r/airbrush • • Dec 30 '25

NEED HELP ?? Read this First !!

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29 Upvotes

Be sure to read the "Please Read" section below.

Every once in a while we may find ourselves needing a little help. Of course r/Airbrush is a great place to ask for assistance.

Folks in this sub like helping each other, but we are not psychics. We need information to help find solutions.

Please provide some of the following information when requesting assistance (when appropriate):

  • Airbrush make and model
  • Compressor make and model
  • Paint or other medium you are using (what brand, which reducer/thinner?)
  • Have you done anything different lately?
  • Have you tried using just water, tear-down and cleaning, dancing in a hula skirt swinging a mongoose over your head?

Please Read: It seems that some folks think this particular thread is the place to ask their particular questions. Sorry, but no. Please create you own post containing your desire for assistance. Adding your questions here, along with others, is not the best way to get help. Once again, this is here to assist you asking for help, as many were looking for answers without providing much information to those willing to lend a helping hand.

Best of luck. Have fun

Update: Unsure how an airbrush works? Check out this video:

The link: https://youtu.be/eEmImXbrhGQ?si=_XgLNtK-3QpXuQFQ

It breaks down an airbrush into an exploded view to show how airflow moves paint, etc…


r/airbrush • • Mar 28 '23

Shortened URLs. IMPORTANT. Please Read.

17 Upvotes

You may have noticed (or not) that some of your comments or posts are getting removed. /the culprit is Reddit's relationship with really short/tiny URLs. Reddit automatically removes these sitewide, and has been doing so for a while. Your friendly mod team cannot change this at present.

I admit it, it kind of sucks.

For example, some kind airbrushers are offering advice by sharing links to handy items on Amazon, and having their comments removed. I am not referring to people using their affiliate links to make a buck, but those kind enough to show where to grab a good deal on something such as a safety mask or airbrush par.

So far short Amazon URLs are the worst offender. There are supposedly ways for folks to remove all the crap from those really long Amazon links, but I will not go into that here.

Your pal,

GreatBigPig


r/airbrush • • 9h ago

Technique finished airbrush painting of a Ford Mustang on paper 50x35cm.

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8 Upvotes

r/airbrush • • 2h ago

Getting into airbrushing

2 Upvotes

Hello friends, quick question got a steal on a brand new iwata eclipse airbrush with a bunch of goodies and a gage moisture trap. This pair with my husky compressor im just about ready to get into painting but the only experience i have os cans. What do you recommend for paints mostly wanting metallic finishes what a good step to take at this point?


r/airbrush • • 6h ago

Createx Restorer

2 Upvotes

I searched the sub, and couldn't find anything related to this product. Has anyone used it and can share their experience? Is there a DIY formula that works just as well?

Just looking for some honest feedback before buying it. Thanks in advance

Edit: some context: my HP-BCS airbrushes get a lot of use and I'd like to restore (for lack of a better word) them as close to factory clean as possible, in hopes that they'll have that fresh out the box responsiveness. Might be a pipe dream, but I'd like to give it a shot.
I'd considered soaking metal parts (no seals) in acetone or some diy mix to get all the paint out of the guns.


r/airbrush • • 7h ago

Question Airbrushing book pages

2 Upvotes

I want to start airbrushing book pages but I’m not sure what products to start with. I don’t want something cheap that’s not worth getting but I also don’t want to break the bank before committing.
Does anyone have any experience or recs?


r/airbrush • • 3h ago

Question Airbrush bubbling whenever i use it

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0 Upvotes

I bought a relatively cheap airbrush off amazon, the first few times of me using it was great (I bought it in july) after a couple of months it started having issues, like clogging and now today, it started bubbling. It mightve been because i try to deep clean it after every use but i dont know.


r/airbrush • • 1d ago

Question H&S Ultra - what am I doing wrong

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46 Upvotes

Hi guys, I’m on my 2nd Harder and Steenbeck Ultra airbrush. I bought my first one but I also clogged that.
I keep screwing something up but I can’t figure out what.

I’m always consistent putting at least 50% airbrush thinner in, but I keep getting clogs. I’m using Vallejo and AK paints with Vallejo airbrush thinner. I’ve tried both mixing paint with thinner in a separate container and mixing it inside the airbrush cup. I’m also running my pump between 18-22 psi.

I also always run airbrush cleaner (Vallejo) thru the airbrush multiple times whenever I switch paint and when I put it away. When I airbrush I get pooling around the tip, and I’ve included some pictures of the paint residue (which was just from a couple minutes of using it). I make sure to frequently clean the tip/needle with a brush soaked in airbrush cleaner every couple of minutes, but it feels like I start to see paint pooling on the needle almost instantly.

I also remove the needle and clean it after each use.

If anyone has any advice that would be amazing. I just can’t figure out what my mistake is, and since I’m on my second airbrush I feel it is unlikely to be a manufacturing issue. apologies if this is the wrong place for this!


r/airbrush • • 13h ago

Question need airbrush suggestions

4 Upvotes

hello everyone, I already have a Iwata Neo CN but I would like recommendations for a new airbrush. What I'm looking for is something to create tiny paint details.

Do you have any recommendations? Thank you ! (it's for tiny cosplay details, not as tiny as Warhammer figurines!!)


r/airbrush • • 21h ago

First time

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14 Upvotes

My first attempt of airbrushing. How did I do how can I improve ?


r/airbrush • • 7h ago

Question Airbrushing book pages

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1 Upvotes

r/airbrush • • 8h ago

Airbrushing book pages

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1 Upvotes

r/airbrush • • 1d ago

Beginner Setup Airbrush Booth Complete!

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67 Upvotes

Hello, everyone.

This is the Mk.38 6/1 single barrel forward mount version of an airbrush booth! This was a fun build for me. In the past, I have worn an N95 and have not been concerned about the limited exposure to Vallejo paints. However, more recently I am using more Ammo, Tamiya, and Mr. Color paints as well as various clear coats and wood varnishes.  Also I am using Mr Finisher rattle cans from time to time as well. Definitely needed vapor and gas evacuation. 

Materials!

¼ plywood
1 inch pine
6 inch fan
6 inch duct
4 inch duct
White, black, and grey rattle cans
Clear coat spray
LED lights
Silicone sealant and wood filler
Various knobs, clips, and wood decoration

Here are some photos of the assembly. Of course, every modeler knows that a realistic finish involves preshading your subject. 

Photos of the booth in situ are there as well. A 1/72 Tomcat my son made is there for scale. Essentially this is a 24x24x18 inch booth with a 358 cfm fan. I do need to put a flap on the right side to cover the filter insert slot, as I was noticing some draw from the side. 

Let me know what you think!


r/airbrush • • 15h ago

Beginner Setup Advice for setup

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3 Upvotes

Hi. Asking for help since I know nothing about nothing when it comes to this.

I wanted to surprise my gf with an airbrush setup since I saw she had it in her Amazon cart and she wanted to try it out for cosplaying (body paint) and other little projects. She had an $80 machine saved, so I figured I'd get her a better one with a tank. I know nothing so I was just googling info; unfortunately, didn't come across this sub til recently. I got the machine for $199, plus other items that I read would be helpful.

She was able to use it on some plastic feet and tried a test run on her leg and it went well. But on con day, the wider gun stopped putting out the proaiir hybrid paint 2h in and we had to go a different direction (felt the air pressure and we had it at around 25psi and the other "guns" worked).

Now I'm wondering if I should've gotten a better/different machine/compressor or if she just needs better "guns." I may be able to return the machine (lower return since some of the paint was used), so I wanted to ask the community what I should do because I am not the artistic one. She was upset that it didn't work out and ate so much time, but she wants to try again and I want to make sure she has good enough equipment. Budget may be around $250 rn but I can get more things throughout the year.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.


r/airbrush • • 10h ago

General Discussion The Office Meme: airbrush booths…

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0 Upvotes

The hype died down for me as soon as I saw the Kaizo Waterfall Spray Booth Tatsumaki booth being at 95% complete…


r/airbrush • • 1d ago

Miniatures First real OSL attempt, lessons were learned

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15 Upvotes

First try doing OSL, also finally grabbed the ProAcryl Rogue Hobbies set and they have been amazing. I wanted to try some greens when I started this and just was not feeling it so switched over to a classic red with deep purple undertones. Model is from Archvillain Games and it’s really crispy, I wanted to paint it as soon as I saw it. I know my edge highlight game needs work, anybody use the colored pencil technique?


r/airbrush • • 17h ago

Question Airbrush necessities

3 Upvotes

Other than a airbrush and a compressed what else do I need to get started. For mini painting


r/airbrush • • 23h ago

Is the preorder Kaizo Waterfall Spray Booth Tatsumaki the same as the UFM design Paintstation?

6 Upvotes

Looking for a waterfall spray booth and see the new preorder Kaizo Waterfall Spray Booth Tatsumaki ($399 USD preorder, free shipping US and Canada) looks really similar to the UFM design Paintstation ($450 USD + $100 shipping from Asia) - look at the lower right hand pipe, the LED panel and connectors top in the upper right. Spec sheets look very similar based on very limited info on the Kaizo web page.

Kaizo Tatsumaki vs UFM PaintStation - waterfall spray booth comparison

Spec Kaizo Tatsumaki (Robot Kai) UFM PaintStation
Price (USD) $399 early bird (reg. $489) $450
Shipping Free (US $89+, Canada $159+) $100, sea freight 30-40 days, import tax included
Delivered total $399 $550
Availability Pre-order, ETA end of Nov In stock
Airflow 550 m3/h (approx. 325 CFM) 550 m3/h (approx. 325 CFM)
Static pressure 390 Pa 390 Pa
Power 90W 90W
Noise 55-65 dB 55-65 dB (spec sheet; product page claims under 55 dB)
Voltage 100-240V 100-240V
Pump 2200 L/h, brushless, dry-run protection Not published
Water tank Not published 6 L
Dimensions 24 x 15 x 25 in (W x D x H) 600 x 390 x 600 mm (23.6 x 15.4 x 23.6 in); approx. 34 in tall with filter tower
Exhaust 6 in duct collar (vent outside) Carbon filter tower (recirculates) + vent hose included
Extras Side pegboards (2 as early-bird bonus) Airbrush holders x2, water filters x2, US/EU cables
Seller Robot Kai (US) UFM Design (Hong Kong)

Observations: Identical fan/power/noise specs and a near-identical interior (stainless baffle, water curtain slot, acrylic shields, LED bar, return pipe) suggest the same OEM core in different outer shells. The main functional difference is UFM's recirculating carbon filter tower vs Kaizo's duct-out collar. UFM says the booth is optimized for water-based acrylics; if you spray lacquers, you'll want to vent outside regardless.

https://robotkai.com/products/pre-order-kaizo-waterfall-spray-booth-ver-kai

https://www.ufmdesign.com/products/paintstation-water-curtain-paint-booth

The UFM design has the indoor air filter as the main difference.

For the difference in price and shipping to US/CAN it seems the Kaizo is a much better deal, especially if they're basically the same units with minor cosmetic differences, plus (for North American users) more local support and shipping. I do like the filter on the UFM unit, though.


r/airbrush • • 23h ago

Question Airbrush Paint Range Comparison: Army Painter vs Vallejo

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3 Upvotes

r/airbrush • • 1d ago

Models Latest project

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3 Upvotes

r/airbrush • • 2d ago

Artwork Not perfect, but I really am enjoying this :)

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43 Upvotes

r/airbrush • • 1d ago

Beginner Setup Is this airbrush compressor any good for Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar?

3 Upvotes

I’m thinking about buying this airbrush compressor for painting my Warhammer miniatures.

Amazon link: Timbertech Airbrush Kit with Compressor ABPST06 with Powerful 1/6 HP Airbrush Compressor with Tank and 2 Airbrush Gun Kits for Airbrush Painting Makeup Nail and Tattoo studios Hobby and so on
https://amzn.eu/d/0080bYLp

I play both Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar, and my armies include Orks, Chaos Knights, Sons of Behemat, Skaven, Daughters of Khaine and Emperor’s Children.

Would this compressor be good for painting miniatures, especially for priming, basecoating, layering and doing basic airbrush effects?
Would it work well for both smaller models and bigger models like Chaos Knights and Mega-Gargants?

I’m still learning airbrushing, so I’m looking for something beginner-friendly, reliable and reasonably priced.

Has anyone used this compressor before? Is it worth buying, or would you recommend a better alternative?


r/airbrush • • 2d ago

I am a beginner and I want to share my shirt I made today 🙂

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43 Upvotes

r/airbrush • • 1d ago

Question HS Evolution 2024 Air Valve Issues

2 Upvotes

I am having extreme issues with the H&M evolution air valve.
It has been constantly leaking air, no matter what I do to try to repair it:
1.Cleaning it wholly
2.putting in boiling water
3.Tightening the screw at the bottom
4.Replacing the small white seal at the top
5. Putting it in boiling water yet again

Yet the air still escapes through the nozzle and hisses and bleeds at the air valve, with the paint bubbling at the cup.
I have honestly only had it for a few months and used it mostly for priming miniatures and I am very lost at this point, what could be the cause.


r/airbrush • • 1d ago

Paint setup ideas to be well organized/how to learn to paint with an airbrush

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m brand new to this sub but I love building and posting in the [r/gunpla](r/gunpla) sub.

I have been sitting on a Iwata trigger airbrush for about 5 years while life got in the way of a lot of things. Fast forward to now and I want to get my paint work area at least in the planning phase. I understand just playing around is a good way to get a feel for the tool, but I don’t have the skill yet. I wanted to ask you experienced painters for tips or helpful products to organize and in general a good source for how to paint. What I mean by that is knowing what paint agrees with certain plastics and the process between multiple coats to gloss coats to when decals and panel lines should be applied. Any known/well respected YouTubers with tutorial vids? Post pics of your paint space too, I’d love to see them. Thanks in advance everyone!