The airbrush technique is basically more straightforward than you might think at first, considering all the utensils. There are actually only a few things left that you actually have to adjust yourself. Precisely what components these are on the airbrush gun are explained below. In addition, here is a guide on how to make the adjustments.
Why do you have to adjust an airbrush correctly?
You should adjust the airbrush to achieve good or even desired results and basically work undisturbed. Therefore, individual components belong to it, explained and described for you below.
Which components should be adjusted?
The adjustment of the airbrush includes, in principle, the compressor, the gun, the hose including adapter, the colors, and the workplace.
This is specifically about the gun and its direct connections, where you have to tighten all the screws or check for tightness, which significantly affects the needle inside.
If you have chosen a gun with a lateral paint container, in some cases, you will also have to attach or screw it on after delivery.
If they are not already delivered prefabricated, there are two different adapters for the connecting hose. The transparent plastic hoses are mostly for self-assembly, and you have to provide them with the adapters accordingly.
Set up airbrush gun in 3 steps (instructions)
Below is a brief overview of the individual action steps you need to take to work with the airbrush gun as a whole, so you can get started quickly. This overview is divided into phases, just like the instructions for assembling an airbrush gun.
Step 1: Make the airbrush gun ready for operation.
As a rule, everything is wholly assembled on delivery and in the case. The guns with the lateral paint containers are divided into two parts, depending on the manufacturer.
In this case, you only have to plug them in or tighten them by hand with the screw. This tightening pressure is sufficient to keep the interior closed and the pressure in the air tank.
You should check that everything is tight. Especially the needle could still be loose. To do this, open the rear airbrush gun body by unscrewing it and tighten the hand properly using the locking screwdriver for the needle.
Another hint should still be vital for you in detail: In a large number of spray guns, there is a needle limiting screw. It prevents you from applying the spray lever too intensively and unintentionally spraying too much paint at once.
It’s enjoyable overall if you’re doing the exact fine details for a while. This applies to fine lines like hair, eyelashes, etc., or even speckles with less air pressure but consistent color output.
However, if you do not want this fine mist of color at the beginning, check using the respective screw (at the back of the body or through the open viewing window in the body) if it is entirely empty.
Step 2: Fit airbrush hose with adapter
If you don’t have a hose that already comes with the adapters from the factory, you just need to attach them to the gun accordingly. Only one adapter is suitable for the weapon and the other for the compressor.
Otherwise, put the end of the plastic hose over the adapter of the gun, which is usually already screwed on. It is already firmly seated due to the slight tension.
The adapter on the compressor is usually constructed somewhat differently. Here you have to loosen a fixing screw, push the hose through, put it on the opening of the adapter, and then tighten it again with the fixing screw.
In the compressor itself, this then simply clicks into the intended connection.
Step 3: Set down the gun sensibly.
Airbrush accessories for the gun and setting it up correctly include an airbrush holder. You always need to store the weapon when you mix the paint or cut out stencils later.
It also serves as a third arm for all these setting activities, which you can sometimes use for needle insertion. It is usually simply screwed to the table using an adjusting screw.
FAQ
Do Single Action and Double Action airbrush guns need to be adjusted differently?
In principle, you don’t need to adjust anything else with both pistols, Single and Double Action. You receive them assembled and ready to use in a case in code.
It could sometimes be that the needle chuck for the needle is not yet adequately locked, and you would have to close it with a locking screwdriver for the hand.
Do you need unique accessories to adjust an airbrush gun?
In terms of accessories, an airbrush gun is very modest. To get it ready for use, you don’t need any other accessories or tools in their original state.
Depending on the manufacturer, if any screws or caps could not be adjusted by hand, you will receive the tool in the scope of delivery.
Does the airbrush need to be reset before each use?
If you have not changed anything yourself and have left the airbrush gun and the compressor in the primary setting, you do not need to do anything else.
Only the needle limiting screw is always in focus in this question. If you want to use it precisely, you must open it accordingly with the screw at the back or side, adjust it and then close it again.
what pressure should I set my airbrush to
The pressure you set your airbrush to depends on the paint you’re using, the nozzle size, and the distance between the airbrush and the surface. As a general rule, you want to use a higher pressure with thicker paints and a lower pressure with thinner paints. You also want to use a higher pressure when spraying further away from the surface and a lower pressure when spraying closer to the surface.
You can find more specific information by consulting the airbrush manufacturer’s guidelines or by doing some experimentation. Start at low pressures and work your way up until you find the setting that gives you the best results.