Thread: Nozzle size - PLease help a newbie!

Guys,

I'm thinking of buying an airbrush and doing a HPI Baja 1/5 scale RC lexan shell.

I can't justify spending a lot of money so am looking at a cheapie. There is a set locally on special that is both gravity feed and syphon feed. It looks o/k for the price.

This is the same kit: DOUBLE ACTION AIR BRUSH KIT ART HOBBY AUTO SPRAY PAINT

It is a 0.35mm nozzle size.

I have been researching but can't seem to find out whether this is a good size for lexan paints, especially those with metallic flecks etc.

So is a 0.35mm setup going to do most paints for lexan work?

Appreciate any feedback.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve, the airbrush shown in the photo is ONLY siphon feed, it may give you the option of using the cup or the bottle, but it still pulls the paint up from below using a siphon/suction action.
That being said, the nozzle size should actually work quite well, just keep in mind the mechanics involved in painting, you will have to find a way to hold the lexan body at various angles due to the limitations of the airbrush's angle capabilities, and spacial requirements. The bottle hanging off the bottom of the airbrush will limit how close you can get to a lot of areas inside the body, the cup will give you more freedom of movement, but it is much more likely to dump or spill paint, and it has the obvious limits on how much paint it will hold at a time.

Keep in mind that siphon feed brushes also require more air pressure to spray paint. You might look at a side feed brush instead, these will often let you use them as a siphon or gravity feed brush.

Gravity feed brushes use gravity to push the paint down into the path of the air stream. Siphon feed have to create the vacuum or siphon action in order to pull the paint up from below, so not only do they need the air pressure to atomize the paint, they also need enough more to pull the paint up into the path of the air.

While junk brushes may seem like a great deal, they often end up costing you more in the long term than the good quality brushes.
They often have rubber seals and packing which cannot take the harsh solvents in paints or cleaners.
Trying to get replacement parts is quite often impossible, so when your needle gets trashed, you lose a piece, or your nozzle passes away, you are stuck with an expensive paperweight.

If you really want this brush, then I would strongly suggest that you order two or three replacement needles and nozzles when you buy the brush. If the seller doesn't have them them, then avoid the brush like the plague.