Airbrush

Definition: One of two common ways of painting an RC body, an airbrush is a tool that mixes liquid (usually paint) and air then sprays it out in a fine mist. Airbrushes comes in many shapes and sizes but are usually pencil-looking metal tubes with places to attach a hose for delivering air (pumped in from a compressor) or a can of compressed air and a place to attach a bottle or jar filled with paint. An airbrush may come with various sizes of tips or nozzles which can alter the shape or pattern of spray.

An airbrush is either single-action or double-action with single-action airbrushes being the most basic type. They deliver the air and paint mixture in a steady, pre-set rate. Double-action airbrushes allow the user to vary the mix of paint and air for more precise control and detail work.

Paint enters the airbrush using gravity (the paint bottle is mounted on top of the airbrush) or by a siphoning action (paint enters from below or the side of the airbrush).

The airbrush may mix the air and paint inside the airbrush (in the tip) or the air mixes with the paint after the air leaves the airbrush (external mixing). With internal mixing the airbrush can produce a finer mist.

When airbrushing an RC body, paint can be applied on the outside of the body in layers much as you would paint a full-size car or a mural on a wall. However, it is also common to use clear Lexan bodies and apply the paint on the inside (it helps protect the paint job from damage). When airbrushing from the inside, flames, stripes, and other patterns have to be painted in reverse. That is the color that appears on top that is normally applied last when painting a picture, has to be applied first when airbrushing from the inside of a clear body. In order for subsequent layers of airbrushing to show through or to prevent overspray, areas of the body may need to be masked until ready to apply that layer of color.

Find a Single-Action Airbrush

Grex Genesis.XA Single Action Top Gravity Airbrush, 0.3mm Nozzle, 7ml Cup

Single Action Airbrushes from Paasche.

Badger Model 350 Single Action Airbrush at Blick Art Supplies.

Find a Double-Action Airbrush

Paasche Professional DOUBLE-Action Airbrush Set, Model# VL-SET is just the airbrush (along with tips, bottle, and lessons).

Paasche Airbrush & Compressor Package: TG3F, D500SR, & AC7 is a double-action system with compressor.

Iwata (IWA4201) Eclipse HP-BCS Bottom-Feed Airbrush Kit # 4201 is just the airbrush plus accessories.

Double Action Airbrushes from Paasche.

Badger Model 150 Double Action Airbrush at Blick Art Supplies.