Airbrushes for 54mm?

[Charax]

Well, I've just committed to buy a £200 airbrush set. Not that I have anything I especially want to airbrush, or any experience with the damn things.

Mad, I know.

Anyway, my basic idea was to use it for terrain and 40K tanks, but I know a lot of people use them for basecoating minis and was wondering if many people used them at 54mm for anything other than under/basecoating? and if so, can you post pics of the results?

For the record: Having money makes Charax a little crazy.

[ismeno]

Airbrushing is great! I bought my first some ten years ago and I've never had any regrets.  As for painting =I= minis, I'm not so sure. You CAN do it, and if youre skilled you can get wonderful results. Cloaks and other larger areas can be given very realistic shading and highlighting.

However, if you are going to GAME with the minis, airbrushing is not the best idea. =I= minis are made of metal, and they are heavy chunks that fall over easily. Paint chipping happens all too easy, and is a nightmare to touch up with airbrush. So, unless you are very careful and/or are painting minis for show rather than gaming I wouldn't recommend it. I have airbrushed a Nids army for 40K and that worked really well since it's all plastic!

Good luck with the painting!

[Charax]

surely I can just varnish the finished model to protect it?

[mcjomar]

I hope by varnish you mean the shiny varnish followed by dullcoat varnish, yes?

But anyways, I'd echo the sentiments about airbrushes - worth it, especially on big areas. I've seen some nice work on miniatures from other systems/makers/gamesystems that have had some nice airbrush work done before the fine detail stage.
However, considering the pricetag of these things, I'd say if you have any doubts, and can already turn out great quality paintjobs, then you might do better to spend on something else.
If, however, you think the price is right, then go for it, and have fun! 

[kierkegaard]

For the record: Having money makes Charax a little more crazy.

Fixed. 

Best of luck with that. I've seen some spectacular results achieved with air brushes, but I imagine that it takes a lot of practice to get right.

Let us know how you get on.

[Charax]

well, at the very least it'll help with the 163 Necromunda Bulkheads I need to paint.

[Aurelius 12]

I do all the large areas on my figures with my airbrush, it makes for a lovely even finish, plus it's a damn sight quicker! Airbrush the base colours then work in the details as normal. I also find that a grey basecoat works better than black because it gives much more depth and shading possibilities.

Granted this would sound more convincing if some of my new models were on the site for you to see. That should change by the weekend hopefully!

[precinctomega]

I love my airbrush, but £200 on your first airbrush is pretty mad!  I hope that included the compressor.

I spent £70 on mine, including the compressor and P&P.  It's very bog standard, but perfect for my needs.  On larger models, I can do the majority of the basecoating without even needing to mask areas off, as long as I'm prepared to tidy up the overlap by hand.  Basecoating and zenithal highlights can be done easily and quickly with a bit of practice.

R.

[Charax]

well, ok not quite £200. £145 (inc. P&P)
The compressor looks like a bit of a beast, I may have to relegate that to the shed and get a smaller one. Still, all-in I think I paid a decent price for what is effectively 3 airbrushes and all the other things I need to start off - in a case!

[Aurelius 12]

I think I have the same gravity-fed airbrush as you!

[precinctomega]

Mine's very similar, but with a removable well. I think that compressor is a quiet-running one, isn't it?

R.

[Charax]

I bloody hope so!