Ship Model Centric Airbrush Kit

[Rich Sloop]

Painting question....  The painting needs for ship models seems to be fairly straightforward.  If that is correct, what is the best basic airbrush kit offered that best meets most of ship modeling needs?  Would the small handheld airbrush/compressor be good for painting bulwarks, wales, spars, hulls and maybe applying matt varnish?  Really would like to find an easy, all-around airbrush kit that provides better results than brushes.  Any advice to this newbie is appreciated.

[ccoyle]

13 minutes ago, Rich Sloop said:

Really would like to find an easy, all-around airbrush kit that provides better results than brushes.

 

I'm not trying to dissuade you from getting an airbrush, which is admittedly a very useful tool, but is your desire to get one based on a perceived lack of acceptable results with brushes? If so, the problem may lie with the brushes and/or paints you use. For the best brush painting results you need quality brushes (not the kinds sold in inexpensive sets) and paints formulated specifically for models using finely-ground pigments, applied in multiple thin coats. Of course, if you're already doing that and still want an airbrush, then have at it!

[palmerit]

I like using an airbrush. It takes some research on how to use it and how to thin the paints properly. You do have to disassemble and clean from time to time. No avoiding cleaning it, sometimes at the most inopportune times.

 

For example, on the Vanguard models there are a lot of finely etched pieces showing detail. The airbrushing keeps all those etchings clearly visible. I'm certain you could get the same with properly thinned paints, nice brushes, and good technique, and I've seen people do that here. I like an airbrush because it is quicker, though the price of an airbrush and compressor and all the accessories is a lot more expensive than some nice brushes.

 

Having quality paints is important whether using brushes or an airbrush. In fact, an airbrush really needs airbrush paints (I use Vallejo Air) or a lot of experimentation to get non-airbrush paints to the right consistency. Even using Vallejo Air, I thin using a combo of stuff.

 

A recommendation depends in part on how much you want to spend. Assuming you want to get an airbrush, I'd check out some of the various YouTube videos - there are a lot - doing comparisons and ratings at different price points.

 

I have an Iwata Eclipse airbrush (not the most expensive certainly, but not cheap). I've seen people recommend Badger, but have not tried them. I imagine a cheap no name airbrush might be a pain. Air brushes are fairly precise finely-engineered pieces of technology. Cheap knockoffs might not be worth it. Again, just basing that on things I've seen on videos, not personal experience. My Iwata is great, and it's one of the top ones recommended, but maybe overkill.

 

To the point made by @ccoyle, there is such a big difference imho between the paint in a Model Shipways model and Vallejo paints. The former thick and fairly gritty, the latter pure liquid with no signs of the pigments. That said, I've seen people do a great job with Model Shipways paints with the right thinning and right technique. Some people love them. I used the Model Shipways paints on some work boats I built that were relatively large scale and the bit of blotchiness in those paints were okay given the context. The same blotchy grainy paints on a 1:64 model would look terrible I'd think, not that I've tried.

 

I have a No Name compressor. Literally the brand is No Name. Got it from https://spraygunner.com/. No Name could well be their house brand. Saw it recommended someplace and it had a good sale. Again, there are lots of them that are cheaper than the one I got.

 

I also got an airbrush booth so I could paint inside the house (our cellar is dank, we don't have a garage):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MGGYH2W?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

Not necessary, but nice to have depending on your setup. There are lots like this. I was a review of this one. It works fine.

 

An airbrush is great. But it is definitely an expense. And it takes a bit of practice and researching to figure out how to use it - and clean it. 

 

Short of it is that you don't NEED an airbrush. I bought one in part because I wanted to play with one and with our boys out of the house had a bit more disposable income than I might have a few years ago to have fun.

Edited Friday at 09:25 PM by palmerit

[ubjs]

I dont like cleaning an airbrush. I have several airbrushes and compressor but today I never use them.

Today you could find a lot of colors in spray cans and you get a good result with them.

I often use Tamiya primer spray can and then a brush when I paint ships or modelhouses.

If you use a primer first its much easier to get a good result with brushpainting.

With metal I use what in swedish is kallgalv, its a car primer you use repairing full scale cars.

After that I brushpaint.

[Y.T.]

I do not use airbrush. I do not own it. All my modelling painting I do with a hand brush.  It comes out very good to my opinion. I cannot imagine how I would mask whole ship hull with something to make sure that air brush does not pollute my whole project.   

[CPDDET]

I purchased a basic Badger brush and compressor kit. Don't use it too often but I love the results when I do. Yes, it takes some maintenance but what dosent. Badger also makes paint that can be used straight from the bottle, no thinning required. While air brushing provides a beautiful finish it's not what you want if your seeking realistic results. Ships were painted with brushes. So depends on the look you want.

Edited Saturday at 07:03 PM by CPDDET
Spelling error

[palmerit]

5 hours ago, CPDDET said:

Ships were painted with brushes. So depends on the look you want.

That’s true for a large scale model. If you’re doing a 1:64 or smaller scale, probably even 1:48, you would not see brush strokes. Visible brush strokes I would think would be out of scale. 

[Desertanimal]

About the same here as others. I’ve got one, works great. Cheap Amazon kit. $130?? Don’t use it too often. 

 Most of the time I can be in and out with a brush without leaving my chair.  Faster, looks just as good. Good brushes and quality paint is the answer. No way around that. 
Army Painter makes airbrush ready paint.  Never used it myself. 
Chris

[CPDDET]

1 hour ago, palmerit said:

That’s true for a large scale model. If you’re doing a 1:64 or smaller scale, probably even 1:48, you would not see brush strokes. Visible brush strokes I would think would be out of scale. 

Good point!

[Capt. Kelso]

Rich, I bought my first airbrush (Paasche) in 1973, primarily for plastic modeling. I've also owned Badger and Iwata. This is a topic which can result in information overload, what type of compressor, tank, tankless, Should I get a dual action, single action, gravity feed airbrush? How do I thin enamel, acrylic paints, etc..

 

When I started in wooden ship modeling (early 80"s) I was fairly experienced using an airbrush. So, no real learning curve. However, once enamel/lacquer-based paints were being replaced by acrylics, I found using acrylics more difficult to use. Personally, I have found I generally only use the airbrush for painting the hull, especially if there is a waterline involved.  I have used it for bulwarks and deck structures simply because I didn't want to bother with a brush. When airbrushing the model, don't "underestimate" the amount of masking required! But, as others have pointed out, particularly with smaller scales, a good set of brushes can work just as well as airbrushing (prefer red sable brushes, still find some Floquil brushes on EBay).

 

In terms of a good basic versatile dual action airbrush for ship modelling, my Badger 150 does the job. I have two compressors, 3gal pancake and dual fan w/tank.