Help this noob out with a kit list...please ;)

[nortonski]

Hey folks,

I initially posted this in the intro part of the forum, so this is a repost as I'm also looking for some help in choosing the correct kit.

I don't mind investing in quality...

Anyways, I'm from the UK looking to get into Airbrush Tattoos as a way of potentially earning a little extra pocket money & having some fun along the way...

But let's not run before we can crawl eh...we're looking at this merely as a hobby to start, family friends & our kids (& probably their friends...)...ultimately we'll consider public fairs, shows & events etc in the summer next year & the occasional fall/winter show...

We've done some research but it leads to many more questions

We've had exposure to several different paints - Tiger-designs (UK) - less than 48 hours longevity, Airtoo - 5 days longevity & a few others in between, but all quite poor performance.

I like the look of EBA's Endura paints (supposedly) used at waterparks in the US, but does anyone here have any experience of it?

http://www.europeanbodyart.com/catalog/airbrush-tattoo-paint/

On the compressor front I want something good quality & believe in paying for quality & not buying twice. This keeps bringing me back to Iwata, namely:

http://www.iwata-medea.com/index.php/products/smart_jet_pro/

OR

http://www.iwata-medea.com/index.php/products/power_jet_pro/

& for the airbrushes either:

http://www.iwata-medea.com/index.php/products/sar/

OR

http://www.iwata-medea.com/index.php/products/bcr/

With reference to stencils, I like the ease & speed of application of single use, self adhesive ones especially for a total noob...where offers the best selection & price point?

No doubt I've missed loads out, but either way this is an okay starter for 10...so do any of you folk fancy helping to guide this noob on this potentially daunting process of starting out?

Thanks in advance

[Jeroen - CDM]

That compressor is just fine, top knotch.

As for the airbrush... I'm getting this one:

------------
For the elite professional who demands precise and accurate control of very detailed spraying, this Custom Micron Series brush is built to be the “best of the best,” hand-tested and adjusted by the world’s leading airbrush technicians. Special machining processes along with the meticulous hand-fitting of the parts create an airbrush with superb atomization and incredible control. By removing the crown cap and nozzle cap, this airbrush will spray an entire range of stipple effects, from very fine to coarse textures.

· Using the same matched-head assembly as the other trusted Custom Micron airbrushes, the Custom Micron CM-C Plus has the same precise feel that’s entirely unique to a Custom Micron airbrush

· A breakthrough technology, the Micro Air Control (MAC) Valve enables infinite control of the airflow at the head of the airbrush, which provides even more control of stippling, fine details and finely atomized background spraying

· The new solvent-proof Teflon™ needle packing allows for the use of automotive or other solvent-based paints

· The funnel shape of the redesigned gravity-feed cup lets the airbrush be used effectively with only a couple drops of paint, ensuring a fast and thorough clean up

· A cutaway handle enables users to grab the needle-chucking nut and quickly pull back the needle to flush paint out of the cup and paint passageways for a quick and easy clean up

Micro Air Control (MAC) Valve


A breakthrough technology, the Micro Air Control (MAC) Valve enables infinite control of the airflow at the head of the airbrush, which is different than just regulating the air pressure at the compressor.
· Lets users spray a coarse stippling effect to full atomization with a quick turn

· For fine line or detail work, it can be adjusted to create the optimum airflow for maximum control of the paint output

· By fully opening the MAC Valve, the airbrush can quickly be cleaned during color changes or for wide background spraying

Read the press release.

Parts Guides available in .pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader required. Click the Adobe Reader logo to download the most current version.

[Jeroen - CDM]

Ow....I forgot... They cost 390 euro's a piece LOL.

I'm getting 4 of them sweet toyz, WHEEEE! Cheers!

[Neil]

For airbrush tatts the Iwata micron is way over kill and probably wont spray the tatt inks all that well. You want something like a Vega 2000,Paasche VL or Iwata Eclipse

Neil
www.getpainted.com
Painting America one body at a time

[nortonski]

For airbrush tatts the Iwata micron is way over kill and probably wont spray the tatt inks all that well. You want something like a Vega 2000,Paasche VL or Iwata Eclipse

Neil
www.getpainted.com
Painting America one body at a time

Thanks, whilst I wasn't after the micron I was looking at the Revolution, is the Eclipse too much for a beginner to handle in comparison?

http://www.iwata-medea.com/index.php/products/hp_bcs/

[Gioart]

For airbrush tatts the Iwata micron is way over kill and probably wont spray the tatt inks all that well. You want something like a Vega 2000,Paasche VL or Iwata Eclipse

Neil
www.getpainted.com
Painting America one body at a time

I also agree that the Micron would be over kill for tats, the Eclipse would be much better suited for that kind of work. It's also very good for other applications as well, if you ever decide to experiment on other substrates. And much cheaper too $$.

Gio

[Neil]

The Vega or Eclipce would be the best for doing tatts.Check my website for more tatt info

Neil
www.getpainted.com
Painting America one body at a time

[nortonski]

Thanks Neil, I notice you use the Vega, what's the key differences between the two?

Thanks for your help, I'm continuing to check out your site.

[Neil]

The Vega is more cost affective than the Eclipse plus the parts cost less.It doesn't have the removable head piece exposing the needle for fine detail work,but we don't need that for tatts.If you really want the removable head piece you can get that with the Omni airbrush and still save money

Neil
www.getpainted.com
Painting America one body at a time

[hazcon7]

For airbrush tats - I use 12 cheapo ABs from harbor freight - came in 2 kits of 6 each for around $120 US. They work out perfect for this and with a dozen I rarely have to stop to change colors. Good Luck!

[nortonski]

For airbrush tats - I use 12 cheapo ABs from harbor freight - came in 2 kits of 6 each for around $120 US. They work out perfect for this and with a dozen I rarely have to stop to change colors. Good Luck!

Thanks for this, which AB do you have? Do you do AB Tatts with them? - EDIT: of course you do, you just told me so in your thread...lol

Is it these: http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-6-color-airbrush-kit-with-holder-95923.html

[Neil]

Just try and get parts for those el-cheapo ABs

[patriciorip]

Wow! So the Vega is the best choice for tatts beginner. What about the ink? Any recommendations?

[Neil]

My favorite inks are from Airbrush Body Art and Badgers Totally Tattoo

Neil
www.getpainted.com
Painting America one body at a time

[patriciorip]

Thanks Neil! Your experience is always welcome in the forum...

[rollerdude]

I agree with hazcon7, keep the cost down. We're not painting the Mona Lisa. Airbrush tattoos is a business and as long as I can get my ink and tools at a reasonable price, I can keep my cost down and my prices lower than the guy that goes overboard. I try to go middle of the road. Not cheap but definitely not expensive.

[Fishboy]

In all honesty you do not need to go with a high end brush for tats unless you're doing freehand stuff. For just mass production blowing through a stencil and shading, a low to mid end brush should be fine. Just make sure that you can and will be able to get replacement parts for which ever brand you go with. This is always a good reason to go with Paasche, Badger or Iwata. I use a set of brushes that came as a part of my kit from EBA. The bruishes are etched with the EBA name, but they're actually made by a company named Sumake. They work great for tats and T's too, but parts are a bit of a pain to get. EBA is the only place I know of to get them at the moment. Good thing I haven't had to replace any needles or nozzles yet. I will probably just rep them as they die.

If you're starting out initially you can easily get by with 6 brushes. Black, White, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green. From these colors you can make any other color by layering an mixing.

[Fishboy]

in retrospect to my previous post...

There is a balance between a middle range brush and a low end cheapie such as those from Harbour Freight. At about $15 to $20 from harbour freight you can buy an entirely new brush for the cost of a new needle from Iwata. Also, Harbour Freight does carry the standard parts such as needles for their brushes. If you clean your brushes after each day of use and handle them with care they should provide you with long and reliable use. At 6 for $120 you are getting enough brushes to run the needed colors to mix and layer to get all the colors at the price of a higher end name brand such as Iwata. Then see which are your most requested. I found that pink and purple were mine and it was costing me too much in red, white, and blue to mix these in layers so I purchased extra brushes to run pink and purple. Saves time and ink. Build your business gradually and if you feel it is going well enough upgrade as you see fit.

Keep your initial costs low and if you decide to branch out in a few months to T's and such you can use the profits from tats to purchase a higher end brush to do that.

[Fishboy]

I forgot to mention that I have used EBA paints for the past two seasons and they have worked out well for me. It's very humid where I work (on a beach in Puerto Rico) so water based paints aren't an option for me when doing tats.

The customer service has been pretty good and their prices are on par with other suppliers.

I get anywhere from 2 to 14 days out of a tat depending on where it is located skin type and care. The neck is the worst place because it is sweaty and oily and I always tell clients that they can expect a maximum of 2 days on the neck. The very best is the lower leg because it is very dry skin. I can get from 1 to 2 weeks out of a tat on my lower leg, and I don't do much for taking care of it. I also work as a commercial diver and have spent 14 hours in the water with my tats and had no problems with them staying on. I would say 1 out of 100 customers come back with issues. It's usually quite obvious that they've put sunscreen on over top of the tattoo or just been rough housing with their friends (they're water proof not bullet proof). I always do a retouch in these cases.

Their website shows that they also have branches in Europe and the Middle East now, so they may be a good choice for you.