Any Beginner Can Learn Model Railroad Airbrush Basics | Boomer Diorama ~ # 295

[@derz-crackmodellbahnvideosinsp]

"First" ... 👋✌️

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. Thank you and Cheers! ~ Boomer. 👍😉

[@derz-crackmodellbahnvideosinsp]

@@boomerdiorama Quite an interesting topic Boomer! With my small 1by220 stuff I have traditionally done and still do my paintings with smallest of brushes. The really few amount of bigger things with spray cans. I'm not sure wether an airbrush would really make sense for me from an economic point of view?! What do you think mate?!!!

[@boomerdiorama]

@@derz-crackmodellbahnvideosinsp I use Spray Cans and Traditional Brush all the time, but I would never give up my Airbrush. There are things you can do with an Airbrush that cannot be achieved with the former, especially when it comes to blending fast drying acrylic paint and multiple color filters, etc. I can take a large section of terrain on a model railroad, and transform it with an airbrush with incredible speed and efficiency as well. 😉 The airbrush also saves a ton of money, in the long run, on paint. Furthermore, you can apply super thin layers on small model parts without affecting the crisp details moulded in - no fat paint. It's up to you. If you are happy with the style and method you use then stick with it - or enhance it further with an airbrush. Cheers 😉😁

[@derz-crackmodellbahnvideosinsp]

@@boomerdiorama THANKS for your detailed statement! Got me thinking about again.🤝😉

[@boomerdiorama]

@@derz-crackmodellbahnvideosinsp Cheers.😁👍

[@donwhead]

We all really appreciate the airbrush tips. For those of us "non-artists", it's a very intimidating piece of machinery!

[@boomerdiorama]

I'm glad you enjoyed the tips and maybe it helped a little to take away some of the fear. Cheers! 😁

[@PeterTillman3]

Thx Boomer. Watching tutorials on Glover Road gave me the courage to pick up my air brush which had sat in its box for over 12 months and I have never looked back.

[@boomerdiorama]

It’s amazing what happens when you take that first step and begin to use what you own!

[@fredbell2654]

I learn so much from your channel. Seriously, it's been like a masterclass in model scenic design and construction. Thank you!

[@boomerdiorama]

You are welcome! Glad to hear it. The hobby is simply awesome. Happy Modeling. Cheers ~ Boomer.😁

[@tcmr4250]

I've been painting with an airbrush since before I could drive, and once you get over the "fear" of picking one up, they are amazing tools. Once you get a "feel" for painting it all comes together. The painting "feel" translates across all spraying, I've painted scale models, cars, houses, cabinets etc. and it's all the same basic concepts and understanding how the paint reacts to different conditions. Love the channel Boomer, can't wait to see what's next!

[@boomerdiorama]

I've been spraying my entire life as well. My first "airbrush" was a rattle can. 😉

[@mr.e1944]

Back in the 80’s my parents bought me a Thayer and Chandler top feed air brush with a diaphragm compressor. They thought I was going to be an illustrator but I ended up using it to spray my models. I still have it.

[@boomerdiorama]

If it works, use it. ;-)

[@vicsmith1204]

Love your airbrush techniques, Fantastic learning here, Thank you Boomer!....🍻

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers! Glad you're enjoying the channel.

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Boomer, as always a very good and illustrative education on the airbrush subject. Love the way you showed the adjustment of the needle and how it increases the tension on it. Which, as you said can be helpful to reduce slipping into opening the needle full throttle, hence will assist in building the necessary muscle memory and airbrushing skills. By the way, the shot over the tracks, with the ‘slum landlord,’ the bus in front of it, the wrecker to the right in the shade of the overpass and the transition into the 2D curved street looks awesome from this angle. Back to tools, because an airbrush is nothing else than a tool. In my humble opinion and experience for all tools the same saying applies: “if one learns to ride on an old bike, one can ride any bike.” I know the proverbial phrase is often used in other settings, but it’s no pun here. Folks who have no clue buy a drill to do some diy and just make their decision based on the opinions of others. When they visit the depot kind of stores, the chance they will find a good schooled employee, who will ask them what they intend the drill for, is minimal. There is the crux of this obsession with the high end brand kinda thinking. The question which should be more important is, will this tool do the job for you? Or, if you’re not familiar with the product, maybe just try one out at a lower price point and see what it is capable of. Or, for that matter, what the person in question is capable of to achieve with the particular tool. Must admit I too have been on the brand track for a while. And yes indeed there are some awfully nice tools out there. But to spend a lot of money for a piece of hardware you’ll need to get familiar with, I choose a piece of hardware which I can ‘vandalize’ to get to know it. And that’s much easier with one at lower price point. Cheerio

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. Cheers . . . ;-)

[@stevenstorey1945]

Sorry Boomer, I'm just now getting to a response to the video on air brush basics. I will be in the market for my first air brush soon, so covering the basics of the air brush came at just the right time. Thank you! Cheers

[@boomerdiorama]

I hope it helps you out with your new airbrush journey! 😁

[@Vman7757]

Thanks for sharing. What an awesome reminder on the basics. I have 8 Airbrushes. You name them. But you use the one you need when you need it.

[@boomerdiorama]

I have lot's of spare parts for my airbrushes as well . . . lol. 😉☺😚

[@Vman7757]

@@boomerdiorama LOL

[@WHJeffB]

"Anyone can learn to use an airbrush...". Definitely!!! Like soldering, I can't understand for the life of me why modelers shy away from learning to solder or use an airbrush. The best tip I've gotten from you is thinning your paint. I thin either Tamiya or Vallejo by about 75% and lay it on in very thin coats. The paint snuggles down perfectly over details and you have a lot more control over the application than if you didn't thin the paint much. Agree on buying reasonably priced ("budget" to some of the airbrush snobs)... I've been using a Badger "Patriot" #105 dual action airbrush for the last five years. Love it. All I'd ever need and up until a few weeks ago, I'd been using the stock OEM needle. Just bought an installed a "detail" needle set. We'll see if I end up going back to the stock setup. For a very quiet, reasonably priced 1-2 gallon tank compressor, can't beat a California Air Tools dual piston compressor... Much quieter than anything from Bosch, Makita, etc... Mine's going strong after 6 years.

[@boomerdiorama]

It is a game changer, when you get it right, to thin your paints for airbrushing.

[@DRCRailroard]

Thanks, Boomer. I've been putting this off. Speak for yourself when flying remote-controlled airplanes. I finally thought I had that figured out until I made a U turn and flew it back at me for the first time. When I turned right, away from the trees, that poor tree on the left never saw it coming. Oh, the carnage. What a sad, sad day that was. That's when I took up model railroading😂.

[@boomerdiorama]

It sounds like you have found a safer hobby! 😊

[@andrewl9191]

I picked up a Paasche single action airbrush sometime last year and it does so much of what I need, a great job. I feel like I'm glad to not have to worry about pulling the trigger back. Being able to adjust the needle at the front is nice since it'll also help me control and not have too much, at least. The two downsides I've experienced are when it's putting out a couple of dots at the beginning of a spray and not having a lid on the paint pot. I can begin spraying onto a piece of paper and that'll help that part, but the other part means that I mostly need to dilute the paint an extra amount so splatters don't matter, or just constantly be more careful when I have a large amount of paint in the pot. I've only been using the Tamiya acrylic with ipa as you mention and it's been great. Thanks for sharing more on airbrush basics!

[@boomerdiorama]

You will find that a single action airbrush is more than adequate to paint scenery, etc. You will also be impressed as to how much you can thin Tamiya acrylic paint down, with IPA, and still get good color tone and coverage. In the long run eg: (over a year), an airbrush and IPA thinned Tamiya will cut the paint budget in half in terms of long term economics as well. Cheers. :-)

[@ministerspencer3751]

Great tutorial,pick it up and practice,air brushes are a game changer. That Rapido bus in the background is driving me crazy…when and how are you gonna dirty it up ?

[@boomerdiorama]

Not sure yet. I may paint it as a restored bus in 2010. 😁

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Howdy Boomer! Great info as always. Your airbrush videos a so comprehensive... really helps out! I just gotta bite the bullet and start playing around... lol. 🤠

[@boomerdiorama]

Have fun on an old model when you do. 😊

[@michaelimpey1407]

Boomer, thanks for update on airbrushes. I love mine, and using some of the things you have taught me over the last few years, I think my skill has improved. I don't fear it any more. Thinning the paint down has helped heaps. Cheers, happy modelling, and stay safe, Michael

[@boomerdiorama]

Thinning the paint down is the most important factor when learning to use an airbrush with success.

[@jamesbraxton6132]

You can remote the air compressor and run a line to your work area so you don't need to hear when they are running. Another thing to do when you remote your air compressor is set the air presser at the unit high and get a pressor regulator at the end of the hose where you attach the airbrush hose, this allows you to easily change pressor with the benefit that the hose becomes part of your air tank.

[@boomerdiorama]

That’s a great idea!

[@wilzdart]

Like you said the air brush is a modelers best friend. I air brush at least three days a week( ah retirement is wonderful) My air brushes all have needle stops which I set before I shoot the item I plaint, so I get a consistent flow of paint. Thanks for the info, even an old dog can learn new tricks

[@boomerdiorama]

It's awesome that you are still learning new tricks! 👍

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Great tutorial/refresher! Have a great weekend!

[@boomerdiorama]

😁👍

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

@@boomerdiorama Forgot to add, saw you in Second Section podcast, can't wait to see/hear you on 7th!

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. Thank you!

[@musoseven8218]

Interesting POV, good to hear, wish I could set up a permanent studio. I still have my Paasche H and Millennium, they are as tough as old boots, don't cost a great lot (also their needles, iirc, translate to 0.7 or similar, but they'll do fine work- the trigger assembly on the Millennium is a bit fiddly to reassemble). The finish isn't as good on the parts as Eg. a H&S, or even some of the higher end Chinese brands, but that matters little, as they're, agricultural, solid performers, like you say, almost like a classic car. I've two Sparmax guns, several H&S ABs and a back up Chinese GHAD39. All have their strengths and weaknesses and are horses for courses. I've modified most of my ABs, a little, so as to make them the best that they can be. I'm looking forward to trying a new H&S 2024 Infinity as a detail brush, as they do seem to offer VFM and detail work aligned to, or better than a certain Japanese brand's top end models. Also new titanium components etc. Having said that, there's some great £100-120 Japanese ABs, albeit their nozzles can be fiddly and fragile and they have fixed cups that are quite large (a mixed blessing). 👍✌️😊💜

[@boomerdiorama]

When I started shooting Tamiya Acrylic Paint, 30 years, ago thinned with IPA, I can't really tell the difference between all my airbrushes anymore. The paint flows superbly and makes any airbrush seem awesome.

[@donsunden5906]

I love your simplicity in the way you teach. don't stop we need or at least I do thanks

[@boomerdiorama]

I am glad you find it helpful. 👍

[@Jan-hx9rw]

Good stuff about using an airbrush. I moved from a tankless hobby compressor to a tank one (yeah, a cheapo 3-gallon pancake tank, but I got real tired real fast of having to use a cheater bar on my tire iron to take off a flat tire with a screw in it in a snowy driveway because the guy at the garage had dialed his pneumatic wrench setting up to "angry gorilla" when I had the car serviced the month before and the nearest air compressor at a gas station was a mile away). After I bought it to refill my tires, I said "ya know... I should get a water trap and an adapter for my airbrush and try this..." Anyway, even though it's a cheap compressor, I get better results airbrushing than with the hobby compressor that cost 4 times as much, and it doesn't constantly run because I can load up the tank. Best explanation of adjusting a dual action airbrush I've seen, by the way. Thanks!

[@boomerdiorama]

I know of your experience. Tried in the past as well. Any cheap compressor with a tank is better than the cheesy hobby compressors. Small contractors compressors (with a tank) are fairly cheap now as well. I just saw a new hobby compressor (with tank) by Makita. They claim it is one of the quietest to date. I was tempted . . . . ;-)

[@MikesModelStudio]

I need to get mine out again and practice. Thanks for the prompting!

[@boomerdiorama]

Try some Tamiya Acrylic and Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). It's easy to clean and will never clog your airbrush. Start thin and practice a scribble on paper first. I always shoot on paper first to warm up.

[@mikeseba7817]

Thanks for this video Boomer!

[@boomerdiorama]

You bet!

[@eddie9027]

Thanks, I needed this

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. Keep at it and it will become second nature.

[@markiewodi3371]

Thanks for this video, you always get the gears turning in my head.

[@boomerdiorama]

😁👍

[@JohnPodowski]

A good airbrush is the person behind it practice makes a good airbrushing

[@boomerdiorama]

Yup. Practice is the key like anything.

[@zedman6516]

Man... I bought my first Badger single action in 77'-78', I was like 12-13. Still got it! Great tips Boomer, we're always learning...Thanks Dude!

[@boomerdiorama]

You were ahead of the curve. Not many kids got airbrushes back in the day!

[@zedman6516]

Yeah for sure. I delivered a lot of papers for that thing. I could not afford a compressor, so I had to make due with the cans of compressed air. It was a learning curve.

[@JDERailCorp]

I used mine to paint track as practice. Next I'm using it to thinly spray my static grass to give it the exact look I need!

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome! The Airbrush is so cool when it comes to painting static grass and associated scenery like trees etc. I also use it to spray super thin "Tamiya" earth and buff over ground cover as well. Thanks for sharing your experience. 👍😉

[@sigmanfloyd7179]

Have you considered doing the odd tie sort of a glossy black to imulate a reason tie replacement? Also, what PSI is best to use with painting boxcars, etc.? Thank you for the tutorial

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds like a good idea. I paint mostly with 30-40 P.S.I. when I use the airbrush. I like high pressure so I can control the paint more.

[@sigmanfloyd7179]

Excuse my ignorance but 30 to 40psi, how come the varible?

[@frankcerne7613]

Very helpful tip's... Thanks for sharing boomer..

[@boomerdiorama]

You're very welcome.

[@mahatmacoat3229]

Hello Boomer. I am relatively new to your videos and impressed,motivated,intrigued to get back to the track. My first question, where did you get the adapter for the air brush hose to the air compressor? My air brushes(2) hove 10mm thread and my air compressor is 3/8” on the quick connection. Best regard Jim

[@boomerdiorama]

You can get those adapters from any place that sells air tools or compressors. Just tell them what you want.

[@ericp6612]

Picked up the MAC 700 compressor this week for airbrushing! Can’t wait to use it!

[@boomerdiorama]

It's an awesome compressor. I also mounted mine on a small (carpeted) dolly with wheels. The carpet helps to dampen the sound as well. 😉

[@KandWRailroader]

Thank you for this!

[@boomerdiorama]

You are very welcome!😁

[@joegoogeroo]

Hi Boomer, my biggest hesitation in starting to airbrush my permanent layout is covering everything in the garage in a thin layer of paint from the particulates ejected from the airbrush. I haven’t seen you mention ventilation or wearing a mask in any of your videos. Mind sharing a few thoughts on the topic? Thanks!

[@boomerdiorama]

I demonstrate why I use the airbrush the way I do. Most people use the airbrush incorrectly and this is the most difficult thing to teach. An airbrush is not a spray bomb like many seem to think, it's a paint brush with air. I don't use my airbrush the way you describe, I have demonstrated this by using high pressure with very little paint - up close. An Airbrush is not designed to be used the way you describe or visualize. Furthermore, I ventilate through a window with a fan, use very little paint as it goes on the model, and I have no overspray. Use the search bar on the home page and type "airbrush." Please don't skip the video as the information and methodology is all there. Cheers.

[@lancedavis3612]

Thank you for the info. All of your experience is greatly appreciated. Can you run that compressor in the house?

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes. This one is not too loud. I also have it mounted on a dolly with carpet. However, Makita just came out with a new hobby compressor (with tank) just recently, and it is very quiet. Google up Makita "Hobby" compressor and see for yourself. Cheers.

[@lancedavis3612]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll do that. Enjoy the evening

[@canoeingnav7618]

Hi Boomer. I see you use a Mikita construction style compressor for airbrushing. Could you please explain what you used to adapt the airbrush hose to fit the air outlet from the compressor. I am looking at upgrading to a shop style compressor also. Many thanks.

[@boomerdiorama]

The fitting is just an "M" style fitting where you buy the compressors from. Try and get a "Pasche" airbrush hose as they fit the "M" style fitting and are the best quality as well.

[@canoeingnav7618]

@@boomerdiorama Awesome. Many thanks Boomer.

[@TheLoachman]

Always good lessons. Thanks for another one. I intend to buy a better compressor, but space and lugging weight up and down stairs are major considerations. Would a Makita MAC100Q Quiet Series 1/2 HP 1 Gallon Oil-Free compressor be adequate? Stated air flow is 0.7 cu ft/min and 135 psi.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sure it would! I was even thinking of one of those as well.

[@TheLoachman]

@@boomerdiorama Thanks again. I rather like the unit. I was strongly leaning towards it, but the confirmation is appreciated.

[@terry1430]

@@TheLoachman I bought this same compressor several months ago to use on my model railroad and love it. I got it through Amazon and it was delivered in a couple of days.

[@TheLoachman]

@@terry1430 Thanks for that endorsement.

[@1Nanerz]

Used single stage for years. Just got a dual stage but haven’t tried it yet. What PSI are you using for your slightly IPA thinned paint?

[@boomerdiorama]

40 P.S.I. It's not "slightly" thinned. It's heavily thinned. ;-)

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Great video Boomer, I am going to get a better compressor, I have one now just too big want a Makita more compact

[@boomerdiorama]

Makita has some new hobby compressors that are really quiet for under two hundred bucks. They will probably last forever as well. 😉

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

@@boomerdiorama I need to find those ,

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Hello Boomer update , picked up a 1/2 hp Makita air compressor, what is the recommended air pressure setting for the air brush, setting up , I set it at 20:psi at the moment

[@southernprojectsyt6340]

a couple hundred for an airbrush, that leaves me out. good video though. main reason is for that little of a tool it isn't worth the money to me.

[@boomerdiorama]

I know what you mean! There are a lot of options to find a great value airbrush for under $100.

[@southernprojectsyt6340]

@@boomerdiorama that's very useful information. Thank You.

[@barrygauci9933]

Not at all man I paint cars for example I use the same gun for pin striping and for Warhammer and for custom repairs and spot repairs etc.... cost me ,$85 grab fed . Can just get different needles and nozzles if need be... But for $85 it's good enough to compete in shop it's more then overkill for model works 😁🤟

[@barrygauci9933]

That includes a compressor ... Big enough for model stuff . But it also disconnect and fits on my normal compressor if I want to.. only thing I'd suggest is stay away from suction fed .. can get annoying... But so can grav fed if your not paying attention easy to spill. So just pace yourself.. also... Alot of the time for model works it's the little imperfections that give it that natural look! Nature is chaos 😁🤟