Hello,

Today on eBay I scored an Airmaster Plus air compressor. It has some ugly looking braided cord, not the neat coiled cord like is seen on the kopykake site. I'll order the coiled cord from kopykake, but I have some questions about the other stuff.

What is the difference between the "single action" and "double action" airbrushes? I can't find an explanation anywhere.

How important is buying the the airbrush cleaner - this just like soapy water or vinegar or something that can be made at home?

Can you make your own colors from concentrated pastes or gels (like Americolor or Wilton icing colors) or is the 12-pack of Kroma colors necessary?


And since I'll already be ordering from the kopykake site, I'm going to go ahead and venture into doing edible images. I already have a new Canon IP3000 printer, so I just need the inks and frosting sheets. I know there has been a lot of discussion about frosting sheets and I've read that a lot of people here prefer Luck's (or it is Lucky's?) brand. Is the kopykake brand good too?

Thanks so much for your help and advice! It's exciting times around here and looking forward to learning some new skills!

~ Sherri

K, here goes;
First, WTG on your purchase, woohoo.
Second, I would get just the single action, basically means, you pull the trigger and paint comes out. As for double action? don't know never used one but I think it's where you can adjust the air pressure on the brush itself or something like that. I could (and probably are)be wrong.
Third, cleaner is good it gets the sugar residue out of the brush. If the needle gets clogged from this residue buildup you get little ugly spots instead of a nice smooth spray. So yep, cleaner is good.
Fourth, no you can't use gels or paste colors to make your own paint. The particles of pigment aren't ground fine enough to pass around the needle and you get that ugly splotchyness again. You should invest in the airbrush colors. They come in nice big bottles or if you are just starting out you can get the 4 oz. bottle set.
As for the edible image stuff. I think other peeps will have to help you there. I only use the one at work and sometimes I want to throw that one across the store. LOL!!!

FYI... I would (and did) get the airbrush cleaner, but in a pinch, Windex is very close!

Go with a double action if you have never used one they are easier for the beggining airbrush student. I have a Passche double action.

sugar,
can you please explain what a "double-action" is compared to single action? That would help alot.

"double action" you also control the air, where as single action you don't. Controlling the air gives you more control over how fine the spray is. The more air creates a finer spray

i have both action brushes, for a beginner i would say the single is easiest. alll you do is pull back on the trigger and the colour will flow, the air is always coming through the airbrush. You can lower the pressure on the compressor. On the double action you push down to control the amount of air and pull back to control the colour flow, its like driving an automatic or stickshift car. Do you know what the airbrush has been used for before. sometimes the compressors with the braided cord have been used for nails or tanning. I think it would be agood idea to take the airbrush apart and clean it all thoroughly, as for cleaning during use i only use hot mildly soapy water, and rinse till it blows clean. and you will need to buy the special airbrush colours, dont try to make your own. have fun and practice on newspaper with water to learn to control it.

Edible Image input - I love the Kopy Kake brand stuff.

I Love, love, love my airbrush. Congratulations on your purchase!