tje1989 Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 I am a poor High school student that can't afford a nice airbrush and compressor set. I can make decnt crankbait bodies but I screw them up when I paint with a brush. I can't stand seeing the brush strokes when I finish. So the question I have for you guys is should I use spray paints or just buy a real cheap airbrush from Walmart? Also, if I use spray paints, what type of paint shoud I use? Would the cheap walmart paint work or would hobby spray cans be better? Any Ideas that would help me out would be greatly appreciated. THANKS, tje1989 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whibley Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Same Problem but im in college. I just use the brush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverMan Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 TJE, I have a used Paasche airbrush that you can have if you want it. You will still have to scrounge up a compressor somewhere......look around at a second-hand store or something. Send me a PM with your mailing address and I will send it out to you. As far as paints, buy the "apple barrel" or similar water-based cheap paints at wal-mart..less than a dollar per color and thin them with water. You want to thin them down to about the consistency of milk...just a bit thicker than water. Start spraying at 40 PSI..if they won't spray thin a bit more. If they spray and run all over, thicken up a bit. You can use a 2 dollar can of Krylon white as a your base primer, let dry, then come over the top with the cheap wal-mart paints, let dry, then clear with Devcon 2-ton (also at Wal-Mart) and you will be ready to rock! jed v. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tje1989 Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Pm Sent Riverman!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneCoal Tackle Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Well, I'm not in high school anymore but that doesn't mean I'm not poor LOL. I don't own an airbrush so all of my lures are done with spray cans or brush or a combination of the two. For my spray paint I use Krylon and for the brushing I've used everything from enamel to acrylics to fingernail polish! Next lure you make grab some spray cans and try your hand at shading, blending and maybe some scales (search past posts for info on scale painting) and then maybe add some brushed accents like this one I made last fall. Above all don't get discouraged, practice a few techniques and develope your own style. Then everyone will be trying to paint like YOU! Stick with it and post up some pics of your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dallas Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Good looking paint job StoneCoal, looks as good as some I do with an airbrush. TJE, I stumbled across this link a while back that demonstrates what can be accomplished with rattle cans. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1246174515665636969 Dallas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Spray Caps that turn rattle cans to fine painting tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy maker Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 I used spray cans for years before graduating to an airbrush. I still paint a few patterns that I use spray cans. Don't feel handicapped because you don't have an airbrush. With some practice and creativity you can make some really nice paint jobs, especially with some of the metallic sprays availible. mossy maker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tje1989 Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Thanks for all the replies guys, I really enjoyed the link from Dallas about spray painting. I will have to post some pics of my paints once I finish some up tje1989 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish devil Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 I use rattle cans to paint from time to time even though I do own a bunch of airbrushes. If you heat the cans they will spray with more pressure and give you a fine spray. I heat rattle cans by running hot water over them or by sitting them in a bucket of hot water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman66 Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Hi amigos, I use only rattle cans as airbrushes are extremely expensive in Bulgaria ... as most of you said a lot of nice work can be done with only cans ... some of my examples: and greetings from Bulgaria, Teo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dallas Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Very nice looking lures Fisherman. A great example of what can be accomplished with spray cans. Dallas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUCBOS Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 I bought an air compressor on E-bay for $15.00 and two airbrush sets from Harbor Freight Tools.com for less than $10.00 each. Being careful with masks and buying smaller tips for the airbrushes you can get started. Apple Barrel paints work great and have more colors available than expensive airbrush paints. Just thin them down some to the right level. The dollar stores have all sorts of neat things available to use. I made a home made paint booth and vent system and a home made dryer like Hiro's and about a total cost to start - under $100. I'll upgrade as I get better. - If I get better. Many of the folks with rattle cans do some GREAT work though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yake Bait Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 I didn't realize that the Apple Barrel paints worked with air brushes. I will have to try that out. Do you thin with water or is rubbing alcohol a good choice? Any trouble with chunks of paint not thinnning down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
