ACbassin Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Hey everybody, I'm really thinking about getting into painting Crankbaits as I need a new hobby... I know I need a airbrush, and will pick up an Iwata Revolution. I also know that I need an air compressor. Well today I was pulling the car into the garage when I found an older air compressor setting in the corner of the garage. I was wondering if this model would suffice for what I want it to do. It's a Jetstream, and that's about all I know. I didn't really have a whole lot of time to look it over, and I'm pretty ignorant to air compressors in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Welcome to TU ACbassin. That compressor should work fine. Just remember that you need a moisture trap to remove any condensation from the compressed air. The act of compressing air heats up the air and as it cools between the compressor and your airbrush moisture can form. This moisture is not conducive to a good paint job. You'll also want to mount the moisture trap close to your airbrush since condensation can form in the air hose if your using a long hose. Good luck and let us know if you need more help. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ichthus Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 the top components look similar to my Husky brand one at home. Yours has adjustable air and pressure gauges but you will need a water trap. i've yet to get a water trap on mine but thats on the top of my priority list. check to make sure everything is in good shape before you go out an buy your airbrush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACbassin Posted March 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Thank you for the replies. As I said, I am pretty ignorant when it comes to air-compressors and their part in painting baits. Is there such a thing as too powerful of an air compressor in terms of PSI for painting baits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 That question could be answered with either a yes or a no. You could use a compressor that is capable of creating hundreds of pounds of pressure as long as the regulator, and other components, are compatible with the compressor, but why would you want to when all you will need to airbrush is one that is capable of maintaining an air pressure of a max of 40 to 50 psi. Not to mention that a compressor that's capable of higher pressures is going to cost way more. Most of the guys here at TU use a maximum of 40 psi. And that's using paint straight out of the bottle that hasn't been thinned. I thin my paints and rarely use over 20 psi. All you really need is a compressor that will maintain a steady pressure with the speed at which you use the compressed air. The compressor you posted in the picture looks to me to have about a 1 to 1 1/2 gallon reservoir and should service any needs you might have. As you become more proficient with the airbrush you might decide this is something you'd like to do as a source of income. By that time you will have gained enough knowledge to know whether or not you need a larger compressor. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) There's no such thing as having too powerful a compressor, or one with too much air storage capacity - as long as it has an air valve that can reduce the pressure to that recommended for your airbrush. I run a 135 psi 6 gallon compressor and dial it down to 20-45 psi for painting. The higher the pressure it will develop and the bigger the tank, the longer you can paint before the compressor turns on again to air up. I think Iwata calls for a max pressure of 45 or 50 psi. At some point, I assume over-pressure could damage the air valve in the airbrush. But in practical terms, you'll never need to shoot anything at more than max pressure through an Iwata anyway, so it's sort of academic. Edited March 28, 2014 by BobP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I use the same compressor you'll be fine, again as said get a water trap for the compressor and if you can afford it get a pistol grip filter for your brush. it is best if possible to locate your trap some distance from your compressor to allow the air temp to lower as water can bypass the trap if to close at least that's the recommendation for shop compressors and painting cars I've yet to have a problem with mine so I guess the best way is to try it first and if you experience water issues then move it accordingly as your enviroment also plays a role here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAWGFAN Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I use a compressor that is almost identical to yours. Mine is a 3 gallon, from Harbor Freight. You may be surprised how little it has to run to supply your airbrush. I use Createx and Wicked acrylics, as most here do. I do reduce most of my paints a bit. That's not a real scientific ratio, but you'll learn what viscosity works best for you. I typically spray at 30 psi. It's another topic, but you may also find yourself using much lower pressures at times to achieve stippling effects. I also have the moisture trap, as recommended. I've never found moisture in it, but it could save a lot of frustration some day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ichthus Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 When you start getting into paint viscosity and psi thats where it gets to what works best for you. I use mainly the createx colors but ocasionaly, if I cant find the color i need I will get cheap acrylic paint and thin it down with isopropyl alcohol to my desired viscosity. It saves a little money too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ichthus Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 but be careful, acrylics dry VERY fast so if you do this you gotta check the tip of your airbrush for little dried up clumps that might accumulate and clean your airbrush copiously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 I don't own an air brush, but if ALL I used an air compressor for was airbrushing I might still disagree. Air compressors are like outboards. Its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. The point I was trying to make Bob is that you can spend thousands of dollars on a compressor, but given what we use them for why would you need, or want to? The OP said he didn't know a lot about compressors and I was just trying to give him a little background on what to look for. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACbassin Posted March 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Thanks for the help everybody! Can't wait to start painting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaw Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 I have the same compressor and it works fine for airbrushing I have a condensate trap at the end of a six foot airline that is connected to a regulator I have mounted to my workbench and also an inline condensate trap at my airbrush may be overkill but I had the material so I used it the compressor you have is actually a portercable which is a good brand about 100-$120 rig at Lowe's the last time I looked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 I started out with a cheap Chinese 30 psi max airbrush compressor, moved up to a more expensive Badger airbrush compressor, and most recently to a Porter Cable 135 psi 6 gallon model. As you move up to compressors with higher pressure and more air storage, you get spoiled because they provide a steadier air stream to your airbrush and run less often. During an afternoon of painting, my 6 gal compressor might run once after initially airing up. When it does, I take a short break because the noise is quite loud. It fits handily under the workbench in my garage and it's nice to have it for other tasks like filling tires or using a nail gun. The Porter Cable Jet Stream looks to be an identical older model of my compressor. Porter Cable has a rep for high quality so count yourself lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonoman Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 There are many tricks to get the moisture out , one of the best i have seen is to plumb the compressor into pvc that is mounted on the wall, the compressor air outlet is connected at a very low point so the compressed air must travel upward, at the top of the run a t is inserted and another length of pvc drops downs down with a small valve at the bottom, the compressed air now is attached somewhere off the drop piece with a conventional water separator and then to the brush...cheap and easy way of getting the moisture out and even works in central florida, keep in mind that the less the compressor has to run the less moisture you will get because the air has time to cool allowing it to condense well before it gets to the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
