PSI guide for airbrushing

[hirohawa]

Is there a site that has a basic rundown of what PSI you should run on your airbrush?

I am looking to buy a new comppressor and I see that Home Depot has these for like $50 - $100 less than the art stores but I am wondering if the more industrial ones would be appropriate.

Thanks

[Grayson72]

That's what I use, the Home Depot husky 100 gal aircompressor. Very noisy though so not good to use outside the garage.

[hirohawa]

How low in PSI can you go?

I have an Iwata gun so what is your normal operating range?

I am also looking at ones with a tank so it will be quieter

[azrhino]

My operating range is about 7psi to 30psi depending on how much I thin the paint.

I usually only run at 30psi if I am spraying dull coat, or if I need to blow out some

stubborn paint that is gumming up the tip.

For finer control, I use about 1 to 2 drops of paint in about 3 to 5 drops of thinner.

This lets me use a very low pressure so I can move the airbrush closer to what I

am working on. This lets you spray a fairly fine line.

BTW, I use an Iwata Eclipse HP and I only use acrylic paints.

Hope this helps.

[astromanED]

i do the same as azrhino. it works great for me everytme.

[hirohawa]

Thanks!

So will those Industrial compressors that go up to 90psi work on these lower settings 5-30 psi?

[azrhino]

So will those Industrial compressors that go up to 90psi work on these lower settings 5-30 psi?

If the compressor has a good regulator, it should handle the lower pressures just

fine. Also make sure to have a moisture trap somewhere between the compressor

and the airbrush.

Good Luck!