OK, Iwata. But which Iwata

[Torquewrench]

Christmas is coming fast so I've got to get the right info in the right hands. I want to get a nice Iwata eclipse for flame jobs on bikes and the ocassional car. I went to Coast's site to choose one, but got more than confused looking at all the types available. I'll be using automotive paints mostly. I figured I would want a siphon feed so the cup wasn't in the line of sight up top and for any car work or bike work I'd need a fairly good sized reservoir.

Would I be happy with the HP-BCS? It says it handles heavier media so that's good. Fineline to 2" sounds about right. But on the Coast site they don't specifically say it's double action or not. Is it double action and is this the right gun for my needs? Or is there a better choice in the Iwata line? Thanks guys

 

[TWISTED]

You may want to check out bearair They sell the HP-BCS (yes it is double action ) for the same price. With Bearair you get some free stuff too. A reditag some paint and a video coupon. Not much but it is free. They will also match any price and give you %155 credit for the difference.
They also have thier own airbrush called a peak. Supposed to be a good starter but I never used one.

 

[Torquewrench]

The HP-BCS has a .5 tip. Is a .35 tip more advisable or is the .5 OK?

 

[TWISTED]

I use my eclipse to do mostly larger areas. I have an HP-C that I use to do drop shadows highlights and smaller details. The eclipse can do drop shadows and some details but it is easier since I have the HP-C to just use that instead. I am sure you will be happy with the results using the eclipse with automotive urethanes for shading and ghost flames or drop shadows.

 

[Racer87]

I have been wanting to get a nicer airbrush than the one that I have. I want either a Eclipse or the HP-C. What is the difference between the two and which one works better? I am gonna use my new airbrush to do many things, from shadowing to larger areas, Which one of these would work best?

Do you have to get an airbrush that will work with the kind of paint you are using? Like does the Eclipse only work with auto based paint? Or can the HP-C and Elipse shoot any kind of paint (auto based to water based)? What I am really asking is do you have to match the paint with the type of airbrush you have(or visa versa)

I am new to painting so please try to explain things in layman terms. thanks.

 

[TWISTED]

The eclipse is more of a general brush and the HP-C is a little better and more for small stuff. If you are going to be doing larger areas and only want to invest in one new brush go for the eclipse. It is a little easier for the larger areas. The HP-C has the gravity feed (cup on top) which don't hold much paint. The eclipse is available in a bottle feed (the top feed eclipse is fairly new) and can go longer between refills. Having both is nice but the eclipse can handle the smaller shadow and some highlighting work.
I have several different airbrushes from the old paasche and badgers to the iwata and omni. About 20 in all. Every one of them will work with whatever you want to put in it, as long as it is properly thinned. Some are better in some areas than others and the seals on some don't hold up as well as the iwata to the urethane or laquer reducers. I use all types of paints solvent and water based.
Not sure what you are using now but the eclipse will more than likely be an upgrade from what you got. It is a bit heavy compared to some airbrushes but I kind of like that. It can be a little bit of a pain in the rump when you don't get it cleaned out as well.

good luck

 

[Racer87]

Thanks alot for the information. It sounds like the eclipse will be the best airbrush for me and allow me to do fine shadows and highlights as well as larger areas. Thanks again!