Airbrush. Purpose, characteristics, types and choice

Many people are sure that if they peel off the paint from any part of the body, they will have to repaint the entire car. There's really no need for this. If the damage is not too significant, local or spot painting will be sufficient. It allows you to paint even a third of the part. This type of coloring has many advantages.

• Time saving - spot painting requires no more than 6 hours, while full painting takes at least 2 days.
• Reduced cost - since less time and materials are required for coloring, the price of the service falls.
• Exact color matching and absence of visible boundaries between the coating on the damaged and whole areas.
• There is no need to dismantle damaged elements.

The quality of the coating depends on three factors:

• proper preparation of the damaged area for work;
• the experience of the person who will carry out the painting;
• quality of the tool used.

Most often, an airbrush is used for local painting. It turns out that they can not only draw, but also carry out restoration work like this. To understand how to choose an airbrush, you need to determine what it will be used for first.

Features of different types of tools

An airbrush is a compact tool that sprays paint under air pressure. It allows you to apply the coloring material with almost pinpoint precision. Most of all, this tool resembles a fountain pen to which a paint container is attached. The lever of the device closes the air valve. When you press the lever, the valve opens, air passes through the body of the unit, sucks in the coloring material and flies out with it through the nozzle tip.

To choose an airbrush, you should know that according to the interaction of air flow and paint, devices are divided into two types:

1. external mixing - mixing occurs outside the body, usually used for painting large areas, their design is as simple as possible;
2. internal mixing - paint and air are mixed inside the body, the design is more complex.

There are two types of airbrushes according to the type of control:

1. single action - only one of the channels, either air supply or paint, is regulated;
2. double action - you can control both channels.

If you are using a dual action airbrush, first open the air supply and only then the paint supply.

This type of tools is divided into two more types:

1. dependent action - control occurs automatically; when you press the lever, the air valve opens and then paint is supplied;
2. independent action - regulation of air and paint supply is carried out in different ways: when you press the lever, air begins to flow, when it is pulled back, paint begins to flow.

Using an independent airbrush improves control and control over the spraying process. Today, 90% of the market is occupied by instruments of this type. Still, it’s worth trying to work with different types to understand which tool is better to choose.

Airbrushes are classified according to the type of paint supply:

• with bottom feed – paint enters the housing under vacuum pressure;
• with top feed - both vacuum and gravity act on the material;

with the supply of material under pressure - air pressure allows you to displace a larger volume of paint, due to which you can spray materials with increased viscosity.

The placement of the material should not be confused with the location of the paint container. It can be installed from the bottom, top or side. It is better to choose the latter option - it allows you to work even with ceiling surfaces without fear that the paint will spill out.

Automotive acrylic paint

If you paint with car paint, you need to use base paints (which must be varnished when painting a car), without a hardener. It will not be possible to paint properly with paints diluted with hardener.

It is better to use a slow thinner.

Some water-soluble car paints have a fairly coarse pigment grind, so not all such paints are suitable for spraying with an airbrush.

When sprayed, such paint will clog the nozzle, and thin lines may not be obtained when drawing.

Automotive paints that are diluted too thin may lose their covering ability. Special airbrush paints have a high concentration of pigments, so even liquid paint covers well.

Requires a compressor to operate

To use an airbrush, you need a source of air or gas, that is, a compressor.
This is a rather expensive unit. First of all, you need to pay attention to its performance. Compressors may be different, but their operating principle is the same - pumping air into a container and feeding it into the airbrush. It is advisable that the unit be equipped with a pressure switch. Then, when the required pressure in the receiver is reached, the pump will turn off. The compressor must also have a reducer to regulate air pressure, oil and water filters. Which unit is better to choose is up to the buyer to decide.

Any airbrush requires maintenance. Upon completion of work, it should be thoroughly cleaned. First you need to rinse the insides of the device using a special solvent, and then wipe the tank and the entire body. After this, you need to disassemble the airbrush and wash all parts in solvent. The needle is wiped with cotton wool or a napkin. After this, the unit is assembled.

Even the best tool will become unusable if it is not stored correctly. There should be no paint left in the airbrush, otherwise it will dry out and use the device will be problematic. A large amount of solvent inside can also damage the unit.

Recently, more and more people are using airbrushes. It is airbrush that allows you to apply almost any complex image to the car body. This way you can give any car an individual style and make it completely unique.

Nitro paints

Nitro paint for airbrushing on a car
The first difference between nitro paints and water-based enamels is the need to use a solvent. They are sold in specialized salons and are presented in a wide variety. The fraction of nitro paint particles is so small that the material sets almost immediately after it is applied to the surface of the car body. This property will be especially useful when you need to draw a thin pattern or supporting ornament with your own hands, when there is no time to wait for it to dry. Now let's look at the main disadvantages of nitro paints:

• Each nitro-enamel has an indexation, due to which the finished result (color, its shade and saturation) may differ from the expected one, which is explained by the interaction of the paint with the surface, as well as the transformation of its chemical composition as it dries;
• Relatively low brightness: the problem is solved by using a white background (pre-applied to the body);
• Deep penetration into the surface structure: by removing the top layer of nitro paint, you will expose subsequent layers to rapid abrasion and damage;
• Increased toxicity characteristic of such materials (it is necessary to use a respirator, and also take care of good ventilation of the room in which painting work will be carried out).

Which airbrush is best for cars?

In order for the resulting image to remain colorful for a long time, you should use special airbrush equipment.

Only with the help of a truly high-quality airbrush can you create an image that will be distinguished by a smooth transition of colors and shades. Also, a high-quality airbrush allows you to prevent smudges, which can spoil the impression of even the best drawing.

Any modern airbrush is a pneumatic spray gun that allows you to spray ink as well as paint.

Necessary equipment for airbrushing

An airbrush is a modern alternative to painting with paints, which became possible after the invention of special accessories. The standard set is a small suitcase that is equipped with all the essentials:

• A set of several paints;
• Airbrush;
• Air compressor;
• Soft hoses;
• Bright lamps for lighting.

The artist can buy ready-made kits already fully assembled or assemble his own kit based on individual needs.

In ready-made kits, the manufacturer offers the buyer a standard set of paints. It is often not enough to create truly bright and colorful drawings, so experienced artists additionally acquire a large palette of paints.

Beginners who are just starting to study the question of what airbrushing is are still recommended to use starter kits, which are complemented by accessories and teaching aids. Advanced artists prefer professional kits, but they will also not be enough to work with an airbrush, so fill the suitcase with additional accessories at your discretion.

An airbrush is a modern alternative to painting with paints, which became possible after the invention of special accessories.

Popular brands of airbrush manufacturers

Experts do not recommend saving on purchasing an airbrush. This is especially important for beginners who have yet to acquire all the necessary skills. You need to practice a lot, but only with a really high-quality airbrush. So which airbrush should you choose? How to choose a good airbrush for a car

GSI Creos airbrushes are considered one of the best airbrushes.

1. This Japanese company has already established itself as a manufacturer of extremely reliable airbrushes, which are offered at very reasonable prices? unlike analogues of other Japanese companies.
2. In the model range you can find many airbrushes that do an excellent job with any painting work.

Preparation for painting

Before starting drawing, the artist must prepare the workplace and plan the entire process:

1. The first step is to develop a sketch. Here you need to create a pattern and present the final picture. To do this, make drafts on paper, from which the best one is selected.
2. Surface preparation - cleaning, sanding, degreasing and priming.
3. Preparation of materials.
4. Set up the device according to the instructions included in the kit.

Following simple steps on how to paint with an airbrush guarantees comfortable work without the need to be distracted by trifles.

The first step is to develop a sketch.

The best airbrushes for cars

Among other popular brands, airbrushes from Paasche and Harder&Steenbeck stand out. It is also worth paying attention to their Chinese counterparts, which are significantly cheaper. We are talking about airbrushes from companies:

Many of the characteristics of airbrushes from these companies are almost the same, but their cost differs significantly. What are the differences?

It's all about the quality of the key elements of any airbrush (needle and nozzle). Almost everything depends on the quality of these few elements. It is best to choose those airbrushes that are made of steel. Also, the key point is the airbrush’s resistance to various types of solvents. Chinese airbrushes contain rubber seals and gaskets, which under no circumstances should interact with the solvent. Good airbrushes have Teflon gaskets and seals. In this case, the airbrush can last a really long time. The cost of such airbrushes starts from 150 USD.

Popular airbrush JAS 1117

The JAS 1117 airbrush is very cheap, so it is very popular, but it is also distinguished by the fact that its most important parts (nozzle and needle) wear out extremely quickly. How often you will have to change some airbrush parts directly depends on the careful use and attitude towards the tool. In some cases, people used a Chinese airbrush for several years, but did without replacing any elements of this device.

What to look for when choosing a mini spray gun?

The main characteristic of an airbrush is the diameter of the nozzle and needle. The minimum diameter is 0.15 mm. It is necessary for drawing very fine lines.

Interesting! Needles with a diameter of 0.2 and 0.3 mm are available on models from almost all manufacturers; they are considered to be the most universal.

However, for painting or varnishing large parts, devices with a diameter of 0.4 and 0.6 are more suitable.

Some models may be equipped with additional options. For example, they may have a feed limiter installed. Its use allows you to limit the maximum line size and thus protect against possible blots or irregularities.

A pressure regulator is useful if the compressor connected to the airbrush is located far away and you don’t want to run around switching it. The device may also include additional spray kits.

You should only buy an airbrush in a specialized store. Consult with the seller which model is best for you. Choose products only from well-known manufacturers. A high-quality branded tool will work for a long time and without failure. Using such a device will ensure uniform painting without drips or stains. This will save money and effort.

The best airbrush of recent years

It is also worth highlighting another popular airbrush. We are talking about Harder&Steenbeck Evolution Silverline. This model has been known for quite some time. It is a double independent action airbrush with a nozzle diameter of 0.2 mm. This airbrush can be called an ideal tool due to its high sensitivity. Thanks to this quality you can achieve amazing results. The quality of the drawing may turn out to be no worse than many works by famous airbrush artists.

Purpose and principle of operation

The airbrush is used primarily for fine painting work.

The thickness of the lines applied by this tool may not exceed the thickness of a human hair, which makes it possible to paint any surface with high precision in the application of figures and image elements.

The word “airbrush” means applying drawings using air, and there are several types of it, depending on the color used as a background and the type of paint.

Airbrushes are most often used to create designs on body parts of cars, motorcycles and almost any equipment.

Airbrushing is used in painting various dishes, New Year's toys, smartphones, various sizes of souvenirs and similar products.

Retouching, restoration of photographs, creation of paintings, painting of nails, individual areas of the body, including makeup, and the whole body - all this can be done by a good master with an airbrush in his hands.

In addition to painting, this tool is also used for priming with appropriate mixtures based on resins and enamel.

The airbrush is capable of applying material in a thin layer, which is its advantage over the same spray guns.

The work uses the pneumatic spraying method, when an air flow whose pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure, when passing through a narrow hole, forms a jet.

At the same time, a near-jet vacuum, otherwise called low vacuum, is formed around the jet, and this process occurs due to the high speed of movement of the air mass.

Airbrushes require a source of compressed air to operate, which is a compressor.

It is possible to operate this tool without a compressor, for example, using a compressed air cylinder.

What materials can be painted with an airbrush?

An airbrush is actively used to apply a coloring composition to any materials on which the paint can adhere.

By applying a liquid paint coating to a surface using this tool, you can achieve, while maintaining the complete smoothness of the first coating, smooth color transitions and incredible decorative effects, including 3D.

The effect of a rough texture while maintaining the specularity of the surface is especially impressive.

The basis for airbrushing can be wood and plastic, metal and glass, textiles, paper and even human skin.

If there are any restrictions in this matter, they relate to compatibility with the material of the selected paint.

What kind of paints do airbrushes use?

When working with an airbrush, the following groups of paints are used:

• Water-soluble acrylic compounds.
• Basic urethane options.
• Multicomponent multistage compositions.

Acrylic paints made on a water basis have gained popularity, among the advantages of which are a wide color palette, a high level of hiding power and adhesion, non-toxicity, and the ability to use on any type of surface.

The direct competitor of this paint is nitro enamel, which is used when working with automobile bodies and has a high drying speed.

In addition, it can be used to create a translucent fill or a perfect thin line.

Reviews from experienced airbrush artists

I prefer GSI Creos airbrushes. They are very convenient, so it is not difficult for me to use them for almost any complexity of drawings. The price cannot be called low, but you always have to pay for quality.

Alexey Kuzmenkov, 28 years old, Moscow.

Harder&Steenbeck airbrushes are true classics. My Ultra airbrush is many years old and I still use this exact model. It is relatively inexpensive. In general, I prefer Harder&Steenbeck products. She captivates me with the high quality of the resulting drawings and cost-effectiveness.

It is not always possible to have a large compressor and large painting equipment. Sometimes you have to choose from less. I think my situation is not that typical.

Main goals. Local painting of car body elements - maximum coverage area is approximately 20*20 cm (for example, touch up the bottom of the bumper in the area of ​​several damages). It is also possible to use it for painting some household products (small, 30 cm maximum in size). There is NO task to paint entire body parts. Airbrushing (namely the drawing) is most likely also not important, but chips and scratches need to be painted (this is related to the issue of the minimum coverage area).