I am looking into customizing canvas shoes, I want to know what is the best and reliable air brush there is. And what do I need to buy to have a complete set that is ready to use.
You need a compressor, water trap, paint bottles, quality air hose, airbrush or multiple and paint. You may also need some stencils or the ability to make your own. You may also need a way to heat set your paint.
I have a 4 airbrush set up. I have 2 Thayer and Chandler Vega 2000s and 2 Pacshe VLs. I have a Sears Craftsman 25 gallon compressor. It's really loud but it's cheaper than a silent aire compressor which can cost up to $1000. I have a Stahls heat press for setting the paint. I use Createx paint. I make my own stencils but it's better to do designs that don't need a stencil because it's way faster.
As for what's the best air brush question. Well that's like asking what's the coolest type of car. The best air brush is the one that you like the best. Get a name brand like Iwatta, Thayer and Chanlder Vega series, Pasche, Badger. Buy a kit that has multiple needle sizes so you can play with them and see what gets you the best results.
I've used Iwata airbrushes for 30 years and they are by far the best, in my opinion!
You can't go wrong with quality.
The others are right, too..........................ya need skills !
It's a cool tool, but not magic.....
Have fun
If youre starting out I wouldnt go out and get a Iwata set. While they are the baddest brushes out there, you need to keep in mind 1) the are expensive, and the parts are too. 2) What if you get bored with it and you now have a $200 paperweight? For the price Id recommend the Paasche VL or even better, the Millenium. If you learn and get proficient with these, upgrading to the Iwata will be a breeze. By the way, if youre spitting paint on any type of shoe, make sure to kiss it with a clearcoat. This will give it better weather protection, longer life, and from a business point of view, you can present it as an option for an extra $5.
I havent tried a Millenium, but my 4 paasche's were used the most for cloth and The iwatas were great for doing detail on hard objects like tanks or car panels.
The paasche are pretty inexpensive with the parts easy to replace.
Don't ignore the health aspect. Get a good ventilation system or at least consider wearing a filtering mask when you're brushing. It's not inconvenient and it's not being a p***y.
Patience, good people skills and a solid understanding of business are all as essential as the hardware and supplies. Pricing, marketing, organization record keeping...you know, the "unfun" stuff (LOL).
for a complete airbrush set what do I need? 
