new to body painting...advise on compressor or kit?

[Kaiashine]

Hi..I am totally new and overwhelmed by amount and variety of airbrushers and compressor on google. I am looking for any advise, suggestings. I am wanting to get a resonably priced airbrush and compressor to do bodyart mostly with stencils for show...so not production. Someone suggested the Iwata Eclipse airbrush and a smart jet compressor which runs at about $400. I was hoping to spend about $300. Any help would be soooo greatly appreciated. Thanks muchly...:smiley_bliss:

[ABD]

Been lots a talk on this in threads...if ya get bored maybe do some searches with keywords on what yer lookin for...somethings bound to turn up.

My opinion, you can get a cheaper comp than a smart jet..Hit up local places, wallmart, auto stores...get somethin with a few gallon tank...Only downfall is they are loud...compared to the silent ones..But much cheaper.

AB, hell lots of em out there...Paasche VL is a good one, cheaper than most and a good brand...The eclipse is a fine one as well.

[Fishboy]

Remember to look into the price of replacement parts before you choose. For example, there can be a huge difference int he price of a new needle from brand to brand, and even from model to model within a single brand. If you're just doing tats, and especially if you're doing them through stencils you definitely don't need the best brush that money can buy. It is worth it to go with a proven brand, just from the aspect of availability of parts. You may not be able to find parts for random generic brand x from china in six months, but brands like Iwata, Paasche, Badger, and even Master have good parts availability and will be around for some time.

As far as the compressor goes, get something that is suited to your needs. This includes size. I use a small 1/8 hp for my temp tat booth and have had no problems. I run 8 guns on it, but work alone so air is never a problem. It's also nice and light. It weighs about the same as a gallon of milk. This makes my life much easier when lugging my equipment back and forth each day.

I know that this doesn't answer your question directly, but it is some food for thought.

[Kaiashine]

Thank you, thank you , thank you! Big gratitude for taking the time to help. Great advise and super helpful information. I feel like I am one step closer to figuring it out. :banana:

[Stang]

I use badger 155's, they are cheap and work great for the tatts. I got my compressor on ebay for $100. It's a Thomas Ultra Air-Pac. It's fairly quiet, yet cheap. Used it a couple years now with no problems. You want a semi quiet compressor otherwise it scares the kids when it pops on. Plus, trying to talk to the customers when it is running is bad fro business. I bring a Smart jet with me just incase the Air-pac breaks. Happened to me before. The compressor broke and sat there on the busiest day turning away customers while my partner was out trying to find a new compressor. In an emergency I have a CO2 tank also.

[sweet loretta]

I am a bit unclear are you wanting to do body painting or airbrush tattoos and or face painting? Both?

The reason I'll guess regarding the Iwata if the Eclipse BCS is a great all round brush esp for body art, as it will go wide and thin enough for most body art designs. And the Iwata compressors are studio quite something if you are doing body art you'll want.

Do figure where do you plan to do this body art. I personally could not use a loud compressor because of where I paint and my clientele but plenty of artists can, and do. Many I know do well without studio compressors.

If you have a budget stick to it until you are sure this is really a business for you - most compressors and brushes will have a decent resell value - short of the ultra cheapos.

[Kaiashine]

I am just wanting to do body and face painting...just for performances. I think I will start small and not so expensive and see if it even works for me. I found a kit for $149 that I will just try. Thank you. I still feel confused, but I am greatful for all the information. I know more than I did before I got onto this forum. Smiles....