A review of the GAAHLERI GHAD-68 airbrush spraying Quick Shine

A review of the GAAHLERI GHAD-68 airbrush spraying Quick Shine
I’ve been asked several times how I spray Quick Shine, so today I broke out my new GAAHLERI GHAD-68 pistol grip airbrush.
First, I want to let everyone know that GAAHLERI asked me to try out there GHAD-68 and see how I like it. I let them know that I would give it a completely honest review. I will not give anything less than an honest review because I believe that my trust to you is more important than anything else, and I will not blow sunshine on something that does not deserve it.
Now with that being said, let’s get into this.
In order to be able to video this and have it to where you can hear it I am using the NEOECO portable compressor. It kind of danced around the table more than I expected, and that’s why sometimes you see me have to readjust it on the table to quiet it down. I have the setting on high which is gauged at exactly 20 pounds (which is what I normally spray Quick Shine) so that works out well.
The Airbrush I’m using today is the GAAHLERI GHAD-68. It is a trigger pistol grip stile airbrush. As soon as I opened the box and felt how it feels in my hand, I knew I wanted to use this for doing my clear coats. It comes with a .38mm and a .5mm needles. It also comes with two different sized cups and a quick connect fitting. It has a good weight to it and feels balanced in my hand.
I filled the cup and did a test shot on a few spoons, one flat black and one Titanium gold. I was instantly impressed with the feel of the gun and how smoothly is sprayed. Usually, I will test a new gun on a few spoons, then on some cardboard to get use to how it feels. With this I skipped the cardboard and jumped right into spraying a kit body. It was just that easy to control and handle. I put the first coat on the roadster body and was going to just let that dry and do a second coat, but since it sprayed so well, I jumped right into the main event. I started spraying the 68 Dodge Dart body that I’ve been working on. This had to come out beautiful, and I was planning on practicing for a while before I did this, hence the large amount of Quick Shine in the shot glass. LOL. I laid down a smooth even coat with no problems at all. The trigger gives a good feel, and it was easy to tell what I was doing, and I was able to adjust easily.
After the first coat was on the Dart, I went back to the spoons and started playing around. I put the first wet coat on the flat black spoon throttling the trigger. For the gold spoon I opened the throttle wide and holy cow did it put down a quick heavy coat, but it was very even and smooth. Now back to the Dart and I gave it two more coats with ease.
After spraying it was time to clean. The GHAD-68 was easy to take down and clean. There are no tools needed to do this which is a huge benefit to me. I was very happy with the take down and cleaning process. That jet is large enough that I can hold it in my hand. I can even see it without my visor. I used my Airbrush cleaner and a few Q-Tips. I pushed the needle out the front of the airbrush, so I didn’t pull the Quick Shine into the airbrush. I then washed all the parts and put everything back together. Last thing I did was shot a few drops of Tamiya thinner through just to wash out any airbrush cleaner that may have been left behind.
My thoughts on the GHAD-68. It is very comfortable in the hand, and its action is smooth and intuitively easy to operate. Cleaning was not a chore because there is no need use tools to take it apart. I like the simple pull and spray for doing this. I will still use a two stage for doing chassis and things that have a lot of contours, because I do want to be able to throttle both air and paint for getting into those small and weird angles of things like chassis. For bodies and large flat surfaces I will be grabbing this one.
Here are some links to what I used in this video.
GAAHLERI airbrush www.gaahleri.com/?ref=Grandpa...
Quick Shine
www.walmart.com/ip/Quick-Shin...
Master Airbrush Cleaner
www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrus...
Q-Tips (A lot of them)
www.amazon.com/Q-tips-Cotton-...
NEOECO cleaning pot and tools
www.amazon.com/NEOECO-Univers...

[@gaahleristudio]

Thank you very much for your objective review. We are delighted that our products have brought greater convenience to your creative work. We have also carefully read the comments here, each one's opinion is crucial to us for our continuous product improvement and service enhancement. Thank you all, and we will keep striving to do better.😄

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I'm glad you have read all the comments, because I see that most all of them were positive. This airbrush is fantastic. I've tried to spray Quick Shine a few times with other brushes, and just didn't have the best results, but with this airbrush I got a flawless finish. I am a little backed up in the shop with this current build, but as soon as this kit is done I have a project that is going to require a lot of airbrush work with both large areas to spray and very small areas as well. It will show everyone how versatile they are. Once again I thank you for the opportunity to show everyone how nice they are.

[@Aces_Eights_Scale_Vision]

A step that I add is using a can of air to blow the airbrush out to “dry” it if you will. But, I’m OCD with cleaning my airbrushes 😂. This brand is on par with Mr Hobby airbrushes. One of the really cool things about a couple of Gaahleri airbrushes are the nozzle. one of them has 6 or 8 holes for the air to pass through whereas many other brands may have 2-4. I think the additional holes might possibly reduce orange peel but, that’s just my opinion at this point. Good review👍

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I like that idea. This and the other airbrush they sent me both have the 8 grooves, and I think it does make a big difference it helping the paint atomize much better.

[@harveykeeler2661]

Thanks for the video, it was very helpful.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thank you.

[@donaldlorentz2542]

Mark Thanks for the tips I am just getting started again in the hobby Enjoyed the video

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

You are very welcome, and welcome back.

[@Bruces-Eclectic-World]

Awesome video on the Quick Shine and air brush. Now I know how to clean mine when it get here... Lol Sorry no coffee jokes today! 🤣 Thanks for the video Mark. LLAP 🖖

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

LOL. It is a darn nice airbrush. I was impressed.

[@Bruces-Eclectic-World]

@@grandpamarkshobbies That's all I need... "Markie Like it!" 🤣😆🤪 LLAP 🖖

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

LOL. I do think you will like it a lot.

[@LarrysModelShop]

Great video. Thanks for this as it helps me now be able to understand how to spray Quick shine. I've picked up some spoons and will be practicing soon with my Paasche H airbrush.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I'm glad it helped. I was so happy to find something that replaced Future.

[@robinbryde3038]

Good video,Mark...solid info about cleaning the airbrush after use.Thanks for sharing this...😎👍

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thanks. I'm a little over the top when it comes to cleaning my airbrushes.

[@wayneforbes7671]

Hi again Mark, Just got out my old Pasche air brush from decades ago. It's not in very good condition. Poor cleaning as kid and many years have detereated the hose rendering the old girl beyond use. I think,one again, I will follow your lead. Time for a new tool. Yea! Having used full size air guns, I like a lot of the features and accessories that Gaalarhi offers. I see one and a small compressor in the near future. Thanks again, I think you have created a monster. Wayno in Ohio

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I love my little compressor. It is so much quieter than that old pie pan that I was using. I also like the feel of the trigger airbrush. It is more natural in my hand. I still like the traditional airbrush for fine details, but if I had to choose just one it would be the swallowtail hands down.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I just picked one up. All of the reviews that I've seen have been positive. I'm going to put mine to the lest later today.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Awesome!! I know you'll like it. Let me know how it worked out for you.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

@grandpamarkshobbies I used it to shoot some Tamiya Gold Leaf on a few parts, and it work great!

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I'm really glad you like it.

[@Leadfootkurtis]

Thank you for the review. Super helpful and informative.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you liked it.

[@rtistik94]

Great review!!! Thanks for the content.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thank you very much.

[@garryramsey1949]

A very helpful and informative video. Thanks Mark

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thank you very much. Now that I have my camera figured out I'll be doing more of these.

[@markellison1364]

Very informative video Mark. Thanks.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

You are very welcome.

[@RobFerrellDrumStudio]

Good stuff Mark!

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thank you Rob.

[@modelcar1589]

Quick shine got to try it 👍🏿

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

It does a good job for me.

[@geoffhipwell2198]

Thanks Mark for a great cleaning lesson,👌. Also for how to spray 'Quick Shine'. The Gaahleri are great for that kind of work with the extra holes in the tip! Excellent upload. Thanks again. 👍 🦘

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thank you. It is an easy one to clean, and I've had some very good luck with Quick Shine. I totally agree with you, those extra holes seem to really lay down a nice pattern.

[@tomcatflynn805]

Thanks for the great video leaned a lot will try to jump in the airbrush world very soon. After quick shine is applied how long till any decals can go on. AlO great demo on the gun cleaning process. Thank you.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thank you. Trust me, if I can airbrush anyone can.

[@scooterdoughmas3012]

nice tips on the gaahleri airbrush i was gonna get one now im regretin 80 bucks was a steal 🤣scooter d 😎ps got a 61 pontiac fireball/smokey #22 car and i think that gold would be perfeck😁

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

You are right, that Titanium Gold is spot on for that.

[@kyledehartsscaleworks]

Doesn’t it atomize just beautifully? I was so impressed. I have a Mr Hobby Procon Boy, which I always liked better than the other cheaper brushes I’ve had. But I find myself reaching for this Gaahleri more and more recently. Especially for car bodies, because it just has a gorgeous pattern. I can’t imagine there’s a better brush for the money. Great how to on the quick shine and the cleaning. Take care of the tools and they’ll take care of you. Also, I know it’s a bit of extra money but I have to say the Tamiya spray stands are worth it, in my opinion. It’s so nice just being able to spin stuff around so easily. Lol.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

It sure does lay down a great pattern. This one with the pistol grip will be my body gun for sure. It sprays great, and I can spray it more evenly than my two stage. With my two stage I seem to swing the brush instead of move flat with it. LOL Quick Shine is just a bit thinner than Future, so I'm still getting use to how to lay it down. I'm either too light or way too wet. LOL I've been using coat hangers since the late 60s, but I wish I got one of those YEARS ago. Man what a difference.

[@kyledehartsscaleworks]

@@grandpamarkshobbies I agree. With the pistol grip and the clean pattern you can really keep everything flat and get great coverage. But like I said, I didn’t know if part of it was just being used to the pistol trigger 2 stage from work or if others would agree with me. So great review!! And yeah, the coat hangers work, and will always be there for you in a pinch but the rotating stand is just too nice.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I have to say that I like it more, and I've only used the two stage type. Other than in the garage. I am with you, I do like the rotating stands.

[@richiek6379]

Mark - Thanks for the hours worth of videos. They were terrific as usual. Did you love the trigger brush? Thinking of using it more than the other style? Wait till you try paint. I usually only run a few pounds less of the air if the paint is thinned. I feel it's more comfortable for these old hands. Again thanks for all the tips and tricks you shared in both these videos. Knowing me I'll have to listen to them all over again when I get back to the work desk. Addled brain and all... Thanks man

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thank you. I do like the trigger brush. I may use it for my bodies all the time. It is a lot more comfortable in the hand, but I still like the two stage brushes for things that have a lot of different angles and dips so I can throttle the air and paint and not make puddles. LOL

[@richiek6379]

@@grandpamarkshobbies I use it almost always for everything. Just a more natural and comfortable for me. I am getting so used to it. I still make my share runs and puddles. LOL I do have a few other regular ones. Someday I'm going to look into the history of air brushes to find out what artist came up with the top button trigger. I'll let you know what I find out. LOL

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

That would be so cool. I'd really like to see what you come up with.

[@richiek6379]

@@grandpamarkshobbies You will. When I get home with decent service for my PC LOL Limited signal here.

[@danielpaulsness6951]

Nice 😅

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Thanks.

[@danielpaulsness6951]

@@grandpamarkshobbies your welcome 😁

[@PatricksScaleModelShop]

I could use this Wet Shine on my craft paint jobs and on Vallejo paints I would think but I’m wondering about when it’s totally dried after at least 24-48 hours how would it do when applying decals over it ?

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I use the quick shine on my ships and airplanes to give them a gloss coat so that the decals lay down better. Then I use it with some dull coat over the top. So using it with decals is not a problem. As for using it with different paints. I would suggest you spray the same paint on a plastic spoon and test it with that. Then you will know for sure that you won't have any problems with it on your kit. I've used it on craft paint and Vallejo primer with no problems.

[@leombayard]

How does the quick shine compare to rattle can clear? I'd like to use something better than a can but don't think I wanna move on to 2k yet

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

It's not as deep as a rattle can for sure, but it's inexpensive and easy to spray.

[@jc1505]

Do you think future would work the same way. I still have bottle of future.

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I do. I have used Future for years, and the only difference is you need to move just a little faster when you use Quick Shine. I still use 20 psi with Future, and I didn't thin it either.

[@jc1505]

@@grandpamarkshobbies Thanks for the info

[@robertmunoz7543]

Do da doing?🤔 Jman

[@tumama001]

@grandpamarkshobbies How is this airbrush going after all these months?

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I have to say that the more I use it the more I love it. It sprays so nicely, and is so easy to clean. I mostly use Tamiya paints, and I've never used lacquer paint in it, but for my Tamiya paints they make the smoothest painting airbrushes I've ever used.

[@johnjones3981]

Please excuse my dumb question, but what's the purpose of spaying the quick shine

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

Not a dumb question at all. I use Quick Shine as a clear coat. Back in the day I used Future floor wax, which is also called Pledge. If I am trying to get that super wet look I will use X2, but for most of my regular street builds I use Quick Shine. Since it's an acrylic I can spray it in my shop and not stink up my whole house.

[@franktozier3184]

What is your air pressure?

[@grandpamarkshobbies]

I like to spray Quick Shine at 20 psi It seems to work best at that pressure.