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Air Sources for
Airbrushing
By Don Johnson
Airbrush Technique
Magazine
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Sponsored by
Airbrush Artist Magazine
& Airbrush Technique
Magazine
Paint is propelled through and out the
airbrush tip in a controlled manner by compressed air. The higher the viscosity
of the paint (the thicker in simple terms) the higher PSI will be required to
get the job done. An illustration type airbrush paint like Doc PH Martins or
Golden Airbrush Colors both of which we would call low viscosity paints would
require 10 to 30 PSI with a 0.18 to 0.35 nozzle / needle to give you good
results. Where as Createx (a textile paint) being a higher viscosity paint
would require 40 to 60 PSI to give you good results.
Any compressor or
CO2 tank will work for airbrushing. Pictures below is the typical set up for
compressor and airbrush. (pictured provided by KB Kustoms, thanks
Kevin). . |
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CANNED AIR (Propellants) -- Most
expensive type of air source and not very effective. I do not recommend buying
this as it will not give you a good feel for what airbrushing is all about.
ELECTRIC COMPRESSORS --Come in all shapes and sizes. Please
research what will be required as far as PSI for the type of airbrushing you
will be doing. Will you be using a high viscosity paint for airbrushing
t-shirts or will you be doing illustrations with a low viscosity paint? These
are some of the things you should consider before buying a
compressor.
Electric compressors can be piston driven or
diaphragm , oil lubricated or non- oil lubricated, have a air storage tank or
none. I suggest staying away from diaphragm type compressors for anything other
than using very low viscosity type airbrush paints. . .
AIRBRUSH AIR
SOURCES
Diaphragm Compressors - Very
inexpensive type compressor. For about the same amount of money these days you
can buy an oil less mini piston compressor like the Phantom 100, much better
deal for the money. Diaphragm compressors use a reciprocating diaphragm to pump
air to your airbrush. One of the big draw backs to this type of compressor is
pulsing effect created by these types of compressors. One airbrush at a time
can be used.
Piston Driven Compressors - Pretty simple an
electric motor turns a piston that pumps air usually into a storage tank than
to the airbrush. With a large enough storage tank several airbrushs can
generally be used at one time with this type compressor. Well suited in most
cases for spraying high viscosity type paints. These compressors are often
pretty loud so try and hear it while it runs before you buy one. There are
silent compressors made for airbrushing but are general much more expensive
than a compressor like you can buy at Home Depot, hard ware
stores.
Air pressure regulators, moisture traps / filters should
be used on any type compressor used for airbrushing. An air pressure regulator
controls the air pressure at which the paint is sprayed. Moisture trap / filter
captures the moisture created by the flow of the hot air cooling in the air
storage tank or airbrush hose.** For oil lubricated compressors a oil filter
should be used to capture any oil from the compressor before it gets into your
airbrush.
COMPRESSED CO2 TANKS - Perfect for airbrushing in many
cases if the size of your projects are not huge. No need for a moisture trap or
oil filter are needed for CO2, just a regulator. For a regulator you should use
a welding type regulator which screws on top of the tank.
Air Lines /
Hoses-- The best kind is rubber covered by braided nylon which generally
comes in 10 ft. lengths. The compressor end of the hose will screw right on to
the out let side connection of your regulator.
For more information reguarding airbrush
compressors check this page out COMPRESSORS FOR AIRBRUSHING.
|
CANNED AIR (Propellants) --
Most expensive type of air source and not very effective. I do not recommend
buying this as it will not give you a good feel for what airbrushing is all
about.
ELECTRIC COMPRESSORS --Come in all shapes and sizes.
Please research what will be required as far as PSI for the type of airbrushing
you will be doing. Will you be using a high viscosity paint for airbrushing
t-shirts or will you be doing illustrations with a low viscosity paint? These
are some of the things you should consider before buying a
compressor.
Electric compressors can be piston driven or
diaphragm , oil lubricated or non- oil lubricated, have a air storage tank or
none. I suggest staying away from diaphragm type compressors for anything other
than using very low viscosity type airbrush paints. . .
AIRBRUSH AIR
SOURCES
Diaphragm Compressors - Very
inexpensive type compressor. For about the same amount of money these days you
can buy an oil less mini piston compressor like the Phantom 100, much better
deal for the money. Diaphragm compressors use a reciprocating diaphragm to pump
air to your airbrush. One of the big draw backs to this type of compressor is
pulsing effect created by these types of compressors. One airbrush at a time
can be used.
Piston Driven Compressors - Pretty simple an
electric motor turns a piston that pumps air usually into a storage tank than
to the airbrush. With a large enough storage tank several airbrushs can
generally be used at one time with this type compressor. Well suited in most
cases for spraying high viscosity type paints. These compressors are often
pretty loud so try and hear it while it runs before you buy one. There are
silent compressors made for airbrushing but are general much more expensive
than a compressor like you can buy at Home Depot, hard ware
stores.
Air pressure regulators, moisture traps / filters should
be used on any type compressor used for airbrushing. An air pressure regulator
controls the air pressure at which the paint is sprayed. Moisture trap / filter
captures the moisture created by the flow of the hot air cooling in the air
storage tank or airbrush hose.** For oil lubricated compressors a oil filter
should be used to capture any oil from the compressor before it gets into your
airbrush.
COMPRESSED CO2 TANKS - Perfect for airbrushing in many
cases if the size of your projects are not huge. No need for a moisture trap or
oil filter are needed for CO2, just a regulator. For a regulator you should use
a welding type regulator which screws on top of the tank.
Air Lines /
Hoses-- The best kind is rubber covered by braided nylon which generally
comes in 10 ft. lengths. The compressor end of the hose will screw right on to
the out let side connection of your regulator.
For more information reguarding
airbrush compressors check this page out
COMPRESSORS FOR AIRBRUSHING.
 |
I
hope you found this article helpful.
Two more great resources to learn more
about airbrushing, kustom painting are my airbrush, kustom painting magazines.
Check them out via the links below. Until next time "It's just paint" have
fun.
Airbrush
Technique Magazine
Airbrush Artist Magazine
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