Airbrush machines
I've never done airbrushing, but I'd love to get into it. I'm thinking of investing in the machine, but I know nothing about what to look for in one. Are there certain specs that I should be on the look out for? Are certain companies, or certain models better than others?
I'd love to hear your feedback, and to hear what you think works well or what I should look for. Thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Eileen S on
-
I wish I could afford one too. In the meantime, when looking for that effect I've just used the basic color food sprays Wilton makes. For small projects and basic colors they work pretty good! I've done fall leaves by using the orange and red on yellow fondant and it's a nice effect.
Good luck air brush shopping! Let us know what you decide!
-
Permalink Reply by Kim Allemon on
-
I have one I love it,, never took classes but is alot faster at adding color and things,, always learning new things by trial and error on it
-
Permalink Reply by Fazia Mohammed on
-
what model do you have? That's what I'm worried about, I don't want to buy something too cheap, or too expensive! Maybe I should check reviews online?
Kim Allemon said:I have one I love it,, never took classes but is alot faster at adding color and things,, always learning new things by trial and error on it
-
Permalink Reply by Anne-Marie Main on
-
I found mine on E-bay. When I was looking for one, I spent months looking for the right compressor and a decent price. I think I spent $160.00 and received the compressor, airbrush and 12, 4oz americolor colors. But knowing what I know now, I should have gotten a little bitty compressor. I probably could have gotten everything for less then a hundred. But I HAD TO HAVE COMMERCIAL GRADE! *shaking my head and saying 'silly girl'*
-
Permalink Reply by melissa pappalardo on
-
I have a badger. Got it when I worked for a major supermarket and took it with me when I left. Kinda like a parting gift. It's a great company and I never have issues with mine. have had it for about 7 years now.
-
-
Thanks for the replies, ladies. I've never thought about looking on eBay. I will do some more research, then check out what they have.
-
Permalink Reply by BD Walker on
-
I got mine at www.airbrushcity.com. I love the compressor since I also use my compressor for art airbrushing (different airbrush for food, obviously). They have great customer service and the prices are really reasonable.
-
Permalink Reply by Dena Bryngelson on
-
Hi...I am just going to try to be helpful. I airbrush EVERYTHING...and teach airbrushing in almost all of my cake decorating classes. I have used four different major brands of airbrush that were all very different...and I have experience with many other brands by what has shown up in some of my classes. My experience is that you will probably want to buy a single action airbrush with a good compressor. I have had students show up in class with complicated to use airbrushes and we spend half of the time just trying to figure out how to use them. I'm sure in time they would be great airbrushes but I had students say that they would probably never even pick them up again because they just didn't get the results they wanted from the airbrush right away. If it has too many features you probably won't fool with it long enough to get good at it. That's just my experience from the classroom.
next, you will want a little better compressor than the fish tank sized one. I have had two students burn their compressor up in two different classes when they were using those kind. Just in a matter of a few hours the compressor puked out and they had to borrow one from a neighbor or me. If it won't last through a class, it won't last long in your kitchen...or maybe they both got a lemon.
I wouldn't buy plastic. I had a very nice Aztek airbrush. It had all the bells and whistles but I never could get used to the light weight feel of it in my hand. I like the weight of the chrome plated airbrush pen. It doesn't feel like it's being pulled by the airhose. I also did not care for having to change the head on the pen to change the spray pattern...too much work when I was in a hurry. Just my opinion...I'm sure some people have that VERY NICE airbrush that I sold because I didn't like that about it...and they probably LOVE Love love the thing....and that's fine....but I don't think it was designed for working on cake.
With all that I know and all the airbrushing I have done I would suggest the Kopykake single action airbrush with the red compressor (Airmaster)...or another brand similar to this. Easy to use. You can replace the parts in it when they wear out. Mostly the needle, Nozzle and crown needle cap will be the parts you will replace with wear. Those wear out if you are not careful with the pen...drop it...leave it dirty etc. I just buy new parts and rebuild mine...you can do that!
I don't suggest using dry powder colors in it but you can buy a cheap glass bottle type airbrush at harbor freight (cut a small piece of hose from your airbrush hose to attach the two together and hook that up to your compressor) And use that for dry powder colors so that you aren't running that through your nice airbrush...the dry colors almost work on the inside like sand paper over time. The glass bottle type airbrushes don't feed the paint through the pen, it's gravity feed and that works better with the alcohol and pearl dusts. I learned this the hard way by wearing my pen down to the brass.
Kopykake has been really good about fixing anything that I have had a problem with. I even sent a stopped up pen to them and they cleaned it up for me. Also, in comparrison with other chrome airbrushes, the needle is finer in the Kopykake. That may not matter much when you are painting t-shirts or cars but for water based food color like we use on cakes it is important to have that very fine needle. The thing is made for cakes.
Badger makes a great airbrush but be careful what kind you choose...we used one it in the a bakery I worked in...but after my boss heard me complain about hers being difficult and then saw me use my Kopykake in a demonstration she bought a new airbrush. They do offer a single action simple airbrush and I recommend that type. You don't need complicated for working on cakes...just for cars, motorcycles, helmets and t-shirts. Keep it simple. You can read all about the different features on their website.
Most important of all....USE IT. It will not work any better than you let it. Airbrushing takes practice but when you get good at it you will find yourself doing it all the time. I seldom ever have a weekend go by when I don't use my airbrush now
-
-
Thank you so much! That was really helpful. I will take a look into Kopykake and see how much I'll have to save up to buy one!
Dena Bryngelson said:Hi...I am just going to try to be helpful. I airbrush EVERYTHING...and teach airbrushing in almost all of my cake decorating classes. I have used four different major brands of airbrush that were all very different...and I have experience with many other brands by what has shown up in some of my classes. My experience is that you will probably want to buy a single action airbrush with a good compressor. I have had students show up in class with complicated to use airbrushes and we spend half of the time just trying to figure out how to use them. I'm sure in time they would be great airbrushes but I had students say that they would probably never even pick them up again because they just didn't get the results they wanted from the airbrush right away. If it has too many features you probably won't fool with it long enough to get good at it. That's just my experience from the classroom.
next, you will want a little better compressor than the fish tank sized one. I have had two students burn their compressor up in two different classes when they were using those kind. Just in a matter of a few hours the compressor puked out and they had to borrow one from a neighbor or me. If it won't last through a class, it won't last long in your kitchen...or maybe they both got a lemon.
I wouldn't buy plastic. I had a very nice Aztek airbrush. It had all the bells and whistles but I never could get used to the light weight feel of it in my hand. I like the weight of the chrome plated airbrush pen. It doesn't feel like it's being pulled by the airhose. I also did not care for having to change the head on the pen to change the spray pattern...too much work when I was in a hurry. Just my opinion...I'm sure some people have that VERY NICE airbrush that I sold because I didn't like that about it...and they probably LOVE Love love the thing....and that's fine....but I don't think it was designed for working on cake.
With all that I know and all the airbrushing I have done I would suggest the Kopykake single action airbrush with the red compressor (Airmaster)...or another brand similar to this. Easy to use. You can replace the parts in it when they wear out. Mostly the needle, Nozzle and crown needle cap will be the parts you will replace with wear. Those wear out if you are not careful with the pen...drop it...leave it dirty etc. I just buy new parts and rebuild mine...you can do that!
I don't suggest using dry powder colors in it but you can buy a cheap glass bottle type airbrush at harbor freight (cut a small piece of hose from your airbrush hose to attach the two together and hook that up to your compressor) And use that for dry powder colors so that you aren't running that through your nice airbrush...the dry colors almost work on the inside like sand paper over time. The glass bottle type airbrushes don't feed the paint through the pen, it's gravity feed and that works better with the alcohol and pearl dusts. I learned this the hard way by wearing my pen down to the brass.
Kopykake has been really good about fixing anything that I have had a problem with. I even sent a stopped up pen to them and they cleaned it up for me. Also, in comparrison with other chrome airbrushes, the needle is finer in the Kopykake. That may not matter much when you are painting t-shirts or cars but for water based food color like we use on cakes it is important to have that very fine needle. The thing is made for cakes.
Badger makes a great airbrush but be careful what kind you choose...we used one it in the a bakery I worked in...but after my boss heard me complain about hers being difficult and then saw me use my Kopykake in a demonstration she bought a new airbrush. They do offer a single action simple airbrush and I recommend that type. You don't need complicated for working on cakes...just for cars, motorcycles, helmets and t-shirts. Keep it simple. You can read all about the different features on their website.
Most important of all....USE IT. It will not work any better than you let it. Airbrushing takes practice but when you get good at it you will find yourself doing it all the time. I seldom ever have a weekend go by when I don't use my airbrush now
-
Permalink Reply by Jenny Baker on
-
I use the Wimzy Creations Airbrush Pro Kit and I love it. Its portable and easy to control. Ive been recommending it to all my cake decorator friends. and so far everyone who's tried it loves it. I got it from cakes supplies 4 u for a really good price. plus they have a one year warranty, case anything happens.
Popular Cake Searches
© 2024 Created by Theresa Happe.
Powered by
