Air Brush

Decorating By peasacake Updated 3 May 2007 , 5:52pm by 2sweetcookies

peasacake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
peasacake Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 4:53am
post #1 of 22

Anyone recommend an air brush to buy? Are they difficult to use as with alternating colors, getting different hues, cleaning, etc. You have to buy special liquid colors, right? Thanks!

21 replies
practiceandpatience Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
practiceandpatience Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 12:38pm
post #2 of 22

I have an airmaster by kopykake, and I simply LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
super simple to use. You will need special airbrush colors, but CC sells them here.

practiceandpatience Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
practiceandpatience Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 12:44pm
post #3 of 22

sorry, didn't answer all your questions. Changing colors is easy, I just run water through until it runs clear (which is quick), and then put in the next color. Getting varying shades of colors can be done several ways. a second pass with the airbrush will of course darken the area. To lighten shades I have diluted the liquid color with water, and also with the white airbrush coloring. I have also mixed colors to achieve my desired color. To test what I have, I mist a white paper towel. I often write the proportions of mixed colors to reference again later, so I add a drop at a time when first experimenting.

ChristaPaloma Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ChristaPaloma Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 12:45pm
post #4 of 22

Bumping and to be clear about the question of:
When doing a cake in airbrush, is it a lot of trouble to clean and do you clean in between all the different colors.
Also, my husband has one he uses for non edible inks, and he says the injectors get thoroughly cleansed with each use, so it shouldn't have residues in it and I should just be able to use his... hmmm... I have some edible inks but thinking I should have my own sprayer. (Not for sale cakes btw..just a hobbyist)...
What do y'all think?

Edited: Sorry p&p...I see you're answering me before I get my post in lol...you're goood lol!

PistachioCranberry Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
PistachioCranberry Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 12:46pm
post #5 of 22

It depends on what you want to do with it. I bought a single action airbrush because I had never used on before and just wanted to color a few things. Now I am ready to upgrade to a double action because you can do much more with it. I know some people love the kopykake, but alot of people buy the badger and there is another one that starts with a p but I can't remember the name.

notjustcake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
notjustcake Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 3:34pm
post #6 of 22

can you find airbrushes at Wal Mart where do you buy these at? I learned how to use one in class but is not the one you can control the pressure so it was not the best but still liked it and would love to have one

pampered Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
pampered Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 7:49pm
post #7 of 22

Hi,
what is the difference between the double action and single action airbrush. I use the kopykake airbrush right now which I'm sure is just the single action but really could not tell you for sure.

SugarBakerz Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
SugarBakerz Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 7:54pm
post #8 of 22

ok since we are on airbrush... I have a kopykake I haven't used b/c I am scared.... hehehehehehehe


how and with what do you cover the pieces of cake you don't want to color?

PistachioCranberry Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
PistachioCranberry Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 8:22pm
post #9 of 22

There is the single action bleeder thats all one piece which is the one I have, but it has very limited uses and I can only use it with a low compressor.

There are also the adjustable single and double action airbrush whereas you control the airflow and there is more versatility in what you can do with it. This kind can handle a larger compressor.

Roland Winbeckler has a great book called Airbrush Tecniques for cake decorating that explains alot.

pampered Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
pampered Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 8:34pm
post #10 of 22

HI,
Thanks! I think we must have the double action since we have a good size compressor which has a dial on it to adust the flow of air. I'm not sure where the bakery bought this compressor but it's not the airmaster that I'm sure of. As far a covering the cake is concerned I rarely do this. I do have a little overflow but not to bad

practiceandpatience Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
practiceandpatience Posted 1 Apr 2007 , 10:09pm
post #11 of 22

single action airbrush means there is continuous airflow coming through it and you use the lever on the brush to release the color. A double action airbrush does not have the continual flow of air coming through it, you are able to release the amount of airflow you want and also release the amount of color you want.

pampered Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
pampered Posted 2 Apr 2007 , 1:07pm
post #12 of 22

O.K.
Sounds like we have the single action type by your response here. I might have to look into the different types of airbrushes.

Hula_girl3 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Hula_girl3 Posted 2 Apr 2007 , 5:51pm
post #13 of 22

I just wanted to add that you dont have to use just the liquid "Airbrush" colors. I've used Gel and Petal Dusts with ours.

I just mix the gel or dust with Rum/Vodka or any other kinda cheap alcohol we got that will evaporate quickly. This way I can get way more color variation in whatever I'm trying to color, cakes or flowers.

peasacake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
peasacake Posted 3 Apr 2007 , 12:40am
post #14 of 22

I don't know how I managed to get two of my posts on CC that are identical...Sorry!
Anyhow, I got a Air Master Kopy Kake and LOVE IT! I will be taking it slow though. I can't imagine getting a cake covered in fondant and ready to go then accidentally making the color too dark/bright etc, and having to redo it! I've learned that the paper towel is my new best friend!
What about luster dusts? I've read a little bit...mix it and shake it with Everclear. Any advice? I've seen Duff airbrush luster colors alot.

PistachioCranberry Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
PistachioCranberry Posted 3 Apr 2007 , 11:35am
post #15 of 22

Would it be best to just have a separate airbrush just for the dusts or do you find it easy to clean out with no problems....I have heard about it getting clogged with the dusts?

Hula_girl3 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Hula_girl3 Posted 4 Apr 2007 , 3:36am
post #16 of 22

I havent had any problems using Dusts with the Airbrush. As long as its cleaned before putting it away then its always been fine.

I just mix up my dusts with Rum instead of Lemon Extract so they dont evaporate as quickly and I can work with them longer.
Its hard to really say how much to use, you just have to play with it but it cant be as thick as it would be for normal painting. I think if it was that thick then it would probably clog up the airbrush but as long as its pretty thin then you can just layer on your color to get them darker.

2sweetcookies Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
2sweetcookies Posted 2 May 2007 , 1:24pm
post #17 of 22

peaseacake i am also looking into an airbrush, I did my research and also called airbrushcity for info, from what i've found you should definately l look for dual action, gravity fed (NOT siphone fed) internal mix, cup should be on top, or side not on the bottom. I personally like the removable cups. Some are fixed.

I have experience with the Badger when I airbrushed photographs and loved it, I never had a problem as long as you clean it after your done. I am also familiar with Thayer and Chandler, but would lean toward the Badger. I may stick to what I know but it sound like the Paasche is great to and the Kopykake also.

FYI airbrushcity has competative prices ,no shipping, but also does not have much in stock. I want mine now , when I choose my style I am willing to pay the shipping to get it.

melodyscakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
melodyscakes Posted 2 May 2007 , 2:07pm
post #18 of 22

I had the lady at my cake store recommend and order me a spray gun....it isn't in yet, but when it is I plan on experimenting and playing...and playing some more, and will let you know what kind I have and how it works.

melody

ChristaPaloma Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ChristaPaloma Posted 2 May 2007 , 4:46pm
post #19 of 22

I was just given an airbrush for my birthday (DH) but havn't tried it yet... it is an AZTEK made by TESTOR...
I will comment when I get to play with it!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006MZOKI/?tag=cakecentral-20

2sweetcookies Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
2sweetcookies Posted 3 May 2007 , 10:59am
post #20 of 22

my mistake it was dixieart.com not airbrushcity, sorry. Iv'e narrowed it down between paasche vsr90 and athe Badger 100gl.

peacockplace Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
peacockplace Posted 3 May 2007 , 12:34pm
post #21 of 22

How does the badger compare in price to the kopykake?

2sweetcookies Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
2sweetcookies Posted 3 May 2007 , 5:52pm
post #22 of 22

The Badger 100GL is $69.95

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%