I am a newbie all over and have a question

[Mez]

Thanks to the recurring billing, I am back on this site and determined to get my $$ worth! Just kidding...love the site!
Here is my question(s). I have done all of one paint job (I posted a couple pix in the gallery under my username for your viewing pleasure). I used rattle cans on it and it turned out looking okay considering I've never painted anything but a few walls in my house till then : ) I started with a new tank (had a helluva time prepping it), an Arlen Ness designed plastic front fender and a fiberglass rear.
I want to go to the next step and try my hand with airbrushing. I found a site with a water based paint from Createx called Auto Air...wondering if it is a decent paint for a beginner to use. I like the idea of it being water based.
Secondly, I want a decent airbrush but not an Iwata costing alot of money...someone gave my a brand new one from a Co. called Pnuematic Air...paid like 30 bucks for it. It came with 2 bottles, a small cup, line, fittings, etc.
Third...a oompressor. Any recomendations on one?
I do not want to sink a ton of money into equipment but do want something decent so if I am having trouble I know its the user not the tools : ) I plan on practicing alot until I can give Scott a run for his money! LOL! Then go into business and quit my desk job.
Any info is appreciated.

 

[Jim]

Mez,
As far as the airbrush,it depends on what you want to do with it.If you just want to flame or shadow,a cheaper brush will work just fine,If your looking to mural,with hairlines all the way up to backgrounds,you'll need something better.The cheaper ones make you change tips to achieve what a quality one will do with simple adjustments.I think the airbrushing pros here have a few to use for differant parts of the mural.Passhe(sp)make some cheap but decent starters.I'd bet the one you have will work fine for backgrounds but won't give much of a fineline.I've hardly used mine but found out that Proper air pressure and thinning the paint right plays a huge roll in airbrushing.The first time I sprayed clear,it came out too dry and looked like snow,after calling HOK,they said you have to over reduce it for airbrushing.It was drying before it hit the work.

As far as a compressor,My dad just picked up a small 1hp.3gal craftsman for like $75.00 that looks like it would work good for airbrushing.

The guys in the "airbrushing" section of the board are great and can help alot more so,you may want to post your airbrushing questions there for a quicker response.Jim

 

[Ultra Al]

If you go to Coast Airbrush's web site you will see that Iwata now has a Revolution model which is a gravity fed for fifty bucks. I just got one and it is still in the box so I dont know how it will compare to my eclipse or hp-c maybe some one here has used one. If you get it from Coast it comes set up with the right inards to shoot automotive paints. I personally haven't used water based paints like auto air. The only down side i see is that I think you have to heat cure them. AL

 

[Mez]

Thanks much for the advice...I will check out the airbrush forum. I am not going to be doing any mural work as I am not all that artistic...I am thinking of multi-layered flames in a fade...black pearl base...maybe start on the fat end of the flame in a white or yellow...fading to orange then a red...and then maybe with a 1/8' border in something like blue..I want to do an overlap on a few of them...but nothing too wild. I have my old sheetmetal to practice on for awhile before tearing my bike down again...I have a feeling it will take me many attempts before I get it down...thanks again.

 

[Mez]

Thanks for the advice as well...I beleive you are right about the heat cure aspect. I was thinking the water based might be an easier way for me to go since their site claims you dont have to use a reducer...just straight from the bottle. No need for a full blown respirator and all that. Keep in mind I am an absolute beginner and will probably do this out in my garage.. : )