AIR SOURCES
Diaphragm Compressors - Very inexpensive type compres-
sor. For about the same amount of money these days you
Paint is propelled through and out the airbrush tip in a con- can buy an oil less mini piston compressor like the Phantom
trolled manner by compressed air. The higher the viscosity 100, a much better deal for the money. Diaphragm com-
of the paint (the thicker the paint) the higher PSI will be re- pressors use a reciprocating diaphragm to pump air to your
quired to get the job done. An illustration type airbrush paint airbrush. One of the big draw backs to this type of compres-
like Doc PH Martins or Golden Airbrush Colors both of which sor is the pulsing effect created by these types of compres-
we would call low viscosity paints would require 10 to 30 PSI sors. One airbrush at a time can be used.
with a 0.18 to 0.35 nozzle/needle to give you good results.
Where as Createx textile paint being higher viscosity paint Piston Driven Compressors - Pretty simple an electric motor
would require 40 to 60 PSI to give you good results. turns a piston that pumps air usually into a storage tank than
to the airbrush. With a large enough storage tank several
Any compressor or CO2 tank will work for airbrushing. Pic- airbrushes can generally be used at one time. Well suited
tured below is the typical set up for compressor and airbrush. in most cases for spraying high viscosity type paints. These
(picture provided by KB Kustoms, thanks Kevin).
compressors are often pretty loud so try and hear it run be-
fore you buy one. There are silent compressors made for air-
brushing but are general much more expensive than a com-
pressor like you can buy at Home Depot, hard ware stores.
Air pressure regulators, moisture traps/filters should be
used on any type compressor used for airbrushing. An air
pressure regulator controls the air pressure at which the
paint is sprayed. Moisture trap/filter captures the moisture
created by the flow of the hot air cooling in the air storage
tank or airbrush hose. For oil lubricated compressors a oil
filter should be used to capture any oil from the compressor
AIR SOURCE OPTIONS before it gets into your airbrush.
CANNED AIR (Propellants) -- Most expensive type of air source COMPRESSED CO2 TANKS - Perfect for airbrushing in many
and not very effective. I do not recommend buying this as it cases if the size of your projects are not huge. No need for a
will not give you a good feel for what airbrushing is all about. moisture trap or oil filter are needed for CO2, just a regula-
tor. For a regulator you should use a welding type regulator
ELECTRIC COMPRESSORS -- Come in all shapes and sizes. which screws on top of the tank.
Please research what will be required as far as PSI for the
type of airbrushing you will be doing. Will you be using high Air Lines / Hoses-- The best kind is rubber covered by braided
viscosity paint for airbrushing t-shirts or will you be doing il- nylon which generally comes in 10 ft. lengths. The compres-
lustrations with low viscosity paint? These are some of the sor end of the hose will screw right on to the out let side con-
things you should consider before buying a compressor. nection of your regulator.
Electric compressors can be piston driven or diaphragm, oil
lubricated or non-oil lubricated, have a air storage tank or
none. I suggest staying away from diaphragm type compres-
sors for anything other than using very low viscosity type air-
brush paints.
Two small airbrush compressors
Air Regulator
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