Are the cheap air brush kits any good?

[alshookup]

Hello, I am thinking of having a bash at modelling and am looking to buy the following kit...airfix a20440 1930 4.5 litre Bentley scale 1:12.
Using a paint brush and standard paint would no doubt spoil the finished effect so I wondered if I bought a cheap airbrush kit from ebay, if it would do the job and also would like to know if special paint is needed when using these airbrushing kits?
thanks

[TobyC]

It's like anything you pay for what you get. I bought a cheap set up off Amazon a couple of years back all up for £60 odd and it came with two airbrushes. The compressor still works but the brushes are long gone for something a lot better. I'd recommend Vallejo model air acrylic paints. They are ready to use with no need to thin and being acrylic it makes cleaning everything a lot easier usually with only water.

[montessa315]

Totally agree with TobyC.
Bought the same sort of compressor setup from ebay 5 years ago. Got rid of the airbrushes but the compressor is still going. Get a compressor with a built in tank.
I use Harder & Steenbeck airbrushes, for which spares are available and had them for 5 years as well. Still going great.

Have a look at Little-cars. http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/;

I also have always used Vallejo Model Air acrylic paints and would highly recommend them. Found car screen wash does a better job than water for cleaning.

Alan...........

[PaulBradley]

I've used the same simple Paasche H airbrush I started with over 15 years ago....

[alshookup]

Thanks to all, you have given me something to think about.

[Jagewa]

Here's a review vid of a cheapie that I stumbled on yesterday:

[alshookup]

I didn't realise just how expensive the airbrush compressors are so I may well stick to hand brushing the paint on the Bentley blower. Will it spoil the effect too much do you think?

[JohnRatzenberger]

Practice with multiple coats of well-mixed, thinned paint, applied with a good brush of proper size/shape for the particular surface that is well-cleaned and stored between uses. Don't forget primer and don't forget to let each coat dry well before the next. Micro-mesh to polish out flaws.

For a really big surface - like an entire car body in a single color - look at rattle-can paint. Then do the details by brush.

[alshookup]

Thanks for your response jRatz but are you referring to a proper Bentley car as I am on about a model (airfix a20440 1930 4.5 litre Bentley scale 1:12)?

[Brickie]

I'd imagine he's talking about a model, since this is a modelling forum.

But yes, especially for things like car bodywork where you want to get as smooth and even a finish as possible, your best bet is a rattlecan - just be aware that the paint coming out of one is often a *slightly* different colour and/or finish to the equivalent brushed on from a pot.

For example, on this plane I did a few years ago, both the greens are Humbrol number 88 - the paler shade has come out of a can, the darker shade out of a paint-pot.

[alshookup]

Thanks for helpful advice.