Custom Airbrushing Paint Guide Part II
This is the second part of our series of guides on what to look out for when choosing a painter and airbrush artist. In this post we look in-depth at what airbrushes and spray guns I recommend
Airbrushes
For custom work we use iWATA. I love my Micron CMC for detail, it is simply superb although it takes a lot of patience to play with air pressure and paint viscosity. I usually run around 15 to 30 PSI with all my airbrushes, depending on reduction. My every day airbrushes are Eclipse BCS, CS and also HP-BC Plus, which really is the shop work horse. Going forward I’m looking to test out the Hardner & Steenbeck Infinity range, I like to experiment and it’s always good to test other brands.
Airbrush Paint
I went into depth last week about why I use House Of Kolor. My go to choice for a paint scheme is Kapci a little know manufacture from Egypt. This paint truly performs. It may not have the reputation of House of Kolor but the results l get with it speak for themselves ! However I have tried Wicked or Illustration by Createx and Autoair but never for graphic layouts or an overall projects. Custom paints UK are doing some really cool stuff with water based and have a great solvent range. For fine art l will always go for Illustration by Createx, its simply the best product for a Micron airbrush in my opinion.
Spray Guns
SATA are great, both of my mini guns are SATA Jet 3000’s setup with the Adam Micrometer which I primarily use for helmet painting. Some people think they are soft and the finish pits, but cleaning them properly is the key! If you’re using water based paint blow them down with a Air Gun. I also have a SATA Jet 2000 which I have been using for the past 15 years and it’s still one of the best guns for laying down metallic’s I have ever seen, its now my intercoat gun. When it comes to clear coating my IWATA w400 with a 1.4 setup stills rocks on medium solids paint but its due a up grade so a Supernova will be on the cards very soon. The W400 will become a sealer gun eventually. Along with the above l have a few ANI R150 which l find to be a good product as well.
Masking Tape & Compounds
For Masking Tape its Indasa, FINE LINE CCP use Jtape. For compound Roar is the best on the market. Its that simple.
Abrasives
Abrasives are supplied by either 3M again or Mirka, as I like both brands. I use 3M more for the wet and dry, free cut sheets and tri-zac discs, and Mirka for scotch bright pads and sanding discs 150mm and 75mm.
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I’m not sponsored by any companies, these are my personal recommendations. You can see how we put these products to use in our YouTube Videos. Every painter will have their own preferences, however these are my own personal recommendations.