

I've ended up buying a new Hyundai compressor and a Procon P290 airbrush with a fan tip.

Yesterday I painted a 1/16 chassis with primer and I have to say it was effortless. Great coverage from the brush and the finish is superb.

You should be set for life with that combo ! And that fan tip should make larger scale body painting much easier. You certainly won't run out of air with that compressor.