Choosing Airbrush Features

Airbrush quality varies based on features as well as how the parts are made and assembled. Stamped parts are commonly less expensive but may not offer the same precision as costlier machined parts. Depending on your project, budget, and level of expectation, you can decide which airbrush quality makes sense for you.

What is in an airbrush?

Why the cost difference between airbrushes?

Machined parts, stamped parts, manufacturing tolerances, and features.

Airbrush Features

Single or Double (Dual) Action Airbrush?

Single action airbrush:

trigger controls airflow only; paint flow is constant
Difficult to achieve fine lines
paint volume is adjusted by the screw at the rear of airbrush

Double (dual) action airbrush:

trigger controls both airflow and paint flow
push down the trigger down for air flow
pull trigger back to allow paint into mixing chamber
amount of paint controlled by how far you the trigger is pulled back
Needle acts as a valve which prevents paint from oozing out before the air is started

Our Opinion:

For best success with acrylic paints, the dual action, or commonly called double action, airbrush is a must. With the dual action airbrush, you can easily back off on the volume of paint while maintaining the flow of air. This process allows the paint to dry and minimizes the potential for runs. Especially important when using acrylic paints which tend to dry less quickly than solvent paints.

Gravity Flow vs Siphon Feed

Gravity Flow Airbrush

With a gravity flow airbrush, the paint cup sits on top of the airbrush, and paint-flow is accomplished by gravity.

Siphon Feed Airbrush

The siphon feed airbrush paint bottle fits below the airbrush. Air flowing through the channel and across the tube opening pulls the paint up, creating a siphon. Because of the larger capacity of the paint bottle, siphon feed airbrushes are good for larger projects, thus requiring fewer refills.

Our Opinion:

The gravity flow airbrush is ideal for painting with acrylic paints. There are minimal parts through which the paint must pass before being mixed with the air. Thus, you have fewer places for the paint to accumulate, dry, come loose, and then clog your airbrush.

A typical 7 cc cup on a gravity flow airbrush is plenty of paint to cover an HO train car.

When using acrylic paints, it is best to use a lid on your airbrush cup, minimizing evaporation and drying.

Needle/Nozzle Size

The needle/tip size on your airbrush is a matter of preference. The needle size determines how fine your airbrush will spray. As logic tells you, the smaller the needle, the finer your spray will be.

As you reduce your needle size, you should also consider the viscosity of your paint. Thinning your paint may be required.

Small tip, 0.2 mm, for very fine work, minimizes flow of paint
Mid-size tip, 0.3, more coverage per pass; a versatile option that you might consider for model painting
Larger tip, 0.5, increases coverage, increases risk of paint runs

LEARN MORE: The small tip, such as a 0.2 mm, is for very fine work and minimizes the amount of paint passing through the airbrush and onto your model. The small tip is great for highlighting a model and lowers the possibility of having your paint run. On the down side, you will not be covering much area per pass thus painting an entire HO car could take about twice the time as using a 0.3 mm tip.

The 0.3 mm tip might be a good middle-size choice. Unless you plan to paint very fine lines, the 0.3 mm tip for scale models can provide the easier to handle mid-range spray.

To really speed the painting process, you might want to consider the 0.05 mm tip, but expect to be putting on quite a layer of paint per pass of the airbrush which will increase your chances of having your paint run. Not to worry, with practice, a dual action airbrush, and the forgiving nature of ModelersDP Acrylic Airbrush Paint, you will be painting like a pro in no time.

Preset Needle Stop Handle

Some airbrushes have a preset needle stop. The operator sets the stop using a dial at the back of the airbrush. This option is helpful as it keeps the needle from being pulled back too far and prevents a spray that is broader than desired.

Air Supply Quick Connect/Disconnect

The airbrush quick-connect, or sometimes called quick-disconnect or quick-release, is a handy device that attaches between your airbrush and supply hose. Instead of having to unscrew the airbrush, the quick-connect releases the airbrush by simply pulling down on a ring. When the airbrush is released, the airline is closed, thus maintaining the pressure in the supply hose.

Choosing Airbrush Features