I want to learn to air brush but have no idea what brands/types of airbrushes are good. I know since there are many things you can do wiht an air brush, hence the many types out there, but i'm looking for a decent over all one for air brushing vinyl. So far the Badger 155 looks good, but i noticed Frank and Pickle got iwatas, but again i hav eno idea what makes iwata so awesome except that they're not cheap. But I would like something better than blown paint through a straw.

Any advice is welcomed. THANKS!!!

I go the iwata because you can do a really tight controlled line with it. it has better 'stuff' than say badger or paasche. any airbrush is going to be good, u can get a paasche or badger for 100.00 and swap out needles all the time. me, I have 3 airbrushes 1 for 'big area' one for 'medium' and the iwata for details. that way I just move my aint jar from brush to brush instead of stopping, cleanng the brush, taking it apart, swapping the needle, etc.

your 'big' purchase will be the air compressoer. you want one that sfairly large, with a pressure control valve and a molsture trap. those are essential.

I'm looking into the compressors now, a friend just mentioned a good compressor is definately an iwata power jet studio, the one shaped like a pc tower, how much is the difference in performance between iwata power jet studio compressors of different price? Sorry if my question is a bit vague, cuz I dont know shit about compressors, but basically, for example, is a iwata power jet for 400 goona be better than one at 250?

I was also thinking I will need more than one brush for exactly the same reason as Frank, so my line up would be a cheapo badge 155 for over all spray, then iwata for med/tighter areas. But again being a super Fresh Meat to this I'm still trying to figure out which iwatas are good for what.

THANKS for the info Frank, can you tell me the specs of the 3 brushes r currently in ur arsenal? THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

And if anyone else would like to share, please do!!!

i have no idea what the specs are, I just fiddled with it all until I got what i wanted.

this I know:

you get what u pay for with airbrushing equipment.

my compressoer is some high qualty industrial no name one and I added the pressure valve and moiusture trap aftermarket.

What are the benefits for these ad ons?

1, you can control the air pressure
2. it removes water from the air that is mixing with your paint, so iit reduces burps and spaletters

Iwata is awesome. I use a Mr. Hobby Procon-Wa Boy, or something like that, its close to the Iwata and I have never had trouble with it. Painless.

Iwata all the way

iwata rules. I got a package deal that includes the compressor on ebay for like $270.

Get the Iwata HP-C. the only airbrush you might ever need if you're just a hobbyist.
That was my first ever airbrush and I'm still using it after trying their whole gamut of arsenals. It's a work horse and very versatile. The one Frank has is a HP-Bc which is basically like the HP-C but it allows for quick color changes and larger paint capacity as it's a bottle feed. The HP-C is gravity feed because it's just a small cup on top of the brush. You need a regulator/moisture trap. Any compressor you use will build moisture and the last thing you want is moisture in your air. It will ruin everything you spray. Once you have those things, you can actually use almost any compressor. If noise is not an issue, get one from Sears or Home Depot with a small tank. This will allow you to use it for around the house and those tools that need compressed air. The more expensive ones are basically quiet refrigerator motors with tanks and are so damned silent, you hardly hear them. You're really paying for the silence. Not really worth it although I got one. This place has everything and really good customer support and service. http://www.dixieart.com/Dixie_Art_Supplies_Airbrush_Main_Page.html
Hope this helps.

I got Badger 155 which I use for medium/large area on toys and garage kits. You can still get some good control and detail except its not a gravity feed so you waste some paint. For my fine detail/effects I use the Iwata HP-B

I still do a fair amount of hand work on my kits though, like inking, drybrushing and all the picking out you need for details but an airbrush save busloads of time and allows for many effects a brush or pen can't do.

Good luck, have fun and share what you do