Airbrushing newbie

[daytoh10]

Ok ladies and gents. I have seen so many amazing hard bait creations on here  that I have to try to get a piece of the cake. Keep in mind that I know absolutely nothing about airbrushing. I need to know everything I will need in order to start throwing some paint. Going by a few recommendations I did go out and buy a badger patriot. I also bought some reducer, cleaner, and a few basic colors. I also have a 6 gal. Pancake compressor. My questions are what else do I need, do you recommend using the compressor that I have or should I get one of the ones specifically for air brushing, and what do you guys use to paint crainkbaits (transparent or opaque)? Sorry so many questions. Just trying to get it right.
As always thanks in advance for taking the time to reply.

[Apdriver]

I have gotten away with using my big shop compressor but found the regulator just wasn't precise enough for me. What I do is run it through an airbrush regulator that I mount to my bench and can control the air without moving away from my work station.
You need some opaque white to use as a primer or base coat. After that, I like the createx wicked colors. A lot of them are transparent and pearls that are very nice on hard baits. Also, you need a good top coat and there are several out there. I'll post a link for an application guide for createx and it tells about heat setting and psi you need to run. Use google as there are a lot of airbrush guidance on the net. Here's that application guide. Good luck.

http://www.dixieart.com/AppGuide_CreatexAirbrushColors.pdf

[daytoh10]

Thanks for the info AP. That link was a good read. I have been using google to research. Just trying to figure out what what the pros here are using.

[jmelton]

 Am blessed to Live in and around some Pro Air Brush folk's.Have fun start small."can get costly fast.The best advise is please read and use protective equipment.2nd Copic Airbrush system.Watch youtube.The copic air brush system is the dremel tool to air Brush painting. Hope this helps.

[daytoh10]

Thanks for the info. Jmelton. I will def be wearing safety gear. I have found out that nothing I manage to get into with fishing seems to be cheap. That's why I like this forum. Takes some of the costly learning curve out. Plus there are some "okay" people here.

[Apdriver]

Daytoh, lemme give you a few more links to some equipment and suppliers that might interest you. TCP global is a good supplier for all things airbrush. You may already know about them.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/Airbrushing-Supplies/
Might want to look here too.

http://www.pecoglobal.com/default.asp

[bassinfool]

Not to hijack your thread, but this is something I have been wanting to get into for the better part of a year now.  I have a 5 gallon oil less pancake compressor already and I am assuming that will give me plenty of sustained pressure for airbrushing.  Anyways, the only questions I have are really about the water trap and then perhaps an in-line regulator to fine tune the pressure going to my brush.  Is all of this fairly simple to set up?  I am between a Badger Patriot and the Iwata Eclipse brushes, from what I have read they are both good brushes and would do fine starting out with and beyond.  Any other things you guys see as absolute essential, have to have stuff for starting up other than like some Helping hands, paints, thinner, cleaner.  Thanks for helping out everyone, these boards have done absolute wonders for me in my own bait making and it's thanks to people like you who selflessly share your hard earned knowledge with us newbies.

[ctom]

I have the Patriot and have found it very user friendly. The pancake will work well for you but do add the in-line regulator and water trap. One thing I will suggest as far as the supplies go is to be sure you get a large bottle of cleaner and don't scrimp on using it. Another handy item is a flat edged artist brush with sable brush fibers....the brush is handier than handy for cleaning in hard to reach areas and the soft bristles with harm nothing as far as the brush is concerned.

[bassinfool]

I have the Patriot and have found it very user friendly. The pancake will work well for you but do add the in-line regulator and water trap. One thing I will suggest as far as the supplies go is to be sure you get a large bottle of cleaner and don't scrimp on using it. Another handy item is a flat edged artist brush with sable brush fibers....the brush is handier than handy for cleaning in hard to reach areas and the soft bristles with harm nothing as far as the brush is concerned.

Thanks for the artists brush tip, I am sure that will come in handy.

[daytoh10]

Are the badger airbrushes different sizes than the normal airbrush? Basically I have been reading about having to get different connections to attach the badger to your air supply or to a moisture trap. I am kinda confused, but that does not take much.

[ctom]

I had to purchase an air line separate from the Patriot airbrush I ordered, but other than the connection at the air brush body everything else should be a standard 1/4" fitting size. At least I am pretty sure its 1/4". My quick disconnect fitting came off an inflator for car tires and screwed right into the large end of the hose. The water trap and pressure regulator are all going to be standard fitting sizes.

[daytoh10]

Thanks Tom. My badger came with an air hose, a very small air hose. I am slowly starting to piece this thing together. I hope to start painting soon, but we are in the process of buying a house so that is throwing a wrench in on any project time. It's driving me crazy looking at this sparkling new airbrush just sitting around.