Best Airbrush for Painting Crankbaits?

[Miller's Ferry 8]

What is the best airbrush for painting crankbaits? 

[Michigander]

The most expensive one you can afford. What's your budget and what kind of paint are you going to shoot? (Enamel, acrylic, ink, etc.)

[Munkin]

I bought a decent one on Ebay from China for like $20. Not the best but worked great for most my lure painting. Expensive brushes are better but I would suggest starting with something cheaper until you know what you like. Additionally the Harbor Freight air compressor isn't bad at all and cheap.

 

Allen

[Michigander]

6 minutes ago, Munkin said:

I bought a decent one on Ebay from China for like $20. Not the best but worked great for most my lure painting. Expensive brushes are better but I would suggest starting with something cheaper until you know what you like. Additionally the Harbor Freight air compressor isn't bad at all and cheap.

 

Allen

There's plenty of good airbrushes out there that don't cost a mint, but as far as best.... ? 

 

I tend not to steer new painters into the cheapest option. It just causes frustration if you don't already know what you are doing. The Master G2 series airbrushes are fine from Amazon but I don't recommend them for new painters.

[Miller's Ferry 8]

I should’ve specified I used to paint a lot and had a cheap like $20 one and it would stop up a lot even when adding water to the paint. I was hoping to go to something another step up this time. What would you recommend less than $100?

1 hour ago, Michigander said:

The most expensive one you can afford. What's your budget and what kind of paint are you going to shoot? (Enamel, acrylic, ink, etc.)

I’m thinking less than $100 and I use acrylic. 

[Michigander]

4 minutes ago, Miller's Ferry 8 said:

I should’ve specified I used to paint a lot and had a cheap like $20 one and it would stop up a lot even when adding water to the paint. I was hoping to go to something another step up this time. What would you recommend less than $100?

I’m thinking less than $100 and I use acrylic. 

Oh ok, then you know what you're in for. For less than $100 the best airbrushes, in my opinion, are either going to be a Badger Patriot 105 or an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS (if you use the Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon). I have had both in faithful service multiple times a week for several years. The Eclipse is slightly superior but takes more maintenance.

[Munkin]

16 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Oh ok, then you know what you're in for. For less than $100 the best airbrushes, in my opinion, are either going to be a Badger Patriot 105 or an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS (if you use the Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon). I have had both in faithful service multiple times a week for several years. The Eclipse is slightly superior but takes more maintenance.

 

What do you paint?

 

Allen

[Michigander]

Just now, Munkin said:

 

What do you paint?

 

Allen

Miniatures, scale models, and my 3D prints mostly.

Though I did just try painting some jig heads over the weekend. 

[islandbass]

That’s really nice work. I’d spoil myself if I had your skills and get the iwata. 

[Michigander]

2 hours ago, islandbass said:

That’s really nice work. I’d spoil myself if I had your skills and get the iwata. 

Thanks! The eyes are a little off, but I tried making my own 3D eyes from UV resin. They're kinda hard to make and paint at that small size!

[islandbass]

2 hours ago, Michigander said:

Thanks! The eyes are a little off, but I tried making my own 3D eyes from UV resin. They're kinda hard to make and paint at that small size!

No worries, I believe the fish wouldn’t notice nor care anyway, lol. I had classmate in high school who was naturally cross-eyed and when you looked at him as you would in conversing with someone, one eyed would be on you and the other would be looking elsewhere.  I remember (all boys school so you know we’re all going to be jokesters and prankers without end) it was exam week and the teacher went through what was allowed and not for the exam. Then she said, “Are they any questions?”

another buddy raised his hand and said, “Ms. so-n-so, It’s not fair. James (name changed to protect the innocent” has has a major advantage over the rest of us.” 
She asked how and he replied, “James can look at the exam and the (Separate) answer sheet at the same time and the rest of us can’t .” 
The whole class started busted out laughing. If we were girls,I’d bet a good number would have had to go to the bathroom to pee. 
 

making this will be the the next bass fishing trend... crooked eye or lazy eye shad jig heads. Don’t dot your eyes... Cross’em!

 

jigs are my weakness is bass fishing. I’ve had success with jig and plastics but not the jignpig and I’m in my 16th season of fishing. The horror, lol!

 

 

[jgordon]

I ended up buying two one for acrylic paint and another for lacquer both Iwatas and no complaints.  Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon.