Airbrushes for finishing plaques and carvings

[gad5264]

I'm looking to up my finishing game for some of my CNC carvings and am contemplating an airbrush, My final decision is down to two different models. I would like some input from some of you guys or gals that use airbrushes for finishing your work.



I am looking to use acrylic paint and also Trans Tint dyes on my projects.





My final choices are down to the following



Thayer & Chandler T61-1 Vega 2000 Airbrush



Iwata-Medea NEO TRN 1 Trigger Airbrush







Thanks in advance with any input on this.

[johnb]

Don't overlook the more mundane applications of an airbrush...for many years, some of the people who maintain high quality varnish work in marine applications have had great luck with using airbrushes to apply finishes to both interior and exterior marine woodwork. It takes a little practice, but the results (and life) of finishes applied this way can be spectacular. We're not talking about vast expanses of woodwork here, but the little trim pieces, railings, etc that aren't that much different than the non-cabinetry projects produced by CNC enthusiasts.

In most cases, you wouldn't break out a spray rig to use for a 1' x 2' sign or a box. Dealing with the cleanup between coats would take bunches of time and effort in something most of us hate doing. Airbrush cleanup is, for the most part, pretty easy. Small batches of finish are easy. "Fixing" your finish thickness is easy (and uses little in the way of material). Overspray containment is easy. Multiple light coats are possible with minimal drying time between. Check "airbrush" at Harbor Freight.

[garylyb]

I use a grex Tritium.TG airbrush. It has a trigger and it's been great.

I had a cheap plastic airbrush first, and it was junk. Both of those are good models, but I don't have any experience with them.

I find the trigger very easy to use. With any airbrush, you will have to get good a breaking it down and cleaning it regularly.

[gerry]

The cheap Harbor Freight is pretty darn good to fool with. 3/4 Oz Deluxe Airbrush Kit I got this compressor 1/5 HP 58 PSI Oil-Free Airbrush Compressor Kit. I this I got them both with a 20% off coupon. Be sure to get a braided hose for another $8.

I use it mostly for spraying small toy parts and wheels. I've used it for spraying pockets I've cut into games. I may try it on vcarve lettering, etc. You do have to thin most acrylic paint quite a lot, so it needs lots of coats. Brushing vcarve is one coat and done. Then I have to drag the compressor into the garage to paint. Most larger pieces won't fit onto my small spraying desk.

I did upgrade my airbrush to Iwata-Medea NEO TRN 2 Trigger Airbrush. I like this because it has a BIG trigger pull, not a button. I get better control.

[dusty]

I bought a kit from Amazon.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YOBLJM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thought I'd try it out and have been quite pleased. Granted that the Pro Master is not close to an Iwata but it has been doing fine... so far.

[gerry]

The looks like a pretty good deal to get you going. I got the Iwata mainly because it uses a big trigger lever, not a button. I get better control.

[johnb]

I'm thinking you could do some cool stuff if you set up one of those "pen trace" attachments, put the image on the board, then airbrush the perimeter of the letters ...and THEN V-Carve it. If working with wood, you'd likely want to "pre-seal" to keep the acrylic from soaking into the fibers near the surface and leaving a "bleed" effect.