Knowing what to pay attention to, when choosing an airbrush, you can save and purchase the best pneumatic tool for your goals.

Which airbrush is better: choose the right thing

Airbrus is a miniature variety of pneumatic tools for applying a coloring composition, which is also called an “air brush”. It is designed to work with small volumes of paints to precisely draw the finest lines for a high degree of detail details and avoid the appearance of drones.

In its design and the principle of action, the airbrush is not much different from the spray gun, with the exception of several points, which allow you to perform work with high accuracy. These are interchangeable nozzles of different diameters and an adjusting needle. By changing the position of the needle relative to the nozzle, you can increase/decrease the volume of paint, thereby adjusting the thickness of the line, as well as the most applied layer.

How to choose airbrush: the main parameters and features

The main structural elements are a nozzle with a needle, it is precisely the capabilities of the tool, the width of the torch (line thickness), and the types of materials used depend on their choice.

Construction and diameter of the nozzle

• 0.15-0.18 cm – Such a nozzle is used to draw very thin lines and a high degree of image detail, allowing you to apply literally every small bar, up to individual hair on the portrait or an image of an animal. Work with him requires good preparation and experience. It should be noted that for effective use, high -quality finely dispersed paints or solvent enamels will be required – the smaller the particle size is, the thinner the line can be drawn, the paint will pass easily and not create streams. If the nozzle is incorrect, the nozzle will constantly clog, you will have to constantly disassemble and clean the tool.
• 0.2-0.3 mm – This is the most popular universal option for those who are not finally sure of how Choose airbrush. It allows you to draw small details with high clarity, and create a background in fairly large areas, evenly applying layers of paint. The nozzle with such a diameter is used to decorate small objects, for example, snowboarding, motorcycle or laptop cover, it is suitable for both an amateur artist and professionals.
• 0.4-0.6 mm – The best option for painting large -sized surfaces, where it is impractical to use a spray gun. The nozzle of this diameter is often used by interior designers to create edging, painting on the walls, design of the edges of steps or stairs. Thanks to the large diameter, using the tool, you can apply primers and varnishes.

1. Threaded – The nozzle is wound on the case, this is the most common way to fasten. But at the same time, one must be extremely attentive, because in the models of the domestic class of the nozzle are made of silumin or brass, so that any fragmentation or skew can lead to a breakdown of this very thin and fragile part.In addition, in inexpensive models, to compact the landing and prevent the leakage of materials, use rubber seals sensitive to solvents, which significantly reduces the reliability of the device and the possibility of using it with different types of colors. In expensive professional models for the production of nozzles, high -quality hardened steel is used. Due to excellent polishing, the cone is driven to the body without seals. Thus, such an airbrush can be used to work with paints on organic solvents-white spite, solvent, etc. If you need to draw very thin lines, then you should choose airbrush with a threaded nozzle, only it is 0.2 mm with a diameter of 0.2 mm. The main disadvantage is difficulty with disassembly, they require more time and significant concentration.
2. Conical – The nozzle must be inserted into the seat. In its design – it is more massive than threaded, but it can be removed much faster, and most importantly – it is almost impossible to damage. Conical nozzles with small (0.2 mm) diameter can only be found among German manufacturers, but American, Chinese and Japanese brands supply highlight nozzles with a diameter of 0.3 mm.

If we compare these two types, then there is practically no difference in the results of applying the paint, although the conical nozzle with a diameter of 0.3 mm gives a line a little thicker than threaded.

Ideally, the shape of the torch (the projection on the surface of the spot sprayed by the airbrush) should be in the form of a circle. To get an oval, you just need to change the angle under which the paint will be supplied. But for painting or priming a large area, as well as applying varnish, a flat -oval torch is better suited, which is obtained when installing an air head with “horns”. When air passes through them, the torch narrows. This form makes it possible to not only quickly apply the soil or lay the surface, but also significantly increases the quality indicators of work compared to the usual round torch.

The larger the diameter of the nozzle has airbrush, the correspondingly the air consumption will be higher. For an air head with a diameter of 0.2 mm, the compressor performance should be 18-20 liters per minute, for 0.4 mm-23-25 ​​liters, for 0.6 mm-28-30. If during operation you will often have to change the nozzle in order to save time and not approach the compressor every time, it is recommended to install a gearbox.

Feed options

In this case, the paint tank is located at the top, this option is also called gravitational. The paint under the influence of gravity by gravity enters the mixer, where it mixes with air entering under pressure and sprayed out. The advantage of this option for the location of the tank is the low pressure created by the compressor.

The upper feed is used for artistic painting, thanks to a slight pressure, you can get very thin lines.In addition, with this location of the tank, the artist provides a good review. If the tank does not have a lid, this excludes the spill of paint and allows you to work at different angles.

In the airbrises of this type of tank (siphon), it is installed from below, so you can find their other name – with a siphon feed. There is a tube from the airbrush inside the siphon, along which compressed air is supplied inside the tank, pushing up the paint into the mixer. This design allows you to use large containers, this makes it possible to paint over large areas without stopping for refueling. In addition, this option is suitable for projects with a frequent change in colors. But at the same time it will be required compressor , creating greater pressure than in the case of gravitational (upper) feed.

An option that is relatively rare, because with a side placement of a tank, the center of gravity is shifted. However, this arrangement is optimal for work on a horizontal plane, for example, for painting ceilings.

Some models have a connection of tank with paint from above and below. A special switch allows you to switch the necessary tank. In some airbrush, it is possible to connect two tanks at once – this allows you to get a very intense stream of paint.

Mixing

1. External – The flows of the material and air are mixed outside the airbrush, such a tool is characterized by a simple design, it is simply set up and easy to use, it has a very affordable cost. This is a great option for inexperienced users. But it should be noted that sprayers with external mixing are not suitable for work in conditions of limited space, as well as for painting miniature elements. But with their help you can quickly and efficiently color large areas.
2. Internal – Mixing the dye and air occurs inside the tool, which makes the design complicated enough, which means it requires careful and neat use and maintenance, it is more expensive. Due to the use of underwater tubes, it is possible to achieve uniformity of characteristics of the air-beautiful mixture, as well as accurate adjustment and dosing of the created flow through the use of the needle. Another advantage of this type of mixing is the ability to realize various methods of feeding.

Management method

• Single action -You can manage only one parameter of the colorful-air mixture. This is control of either by air (the ability to change the intensity of the air flow), or by material (the volume of paint entering the spray is regulated).
• Double action – implies separate control of air and paint flows. With a dependent action at one moment, both the amount of air and the volume of the material supplied to the spray are changed.In other words, the more air will be pumped, the more paint will be spent. In samples with a double independent action, you can separately control both a flow of air and the volume of material. This is a rather complicated process that requires training, so such models should not be acquired to beginners. But this option of independent stream management opens up very large opportunities for using the tool and increases the efficiency of paint consumption.

Located in the tail of the airbrush, in cheap models it simply hides the tail of the needle. In expensive models, it is used to implement the function of limiting the consumption of material. Due to the rotation of the screw installed in the vulture, you can adjust the length of the needle working stroke. By fixing its position, you can achieve the line of one thickness along the entire length. This function is very useful to beginner artists. Another variety of vultures allows you to quickly clean the nozzle due to convenient access to the needle, which can be taken back to the required distance.

Choosing airbrush: Professionals advice

Assessing the factors that affect how to choose airbrises for different tasks, it should be taken into account that with almost the same parameters the cost of devices from different manufacturers can differ significantly. First of all, the price of the airbrush depends on the material that is used for the manufacture of key elements – needles and nozzles, the best (and means expensive) option – this is steel. The smaller the design of the device contains plastic components, the higher the reliability and durability of the tool.

The second point is how stable the airbrush is to various kinds of chemically active substances, first of all, to solvents. In cheap Chinese samples, gaskets and seals are made of rubber, which, when in contact with solvents, lose their properties, gradually destroying. To increase the duration of the seal and gasket service, it is made from Teflon, but this immediately significantly increases their cost. In high -quality models, the needle and nozzles are also covered with Teflon. In the middle price category of sealing, it is made from fluoroplast, it can even be immersed in the solvent for a long time to “soak” the sucked dye.

The choice of a pistol type or a handle – pistol form factor – largely depends on personal preferences of the owner. Often, masters who used to work with spray shutters choose a pistol type – they are similar to the models that they had to work before, so this option is more convenient and comfortable for them. But in most cases, the case in the form of a “handle” is chosen when you mainly have to perform accurate and thin elements, and a sprayer with a pistol handle for a large fill.

The device must be stored disassembled.After the end of the work, it must be thoroughly washed, if acrylic paints were used, then you need to use a special solution or alcohol. To clean the nozzle, a special ruff is required.

When buying a new nozzle, which was originally not included in the airbrush supply kit, it is necessary to purchase the entire spray kit.

It is better to take straight hoses to supply air to the airbrush, they do not twist, providing the user with more maneuverability and freedom of action.