Airbrush FAQ/Tutorial, Part 2
So you have an airbrush, now you need an air source. This can come from 2 sources; "canned" air or an air compressor. Canned air is ok if you're just starting out, but you really have no means of controlling the air pressure. Air pressure is important when you're spraying very light-bodied or very heavy-bodied paint. In general, you want lower air pressure for light bodied paints, and higher air pressure for heavy bodied paints. The air pressure in canned air can vary greatly, especially once you've gotten about half way through the bottle. Canned air geneally gives you about an hour of spraying time, maybe a little more if you're careful, but ultimately aren't worth it in my humble opinion. They are expensive (Around 8-10$US for one can.) Meaning that if a model takes me three hours to airbrush, I can expect to spend at least $24 on canned air. It really adds up, especially if you are a prolific customizer/painter.Air compressors are much more reliable than canned air, but have an expensive initial cost. Industrial air compressors (Like the ones you might find in Home Depot and other hardware stores) are generally cheaper than "artist's" air compressors. The industrial air compressors are very noisy though, and can take up a lot of space. However, if noise and space aren't issues for you, you can save yourself a hundred bucks or two and get an industrial compressor. Make sure that it's outfitted with an air pressure gauge and adjuster; most airbrushes can handle a max PSI of 80-90 PSI. Anything higher and you risk not only blowing out the airbrush's gaskets, but I'd imagine some personal injury too.
Artist's air compressors are much quieter than industrial air compressors, and come in a variety of sizes to suit your set-up/available space. They generally do not require any maintenance (Some need to have their oil changed once in a while, but most are oilless). Sounds nice, right? Well, you unfortunately have to pay for all the convenience arist's air compressors give you. Most entry-level artist's air compressors start in the price range of $150-$200US, depending on the brand. However, if you're in a position where making a lot of noise isn't an option (Or just annoys the heck out of you), you may want to invest in an artist's air compressor. Regardless of which you choose, air compressors will usually last you several years. One thing to keep in mind is that the enemy of all air compressors is heat, so if you can, paint outside or in an area where there's good air flow (Which you should be doing anyways, inhaling paint fumes is a bad idea). Don't abuse your air compressor and it will serve you well!
Another thing to think about purchasing along with your air compressor is a moisture trap. Moisture traps are cylindrical tubes, usually made of either glass or plastic, that attach between the air compressor and the airbrush. Some air compressors already come with one (Iwata air compressors do), but they really are more of a necessity than an option. Moisture in your air can cause pulsation, resulting in uneven air pressure. If you live in a warm, humid climate, moisture traps are especially important.
Air pressure gauges and regulators are also things to consider to purchase with your air compressor. Most air compressors have a built-in air pressure gauge, but if for some reason yours doesn't, you'll probably want to buy one. Air pressure gauges let you see what your working PSI is. Air pressure regulators let you adjust the air pressure, usually by just turning a knob. Very useful to have when working with paint that must be sprayed at a specific PSI.
Anyways, hopefully this introduction was helpful to anyone who's looking to get started with airbrushing models.