What to Look for in the Best Airbrush Compressor
Intended Use
It is important to have a clear idea about the intended purpose of the airbrush compressor. If you’re going to use airbrushing for small tasks such as cake decorating, spray tanning, and miniature painting, a smaller single-piston compressor with lower PSI will deliver enough power for your needs.
If you plan to use an airbrush compressor for car painting, sandblasting, nailing, and other heavy-duty stuff, you will need a bigger compressor with higher PSI and more airflow rate. In this case, either a double cylinder compressor or a larger single cylinder compressor like the Makita MAC2400, will be the best air compressor for you.
Airflow
Airflow is a characteristic that determines the airbrush compressor’s flow rate. It is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and indicates the amount of air an airbrush compressor can produce at a given pressure.
A higher air flow capacity means that the compressor can support multiple airbrushes and can also be used for other purposes such as inflating tires, running nailers, etc.
Most of the air compressors in the list are rated to deliver air at around 0.8 CFM @ 57 PSI, which is sufficient for smaller applications and provides you with an ample amount of airflow to paint your mini models.
Type
There are three main types of airbrush compressors available for you to buy, each with its own sets of benefits and drawbacks. Let us look at each type briefly and understand how they function and which one you should consider for your application.
Piston
Piston compressors are well suited for larger applications. They deliver air at higher pressures and flow rates and come with an air tank. The higher pressures let you connect two hoses at a time, making it easy to paint with two airbrushes simultaneously.
The downside is that piston compressors are bulky and noisy in operation. They are also more expensive than the other types.
Diaphragm
Diaphragm compressors use a pulsating membrane that compresses air and stores it in the tank. These are lightweight, portable, and offer a continuous flow of air. Diaphragm compressors are designed for smaller workloads and produce air pressure of less than 40 PSI, making them more suitable for things like food decoration, miniature painting, and fingernail painting.
Tankless
Tankless compressors are similar to piston compressors, with the only exception being the lack of an air tank. The compressor runs continuously whenever the airbrush is in use. The lack of an air tank makes the overall design of the compressor small and portable, letting you take it anywhere.
The drawbacks, though, are the potential overheating of the motor and lower air pressures. These compressors are not recommended for extended use and are only meant for small, light work.
Tank Capacity
Tank capacity indicates how much compressed air the tank can hold at a given time. It typically ranges from 1-5 liters of volume, depending on the size of the compressor.
A higher tank capacity means that the compressor can store more air and doesn’t have to run continuously. This, in turn, results in longer life of the compressor and reduces electricity costs.
However, a bigger tank also takes up more space, and if the airbrush compressor that goes with it is small, it will take longer to fill the entire tank. These factors must be considered before deciding on a compressor tank size.
A smaller tank is lightweight, handy, and easy to carry anywhere. It goes well with smaller air compressors and is suitable for lighter airbrushing applications. However, the small tank size means that the compressor will sometimes have to work continuously, which can lead to motor overheating.
Noise Level
Noise level is measured in decibels and denotes the loudness of your air compressor. Smaller compressors with lower air pressures and low flow rates typically produce less noise. Usually, it ranges from 47-60 dB. To compare that, the noise level of a normal conversation between two people is about 60 dB.
If you’re going to purchase an airbrush compressor, it helps to consider the noise level when the compressor is actually running. Tankless compressors tend to run longer, and hence you have to listen to their noise for more extended periods.
On the other hand, an airbrush compressor with a tank will run in intervals. Oftentimes, the only noise you’ll hear is of the airbrush hissing out air, which isn’t that bothersome.
Hose Length
The standard length of hoses that comes with the air compressors is around 6 ft. This provides a great balance between delivering sufficient air pressure and letting you move freely.
While longer hoses give you more freedom of movement, they tend to lose much of the air pressure towards the end, and it takes the air longer to reach the airbrush.
Shorter hoses can deliver air at higher pressures due to the shorter distance between the compressor and the airbrush. However, they limit your movement, and you might have to adjust your position a lot to be able to reach all the areas that need painting.
Moisture Catch
The hot compressed air from the compressor’s outlet condenses due to the pressure drop. A moisture trap is a small tube-like device attached at the delivery end of the compressor that collects all the water droplets. This traps the majority of the air moisture and ensures that the outgoing air is sufficiently dry.
Moisture traps are crucial when it comes to airbrushing. Without them, unnecessary moisture in your air will dilute your paint and result in a thin and uneven spray.
In addition to the filter on the end of the compressor delivery, many users use a moisture filter near the inlet of the airbrush to eliminate any moisture from the hoses.
Some compressors come with moisture traps, while others don’t. It is essential to check whether the compressor you’re planning to purchase includes one or not. Whenever possible, you want to use a compressor that has a moisture trap to avoid things like paint defects.
Pressure Gauge
A pressure gauge displays your compressed air pressure and helps you adjust the setting to your desired value. This is important because too much or too little pressure can impact the quality of your work.
Most airbrush compressors come with a pressure gauge, but some do not. If you decide on buying one with a pressure gauge, it is useful to check that it is placed at a convenient location.
Some compressors have the gauge on the front, while others have it on top. There are also those that have the gauge on the side, which can be a bit more difficult to see while you’re working.
You can also find air compressors that come with multiple gauges. TheIwata Jet Pro air compressor comes with two separate outlet gauges, one for each outlet. The Makita MAC2400 comes with an individual gauge for the tank and another for the hose.
Brand
When buying an air compressor, you also buy into that brand’s ecosystem. So when purchasing an air compressor, you need to make sure that it’s compatible with the various connectors, hoses, and airbrushes that go along with it.
Some of the best airbrush compressors are produced byPaasche,Iwata,Master Airbrush,Badger, andTimbertech. These airbrush compressors are well known and well supported in the community, and hence if you run into any issues, you’ll have easily accessible solutions.
Do You Need a Compressor to Airbrush?
Not necessarily, but it can be helpful. A compressor provides a steady stream of air that can help you to achieve more even and consistent coverage when you’re airbrushing.
If you’re just starting out, I would recommend getting a compressor. They’re not too expensive and they’ll give you the most flexibility in terms of the types of paints and tools that you can use.
An alternative option is to use compressed gas canisters for airbrushing. However, these can become expensive in the long run.
What PSI is Best for Airbrushing?
For small models, a pressure of 30-40 PSI is generally sufficient. However, you always want to test the pressure on a test area first. This will ensure that you are not going too fast or applying too much pressure. The paint needs to be applied smoothly and evenly, without streaks or bubbles.
Why are Airbrush Compressors So Expensive?
One of the main reasons airbrush compressors are so expensive is that they consist mostly of metal. This makes them durable and long-lasting but also increases the upfront cost.
Additionally, airbrush compressors often come with a variety of features and attachments that can add to the price tag. However, paying more for a quality compressor will usually be worth it in the long run as you’ll have fewer issues with performance and longevity.
Can I Use a Car Compressor for an Airbrush?
You can definitely use a car compressor for an airbrush, but it might be overkill. A car compressor is meant to inflate tires and other large objects, so it’s much more powerful than an airbrush. Therefore, it is key to regulate the pressure and have enough space to store the bigger air tank.
What is Used to Connect the Airbrush Hose to the Compressor?
Depending upon the compressor manufacturer’s specifications, you may need a 1/4“ or a 1/8“ coupler to connect the hose. 1/4” connections are typically found on professional-grade compressors, while 1/8” connections are more common on lower-end models.
How Do You Solve Problems With Moisture in an Airbrush Compressor?
There are a few different ways that you can solve problems with moisture in an airbrush compressor. The most commonly used method is to make use of a moisture trap.
Moisture filters are designed to remove water vapor from the air before it enters the compressor. This can help to prevent condensation from forming inside the compressor, and can also help to reduce the amount of moisture that gets into your airbrush paint.
