[Alex169]

I've been wanting to airbrush t-shirts for a while now but I don't know where to start. I would like to know what I need, like if I have to clean the airbrush? I know the some are expensive, which ones are the best for beginners with a fairly good quality at a low price?

 

[seacookie]

Yes you do need to clean airbrush. You also need to clean tip of the needle where paints dry on it cause of air which is called tip dry.

Good airbrushes:Iwata,Badger,H&S(harder and steenbeck),Rich pen,Grex and few others.

0.5 size needle, bottom feed is what I am using the most for T-shirts.

 

[Alex169]

Would I need to buy the same brand for the compressor, airbrush, and the air tubes?

 

[seacookie]

Would I need to buy the same brand for the compressor, airbrush, and the air tubes?

no,but you need compressor with a tank cause you wanna shoot t-shirt with 50psi or more.

 

[gatorGRAFIX]

Start out with a few Paache VL3 guns and some big bottles.

Get a $150 aircompressor and a water trap from Home Depot. Buy some plumbing parts to make a manifold for more than one AB.

Google "Createx" or "Auqa Flow" and buy some bottles of inks.

Get a decent large base heat press.

Buy a couple of sheets of corplast (4" X 8") and make you some t-shirt boards.

You'll be good to go.

I made a great living for ten years twirling Paasche airbrushes and they still work just as well today and are easy to maintain.

 

[Alex169]

I have heard about the heat press. Is it necessary? Can you use a cheaper alternative? Also do you have to use the extra bottles or can I just use the paint bottles?

 

[brushyourideas]

I've been wanting to airbrush t-shirts for a while now but I don't know where to start. I would like to know what I need, like if I have to clean the airbrush? I know the some are expensive, which ones are the best for beginners with a fairly good quality at a low price?

Airbrushed t-shirts are popular, there are so many choices in features and configurations. some of best Airbrushes for beginners is Iwata Revolution Series, Iwata Eclipse Series. You should also try T-shirt Design Software and see how it looks.

 

[seacookie]

I have heard about the heat press. Is it necessary?

yes

Also do you have to use the extra bottles or can I just use the paint bottles?

you can shoot straight out of bottle if you use bottle converter.

 

[gatorGRAFIX]

I have heard about the heat press. Is it necessary? Can you use a cheaper alternative? Also do you have to use the extra bottles or can I just use the paint bottles?

Heat press or a tunnel dryer is a must.

 

[Apostolica]

Also can use a cheap elna press, I got mine for $60 off ebay and does a great job for curing my water based inks that I run through airbrush.

 

[Alex169]

So I have access to a 80 gal compressor, would it be able to use that instead of buying another? Does it really matter if it has more gals?

 

[PatriotT]

your 80 gallon compressor will work fine (although it DEFINITELY bigger than you need). Just use a quality pressure regulator and at least one water filter (water trap).
The reason you need a tank is to equalize your air flow. Otherwise, as the compressor pulses from the natural operation, it will also pulse at your airbrush tip, resulting in, for example, a series of little dots in what was intended to be a straight line.
The tank just smooths out the air flow.

 

[webtrekker]

So I have access to a 80 gal compressor, would it be able to use that instead of buying another? Does it really matter if it has more gals?

Bloody hell! Are you airbrushing or sandblasting! 😉

 

[Alex169]

Bloody hell! Are you airbrushing or sandblasting! 😉

I do not own it, but I know someone who does. Actually, I think that's what he uses it for.

 

[1ArmBandit]

more gallons=less pump kicking on and keeping correct pressure..which would be good imo

 

[seacookie]

2 gallons is enough for starters.

 

[DrivingZiggy]

Alex's T-Shirts and Auto Repair