I have watched countless videos on airbrushing. This is the best one, you are the first person to explain why no siphon feed, what two stages are (not just that you want one). I am clueless about airbrushing and have no friends around that do this to learn from. So I was completely in the dark. Thank you, a lot.
Just found this series and just starting out. Love that it's very matter of fact. No attempts to be silly or annoying and not snobbish. +1 to subscription.
Yes, get an airbrush. If you are painting more than just a small crew, have any plans for larger armies, or want to paint terrain it is invaluable. I've been using one for 2 years and the time it can save you alone in base coating and priming it is worth it. Great tips can't wait to see more.
I did a learning curve is pretty quick The only problem I found originally was how thin to make the paint. If it's too thin it runs like water if it's too thick you have to clean the whole rush out. If you're going to airbrush metallics get metallics meant for the airbrush. Everything else I've been able to thin out enough to use. On Base work really fast.
I like how I just got an airbrush and I was literally about to ask you about a video of airbrushing, and bam... Damn Adam.. Back at it again with the perfect timing videos
+Tabletop Minions Always welcome! I just want to throw out there to NOT use the Citadel airbrush range paints. They are TERRIBLE! Either I'm doing something wrong or they're extremely watery. No matter what setting (heat, PSI, etc) its always watery. Personally I took the layer white paint and used a median , which in fact was amazing with painting. Just a heads up :P I would like to see a review otherwise. Though, yes base coating with airbrushing is great! Although I do need a smaller tip for Tyranid carapaces and such. Otherwise I really do need help setting up everything, my airbrush keeps spitting when spraying more paint (Or pushing the trigger further back). Not sure why... It doesn't matter what PSI it is, it doesn't fix anything :I any suggestions? Ps: I have a Paasche airbrush - Its a dual brush. PsPs: I was using 30 PSI... I was finding it the best for use, though I'll try 15-20 like you said. PsPsPs: Just watching more of your video and finding answers xD And it's Paa-sch or something >->
Extremely glad to see you're doing a series on this. I've been putting together supplies and building a plan of attack for some Heresy era Word Bearers, and this is sincerely helpful in developing an assembly line for them.
I was on the edge about getting an Iwata airbrush from my local hobby joint, this video pushed me right off the edge and I now have a brand new airbrush sitting next to me. Thanks!
Another reason miniature painters are better off with gravity feed airbrushes is paint volume. With most siphon feed airbrushes (or at least the ones I've seen/used) you generally have to keep a certain amount paint in that jar and once it falls below that level the performance level drops pretty quickly until even at higher PSI you're not getting any paint because there's not enough in there for the siphon effect to pick up. With gravity feed, you can work in much smaller amounts of paint and not have to worry about whether or not its enough to get good flow from the airbrush. As a tool, I highly recommend investing in an airbrush if for no other reason than the freedom it grants you; you touched on it when you were talking about priming, and as someone who also lives in a state far enough north to get some pretty brutal winter cold and summer heat, not having to worry about temperature/weather conditions when you want to start a project is well worth the cost of an airbrush and compressor. Some people never take it beyond that are they're still getting their monies worth of use out of the airbrush, which is perfectly fine. Most times though, it will open new doorways when you feel like experimenting/playing around with what you can do with your airbrush, i.e. base coating, smooth gradients in shading and highlighting, OSL effects, etc. It doesn't replace traditional brushwork (its just another tool for the hobby), but it compliments it nicely.
@tabletop minions Cheers 🍻 my fellow Wisconsinite! I'm located in SE Wisconsin near the Southern Kettle Moraine Unit. Maybe I'll run into you at one of the local hobby stores someday! You rock, your videos rock, and you've been an inspiration to me since I picked up miniature painting a few years back. I purchased my very first airbrush today!!!! Its an Iwata Eclipse. My compressor just arrived and I'm literally setting everything up as I write this. Thanks dood! Keep up the great work. 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I got a Grex airbrush kit for Christmas last year and I couldn't be happier with it! it has everything you need in one box and it's very easy to set up. it's also made my painting look a lot better!
This video has to be the most informative video I have seen yet on air brushes.. You now have a new subscriber.. Thank you very much and great job on the video!
Thank you! I'm just getting started with wargaming miniatures with my 13yo son. We're both keen to do the making/painting properly and I've watched a few 'how-to' videos about airbrushing for beginners, and I have to say that yours has made more sense than ANY of the others. For a simple Yorkshire (UK) lad like me, you just told it simply and straight. And for that I thank you. I've subscribed and will watch more! I just wanted to thank you for a job well done. Martin Haresign
totally agree with you about the weather thing, from Canada over here and it's too dang cold to go outside to spray, airbrush has changed my hobby life. Good tip for finding a cheap one is waiting until the makeup schools are out as lot's a makeup artist students don't stick with it and end up selling their airbrush and compressor. Nice too because most makeup schools suggest an iwata eclipse for students
Atom, I live in New England and what you say about "rattle can climate" is so true. Throughout the year there's always times when I find myself waiting for breaks in the weather when the temperature is either high enough or the humidity low enough for me to be able to take my minis outside and prime/seal coat them. Thanks for this video on getting started with airbrushes.
I'm glad I came across your "pin in the haystack" video.. I too live in the "6 - 7 month" Cold as H climate (Canadian Maritimes) and spraying an enamel paint indoors - in the basement where my hobby room is, is simply not tolerable to the other inhabitants of the household. I didn't realize that spraying the same type of paint through an airbrush however, had less fumes than it coming from a aerosol can... Good to know! Thanks!!
Excellent video thanks. I'm just started getting back into modelling after 40 years thanks to good ole covid and this gave me a good start on learning about airbrushing.
A indispensable pice of kit, took my painting to the next level. Not sure if anyone has already mentioned this, there's also Harder and Steenbeck airbrushes. Thanks for posting 😆
I just started using an airbrush so I'm finding your 'starting to airbrush' series really helpful. I do most of my airbrushing in the garage, so I'm able to use my big 20-gallon compressor with an additional moisture trap/pressure regulator.
Excellent all around explanations regarding airbrushing and the tools required Atom. I’ve been airbrushing for several years now coming over from the scale modeling world. I actually bought one of those inexpensive setups on eBay, the entire kit...compressor, hoses, airbrush, etc for less than $70 shipped. Always thinking I’d upgrade down the road. Of course I’ve gone through several cheap $12-$15 airbrushes...I just treat them as semi-disposable, but the small, quiet compressor is perfect for what we do and it’s still going strong. You are right about good airbrushes, and I will get one at some point, but the kit is worth buying for the compressor unit alone. Anyway...good video, per usual. 👍
Been thinking about investing in an airbrush for a couple of weeks now, think I might treat myself at Christmas (if not before), so thanks for making videos like this! I've gotta say, though, I really love this channel! It's got, like, everything you would ever want to know about the miniatures hobby! It just feels like a proper community somehow, so really, thanks for all the amazing videos!
I just stumbled onto this video, and I wish this were here four years ago when I first purchased my air brush; regardless I purchased it for many of the arguments you make. Priming in doors; as well as; under painting, Zenithal shadows, incredibly even coats on vehicles... It's a tremendous tool if you enjoy painting as a hobby (with or without models). I'm looking forward to the rest of this series and your other painting content
This is so helpful! My wife got an airbrush of the same type you recommend, and I have a hardware store compressor, but didn't know where to begin. I have long felt that an airbrush could up my painting game, but didn't really understand how. I look forward to your next video.
This is a great start. have been thinking about an airbrush for some time but did not have a clue about how, why, what or when! Looking forward to the next instalment. Thanks!!
I feel your pain on the weather being unforgiving. What you described is also an apt description for my experience down here in Louisiana. In fact, it is the weather that brought me to accept airbrush and brings me to this video lol
Thanks for the great videos! My wife and I went to Warhammer World in the UK a few weeks ago and are now diving into the hobby, we've had your channel running on our TV almost constantly whilst building her chaos demons and my imperial knights, definitely interested in airbrushing these guys now 😀
I'm glad you mentioned getting a 'hardware' compressor as being an option. The one thing I'd add is you can get a better regulator and moisture trap combo for very little money (~$10) that will make the hardware compressor perform better. The regulator I had on the cheapy hardware compressor I started out with was....untrustworthy. Thanks for the vid!
great vid , look forward to next installment. I have 2 airbrushes 1 of each type . The syphon feed is good for pva when wanting to flock terrain. Only used gravity feed for priming so looking forward to learning how to get more out of a great bit of kit.
My dad has an airbrush and he is letting me try it out. He mentioned he never got the hang of it, but I hope to get good with it before I do my Star Wars Legion AT-RT, T-130 Saber, AT-TE, and LAAT. I might use it for zenithal (slap chop) process for Myth and MERCs Minis. I am not sure how to get airflow but not need a hole in the wall vent. I will have to learn more. If the air is properly filtered then I don't mind if it stays in the room.
Great stuff, thanks. As a fellow Wisconsinite (now, Three Lakes; ie. the Northwoods). I now know how handy an airbrush can be. Because of this video, I'm really looking forward to buying my first airbrush (and I've been painting for 40 years).
Thank you, this is the series I need. I was just about to blow a bunch of money having models painted for me. Now I feel that I can (with some practice) paint them myself and get what I’m looking for.
I live in upstate NY, and got an airbrush for the same reasons - priming and varnishing. Winter is like Hoth, and summer is often humid enough that it causes the varnish to go partially opaque. For what it's worth, I use 2 brushes - a cheap siphon feed single action (Badger 350) at something like 40-50psi to blow primer (50/50 mix of white gesso and glass and tile medium thinned slightly with distilled water) and varnish (Jo Sonja's Matte varnish) undiluted. They're too think to go through my other brush, which is a Badger Patriot Arrow XL (with the small cup) and am generally pleased with it. The devil is in the details and you need to just get your paint thinning right. I've been using more of the Badger Minitaire paints because they're pre-thinned so you don't have to thin them yourself. I did start by buying a simple airbrush and compressor combo (for maybe $150). I still use the compressor, and the brush worked poorly for both priming (needle too thin) and detail work (needle poorly ground, bent quickly, etc.)
Getting a dual action gravity feed brush is the most important. I started with a siphon feed (a Paasche VL) it was a good brush but took forever to clean, so I used it very rarely. Last Christmas my wife got me a Paasche Talon, which is a gravity feed brush. I have found that as long as I shoot cleaner through it I rarely have to tear down the entire brush. I now use it almost daily. For starting out I would recommend trying the Vallejo model or game air series of paints. I would still thin them slightly (maybe 1 part water to 5 parts paint). The nice thing about this line of paints is that they still work as brush-able paints, and they thin well with water. For choosing a brand of airbrush: get the one that feels good in your hand, and get one that has a paint cup appropriate to the project you are working on. If all you work on are small figures, I would get a very small cup. The Paasche Talon that I have has a fairly large cup as I also use it for painting scenery for my model railroad.
Thanks for the video! One thing I found from doing research and in the package of the cheap airbrush I got was they say is to add a moisture filter, they are cheap and supposed to keep the moisture out. I had one sitting around from horrible fright and seems to work pretty good.
Sweet, this was a fantastic vid! Been thinking about getting an airbrush for a while now but don't have a clue what to get and why. The info you shared gave me a good starting point...gravity feed 2-stage. Thanks Uncle Atom!! Can't wait to see your follow up vids on the care and feeding of your airbrush. 😁
I haven't started painting with it yet but I just purchased an entire airbrush setup made by Central Pneumatic from Harbor Freight tools for $89. It comes with the compressor (58 psi max), all the hoses and standard stuff with and the airbrush. I plan on getting a new airbrush like an iwata detailer. I'll update everyone after I play with it in the near future. Awesome vids brotha!!
Just great, thank you very much. I'm a lifetime model painter and just had my interest tweaked. Mainly because I started a 1/32 project and painting scenery is booooring. You prevented me from making some fairly serious purchasing mistakes. Your guides have always been good.
Talk about good timing. Have had an airbrush and compressor for ages but only last week bought the connections and hose to use(plus another airbrush) Having fun already just priming everything black. I can see this is going to make life easier already. Looking forward to the next vid don't leave it too long. Any tips in keeping your airbrush clean levels of psi and trouble shooting would be greatly appreciated.
First off, love the channel. A lot of great info and I'm so glad you did a series of videos on airbrushing. I just ordered a Badger 105 Patriot (0.5mm) to use for priming, base layer, initial shading/highlighting. I've never airbrushed before but it looks really fun and should cut down on getting all my Descent & Bolt Action miniatures done (obviously will still do the detail painting with a brush). I still haven't picked up a compressor yet as I'm totally confused as to which one to get. I've got a Porter Cable that I use for woodworking, but it is LOUD as hell though I figure it will get me by for now. Still, it's -15c in the garage so having one I can bring inside would be nice. I've looked at: - a Master TC40 (hard to find in stock) - Badger Aspire TC910 (seems a bit pricey for what it is - might even be rebranded Chinese model...looks familiar..some reviews say it is surprisingly loud) - Iwata Smart Jet (doesn't have a tank for that price?!) I'm sort of considering a "Pro Air by WeberDisplays" as it looks *very* much like the Master TC40 (has a fan/tank, etc) and most reviews are good. It's not uber expensive, so as long as it is quiet, if it only lasts a year and I like airbrushing I can always upgrade to something better. Out of curiosity, do you really need a tank if you can get a quiet and well cooled auto-on compressor (one that runs on demand)?
I bought a Iwata by Neo airbrush probably less than a year ago and it was the best thing I did for my painting. I live in the Midwest of the US so like you I can't always use rattle cans. From what you've said I use mine for the same reasons as you and it saves tons of time. I would suggest the Iwata by Neo as a good starter airbrush. Good quality and not a high cost.
Priming inside, that sounds amazing. I'm upstate New York so temperature fluctuates like some kind plane of elemental chaos (last year it was too cold for the visiting Norwegians, this year it was 25° C in mid-Febuary). So priming during the Summer makes everything look like it's fuzzy. No matter when i do it I can't bring it in for at least 6 hours because of the smell.
Wisconsin (Winter or Summer) = Inhospitable to rattle cans & humans; Caveman blowing paint through reeds back in the 1950's; How something works? = I don't know, it's science or something. Enjoy your humor, thank you for keeping a pastime fun. Having lived in Wisconsin in the 80's (the middle ages, between the 1950's and now) that one really busted me up. Keep up the great work, a fan from Rattle Can Territory.
Love this video uncle Adam. Going to nab myself an Iwata Eclipse and a Studio Series Sprint Jet Single Piston Air Compressor. Can't wait to get them so work on my Wood Elves Army.
+Luis Nin Honestly, just using it for priming and basecoating alone is a godsend. If you can also start doing highlighting and other details, it makes the investment even better. Thanks for watching!
I use a Pasche V jr. It is a gravity fed dual action. Although it has a smaller cup. Be aware the needle and tip size. I went with the larger needle and head. VM-2. The smaller VM-1 would clog too much. Also get a reamer, you use it to clean out the airbrush. It has a cut out in the tip so you remove the needle and then put the reamer in, twist and pull out. It cleans the head.
Love the vid. Was just at hobby lobby today picking up some paints. Looking forward to hearing more...I'm a youtube/self taught miniature airbrush painter and really would love some practical advice like this.
Thanks for your efforts, whilst my Expo AB275 is not a prime airbrush, it is working and spraying again after a thorough clean and I will try keeping it submerged in water with a little IPA added until its next use.
I have a pancake compressor and I noticed my carpenter running a nail gun off of one with a 100 foot long 1/4"- 3/8" line. In the winter I will leave the compressor in the garage and run a line through the foundation into my geek bunker. No noise. Thanks, Atom, for getting me into this.
Not sure if anyone's mentioned it yet or not, but some of the manufacturers are making colored primers, so you can prime and base at the same time. The color ranges aren't as robust as the 'normal' paints, but it can save some time.
Thanks for another awesome vid! I've been vacillating on an airbrush for quite some time, and one of the things holding me back is a way to trap and evacuate the paint mist. I'm curious if you will be covering that as I've read that you really need a little painting booth, preferably with some kind of ventilation to pull the paint mist and eject it outside through a vent out of a window. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
+Ron Raducanu I will be talking about that in a future video. I generally don't use a both or any kind of venting, but I do wear a respirator with the filters on the side. Thanks for watching!
Great video, as usual. There are two things that definitely have to be pointed out here, based on actual experience. I got into airbrushing about a year ago (after like 15 years of super-slow miniature painting with brushes), so I just recently went through all of those noob stages and my experience is quite fresh :) 1. Nozzle size. If you want to keep using our traditional acrylics - which is definitely a good thing to do because they are non-toxic, convenient to use, come in hundreds of colours etc. - then you'll need an airbrush with a larger nozzle size. Acrylics - even those that specifically made for airbrushing, like Vallejo Game/Model Air or Citadel Air - are just too rough and viscous, and they just don't go through nozzles of size 0.2 mm or smaller. Such fine nozzles either will clog too quickly, OR you'll have to make your paint so thin that it will be nearly impossible to control. My first airbrush (H&S Evolution) had 2 interchangeable nozzles of 0.2 and 0.4, and my current one (Iwata Eclipse HPCS) has 0.35 mm nozzle. To put it simply, 0.35 and 0.4 nozzles work, 0.2 nozzle doesn't. 2. Brand. In my experience, the brand absolutely does matter. As mentioned above, I started with the German-made Harder&Steenbeck Evolution airbrush, which is considered to be a relatively expensive and high-quality tool. After about 6 months of endless frustration I had to replace it, because it just doesn't work with acrylic paints, even those that are specifically designed for airbrushing. Even 0.4 nozzle gets clogged all the time as soon as I try to reduce the air pressure in order to achieve at least a remote semblance of precision. After some research, I bought an Iwata Eclipse - and things have changed entirely. That airbrush is indeed great for all sorts of model-painting, and now, with gradually improving airbrushing skills, I can even do some precision highlighting on infantry models. Evolution currently is demoted, I use it only where no precision is required, which is to undercoat and basecoat large areas, spraying paint through 0.4 nozzle at high air pressure. I wouldn't claim that Iwata Eclipse is THE best tool for a model painter (although some people do say that), but I definitely can say that there some airbrushes out there that are NOT good for that type of job, and it's not related to quality or price - so a mindful approach is required here. I'd at least look for an airbrush with a description specifically mentioning that it is suitable for spraying viscous/grainy paints like hobby-grade acrylics. And if you want to feel 100% safe about your choice, go for Iwata Eclipse :)
I live in Canada and I had some good results with using cans outside during the winter. I was afraid at first that it would give a grainy texture to the miniatures but I was surprised to see they were clean and dried properly.
I have watched tons of airbrushing videos and this is the best one so far! I am puzzled how every single person pronounces Iwata incorrectly though lol
I'd also like to suggest when it comes to thinning the paints and trying different combinations to test your paint on the side first. You don't want to learn the hard way that you thinned your paint with something volatile to the paint binders. In the case I found with Minitaire airbrush paints and high percentage rubbing alcohol with a mixture of pure water caused the paint to turn to gum in the airbrush. After a lot of careful cleaning I solved that problem but had I just gone and tested first I could of avoided that mistake. My interest to get into airbrushing came from watching youtube video's to learn ways to improve my mini's. Way back in the day I started out painting Mechwarrior table top miniatures with Testor's paint and really they looked awful and I had no idea why. Then my friends pointed me towards Citadel for paint. I started working with stuff I could actually thin and work with. That alone was a huge change. Now I am using an airbrush and cutting in blends, highlights, shading. Washes on top and such. Now I am starting to learn how to base miniatures better. It is all a journey and I am enjoying it. Currently working on my Shadows of Brimstone figures. Such a fun game! Thanks for the video's as always I enjoy them!
+FSDraconis I started painting minis with Battletech and Testors paints, as well! Ugh, those models look terrible when I come across them now in a drawer. Thanks for watching!
Glad I stumbled on your videos, helps coming back to the whole Miniature/model hobby. Your sense of humor is awesome! Never thought about how gravity feed's are better for mini's and detail till now, thanks, I'll either need to find my VSR90 (hopefully still in a box in garage haha), or get a nice Talon if hobby lobby or someone has one cheap:) (I just like paasche, since I have used them forever). Cannot wait till your post more great vids on this subject.
I just got a airbrush for the same reason i live in WI too and i am starting wood art and paint cans in winter no fun! So i decided time to try out one and i also can see many other benefits in just one day playing around but i got a Neo TRN1 for the trigger. Was thinking it looks simpler to use and first test day i say it is.
Plus side of a shop compressor - you can run various pneumatic shop tools from it. If you want more capacity, it's easy to hook one or two more tanks onto it for capacity. I'd also suggest a spray booth - large cardboard box (say, what your compressor came in), and junk yard a blower fan and vacuum hose. Hose is for venting away the exhaust. Even though the overspray isn't "bad" compared to aerosols, you'd be surprised how much particulate the airbrush puts out over time that's not going on your model.
Thanks for the video. Can you talk a bit about what you do for ventilation? Do you wear a mask? Do you vent out a window? Do you use any sort of painting booth?
@@tabletopminions Hey. I'm rather late to the party. Did you ever make that video about masks and ventilation? I'm interested in starting airbrushing but I live in a small flat in London.
Another brand from Germany, that makes great airbrushes is Harder and Steenbeck. They have a couple of models that are well suited for miniature Painting, namely the Ultra and the Infinity. Thanks for your videos, by the way.
+Ulrik Jørgensen I think I've heard that name before, now that you mention it. Are they only available in Germany, or all over Europe? Thanks for watching!
+Tabletop Minions I actually think that they can be bought all over the world. In any case, it's not only in Germany. That being said, the Harder&Steenbeck is quite expensive.
Hi Atom love all your videos . Because of you I got back into making terrain builds. Now my kids want to learn, I have one my little one wants to start making his own 54mm troops. What is the best wat to get the same colour of the troops you are making moulds of. My brother gave some Napoleon Air fix troops to my little one and now wants to make more
Hello fellow Wisconsinite! Wanted to throw in my 2 cents, some siphon air brushes are low psi, recently pulled out an old testors a370 I got years ago for model planes and the like to use on my models and terrain. Recommended pressure is 20-25psi and the only complaint I have with it is that because I use the cans of airbrush propellant sometimes the psi is iffy and flows small stuff around, like extra guns for a magnetized tank that I didn’t stick down to a surface first. Also it sound like your Hobby Lobby is better than mine, the airbrush paint available is all rated 40-50psi and the reducer is always out of stock
Thanks for this video. I bought an airbrush when I decided to get back into miniatures, and it has been sitting on my table for weeks. Maybe this is the push I need.
+Matt Liguori If you have one, then it's a really good idea to learn how to use it. You'll be really glad you did, it helps make your painting so much better. Thanks for watching!
very awesome and informative vid. looking forward to your paint one, I'm curious as to what you do for Priming. As of now, since I feel your "frozen hellscape" problem here in Maine, I'm using a mixture of Vallejo (non-air) Paints, Flow Aid, and Matte Medium to make my primers.
Atom, this is a great topic and surprisingly hard to find decent introduction videos or information on airbrush basics. Airbrushing 101 if you will. Please do some baby step videos as I received an airbrush two years ago for Christmas and have been terrified to use it as I don't want to muck it up. For example: how do I use the damn thing, How do you properly thin the paints, how much paint should I put in the cup, how should I set it up, how do I clean it when I'm done, WINDEX mixed with paint!? WTF!!!??? How do I do these things. Please show us your airbrush secrets! I want to learn! I believe my airbrush is also an Irwata, it looks just like yours.
Thanks for this video series! Staggering volume of videos, but I'll stick with the guy I trust (Uncle Atom). Just purchased a Badger airbrush/compressor set for cheap (25 yr anniversary sale) and figured I should start learning the basics principles. Winter is almost here, so what better time to start airbrushing!
Great video! I used an airbrush about 35 years ago on model airplanes and really enjoyed it. I know I had a Badger airbrush back then (I have no idea what I did with it when I entered the Air Force), but I know it was a siphon style. I also remember there was debate over "external mix" and "internal mix". I never liked the idea of "external mix" - mine was internal. I also always thought the external paint cup was risky for spillage, but now I get why gravity fed is better for miniatures. Back then, I was airbrushing in my dorm room, so I was worried about making a mess. 😆Thanks! A couple of questions. 😀 1. I am pretty sure I didn't own a compressor in my dorm room back then (besides the fact that it was probably too expensive for me), so I must have used a can of compressed air. Is that done much anymore? 2. If I am only going to be painting 28mm/32mm characters for D&D and some board game minis, and not larger models like you find in Warhammer 40K, am I going to get a lot of use from an airbrush? Can I do much more than prime them? Can I do base painting and zenithal highlighting on figures that small? I am trying to justify the price and setup. I live in Florida, so I think I would be able to use rattle cans for priming most of the year (maybe not as much in summer), but I live in an apartment complex so I would have to find a place in the grass away from the parking lot to spray them without risking overspray.
Great video Atom! Like several others I'm curious about spray booths. Are they really necessary? If so, do you have to vent them outdoors or will the filters in the booth catch enough paint so I don't have to have a window open in the middle of winter? I also live in a "frozen hellscape" part of the country.
+Shane Flickinger I've never used a booth myself, I usually just wear a respirator with the replaceable filters. I'll ask around about booths for the 'safety' episode, though. Thanks for watching!
+Tabletop Minions Meh, I'm more a safety third kind of guy. I was more curious about how unruly the overspray was on those things. For example, is the carpet and furniture in the room I'm spraying in going to get covered in a thin layer of paint over time? If so then maybe I want a booth, versus setting up in my garage where I may not necessarily need one.Thanks for the reply. P.S. I used to live in Madison, and to be honest I miss WI sometimes. Cheers!
Thanks for doing this! Videos like this (wet palette in particular) brought me to your channel originally. It's great that you're doing more! I'd love to hear some safety advice. Do you use a booth? Wear a mask? Recommendations for both?
"Back in the 1950s; or whenever there were cavemen." had me laughing more than it probably should! Love the humor and channel man! looking to get into tabletop games and you have a lot of knowledge to share. Good job look forward to more of your videos
+Tabletop Minions Very interested in this response, I also live in a very cold climate and would love to get this going inside... but the ventilation is a bit of a concern. Thanks!
when I decided to get back into wargaming after a huge hiatus i wanted to go the airbrushing route. I bought a cheap 40$ brush off ebay and it never even worked. At that point i decided Fuck it and bought a 400$ harder and Steenbach brush. Easily the best decision ive made, works flawlessly.
Frozen hellcape!😂 I feel you my friend, in Miami priming can be an issue too. The humidity will destroy the primer on your model...and it’s balls sticking to your legs hot and humid in mid January...12 months a year. I just bought an airbrush. I will be watching your vids.👍🏻
Great start atom, looking forward to the rest of these. My biggest concern with starting is ...do I need a spray booth? Do I need a mask? Do I need both? Hopefully you will discuss these and show your set-up in a future vid. Thanks again!
Nice and informative video for beginners. The way you hold the airbrush all the time during the video is making anxious... I was waiting for you do drop it all the time :P ! Regarding your airbrush if it is 0.3 needle then it is more than ok for small details work.
I have a 21 gallon Harbor Freight compressor. Is it ok to use this? I'm just learning and 1/4 inch adapter was included in Campbell Hausfeld air brush gun.Great video for newbees.👍
I know this is a bit old, but with hardware store compressors be a little careful with it as moisture will condensate in the lines and come through the hose. Make sure you bleed the lines just to be safe. Up in Wisconsin it wouldn't be an issue as humidity is a non-factor compared to the mid-south/south.
Your videos are great. They are really well done! Your tips and advice is amazing! I appreciate the time you put into them. I am new to warhammer and modelling you are a huge help! So thank you! Cheers!
I have watched countless videos on airbrushing. This is the best one, you are the first person to explain why no siphon feed, what two stages are (not just that you want one). I am clueless about airbrushing and have no friends around that do this to learn from. So I was completely in the dark. Thank you, a lot.
“It’s crazy, I’m not sure how it works, there’s probably science involved”
-tech priests of mars
LOL!
I was thinking the way!
I assume he must light the sacred incense prior to turning the compressor on, to appease the machine spirit
Thanks for that. That was Funny and informative.
This needs to be pinned.
This video made me feel more comfortable about getting an air brush thank you. Made it feel slightly less intimidating.
Just found this series and just starting out. Love that it's very matter of fact. No attempts to be silly or annoying and not snobbish. +1 to subscription.
Your videos are the closest I'll ever get to listening to ASMR
Love watching and learning
Yes, get an airbrush. If you are painting more than just a small crew, have any plans for larger armies, or want to paint terrain it is invaluable. I've been using one for 2 years and the time it can save you alone in base coating and priming it is worth it. Great tips can't wait to see more.
it's also super fun to use
That too
+ScottR How hard is an airbrush to learn?
I did a learning curve is pretty quick The only problem I found originally was how thin to make the paint. If it's too thin it runs like water if it's too thick you have to clean the whole rush out. If you're going to airbrush metallics get metallics meant for the airbrush. Everything else I've been able to thin out enough to use. On Base work really fast.
+ScottR So would you suggest that someone just starting out use the pre mixed stuff?
I like how I just got an airbrush and I was literally about to ask you about a video of airbrushing, and bam... Damn Adam.. Back at it again with the perfect timing videos
+SUPERVIP101 I'm totally psychic. Thanks for watching!
+Tabletop Minions Always welcome! I just want to throw out there to NOT use the Citadel airbrush range paints. They are TERRIBLE! Either I'm doing something wrong or they're extremely watery. No matter what setting (heat, PSI, etc) its always watery. Personally I took the layer white paint and used a median , which in fact was amazing with painting. Just a heads up :P I would like to see a review otherwise.
Though, yes base coating with airbrushing is great! Although I do need a smaller tip for Tyranid carapaces and such. Otherwise I really do need help setting up everything, my airbrush keeps spitting when spraying more paint (Or pushing the trigger further back). Not sure why... It doesn't matter what PSI it is, it doesn't fix anything :I any suggestions?
Ps: I have a Paasche airbrush - Its a dual brush.
PsPs: I was using 30 PSI... I was finding it the best for use, though I'll try 15-20 like you said.
PsPsPs: Just watching more of your video and finding answers xD
And it's Paa-sch or something >->
Extremely glad to see you're doing a series on this. I've been putting together supplies and building a plan of attack for some Heresy era Word Bearers, and this is sincerely helpful in developing an assembly line for them.
+Brian Griffith Airbrush makes so many steps so much quicker and easier. Thanks for watching!
Your videos keep me inspired and motivated. Thanks Atom; the coolest uncle we never knew we needed.
I was on the edge about getting an Iwata airbrush from my local hobby joint, this video pushed me right off the edge and I now have a brand new airbrush sitting next to me. Thanks!
+Ethan Ton Glad to hear it. Airbrushing is great, even if you’re just doing it to prime and basecoat your models. Good luck, and thanks for watching!
I live in MN, got an airbrush to prime in winter also. Now I’m learning lots of other ways to use the tool. Thanks for the video!
Another reason miniature painters are better off with gravity feed airbrushes is paint volume. With most siphon feed airbrushes (or at least the ones I've seen/used) you generally have to keep a certain amount paint in that jar and once it falls below that level the performance level drops pretty quickly until even at higher PSI you're not getting any paint because there's not enough in there for the siphon effect to pick up. With gravity feed, you can work in much smaller amounts of paint and not have to worry about whether or not its enough to get good flow from the airbrush.
As a tool, I highly recommend investing in an airbrush if for no other reason than the freedom it grants you; you touched on it when you were talking about priming, and as someone who also lives in a state far enough north to get some pretty brutal winter cold and summer heat, not having to worry about temperature/weather conditions when you want to start a project is well worth the cost of an airbrush and compressor. Some people never take it beyond that are they're still getting their monies worth of use out of the airbrush, which is perfectly fine. Most times though, it will open new doorways when you feel like experimenting/playing around with what you can do with your airbrush, i.e. base coating, smooth gradients in shading and highlighting, OSL effects, etc. It doesn't replace traditional brushwork (its just another tool for the hobby), but it compliments it nicely.
+TheRunesmythe You are completely dead on with all of this. Thanks for watching!
As somebody who is looking into an airbrushing set up this video answered a lot of questions. Thanks. Looking forward to more on this subject.
+Helen McClure Glad I could help, and thanks for watching!
@tabletop minions
Cheers 🍻 my fellow Wisconsinite! I'm located in SE Wisconsin near the Southern Kettle Moraine Unit. Maybe I'll run into you at one of the local hobby stores someday!
You rock, your videos rock, and you've been an inspiration to me since I picked up miniature painting a few years back. I purchased my very first airbrush today!!!! Its an Iwata Eclipse. My compressor just arrived and I'm literally setting everything up as I write this.
Thanks dood! Keep up the great work. 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I got a Grex airbrush kit for Christmas last year and I couldn't be happier with it! it has everything you need in one box and it's very easy to set up. it's also made my painting look a lot better!
+Mike Gaal I played with one of those at Gen Con a few years ago. They seemed pretty nice. I'm glad you're liking it. Thanks for watching!
I love your videos.
Your English is so easy for me (Italian) that I understand all the things you say.
Thank you
That's the Midwest accent. 😁
This video has to be the most informative video I have seen yet on air brushes.. You now have a new subscriber.. Thank you very much and great job on the video!
Thank you! I'm just getting started with wargaming miniatures with my 13yo son. We're both keen to do the making/painting properly and I've watched a few 'how-to' videos about airbrushing for beginners, and I have to say that yours has made more sense than ANY of the others. For a simple Yorkshire (UK) lad like me, you just told it simply and straight. And for that I thank you. I've subscribed and will watch more! I just wanted to thank you for a job well done.
Martin Haresign
totally agree with you about the weather thing, from Canada over here and it's too dang cold to go outside to spray, airbrush has changed my hobby life. Good tip for finding a cheap one is waiting until the makeup schools are out as lot's a makeup artist students don't stick with it and end up selling their airbrush and compressor. Nice too because most makeup schools suggest an iwata eclipse for students
Never even thought of something like that (makeup schools). Good idea. Thanks for watching!
Atom, I live in New England and what you say about "rattle can climate" is so true. Throughout the year there's always times when I find myself waiting for breaks in the weather when the temperature is either high enough or the humidity low enough for me to be able to take my minis outside and prime/seal coat them. Thanks for this video on getting started with airbrushes.
I'm glad I came across your "pin in the haystack" video.. I too live in the "6 - 7 month" Cold as H climate (Canadian Maritimes) and spraying an enamel paint indoors - in the basement where my hobby room is, is simply not tolerable to the other inhabitants of the household. I didn't realize that spraying the same type of paint through an airbrush however, had less fumes than it coming from a aerosol can... Good to know! Thanks!!
Not until I master the art of paint brush will I move on to the airbrush ...I love your work! Thanks for the video Uncle Atom!
"cave men were blowing paint through reeds or whatever they found in the 1950s"
I really smiled at the "..1950s" part.
>looks up geological record
checks out.
Excellent video thanks. I'm just started getting back into modelling after 40 years thanks to good ole covid and this gave me a good start on learning about airbrushing.
A indispensable pice of kit, took my painting to the next level. Not sure if anyone has already mentioned this, there's also Harder and Steenbeck airbrushes. Thanks for posting 😆
Michael's sells Badger airbrushes and compressors and the great thing is they'll accept A.C.Moore coupons! Meaning you can get up to 50% off!
A.C.Moore releases 50/55% coupons more often than Michael's.
I just started using an airbrush so I'm finding your 'starting to airbrush' series really helpful. I do most of my airbrushing in the garage, so I'm able to use my big 20-gallon compressor with an additional moisture trap/pressure regulator.
Excellent all around explanations regarding airbrushing and the tools required Atom. I’ve been airbrushing for several years now coming over from the scale modeling world. I actually bought one of those inexpensive setups on eBay, the entire kit...compressor, hoses, airbrush, etc for less than $70 shipped. Always thinking I’d upgrade down the road. Of course I’ve gone through several cheap $12-$15 airbrushes...I just treat them as semi-disposable, but the small, quiet compressor is perfect for what we do and it’s still going strong. You are right about good airbrushes, and I will get one at some point, but the kit is worth buying for the compressor unit alone. Anyway...good video, per usual. 👍
Been thinking about investing in an airbrush for a couple of weeks now, think I might treat myself at Christmas (if not before), so thanks for making videos like this!
I've gotta say, though, I really love this channel! It's got, like, everything you would ever want to know about the miniatures hobby! It just feels like a proper community somehow, so really, thanks for all the amazing videos!
I'm really glad you like the videos, and I'm glad that the community is growing, as well. Thanks for watching!
I just stumbled onto this video, and I wish this were here four years ago when I first purchased my air brush; regardless I purchased it for many of the arguments you make. Priming in doors; as well as; under painting, Zenithal shadows, incredibly even coats on vehicles... It's a tremendous tool if you enjoy painting as a hobby (with or without models). I'm looking forward to the rest of this series and your other painting content
This is so helpful!
My wife got an airbrush of the same type you recommend, and I have a hardware store compressor, but didn't know where to begin.
I have long felt that an airbrush could up my painting game, but didn't really understand how.
I look forward to your next video.
+Michael Dearden It definitely can. You'll be amazed how you worked without it. Thanks for watching!
This is a great start. have been thinking about an airbrush for some time but did not have a clue about how, why, what or when! Looking forward to the next instalment. Thanks!!
+Martyn Ives It'll be on its way soon. Thanks for watching!
Side note: Bought an Iwata Eclipse over the weekend from Hobby Lobby - they no longer honor the 40% off coupon. 3/19
Mahalos for the 411
Did you pull it from the app? I just donwloaded the app and weekly coupons are the standard 40% off one, valid through may 4th.
@@ImaITman I tried app and the one from my snail mail. It's a no coupon item locally at least.
@@Derek147900 Got the CS - I think the other one is the bottom feed maybe? Not sure.
I just bought an hp-cs and the coupon in the app worked for me.
I feel your pain on the weather being unforgiving. What you described is also an apt description for my experience down here in Louisiana. In fact, it is the weather that brought me to accept airbrush and brings me to this video lol
Fantastic explanation for someone who has no idea about airbrushing. Can't wait to learn more.
Thanks for the great videos! My wife and I went to Warhammer World in the UK a few weeks ago and are now diving into the hobby, we've had your channel running on our TV almost constantly whilst building her chaos demons and my imperial knights, definitely interested in airbrushing these guys now 😀
I'm glad you mentioned getting a 'hardware' compressor as being an option. The one thing I'd add is you can get a better regulator and moisture trap combo for very little money (~$10) that will make the hardware compressor perform better. The regulator I had on the cheapy hardware compressor I started out with was....untrustworthy.
Thanks for the vid!
great vid , look forward to next installment. I have 2 airbrushes 1 of each type . The syphon feed is good for pva when wanting to flock terrain. Only used gravity feed for priming so looking forward to learning how to get more out of a great bit of kit.
+Steve Fletcher Wow, I had no idea you could shoot PVA glue through an airbrush. I'll have to look in to that. Thanks for watching!
Perfect timing man! My brother and I just got one for our birthday... Thanks for the vid!
+Aiden Poisal Nice! Have fun with it. Thanks for watching!
My dad has an airbrush and he is letting me try it out. He mentioned he never got the hang of it, but I hope to get good with it before I do my Star Wars Legion AT-RT, T-130 Saber, AT-TE, and LAAT. I might use it for zenithal (slap chop) process for Myth and MERCs Minis.
I am not sure how to get airflow but not need a hole in the wall vent. I will have to learn more. If the air is properly filtered then I don't mind if it stays in the room.
Great stuff, thanks. As a fellow Wisconsinite (now, Three Lakes; ie. the Northwoods). I now know how handy an airbrush can be. Because of this video, I'm really looking forward to buying my first airbrush (and I've been painting for 40 years).
Thank you, this is the series I need. I was just about to blow a bunch of money having models painted for me. Now I feel that I can (with some practice) paint them myself and get what I’m looking for.
I live in upstate NY, and got an airbrush for the same reasons - priming and varnishing. Winter is like Hoth, and summer is often humid enough that it causes the varnish to go partially opaque.
For what it's worth, I use 2 brushes - a cheap siphon feed single action (Badger 350) at something like 40-50psi to blow primer (50/50 mix of white gesso and glass and tile medium thinned slightly with distilled water) and varnish (Jo Sonja's Matte varnish) undiluted. They're too think to go through my other brush, which is a Badger Patriot Arrow XL (with the small cup) and am generally pleased with it. The devil is in the details and you need to just get your paint thinning right. I've been using more of the Badger Minitaire paints because they're pre-thinned so you don't have to thin them yourself.
I did start by buying a simple airbrush and compressor combo (for maybe $150). I still use the compressor, and the brush worked poorly for both priming (needle too thin) and detail work (needle poorly ground, bent quickly, etc.)
I think my next airbrush video is going to be about paint mixing. It is a dark art. Thanks for watching!
That would be excellent. If you could cover thinning paint, specifically for airbrushing, I would appreciate it.
Well done! You're a great speaker and very engaging. Thanks for doing this!
+Serge T Well, thanks! I appreciate it. Thanks for watching!
Getting a dual action gravity feed brush is the most important. I started with a siphon feed (a Paasche VL) it was a good brush but took forever to clean, so I used it very rarely. Last Christmas my wife got me a Paasche Talon, which is a gravity feed brush. I have found that as long as I shoot cleaner through it I rarely have to tear down the entire brush. I now use it almost daily.
For starting out I would recommend trying the Vallejo model or game air series of paints. I would still thin them slightly (maybe 1 part water to 5 parts paint). The nice thing about this line of paints is that they still work as brush-able paints, and they thin well with water.
For choosing a brand of airbrush: get the one that feels good in your hand, and get one that has a paint cup appropriate to the project you are working on. If all you work on are small figures, I would get a very small cup. The Paasche Talon that I have has a fairly large cup as I also use it for painting scenery for my model railroad.
+Dominic Fawver I agree with all of this. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video! One thing I found from doing research and in the package of the cheap airbrush I got was they say is to add a moisture filter, they are cheap and supposed to keep the moisture out. I had one sitting around from horrible fright and seems to work pretty good.
Sweet, this was a fantastic vid! Been thinking about getting an airbrush for a while now but don't have a clue what to get and why. The info you shared gave me a good starting point...gravity feed 2-stage. Thanks Uncle Atom!! Can't wait to see your follow up vids on the care and feeding of your airbrush. 😁
+Sameer Patel I'm glad you're getting into it. It really upped the outcome of my painting. Thanks for watching!
I haven't started painting with it yet but I just purchased an entire airbrush setup made by Central Pneumatic from Harbor Freight tools for $89. It comes with the compressor (58 psi max), all the hoses and standard stuff with and the airbrush. I plan on getting a new airbrush like an iwata detailer. I'll update everyone after I play with it in the near future. Awesome vids brotha!!
Just great, thank you very much. I'm a lifetime model painter and just had my interest tweaked. Mainly because I started a 1/32 project and painting scenery is booooring. You prevented me from making some fairly serious purchasing mistakes. Your guides have always been good.
Talk about good timing. Have had an airbrush and compressor for ages but only last week bought the connections and hose to use(plus another airbrush)
Having fun already just priming everything black. I can see this is going to make life easier already.
Looking forward to the next vid don't leave it too long. Any tips in keeping your airbrush clean levels of psi and trouble shooting would be greatly appreciated.
+skarnir Those are all on my list for future videos. Thanks for watching!
Glad someone understands the struggles of Wisconsin 🤘Winter= frozen hellscape
Summer= humid…also hellscape
its like MN 85 in southern MN and 3 feet of snow up north on the same day
@@ryanhatzenbeller4327 and mid gets a hybrid between the two
First off, love the channel. A lot of great info and I'm so glad you did a series of videos on airbrushing.
I just ordered a Badger 105 Patriot (0.5mm) to use for priming, base layer, initial shading/highlighting. I've never airbrushed before but it looks really fun and should cut down on getting all my Descent & Bolt Action miniatures done (obviously will still do the detail painting with a brush). I still haven't picked up a compressor yet as I'm totally confused as to which one to get. I've got a Porter Cable that I use for woodworking, but it is LOUD as hell though I figure it will get me by for now. Still, it's -15c in the garage so having one I can bring inside would be nice.
I've looked at:
- a Master TC40 (hard to find in stock)
- Badger Aspire TC910 (seems a bit pricey for what it is - might even be rebranded Chinese model...looks familiar..some reviews say it is surprisingly loud)
- Iwata Smart Jet (doesn't have a tank for that price?!)
I'm sort of considering a "Pro Air by WeberDisplays" as it looks *very* much like the Master TC40 (has a fan/tank, etc) and most reviews are good. It's not uber expensive, so as long as it is quiet, if it only lasts a year and I like airbrushing I can always upgrade to something better.
Out of curiosity, do you really need a tank if you can get a quiet and well cooled auto-on compressor (one that runs on demand)?
I bought a Iwata by Neo airbrush probably less than a year ago and it was the best thing I did for my painting. I live in the Midwest of the US so like you I can't always use rattle cans. From what you've said I use mine for the same reasons as you and it saves tons of time. I would suggest the Iwata by Neo as a good starter airbrush. Good quality and not a high cost.
+SmittyM14 I have one of those, too. I use it for varnishes, mainly. Thanks for watching!
Priming inside, that sounds amazing. I'm upstate New York so temperature fluctuates like some kind plane of elemental chaos (last year it was too cold for the visiting Norwegians, this year it was 25° C in mid-Febuary). So priming during the Summer makes everything look like it's fuzzy. No matter when i do it I can't bring it in for at least 6 hours because of the smell.
+J. P. Morris (Virobrain) Yeah, rattlecan really needs to out-gas after you paint it, otherwise you end up with a stinky house. Thanks for watching!
Wisconsin (Winter or Summer) = Inhospitable to rattle cans & humans; Caveman blowing paint through reeds back in the 1950's; How something works? = I don't know, it's science or something. Enjoy your humor, thank you for keeping a pastime fun. Having lived in Wisconsin in the 80's (the middle ages, between the 1950's and now) that one really busted me up. Keep up the great work, a fan from Rattle Can Territory.
I'm glad you appreciate my attempts at humor. Thanks for watching!
Hey I’m from WI too! It’s so annoying to prime in the winter. Definitely think I’ll be getting an airbrush soon too. Thanks!
Love this video uncle Adam. Going to nab myself an Iwata Eclipse and a Studio Series Sprint Jet Single Piston Air Compressor. Can't wait to get them so work on my Wood Elves Army.
+Luis Nin Honestly, just using it for priming and basecoating alone is a godsend. If you can also start doing highlighting and other details, it makes the investment even better. Thanks for watching!
I use a Pasche V jr. It is a gravity fed dual action. Although it has a smaller cup. Be aware the needle and tip size. I went with the larger needle and head. VM-2. The smaller VM-1 would clog too much. Also get a reamer, you use it to clean out the airbrush. It has a cut out in the tip so you remove the needle and then put the reamer in, twist and pull out. It cleans the head.
Love the vid. Was just at hobby lobby today picking up some paints. Looking forward to hearing more...I'm a youtube/self taught miniature airbrush painter and really would love some practical advice like this.
+Matthew Grant Awesome, I'll be doing more. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your efforts, whilst my Expo AB275 is not a prime airbrush, it is working and spraying again after a thorough clean and I will try keeping it submerged in water with a little IPA added until its next use.
Wonderful video and perfect timing as I'm just looking into airbrushing for the first time. Looking forwards to the rest of this mini series thing.
+Andy Barnes I'm glad people are enjoying it, I'll keep doing it. Thanks for watching!
I have a pancake compressor and I noticed my carpenter running a nail gun off of one with a 100 foot long 1/4"- 3/8" line. In the winter I will leave the compressor in the garage and run a line through the foundation into my geek bunker. No noise. Thanks, Atom, for getting me into this.
Not sure if anyone's mentioned it yet or not, but some of the manufacturers are making colored primers, so you can prime and base at the same time. The color ranges aren't as robust as the 'normal' paints, but it can save some time.
+Innocent_Bystander Very true. Vallejo and Badger are two that I know of. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for another awesome vid! I've been vacillating on an airbrush for quite some time, and one of the things holding me back is a way to trap and evacuate the paint mist. I'm curious if you will be covering that as I've read that you really need a little painting booth, preferably with some kind of ventilation to pull the paint mist and eject it outside through a vent out of a window. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
+Ron Raducanu I will be talking about that in a future video. I generally don't use a both or any kind of venting, but I do wear a respirator with the filters on the side. Thanks for watching!
Great video, as usual.
There are two things that definitely have to be pointed out here, based on actual experience. I got into airbrushing about a year ago (after like 15 years of super-slow miniature painting with brushes), so I just recently went through all of those noob stages and my experience is quite fresh :)
1. Nozzle size.
If you want to keep using our traditional acrylics - which is definitely a good thing to do because they are non-toxic, convenient to use, come in hundreds of colours etc. - then you'll need an airbrush with a larger nozzle size. Acrylics - even those that specifically made for airbrushing, like Vallejo Game/Model Air or Citadel Air - are just too rough and viscous, and they just don't go through nozzles of size 0.2 mm or smaller. Such fine nozzles either will clog too quickly, OR you'll have to make your paint so thin that it will be nearly impossible to control. My first airbrush (H&S Evolution) had 2 interchangeable nozzles of 0.2 and 0.4, and my current one (Iwata Eclipse HPCS) has 0.35 mm nozzle. To put it simply, 0.35 and 0.4 nozzles work, 0.2 nozzle doesn't.
2. Brand.
In my experience, the brand absolutely does matter. As mentioned above, I started with the German-made Harder&Steenbeck Evolution airbrush, which is considered to be a relatively expensive and high-quality tool. After about 6 months of endless frustration I had to replace it, because it just doesn't work with acrylic paints, even those that are specifically designed for airbrushing. Even 0.4 nozzle gets clogged all the time as soon as I try to reduce the air pressure in order to achieve at least a remote semblance of precision. After some research, I bought an Iwata Eclipse - and things have changed entirely. That airbrush is indeed great for all sorts of model-painting, and now, with gradually improving airbrushing skills, I can even do some precision highlighting on infantry models. Evolution currently is demoted, I use it only where no precision is required, which is to undercoat and basecoat large areas, spraying paint through 0.4 nozzle at high air pressure.
I wouldn't claim that Iwata Eclipse is THE best tool for a model painter (although some people do say that), but I definitely can say that there some airbrushes out there that are NOT good for that type of job, and it's not related to quality or price - so a mindful approach is required here. I'd at least look for an airbrush with a description specifically mentioning that it is suitable for spraying viscous/grainy paints like hobby-grade acrylics. And if you want to feel 100% safe about your choice, go for Iwata Eclipse :)
I live in Canada and I had some good results with using cans outside during the winter. I was afraid at first that it would give a grainy texture to the miniatures but I was surprised to see they were clean and dried properly.
I have watched tons of airbrushing videos and this is the best one so far! I am puzzled how every single person pronounces Iwata incorrectly though lol
I'd also like to suggest when it comes to thinning the paints and trying different combinations to test your paint on the side first. You don't want to learn the hard way that you thinned your paint with something volatile to the paint binders. In the case I found with Minitaire airbrush paints and high percentage rubbing alcohol with a mixture of pure water caused the paint to turn to gum in the airbrush. After a lot of careful cleaning I solved that problem but had I just gone and tested first I could of avoided that mistake.
My interest to get into airbrushing came from watching youtube video's to learn ways to improve my mini's. Way back in the day I started out painting Mechwarrior table top miniatures with Testor's paint and really they looked awful and I had no idea why. Then my friends pointed me towards Citadel for paint. I started working with stuff I could actually thin and work with. That alone was a huge change. Now I am using an airbrush and cutting in blends, highlights, shading. Washes on top and such. Now I am starting to learn how to base miniatures better. It is all a journey and I am enjoying it. Currently working on my Shadows of Brimstone figures. Such a fun game!
Thanks for the video's as always I enjoy them!
+FSDraconis I started painting minis with Battletech and Testors paints, as well! Ugh, those models look terrible when I come across them now in a drawer. Thanks for watching!
Just starting to use the airbrush. Thanks for putting out a lot of useful information 👍
This was incredibly helpful, Iv been painting miniatures for years, and I wish I found your channel so much sooner. Thank you so much!!!
Glad I stumbled on your videos, helps coming back to the whole Miniature/model hobby. Your sense of humor is awesome! Never thought about how gravity feed's are better for mini's and detail till now, thanks, I'll either need to find my VSR90 (hopefully still in a box in garage haha), or get a nice Talon if hobby lobby or someone has one cheap:) (I just like paasche, since I have used them forever). Cannot wait till your post more great vids on this subject.
+ratmaster2000 I need to get back to this series. I hope to soon. Thanks for watching!
I just got a airbrush for the same reason i live in WI too and i am starting wood art and paint cans in winter no fun! So i decided time to try out one and i also can see many other benefits in just one day playing around but i got a Neo TRN1 for the trigger. Was thinking it looks simpler to use and first test day i say it is.
Plus side of a shop compressor - you can run various pneumatic shop tools from it. If you want more capacity, it's easy to hook one or two more tanks onto it for capacity. I'd also suggest a spray booth - large cardboard box (say, what your compressor came in), and junk yard a blower fan and vacuum hose. Hose is for venting away the exhaust. Even though the overspray isn't "bad" compared to aerosols, you'd be surprised how much particulate the airbrush puts out over time that's not going on your model.
Was worried about spilling a gravity fed. But for the reasons you just gave it's obviously better than the siphon.
Thanks
Thanks for the video. Can you talk a bit about what you do for ventilation? Do you wear a mask? Do you vent out a window? Do you use any sort of painting booth?
+Andrew Campbell I don't bother to vent, but I do wear a mask. I'll probably talk more about it in a further video. Thanks for watching!
@@tabletopminions Hey. I'm rather late to the party. Did you ever make that video about masks and ventilation? I'm interested in starting airbrushing but I live in a small flat in London.
@@TheBenjamoon I have read as long as you're using acrylics, you don't really have to worry about ventilation, but you should wear a mask.
@@vitev009 Ah, well that would certainly suite me. ta
Great video, helps those of us thinking about airbrush. You gave some great information, thank you.
Another brand from Germany, that makes great airbrushes is Harder and Steenbeck. They have a couple of models that are well suited for miniature Painting, namely the Ultra and the Infinity. Thanks for your videos, by the way.
+Ulrik Jørgensen I think I've heard that name before, now that you mention it. Are they only available in Germany, or all over Europe? Thanks for watching!
+Tabletop Minions I actually think that they can be bought all over the world. In any case, it's not only in Germany. That being said, the Harder&Steenbeck is quite expensive.
Hi Atom love all your videos .
Because of you I got back into making terrain builds. Now my kids want to learn, I have one my little one wants to start making his own 54mm troops. What is the best wat to get the same colour of the troops you are making moulds of.
My brother gave some Napoleon Air fix troops to my little one and now wants to make more
Hello fellow Wisconsinite! Wanted to throw in my 2 cents, some siphon air brushes are low psi, recently pulled out an old testors a370 I got years ago for model planes and the like to use on my models and terrain. Recommended pressure is 20-25psi and the only complaint I have with it is that because I use the cans of airbrush propellant sometimes the psi is iffy and flows small stuff around, like extra guns for a magnetized tank that I didn’t stick down to a surface first.
Also it sound like your Hobby Lobby is better than mine, the airbrush paint available is all rated 40-50psi and the reducer is always out of stock
Thanks for this video. I bought an airbrush when I decided to get back into miniatures, and it has been sitting on my table for weeks. Maybe this is the push I need.
+Matt Liguori If you have one, then it's a really good idea to learn how to use it. You'll be really glad you did, it helps make your painting so much better. Thanks for watching!
I keep a running list of stuff I need at Hobby Lobby. Including the core line of vallejo model color paints they carry there. 40% off coupon is great.
+Titan Terrain Studio I always pay 40% off when getting my Testors Dullcote. Thanks for watching!
very awesome and informative vid. looking forward to your paint one, I'm curious as to what you do for Priming. As of now, since I feel your "frozen hellscape" problem here in Maine, I'm using a mixture of Vallejo (non-air) Paints, Flow Aid, and Matte Medium to make my primers.
+Keilore Vaelljo make a specific polyurathane primer that goes perfectly with Airbrushing.
+Keilore Vallejo Surface Primer is made for airbrushing, and it's my favorite primer. Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much, great heads up before my ominous purchase. You've made my day!
Atom, this is a great topic and surprisingly hard to find decent introduction videos or information on airbrush basics. Airbrushing 101 if you will. Please do some baby step videos as I received an airbrush two years ago for Christmas and have been terrified to use it as I don't want to muck it up. For example: how do I use the damn thing, How do you properly thin the paints, how much paint should I put in the cup, how should I set it up, how do I clean it when I'm done, WINDEX mixed with paint!? WTF!!!??? How do I do these things. Please show us your airbrush secrets! I want to learn! I believe my airbrush is also an Irwata, it looks just like yours.
+Bretonnian Hopefully I'll be able to answer some of those things in future episodes. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this video series! Staggering volume of videos, but I'll stick with the guy I trust (Uncle Atom). Just purchased a Badger airbrush/compressor set for cheap (25 yr anniversary sale) and figured I should start learning the basics principles. Winter is almost here, so what better time to start airbrushing!
Great video! I used an airbrush about 35 years ago on model airplanes and really enjoyed it. I know I had a Badger airbrush back then (I have no idea what I did with it when I entered the Air Force), but I know it was a siphon style. I also remember there was debate over "external mix" and "internal mix". I never liked the idea of "external mix" - mine was internal. I also always thought the external paint cup was risky for spillage, but now I get why gravity fed is better for miniatures. Back then, I was airbrushing in my dorm room, so I was worried about making a mess. 😆Thanks!
A couple of questions. 😀
1. I am pretty sure I didn't own a compressor in my dorm room back then (besides the fact that it was probably too expensive for me), so I must have used a can of compressed air. Is that done much anymore?
2. If I am only going to be painting 28mm/32mm characters for D&D and some board game minis, and not larger models like you find in Warhammer 40K, am I going to get a lot of use from an airbrush? Can I do much more than prime them? Can I do base painting and zenithal highlighting on figures that small? I am trying to justify the price and setup.
I live in Florida, so I think I would be able to use rattle cans for priming most of the year (maybe not as much in summer), but I live in an apartment complex so I would have to find a place in the grass away from the parking lot to spray them without risking overspray.
Great video Atom! Like several others I'm curious about spray booths. Are they really necessary? If so, do you have to vent them outdoors or will the filters in the booth catch enough paint so I don't have to have a window open in the middle of winter? I also live in a "frozen hellscape" part of the country.
+Shane Flickinger I've never used a booth myself, I usually just wear a respirator with the replaceable filters. I'll ask around about booths for the 'safety' episode, though. Thanks for watching!
+Tabletop Minions Meh, I'm more a safety third kind of guy. I was more curious about how unruly the overspray was on those things. For example, is the carpet and furniture in the room I'm spraying in going to get covered in a thin layer of paint over time? If so then maybe I want a booth, versus setting up in my garage where I may not necessarily need one.Thanks for the reply.
P.S. I used to live in Madison, and to be honest I miss WI sometimes. Cheers!
Thanks for doing this! Videos like this (wet palette in particular) brought me to your channel originally. It's great that you're doing more!
I'd love to hear some safety advice. Do you use a booth? Wear a mask? Recommendations for both?
+Teirdome I generally just wear a mask, one of those with the replaceable filters. Thanks for watching!
"Back in the 1950s; or whenever there were cavemen." had me laughing more than it probably should! Love the humor and channel man! looking to get into tabletop games and you have a lot of knowledge to share. Good job look forward to more of your videos
I'm in the same boat as you. Live in Florida and can't prime most days, I usually wait for nighttime with low humidity, which isn't often.
Will u be going over how to set up a paint brush station .... I live in an apartment .... Also can u make a spray booth on a budget ?
+ElvaanRanger I'm going to look into it. Thanks for watching!
+Tabletop Minions Very interested in this response, I also live in a very cold climate and would love to get this going inside... but the ventilation is a bit of a concern. Thanks!
Shout out from the Frozen Tundra/Hoth System! This es exactly why I'm thinking about finally...FINALLY getting an airbrush.
when I decided to get back into wargaming after a huge hiatus i wanted to go the airbrushing route. I bought a cheap 40$ brush off ebay and it never even worked. At that point i decided Fuck it and bought a 400$ harder and Steenbach brush. Easily the best decision ive made, works flawlessly.
Frozen hellcape!😂 I feel you my friend, in Miami priming can be an issue too. The humidity will destroy the primer on your model...and it’s balls sticking to your legs hot and humid in mid January...12 months a year. I just bought an airbrush. I will be watching your vids.👍🏻
Great start atom, looking forward to the rest of these. My biggest concern with starting is ...do I need a spray booth? Do I need a mask? Do I need both?
Hopefully you will discuss these and show your set-up in a future vid.
Thanks again!
+TheJankmaster I will discuss it, as many people have asked. Personally, I just use a respirator mask with the removable filters. Thanks for watching!
And a booth? Or just the mask? Thanks for the response! Tabletop Minions
+TheJankmaster I don't use any kind of ventilated booth or anything, no. Just the mask. Thanks for watching!
Nice and informative video for beginners. The way you hold the airbrush all the time during the video is making anxious... I was waiting for you do drop it all the time :P ! Regarding your airbrush if it is 0.3 needle then it is more than ok for small details work.
I have a 21 gallon Harbor Freight compressor. Is it ok to use this? I'm just learning and 1/4 inch adapter was included in Campbell Hausfeld air brush gun.Great video for newbees.👍
I know this is a bit old, but with hardware store compressors be a little careful with it as moisture will condensate in the lines and come through the hose. Make sure you bleed the lines just to be safe. Up in Wisconsin it wouldn't be an issue as humidity is a non-factor compared to the mid-south/south.
Fantastic video mate. Have been thinking about this for a while and you've given some great ideas.
+Lup3rcal I'm so glad I got an airbrush. It's made my painting much better. Thanks for watching!
Your videos are great. They are really well done! Your tips and advice is amazing! I appreciate the time you put into them. I am new to warhammer and modelling you are a huge help! So thank you! Cheers!