Air Brush

[OzarkSawdust]

I use some of these Minwax PolyShades stain/Poly sprays. Quick, easy, handy to just grab a can...off my new rack...give the project a shot and go. But I ran out of Classic Oak today... the local lumber yard, worthless, doesn't know what I'm talking about. Went on line and I don't see that color on Amazon, Lowes (30 miles away). And it's also expensive when I find it!

So...I'm thinking of trying an Air Brush setup. Who uses them? How do you kike it? What finishes DON"T work in one? Are they easy to clean up?

Are there any particular brands/types to look at...or stay away from? Is it better (easier) to get a rig with an air compressor...or do they have a regulator to just plug onto my big one? 

[spirithorse]

I have a cheap air brush set up with lots of extra containers to quickly change colors, etc
and I believe you will spend a lot more time getting the air brush and attachments out and
then cleaning them to put them away than if you just went to a wipe on stain of some type.

God Bless! Spirithorse

[amazingkevin]

27 minutes ago, spirithorse said:

I have a cheap air brush set up with lots of extra containers to quickly change colors, etc
and I believe you will spend a lot more time getting the air brush and attachments out and
then cleaning them to put them away than if you just went to a wipe on stain of some type.

God Bless! Spirithorse

Amen to that!!!

[Rockytime]

I've used several over the yeas in model railroading. They can be a pain. I wold not use one on scroll projects

[OzarkSawdust]

Just a thought...

I guess I could use a light brush or maybe a model brush to keep from breaking small delicate pieces. I generally use a rag or rolled up paper towel, so I can throw it away, and was concerned I might break something. I don't use a lot of stain...just didn't want everything I do to end up "Baltic Birch White" lol. Any more I just hit it with a can of Shellac or Lacquer, quick and easy. I do some Watco dipping also. 

I saw on here some time ago a home brew of 50/50 BLO and something else...what? Does it add any color to BB ply?

I did try an experiment today...I stained a small piece of BB ply with MInwax  Early American, let it dry a couple of hours, slapped the film and pattern (Steve Good's glue bottle holder) on and cut the top. When I pealed off the film and pattern...it looked good! 

[kmmcrafts]

I have painting equipment and airbrushes that I use in the autobody collision repair work.. I'd love to be able to use the spray equipment for my woodwork stuff but as the others said.. cleanup is a lot of work.. I've thought about getting a cheap HF set or something that I would be able to just leave the stain or clear in and just clean up every few weeks.. But not happening in my $400+ spray guns and my pricey airbrush set either, LOL They are very rebuild-able but that job is also not fun.. so I refuse to use them for my crafts work.. Spray cans for these smaller projects is the way to go or most things I just dip in Danish oil as it's quick and easy..

The BLO you mention is basically the same thing as natural color Danish oil.. You can get Danish oil with color stains added. I use the dark walnut and the cherry one from time to time..  The bottom of this puzzle is done in the walnut Danish oil.. all cut fro the same board.. I just dipped the dog in natural danish oil and the bottom part in the walnut..

  

[John B]

I have an air brush, actually a couple of cheapies. I used them for painting my toys, Stripes on Tigers and Zebras etc, with my big compressor. No worries.
What I would suggest are some cheap touch up guns. I have 4 of them and use them for different coloured paints etc. but they should work fine for any other finishes.

[DME72]

i dip most of my stuff in 50/50 BLO and odorless mineral spirits, but the original type of mineral spirits. not the green version. you can also mix your own danish oil too. 1/3 equal parts of BLO, thinner and poly. most of what i make is not going to be handled alot. i do spray the earrings and bookmarks and other items with satin deft .i also have an expensive detail spray gun but it is a pain to clean so i dont use it. lee valley sells a spray gun called the critter that attaches to a mason jar and is siphon feed and really easy to clean up. i think they are about  $60-75. would work good on some bigger projects or just wait till you have alot to finish.forgot to mention you can also add some stain to the BLO mix if you want color.

doug

Edited July 23, 2020 by DME72

[tomsteve]

a touchup gun is the way to go. for spraying what you want to spray, something with a 1.3 tip. you can get a regulator for at the gun,too.  its not wise to use the reg on the compressor to regulate the gun. they can spray polys, stains( great when staining large furniture),lacquers..... 

cleanup isnt bad when ya get the hang of it. i get my copper tekna(not a touchup gun) cleaned up in about 5 minutes.

 if you want an air brush, iwata eclipse HC/CS. theyre great for beginners and worth the money

[Ctutor]

15 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

Just a thought...

I guess I could use a light brush or maybe a model brush to keep from breaking small delicate pieces. I generally use a rag or rolled up paper towel, so I can throw it away, and was concerned I might break something. I don't use a lot of stain...just didn't want everything I do to end up "Baltic Birch White" lol. Any more I just hit it with a can of Shellac or Lacquer, quick and easy. I do some Watco dipping also. 

I saw on here some time ago a home brew of 50/50 BLO and something else...what? Does it add any color to BB ply?

I did try an experiment today...I stained a small piece of BB ply with MInwax  Early American, let it dry a couple of hours, slapped the film and pattern (Steve Good's glue bottle holder) on and cut the top. When I pealed off the film and pattern...it looked good! 

 

[Ctutor]

RATHER THAN AIR BRUSH (WHICH ARE A PAIN TO KEEP CLEAN)  LOOK AT THE CRITTER SPRAY GUN.  they ARE INEXPENSIVE AND i ASSUME YOU HAVE A COMPRESSOR.  iT TAKES ABOUT 40 LBS FOR LACQUER FOR EXAMPLE.  THE MATERIAL IS PUT IN A MASON JAR THAT CLEANS EASILY WITH ACETONE IN A SEPARATE JAR.  THE ONLY DOWN SIDE IS THAT THE SPRAY PATTERN IS NOT ADJUSTABLE SO YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO USE  THE TILT OF THE GUN TO CHANGE TO SP[RAY PATTERN.  IF YOU GET 0ONE GET IT WITH THE STAINLESS FEEDER TUBE CAUSE THE ALUMINUM BREAKS WHEN DROP[ED ON THE FLOOR.  DAKMHIK

[Bill WIlson]

10 hours ago, John B said:

I have an air brush, actually a couple of cheapies. I used them for painting my toys, Stripes on Tigers and Zebras etc, with my big compressor. No worries.
What I would suggest are some cheap touch up guns. I have 4 of them and use them for different coloured paints etc. but they should work fine for any other finishes.

I use one of these.  It works great.  I only spray shellac so I don't know how it works for other finishes, but shellac is soooooo easy to clean up that it's my go-to finish, most of the time.