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AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
airbrushing and hose length
godfather
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Canada
Joined: June 26, 2002
KitMaker: 817 posts
Armorama: 465 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 01:34 PM UTC
I ma asssuming that the longer the hose from compressor to airbrush less pressure coming from the AB? I have a coiled 25' hose plus the hose that came with the airbrush. Should I compensate for this and if so by how much?
SS-74
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Vatican City
Joined: May 13, 2002
KitMaker: 3,271 posts
Armorama: 2,388 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 05:21 PM UTC
Definitely longer the hose is the less the air pressure you have come out from the AB. If you have a weak compressor, it's kind of significant. I bought a tamiya compressor while I first get into modelling, I need to cut the hose by 50% in order to have a reasonable pressure. But now I am using a compressor give out avaerage 40 psi, so I am good. But I still think 25' of hose is really too long. But as to the ratio of length of hose VS loss of pressure, I don't know any formula to it. I think it's a feel thing, sometimes, I read that the best pressure is 20 to 30 psi, but my 40 psi compressor worked just as fine, and also you can control the air flow by how much you press the button on the airbrush.

HTH
sfilak
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New York, United States
Joined: August 11, 2002
KitMaker: 45 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 05:51 AM UTC
It also depends on the airbrush itself. For instance, the Badger airbrushes seem to favor lower pressure, while the Azteks favor a higher pressure. In fact, the instruction sheet that comes with the Aztek recommends spraying between 25-30 psi. I've used my Aztek at even higher pressure with no ill effects. As Dave said, i's kind of a 'feel' thing, something that has to experimented with until you get the results that you're after.

For me, 25 feet of hose would be just one more thing to trip over in the workshop
slodder
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: February 22, 2002
KitMaker: 11,718 posts
Armorama: 7,138 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 08:06 AM UTC
Yes, this is all good advice. One benefit of long hose is that it acts as a moisture trap. You can get a cheap in line moisture trap if you are run into problems.
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