Best Airbrush Kits for Gunpla that will paint the most wanted model on Instagram

If you are here it means that you are thinking about airbrushing gunpla or you have already decided on that but don’t know where to start. Without further delay, here is the ultimate buyer’s guide with everything you need to know and everything you need to have to start airbrushing. 

There are three essential components that you need to have: airbrush, compressor, and paint. Let’s take them down one by one and make you the expert. 

What kind of airbrush do I need for gunpla?

This the most important thing you need to decide on. There are many types and brands of airbrushes, so choosing the right one won’t be easy. So, here a few things you need to pay attention to. 

Single action or dual action? 

This isn’t related to the relationship status of your airbrush. It refers to the way paint and air will be released by trigger or button. 

Single action ones have a trigger or button that allows you to control the airflow but not the paint flow. Instead, paint flow is controlled by adjusting the needle depth in the nozzle. 

Dual action ones have a trigger or button that controls both the airflow and the paint flow. When you press the trigger halfway you control the airflow and the second half controls the paint flow. 

So, what is the right choice for me?

Dual action airbrush is your number one choice for gunpla. It is far more practical and allows you control air and paint output independently. In addition, you can make fine details and layers with it. But if you are a beginner, you will need a bit of practice to get a hang of it. If you don’t have a clue what you are doing and it is your first time holding an airbrush, then grab the single action one and then gradually move to dual action ones. Have in mind that the single action one is only for primers and uniform color layers. 

Gravity or Siphon?

When working with a gravity feed airbrush paint is delivered into the brushing from the top. The name itself says it, gravity pulls the paint down. This type of airbrush allows a low working air pressure and easy painting of fine lines and details. 

When working with siphon feed airbrushes, the paint is attached in a container below the airbrush and it is pulled up into the mixing chamber and later on sprayed. This type of airbrush has a larger paint storage. 

Which one do I need?

Gravity feed airbrush is number one choice for airbrushing gunpla. You can do fine lines and detailing with it and it is very practical. We are not saying that siphon feed airbrush is bad, just this one is better. Actually, siphon feed could be great if you are airbrushing a larger model, like a battleship or planet. 

Internal or external? 

This is word you encounter when you are looking for airbrushes, and yes, it is self-explanatory but what is the difference? With internal mix airbrushes the paint enters the airbrush chamber and mixes with air; with external mix airbrushes the paint flows along the outside of the nozzle and is combined with air upon leaving the nozzle. 

Which one do I need?

The internal mix airbrush is perfect for airbrushing miniatures. It produces a smoother and finer finish which is needed. The external mix ones produce a flatter finish, which isn’t so smooth. 

Needle/nozzle size?

Airbrush needle has the role to determine how fine will the lines be. Smaller needle means finer lines. The ideal needle size for airbrushing miniatures is between 0.2mm – 0.5mm. Have in mind, larger needle (0.5mm and bigger) for less detailing and smaller ones for fine details. 

The nozzle has the role of affecting the spray pattern. If you need to cover a large area, you need a short nozzle that delivers a wide spray pattern. A long narrow nozzle sprays thin and precise lines. So, for fine detailing you need around 0.2mm nozzle, and for base paint layering 0.4mm and more. 

The safe choice here is to get an airbrush set that comes with nozzles and needles of different sizes which you can replace accordingly. 

PSI for miniatures?

The pressure is related to the compressor, but it depends on the needs of your airbrush. So, let’s see what the airbrush need, and then we will talk about ideal airbrush compressors. 

Most airbrushes operate nicely at 20-25 PSI, with an exception of using thicker paint which requires 30-35 PSI. But for miniatures you will ideally use a gravity feed dual action airbrush for which the ideal pressure is up to 60 PSI. You set the compressor at up to 60 PSI and control the airflow with the trigger.

Is there anything else I need?

Maintaining and cleaning the airbrush on a regular basis is essential. So, you need airbrush cleaner and some cleaning brushes. You sometimes get this with airbrush sets. Another thing that is useful to have is a moisture trap that will minimize corrosion inside the airbrush. 

Model size, does it matter?

For airbrushing 15mm miniature models you won’t need an airbrush that offers fine details. If you are airbrushing 28mm miniatures you will need an airbrush that can make noticeable details and transitions on the model. And finally, if you are airbrushing larger models 32mm-35mm you will need a lot of detailing and a high precision airbrush. 

For 15mm and 28mm miniatures you can get one of those cheap airbrushes and they will get the job done. If you are working bigger models from the start, then invest a bit more money and get a high-quality airbrush. 

Cheap airbrush VS Branded airbrush for gunpla

Well this is a continuous struggle among users. The cheap airbrushes are mostly made in China and the branded ones (Harder and Steenbeck, Paasche, Iwata, Badger etc.) have a highly praised reputation. The main difference is that you spend less money on a cheap one, and more on a branded one. For some people it is better to buy a cheap one, and when it breaks buy another and so on. But it eventually comes down to the same amount of money that you would spend on a branded one. 

There you have it guys, this decision depends on the result you want to get, on the amount of money in your wallet, the task you need to do. So, think about it carefully and then click the buy now button.

What kind of airbrush compressor do I need for gunpla?

The fact is you can’t airbrush if you don’t have a compressor. It’s like you want to text but don’t have a mobile phone. There are several things you need to pay attention to when buying and airbrush compressor for gunpla airbrushing. These are: power, pressure, single/double piston, tank, noise, regulator, and moisture trap. This seems to you as a bunch of meaningless words, but we will be kind enough to explain them thoroughly. 

How much power do I need?

The motor of the compressor determines the its capacity to create pressure. This feature is always stated in the product name, so you don’t have to dig to find this information. For airbrushing gunpla you can get a compressor with 1/4 HP, 1/5 HP, 1/6 HP. These units should do the job properly and last a long time. 

How much pressure do I need?

The pressure depends on the airbrush (how much PSI does it need to work) and the paint (thicker the paint the more pressure it needs). For airbrushing miniatures, the compressor needs to be able to provide between 25 and 60 PSI. This is a wide span, but it depends on what you need. More expensive compressors have a larger PSI and have a higher-quality, and the cheaper ones have a lower PSI. This all depends on what you need and how much money you want to spend. 

Single or double piston?

Nothing to do with the relationship status, everything to do with more power. The pistons (also called cylinders) give more power and make it easier to produce pressure. Single piston ones make a real effort to fulfill the requirements, while the double piston ones do it much easier. 

Which one do I need?

For airbrushing miniatures, it is the better choice to use a double piston (also called twin piston) compressor. This one fulfils the pressure requirements easily, lasts longer and is a once in a lifetime investment. 

Tank or no tank?

The quick answer is: TANK. This does not mean that you can’t use a tankless compressor, it is just that the ones with a tank are far better when it comes to airbrushing miniature models. 

Why is it better?

The main role of the tank is to store compressed air. So, when you work the air is pulled from the tank and the compressor doesn’t run all the time, which produces less noise, less wear and less heat and prolongs its lifespan. The air that comes from the tank has no pulsation or vibration, and you are provided with a constant, steady, smooth and controlled airflow which is necessary for miniature model airbrush painting. 

Additionally, the humidity of the air condenses and falls back into the tank providing a flow of dry air. The tank acts like an additional moisture trap (which we will mention later), which is great because even a little drop of moisture can make paint splashes and imperfections. Precisely because of this you need to drain the tank occasionally which means opening the valve and letting the drops come out.

Do I need to pay attention to noise level?

Well, this depends on whether you are living alone or not, do you work at night or not, and are you easily irritated by noise or not. All things considered the acceptable noise level is between 45 and 60 Db, which is standard for airbrush compressors, but check out the honest compressor reviews where they usually comment on the noise level, for some it might be louder than stated. 

Regulator and moisture trap?

Yes, you most certainly need a pressure regulator. With it you can control the pressure easily. A pressure gauge is also a great thing to have for easier readings.

Yes, you need a moisture trap. It captures the moisture (condensed water) in the air and gives you a dry airflow. This is important because when moist mixes with paint it can cause splashes, drops and bad finish. Always get a compressor with moisture trap, and you can also get an additional moisture trap for airbrush. 

Is there anything else?

A cooling fan is a nice addition for some compressors. It cools down the motor and reduces the risk of overheating. This is a nice thing to have if you are working long hours. Another thing to mention is that you need to get an oil-less compressor as it is practically maintenance free and will save you some money. 

What kind of paint do I need for gunpla?

For airbrushing gunpla you can use any thinned acrylic paint. These are the best ones as they are already thin enough and ready to be poured into the airbrush. Of course, you can use other acrylic paint just make them thin enough for the airbrush. Downside: Not the most durable paint type.

The most popular paint for airbrushing miniatures is the Citadel Air Paint. It offers a wide range of colors and paint types and is made of non-toxic paints. The second best is the Vallejo Basic Acrylic Airbrush set that offers 16 vibrant colors. We also have to mention the Vallejo Metallic Air Paint that is the leader in metallic paint. All the paints are already thin enough and can be used right out of the box.