I have finally decided on an airbrush. Now my question is can you use plan food coloring or do you have to buy something special?

Thanks for all the help.

I wouldn't risk using plain food coloring...u can get a starter kit for $20 at Kopykake.com. It comes with 11 basic colors and 1 bottle of air brush cleaner, which really comes in handy.

And I thought that I would get small bottles...NO WAY! They are huge and will last you forever!!

HTH!!

Forsure..Do not use regular food coloring or water down gels or pastes.You need to buy the actual airbrush liquids which are specifically formulated for a airbrush.If you try and water down or use regular food colors the small particles will clog the head.

Sorry, but I have to DISAGREE! Yes, you can use regular food coloring, I have the quart bottles from the wholesale supplier...just a generic brand. It is not so much what KIND of food coloring, but how WELL you CLEAN the airbrush when you are finished! Believe it or not, one of the best cleaners is a solution made with water and denture tablets! Learned this from Francis Kyper....one of the primer cake airbrush artist out there!
My original airbrush is going on 35 years old...[ had a couple replacement compressors and a couple new needles ] is still good as new and I've been using generic liquid food coloring for years! Just do not let the color dry inside the airbrush, clean clean and clean some more when your finished for the day!

"When you say you use denture tabs, do you run it thru the airbrush or take it apart and put the parts in a bowl with water and one tablet??"

What I do is break off about 1/2 of the tablet, put it into about 1/3 cup water to dissolve, then run it thru the turned on airbrush by putting the front of the brush up to the cup into the cup with my finger over the tip and let flush thru...it will make lots of bubbles! If you use an airbrush with a bottle you could put the solution into the bottle and clean it that way.

Once in a while I will take it all apart and soak the pieces for 2-3 min., rinse thoroughly and reassemble. Just be careful to remember the exact order to put it back together!