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Hey guys, my name is Ryan. I've spent many hours browsing the forums here over the past couple weeks. After seeing what looks like a very friendly and helpful community here, I figured this is where I need to be, so I decided to sign up.
I originally started becoming interested in airbrushing about 7-8 years ago. That interest greatly stems from hockey goalie masks. I've always been a complete mask geek for as long as I can remember. I'll often open a folder or flash drive (one of many) of mask pictures, and I'll instantly get sucked right in and end up spending the next couple hours just looking over pictures, and often imagining painting replicas of some of the mask paint schemes (as well as designing and painting my own).
So about 7-8 years ago when I first became interested, I went on ebay and bought an airbrush and compressor kit deal. It was a Central Pneumatic 34843 compressor and a 1500 airbrush (double-action siphon feed, not even sure of the nozzle size). What I didnt do though, was any homework whatsoever, except take a quick peek at a basic "lines and dots" tutorial. I was kind of "young and dumb" if you want to call it that. I was impatient and just wanting to start spraying and painting masks as fast as I could, instead of approaching it the way it needs to be approached. I had some black acrylic enamel paint from when I used to do car models, so I put some in the cup and started spraying, which needless to say, didnt work out too well. At some point, I also tried spraying some water-based Faskolor metallic gold (I dont actually remember doing it, but theres a little bit on the airbrush where the cup connects). Of course I had no idea what I was doing, and because of that, it didnt work out too well. So after that I basically ran some water through the brush and then packed it up. I hadnt taken the airbrush out again after that for several years, due to being caught up in other interests (some not necessarily good ones, like partying too much).
So fast-forward to a few weeks ago. Now that I'm a little older (just turned 30) and settled down, I've had a complete rejuvenated interest and motivation for airbrushing. I've spent countless hours over the past couple weeks reading through these forums, reading other forums/websites, watching tons of youtube videos, and doing any kind of other research I can. I've been trying to learn and gather as much information as possible first, before I pick up the airbrush again. Everything from how the airbrush works, cleaning it, different kinds of paints and how they function, troubleshooting, and all kinds of other stuff. I'm about ready to start spraying some paint and practice practice practice. And I also bought a basic set of the water-based Createx paints to start with.
Of course the first order of business is the airbrush itself. I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up buying a new one that is better quality than what I have. It seems the general consensus is at the very least, buy a Neo, because the Chinese knock-offs are too hit-and-miss. However, I probably wont be doing that until sometime after the holidays (money is always tight around Christmas). So for now, I want to see if I can still use the AB (common abbreviation right?) that I originally purchased, just for the time being. Its definitely going to need a good cleaning though. I dont have the specific AB cleaner or restorer, and I'm probably not going to purchase any of that stuff until I get a new AB. So for the time being, I just want to see if I can get this thing working with what I've got around the house, and I'm hoping maybe you guys might have some suggestions. One thing I've found in all my research is a lot of conflicting info. Some people/places say you can use "such-and-such", and then some say DONT use it. So what might work thats around the house? Just warm soapy water, or some paint thinner, or some mineral spirits, or some Green Works, or some Windex (with no ammonia), or what else? And then how should I go about the process? Certain parts I should soak? Certain parts I should try cleaning with soft pipe cleaners? It comes apart fine, and the needle comes out (has some paint on it, but I also have a spare), so nothing is stuck together, but I'm sure theres paint inside of it somewhere. I was hoping you guys might be able to give me some direction of the process I should go through. As I said before, I should eventually have a better quality AB to work with, but for the time being, I'm hoping I can tinker with this one for a couple-few weeks.
Sorry if this was kind of long to read. This seems like a great place to be if you're into airbrushing, so I figured the best thing I could do for myself right now is get involved here. Thanks for taking the time to read this guys, and for any advice you may be able to offer. Its greatly appreciated.
I originally started becoming interested in airbrushing about 7-8 years ago. That interest greatly stems from hockey goalie masks. I've always been a complete mask geek for as long as I can remember. I'll often open a folder or flash drive (one of many) of mask pictures, and I'll instantly get sucked right in and end up spending the next couple hours just looking over pictures, and often imagining painting replicas of some of the mask paint schemes (as well as designing and painting my own).
So about 7-8 years ago when I first became interested, I went on ebay and bought an airbrush and compressor kit deal. It was a Central Pneumatic 34843 compressor and a 1500 airbrush (double-action siphon feed, not even sure of the nozzle size). What I didnt do though, was any homework whatsoever, except take a quick peek at a basic "lines and dots" tutorial. I was kind of "young and dumb" if you want to call it that. I was impatient and just wanting to start spraying and painting masks as fast as I could, instead of approaching it the way it needs to be approached. I had some black acrylic enamel paint from when I used to do car models, so I put some in the cup and started spraying, which needless to say, didnt work out too well. At some point, I also tried spraying some water-based Faskolor metallic gold (I dont actually remember doing it, but theres a little bit on the airbrush where the cup connects). Of course I had no idea what I was doing, and because of that, it didnt work out too well. So after that I basically ran some water through the brush and then packed it up. I hadnt taken the airbrush out again after that for several years, due to being caught up in other interests (some not necessarily good ones, like partying too much).
So fast-forward to a few weeks ago. Now that I'm a little older (just turned 30) and settled down, I've had a complete rejuvenated interest and motivation for airbrushing. I've spent countless hours over the past couple weeks reading through these forums, reading other forums/websites, watching tons of youtube videos, and doing any kind of other research I can. I've been trying to learn and gather as much information as possible first, before I pick up the airbrush again. Everything from how the airbrush works, cleaning it, different kinds of paints and how they function, troubleshooting, and all kinds of other stuff. I'm about ready to start spraying some paint and practice practice practice. And I also bought a basic set of the water-based Createx paints to start with.
Of course the first order of business is the airbrush itself. I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up buying a new one that is better quality than what I have. It seems the general consensus is at the very least, buy a Neo, because the Chinese knock-offs are too hit-and-miss. However, I probably wont be doing that until sometime after the holidays (money is always tight around Christmas). So for now, I want to see if I can still use the AB (common abbreviation right?) that I originally purchased, just for the time being. Its definitely going to need a good cleaning though. I dont have the specific AB cleaner or restorer, and I'm probably not going to purchase any of that stuff until I get a new AB. So for the time being, I just want to see if I can get this thing working with what I've got around the house, and I'm hoping maybe you guys might have some suggestions. One thing I've found in all my research is a lot of conflicting info. Some people/places say you can use "such-and-such", and then some say DONT use it. So what might work thats around the house? Just warm soapy water, or some paint thinner, or some mineral spirits, or some Green Works, or some Windex (with no ammonia), or what else? And then how should I go about the process? Certain parts I should soak? Certain parts I should try cleaning with soft pipe cleaners? It comes apart fine, and the needle comes out (has some paint on it, but I also have a spare), so nothing is stuck together, but I'm sure theres paint inside of it somewhere. I was hoping you guys might be able to give me some direction of the process I should go through. As I said before, I should eventually have a better quality AB to work with, but for the time being, I'm hoping I can tinker with this one for a couple-few weeks.
Sorry if this was kind of long to read. This seems like a great place to be if you're into airbrushing, so I figured the best thing I could do for myself right now is get involved here. Thanks for taking the time to read this guys, and for any advice you may be able to offer. Its greatly appreciated.
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