Anyone play around with airbrush?

82boy

82boy

Patrick Kennedy
I am in the middle of a project for this winter, and I want to paint a fiberglass stock. I bought my paint it is house of kolor, and the reducer, I was going to shoot it with my automotive touch-up guns, but I have to wait until spring gets here where it is warm enough to spray. (I don't have a heated garage) I thought about buying a cheap airbrush set up from harbor freight, and shooting the stock in my basement.

My questions are the harbor freight kit is on sale this week for I think $14.99 is it descent enough to do a good job on a stock, or is it one of them you get what you pay for deals? How else can I power the brush besides a air brush compressor? I think I remember seeing propellant cans that you can screw on, would this work? I have a small tank that I can hold air pumped from my compressor, could I make this work? Would this have enough pressure and volume to do a good job spraying the stock? Any other tips you guys can give me?

Thanks
Pat
 
I use all three of the Harbor Freight air brushes. They're fine, there isn't much to an airbrush.

IMO you absolutely need the compressor hooked directly, no bottles nor tanks of air.

The only tip I can think of is....... keep your paint clean. Strain it or you will plug up tips and splatter your stock w/goobers.

al
 
82boy said:
I am in the middle of a project for this winter, and I want to paint a fiberglass stock. I bought my paint it is house of kolor, and the reducer, I was going to shoot it with my automotive touch-up guns, but I have to wait until spring gets here where it is warm enough to spray. (I don't have a heated garage) I thought about buying a cheap airbrush set up from harbor freight, and shooting the stock in my basement.

My questions are the harbor freight kit is on sale this week for I think $14.99 is it descent enough to do a good job on a stock, or is it one of them you get what you pay for deals? How else can I power the brush besides a air brush compressor? I think I remember seeing propellant cans that you can screw on, would this work? I have a small tank that I can hold air pumped from my compressor, could I make this work? Would this have enough pressure and volume to do a good job spraying the stock? Any other tips you guys can give me?

Thanks
Pat
Click to expand...


Will work just fine.

Attach directly to your compressor line with a quick disconnect. Start with your regulator set at 5 psi and work the pressure up until it matches the thickness of the paint so that it sprays in an even mist. Thin the paint to a watery consistency but not so much as to run when sprayed in a mist form....................Don
 
Since you stated you've already got a compressor, unless you're gonna paint one stock your whole life, you might be better off getting an auto touch up gun such as a Badger which will allow you to lay down more consistant color and much better clear coats. Make sure you put a moisture trap on the compressor.
 
I have a Santa auto touch up gun, but I have a BAD problem with moisture with my compressor, I have three dryers, and still have water running out of my tools. I also don't have a heated garage so living in the north west I would have to wait until late spring to early summer to paint the stock.

I thought an airbrush would be better because one I can use my basement to paint, and do it during the winter. Second I can control the moisture better.
 
With my latest build I was faced with the buy an airbrush question. I just needed to Ceracoat my barrels so I tried those pressure cans with a bottle and spray bottle from Home Depot. It would great for me with no fuss and will even store your extra.
 
"is it descent enough to do a good job on a stock"

It will do the job... not a good job. An airbrush is designed to add detail, not clear coat. Use your spray guns and buy a heater, crank the heat up and then spray or be patient and spray it in the spring.

As a second note, spray guns are generally a get what you pay for deal. Cheap guns are for primer, color and clear I wouldn't shoot anything cheaper than a Sharpe or Binks.

People will disagree with me but I do have a bit of experience :)
 
82 Boy,
Kav knows,he just dosn't want to bring ya down too hard. It takes a pro to lay down a good paint job.Good equipment,dry compressed air,dust free environment, clean air intake and exaust,lots of dry heat and the ability to maintain warm dry temps until the paint cures.The knowledge and experience to completely understand the paint products one is using,the patience to fill and prep the stock with the right products,mask off bedding areas,attach handles and hangers to the stock,and finally the skill to lay down even multiple coats of catalized automotive finish.Anything that you're about to attempt in your basement is destined to fail and could even ruin your marriage, as the paint fumes slowly but surely reach every corner of your home!
Being as you already bought the paint and reducer you might want to approach some auto body guys in your town and see if they would be interested in doing it for you on the side for a hundred or so ? A pro paint job from Briar Hail or other stock painters would be in the 3-400 range.
Joel
 
What ever you do, don't spray in your basement. I can tell you of a friend of mine in KC that does his own benchrest smithing and stock work. He decided to use an automotive clearcoat in his basement. He used to own tropical fish and kept them in the basement!:(

Here are a couple of pieces I did with HOK paints and a Iwata siphon brush. I will never buy another siphon air brush!

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flame1-1.jpg


Mike

ps keep in mind.....if it will kill fish in the water?????? Be safe what ever route you take
 
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