Hobby air brushes: Recommendations

[the_matrix_guy]

Thanks, fellas.

For brushes, I was looking at these as my main set:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...U5371ORF&psc=1

But Aliexpress has a lot of brushes with good reviews, with users surprised by the quality/resiliency. And theyr'e dirt cheap:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806816889399.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.31cc38dau TKqhs&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

[the_matrix_guy]

I just instantly subscribed to that channel, cellophane. My current projects are 'achievable dream cars of my youth'--things like an Evo and Skyline... that I'm making look like they were passed around and driven the last 25 years before they got imported.

Thats super cool. I was actually looking at slot cars right now. And this 1984 Audi Quattro Rally car with dirt weathering. I dont think it came like that from factory, someone did that custom:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/387464173997

Are you doing Tamiya model cars or RC

[Deus Machina]

Are you doing Tamiya model cars or RC

Models, of whatever brand catches my eye.
Tamiya? Great, they're cast very well, pieces match up nicely. Implant some scratches here and there, paint a quarter panel a different color or the like, rust in the crevices, etc. Old but repaired.
AMT? Sometimes the casting is garbage. So where a body panel is warped or blobby, that's where I paint rust and mud and add in some wrinkles. The hood doesn't lay flat on one corner? Add a ratchet strap. That Datsun 280Z's been around.

For instance, you can really get the point across with a couple 'bent' radiator fins and duct tape.

[Deus Machina]

Once I get any of the three past the 'almost done'. Serious, just a few steps left, but it's the whole '10% work for 90% result' deal. :P
Brushes look like a good place to start. I have a similar set of just the extra fine ones, which have been working okay but feel a little stiff. Different color bristles, though, so maybe a different material.

I worked at Michaels for... way too long. My advice is always to get a basic set, learn which ones you use most and what you like and don't like about them, and then get really nice ones just to cover that. A bunch of mismatched great brushes are a lot better than a set of 'meh' ones.
Or if you're like me and your techniques are abusive, find a bulk pack of the ones you use a lot of. Save the good ones for the nice minis and models.

[JeeperCreeper]

You can grab sets from the Jungle website that
are cheap enough that you wont feel bad if you ruin them. They also have decent variety packs. Just make sure the brushes are compatible with the paint you are using.

[the_matrix_guy]

I noticed for weathering effects, a lot of the builders use the fluffy brushes (not sure the technical name) by wiping off etc. also a lot of the abuse comes from wiping the excess paint I would imagine. So there isnt a well established brand of brushes everyone swear by?

[JeeperCreeper]

Oh this tickles my 'tism. I got really into models in '20

Excuse the dust. I'll have to clean the Supra and show off the blue metallic paint. That ones a Tamiya kit.

The Chevy is a replica of an 86 K2500 I owned. I stole the cowl from a Camaro hood. Added wires and such.

The coup isnt finished, but it had a 2JZ GTE, and I cut the doors out and made hinges.

The grey primer Ford has a blown Hemi engine, and lowered.

The white Ford is lifted and 302 EFI swapped.

The Corvette is box stock, but I did focus heavily on the red paint. Again, I'll have to clean it.

I also bought a really nice Jeep Rubicon, but just like my full size Jeep, its not finished. Its a Meng kit, I highly recommend them, even though they are more expensive.

Oh what were we talking about? Oh I use a Badger Patriot airbrush, with paint thinned to a milk like consistency. I've also used rattle cans if I want a specific color that I cant find in a little Testors bottle.

[JeeperCreeper]

Oh and get plenty of thinner, and a cleaning kit for your airbrush. Taking care of that is #1 to getting consistent paint flow.

[the_matrix_guy]

Oh this tickles my 'tism. I got really into models in '20

Excuse the dust. I'll have to clean the Supra and show off the blue metallic paint. That ones a Tamiya kit.

The Chevy is a replica of an 86 K2500 I owned. I stole the cowl from a Camaro hood. Added wires and such.

The coup isnt finished, but it had a 2JZ GTE, and I cut the doors out and made hinges.

The grey primer Ford has a blown Hemi engine, and lowered.

The white Ford is lifted and 302 EFI swapped.

The Corvette is box stock, but I did focus heavily on the red paint. Again, I'll have to clean it.

I also bought a really nice Jeep Rubicon, but just like my full size Jeep, its not finished. Its a Meng kit, I highly recommend them, even though they are more expensive.

Oh what were we talking about? Oh I use a Badger Patriot airbrush, with paint thinned to a milk like consistency. I've also used rattle cans if I want a specific color that I cant find in a little Testors bottle.

Those are rad. Very nice work. You could leave the dust on the Chevy k2500. It looks like weathering.

very cool. I had a 2jzgte swapped into an 05 Is300
in my early to mid twenties. That car was pushing 800-+ whp.

Thanks for the tips. Yeah, I ordered my first air brush. Mostly for slot car racing scenery building and some Battletech stuff that shooter311 printed out for me a while ago and I never got around to building. But after seeing all of the model builders on YT, I feel like this is only the beginning.

and I still need brushes, glue, sandpaper, a side cutter … haven’t gotten a chance to look into it today, but I came up with those brushes I linked a few posts ago (yesterday)

[JeeperCreeper]

I have a cheap started kit from Amazon. It came with cutters, knives, files, tweezers, ect. They are cheap so good enough for starting out.

[JeeperCreeper]

I forgot how much detail I put into this. Alot of hand painting with super fine tip brushes. But the body paint was Testors enamel thinned down, then wet sanded and polished.

[JeeperCreeper]

Certain details can be weathered. I did a black wash to look like engine grime. It was watered down acrylic flat black. For the rust, I applied spots of brown, then hit it with a cotton swab to smear it. It helps if you deform the plastic, too, makes it more convincing. Some of these have gone through hell ever since my daughter was tall enough to climb up and get to these.

[the_matrix_guy]

Those are lovely.

They don’t look damaged. Or did you have to go back and fix them?

[JeeperCreeper]

The suspension is broken on the Supra and the Corvette, and the mirrors and a headlight are missing from the white ford pickup. Im also missing the grille assembly for the hot rod Ford

[the_matrix_guy]

I haven’t checked this thread in a while so I’ll say a few more things.

Matrix Guy needs to do more work and less shopping and talking. You have more than enough opinions from others by this point. You need to start painting and develop your own opinions.

The stuff I am getting is basic. The brushes are basic. If I am asking for input regarding the brushes is only to make a better buying decision. Obviously, the most important thing is to start doing it myself. I haven’t even received the racetrack or any supplies, so calm your tits.

Yes, I understand I need thinner and mix in a 1:1 ratio or a little less for metallic. Hence why I ordered thinner and thinner medium for the flow. And yes, racetracks have painted lines and painted designs. Some more than others. And yes, racetrack model builders do use masking tape. I also want to use the masking tape to do the rumble strips.

And yes, obviously everything is a process and you gotta be willing to try things. You sound mad for some reason and I’m not sure why — but feel free to take a breath and ignore this thread if it makes you feel stressed for some reason.

But every real life racetrack has stripes and rumble strips etc but some have actual painted stripes between the track. Some more than others. Some have no grass — and all painted turf / or cement. Some a combination of the two.

….and modelers use masking tape to replicate them to varying degrees. I plan to do both natural terrain and some painted stripe patterns in addition to the lane stripes, rumble strips,

[cellophane]

Thanks, fellas.
For brushes, I was looking at these as my main set:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...U5371ORF&psc=1

You really do get what you pay for with brushes. There is a reason those brushes are a dollar each. For applying scenery textures (mud / dirt / etc) they are fine, but for actual work on anything I wouldn't go near them.

Based on the picture you posted most of the work on the track could be done with basic hobby acrylics that you can pick up just about anywhere - although I don't know how they will work with an airbrush. Could also be done with rattle cans, but bottles will cost less. Golden also makes good paint that won't break your budget - it is in the same general price range (per oz) as Valejo, Army Painter, GW, etc.

I would also recommend setting up some test pieces. I have a few pieces of cardboard that I primed on my desk and a few models that I messed up / don't like for testing colors & techniques on. I've also tried to make some textured bits out of oven-bake clay, but so far they haven't quite worked out.

[the_matrix_guy]

You really do get what you pay for with brushes. There is a reason those brushes are a dollar each. For applying scenery textures (mud / dirt / etc) they are fine, but for actual work on anything I wouldn't go near them.

Based on the picture you posted most of the work on the track could be done with basic hobby acrylics that you can pick up just about anywhere - although I don't know how they will work with an airbrush. Could also be done with rattle cans, but bottles will cost less. Golden also makes good paint that won't break your budget - it is in the same general price range (per oz) as Valejo, Army Painter, GW, etc.

I would also recommend setting up some test pieces. I have a few pieces of cardboard that I primed on my desk and a few models that I messed up / don't like for testing colors & techniques on. I've also tried to make some textured bits out of oven-bake clay, but so far they haven't quite worked out.

I also have these big 3d printed Battlemechs: I want to start model building etc so I didn’t just get the airbrush for the racetrack.

I already ordered that set of brushes. I got tired of weighing options. I started getting analysis paralysis.

[cellophane]

I know the feeling. Better to get started and upgrade later than buy all the toys and never actually use them =)

[JeeperCreeper]

I wasted so many hours of my life playing Mech Commander Gold on pc. These remind me of that.

[the_matrix_guy]

I would also recommend setting up some test pieces. I have a few pieces of cardboard that I primed on my desk and a few models that I messed up / don't like for testing colors & techniques on. I've also tried to make some textured bits out of oven-bake clay, but so far they haven't quite worked out.

Thats a good tip, for sure. I am already planning on making a spray booth using an indoor plant tent no longer being used.