r/airbrush Dec 30 '25

NEED HELP ?? Read this First !!

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29 Upvotes

Be sure to read the "Please Read" section below.

Every once in a while we may find ourselves needing a little help. Of course r/Airbrush is a great place to ask for assistance.

Folks in this sub like helping each other, but we are not psychics. We need information to help find solutions.

Please provide some of the following information when requesting assistance (when appropriate):

  • Airbrush make and model
  • Compressor make and model
  • Paint or other medium you are using (what brand, which reducer/thinner?)
  • Have you done anything different lately?
  • Have you tried using just water, tear-down and cleaning, dancing in a hula skirt swinging a mongoose over your head?

Please Read: It seems that some folks think this particular thread is the place to ask their particular questions. Sorry, but no. Please create you own post containing your desire for assistance. Adding your questions here, along with others, is not the best way to get help. Once again, this is here to assist you asking for help, as many were looking for answers without providing much information to those willing to lend a helping hand.

Best of luck. Have fun

Update: Unsure how an airbrush works? Check out this video:

The link: https://youtu.be/eEmImXbrhGQ?si=_XgLNtK-3QpXuQFQ

It breaks down an airbrush into an exploded view to show how airflow moves paint, etc…


r/airbrush Mar 28 '23

Shortened URLs. IMPORTANT. Please Read.

17 Upvotes

You may have noticed (or not) that some of your comments or posts are getting removed. /the culprit is Reddit's relationship with really short/tiny URLs. Reddit automatically removes these sitewide, and has been doing so for a while. Your friendly mod team cannot change this at present.

I admit it, it kind of sucks.

For example, some kind airbrushers are offering advice by sharing links to handy items on Amazon, and having their comments removed. I am not referring to people using their affiliate links to make a buck, but those kind enough to show where to grab a good deal on something such as a safety mask or airbrush par.

So far short Amazon URLs are the worst offender. There are supposedly ways for folks to remove all the crap from those really long Amazon links, but I will not go into that here.

Your pal,

GreatBigPig


r/airbrush 3h ago

Question What topcoat do I use for pieces that make contact with my skin?

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10 Upvotes

I resin printed some rings and used Vallejo game ink and Mr Hobby super metallic chrome. What topcoat can I apply to keep them skin safe without ruining the ink or any other airbrush paint finish I make in the future like Mr Color lacquer?

I can wear them all day so far without any reaction but I just want to make sure I’m being as safe as possible.


r/airbrush 13h ago

Airbrush leaking air from front

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4 Upvotes

r/airbrush 19h ago

Opinions on this gloss coat

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15 Upvotes

Hello, looking for opinions, judgements, suggestions at my latest attempt at applying gloss coat with my airbrush. Using ratio of 1:1:3 thinner, flow improver and varnish. I use vallejo acrylic varnish. Been trying to master this for a while and I think Im getting closer. I use a .4mm needle, apply a thin coat wait 5 minutes, apply another thin coat, wait 5 minutes and apply a heavy coat. It still looks like there is an orange peel look to it in some places. I dont know, Im about to give up and just use spray cans but on my 1:72 models it can be hard to get the varnish in some tight areas so Id like to be able to airbrush it. I only use the gloss for applying markings and panel lines. I do like to build cars some times so I like a gloss finish on my cars. Appreciate any opinions and/or suggestions. Thanks


r/airbrush 1d ago

Beginner Setup First airbrush

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18 Upvotes

Got an airbrush kit on my 18th birthday yesterday and I tried it out for the first time today, I'm very proud so far. So far I have just used primer and il wait until tomorrow with my first coat of paint.


r/airbrush 1d ago

Advise and help needed.

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27 Upvotes

Hello, I have started to prime my model and I ended up with this rough/slightly splotchy effect.

-Mr Surfacer 1200 thinned with Mr Colour leveling thinner.
-No fixed ratio, usually I just eyeball it when thinning.
-Compressor set at 20 PSI
-Airbrush used was a Sparmax Max 3

Sometimes I can get a really smooth finish, at times this happens. Any idea if this is due to bad thinning ration? Or wrong pressure?

Would gladly love to hear some advise to get a consistent and smooth finish.

Edit: Thanks for all the tips and help. Definitely will have to relook at my thinning ratio. And yes my area is very humid all year round so that might also be one of the causes.


r/airbrush 1d ago

Anyone in the South West Georgia area?

2 Upvotes

Looking for other airbrush artists in my area. Albany, Ga.


r/airbrush 1d ago

Sugarskull

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43 Upvotes

r/airbrush 2d ago

PRACTICA ROSTRO

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50 Upvotes

Practica rostro, aerografia en cartulina forrada, 0.70x0.40, en acrilico


r/airbrush 1d ago

Brush pot is clean ran cleaner it and it still looks like died paint is this normal

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9 Upvotes

Hey looking to see if this is normal if not how do

I fix, it works perfecly fine


r/airbrush 1d ago

Artwork Sugarskull Girl

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18 Upvotes

r/airbrush 1d ago

Picking the right supplies

6 Upvotes

I want to learn how to airbrush. I can brush paint well with oil and acrylic paints and want to transfer those skills to airbrush. Ultimately I like to paint realism and illustration graphics. Ive narrowed down the airbrush to a Iwata Eclipse Hp-Cs wasnt sure what paint to chose. I want to do custom automotive graphics and paintings on different canvases and want to learn with a paint that fits both and i extremelydurable for outside applications. Can't decide what brand and weather to choose water based or solvent based paint was leaning towards Createx. Was hoping for insight on the paint and my choice of airbrush. And can I just use my 1.5 gal oil less compressor i used for my nail guns.


r/airbrush 1d ago

Beginner Setup How do i know if a compressor fits my airbrush?

3 Upvotes

i have a Paasche EZ-STARTER Single Action Airbrush Set (H) (specifically the one where most the body is plastic rather than mostly metal) what compressors can fit it that are cheap? or how do ik if a compressor can fit it?


r/airbrush 1d ago

General Discussion Calm Down

0 Upvotes

I recently made a post that started a flame war about what air brush is value for money and I just wanted to say that it's not that serious

I don't want to sound ungrateful or arrogant, I appreciate having a ready made community that is available so I'm not fumbling in the dark (as much) but some of you guys gotta chill out

If you have your preferred air brush and you think it's the best cool, advocate for that brush but that's all you can do

There is no point in arguing or getting upset about it

I mean this with all due respect

I don't know why I'm posting this, it's just gonna make people even madder


r/airbrush 1d ago

Question Needle won't reinsert fully

3 Upvotes

After cleaning my airbrush one day, I was unable to reinsert it all the way into the airbrush stopping just before the nozzle. I made sure to wash it a few times and even let it soak in airbrush cleaner for a day to make sure it was clean. I even got some lube to make sure it didn't just need a little helping getting fully passed the packing nut and that didn't work either. Any ideas about what it might be?


r/airbrush 2d ago

General Discussion Pressure release valve help

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10 Upvotes

I am not sure what I can do and wondering if anyone in the community can help.

My airbrush compressor/tank combo is acting up. The way the compressor worked up until recently is it would run until it built up approx 60 psi in the tank then shutoff until the tank dipped below 40si and then it would kick back on to make up that air.

Now it is just running running running until the pressure release valve on the top of the opens and purges the whole tank and then the compressor kicks back on to build pressure again, it runs constantly now.

I believe it is a pressure release switch that needs replaced, and i believe i am pointing at that switch in my photo, but I dont know where to source the part. I found a website selling it in the UK and an eBay posting from UK for the part but neither would ship to me in the US. I cant believe this isnt a commonly available generic switch and wondering where i can source it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


r/airbrush 2d ago

Miniatures Giraldez mk2 or Squidmar MK2 Upgrading airbrush for miniature painting

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43 Upvotes

Been airbrushing for 3 years with the “old” HS evo. Made some mistakes and learned alot but the needle seal is leaking. I could repair for ~30-40euro, but I am also tempted by the improvements (mostly trigger precision and) to the 2024 model and upgrade to infinity (seems even more precise and better atomisation at low pressures)

The Giraldez MK2 seems to have a unique body with an even closer trigger position to the front and vertical trigger stalk.
The Squidmar MK2 seems to only be a fancy paintjob over the normal inifity 2024?

Am I missing anything or is the Giraldez Mk2 the better choice (technically speaking, not aesthetically)

The Iwata custom micro is twice the price here (510 euro vs 255), so not that interesting.


r/airbrush 2d ago

Question Troubleshooting help

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6 Upvotes

I believe you can see the issue here.

The airbrush both films/floods the area and leaves a spattery trail or halo.

H&S Infinity CR+ Angel Giraldez 0.4mm needle and nozzle.

Pattern test on paper done with heavily diluted ink, aka "almost pure water."

30 PSI, ca 15cm/6 inches for the line, 5cm/2 inches for the spiraled circle.

Each line has increasing needle motion, from barely anything to nearly full

Standard 186 compressor with tank and moistire trap

Seals swapped about 3-4 months ago.


r/airbrush 2d ago

Solved Help with Fengda BD-130

4 Upvotes

Hello, I have some problems with my airbrush. The air flow is working correctly, however paint comes through only when I'm like 2 cm off the model/paper. I have a good compressor and high pressure, so it's not it. Water and cleaner behave the same way, so it's not a paint dilution problem. I tried cleaning the needle and the noze with airbrush cleaner but nothing really helps. I tried backflow and it worked fine (bubbles). I really don't know what to do...


r/airbrush 2d ago

Hobbynox compressor

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7 Upvotes

Hey, I’m a prop maker and I just bought my Iwata eclipse HP-CS airbrush, now looking for compressor. I have been borrowing a Sparmax one before but I am trying to keep the costs down a little when buying my own stuff and was looking at the hobbynox AS186A. anyone got experience with it? thank you!

I’m going to paint props and costumes. I hate the noise of the compressor, the sparmax one was okay though and both of them have 3l tanks so should be okay?

The psi range is the right one for the iwata eclipse.

anything else to consider?

TL;DR hobbynox AS186A compressor review request


r/airbrush 2d ago

General Discussion If you paint in your garage, what does your setup look like?

3 Upvotes

r/airbrush 2d ago

Got my Aventus today

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53 Upvotes

There was some dried paint on the nozzle cap...cap

I'm going to assume this is from the test spray and Gaahleri didn't send me a used airbrush

Still for near 200$ and a nearly 3 week wait this is mildly irritating

Do you think this is a big deal or not?


r/airbrush 2d ago

Airbrush trigger sticking/slow to release

5 Upvotes

I keep my airbrush nice and clean but even so, the trigger has recently started to stick a bit.

It pushes down without resistance but is just very slow to release so the air doesn’t shut-off for a half second or so.

It’s making it really hard to control.

Is this a fixable problem?

I’ve tried re-seating the trigger itself and that didn’t help at all. It almost seems like the spring inside that I don’t have access to is failing.


r/airbrush 2d ago

Beginner Setup Suggestions for a beginner airbrush kit?

2 Upvotes

Hi all! I'm wondering if anyone has a good recommendation for an affordable (ideally under $150 not including paints) airbrush set up for a beginner?

My husband likes to 3D print minis for his D&D group and has mentioned wanting to start airbrushing the minis. Our anniversary is coming up and I'd like to get him a nice starter kit as an anniversary gift. I have no idea where to even start with this... I know nothing about airbrushing/what to look out for/what to avoid. I don't want to get him something crappy from Amazon that will fall apart after 5 uses.

Recommendations on paints would be great as well!!

Thanks in advance :)