Can A Makeup Airbrush Machine Be Used To Deco Cakes?

Decorating By AspenNicole Updated 15 Mar 2012 , 6:45am by Annabakescakes

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AspenNicole Posted 13 Mar 2012 , 3:43pm
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My friend wants to buy (and thinks she can use) an airbrush machine for makeup to decorate and use as an airbrush machine for cakes...is this possible (even up to health regulation standards?)? It has already been used for makeup and is pre-owned.

8 replies
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AAtKT Posted 13 Mar 2012 , 3:57pm
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I wouldn't even begin to know if it would work, but since you said it was already used for make-up previously, I am not sure I would ever use it for anything that people would eat...

I know that technically we may "eat" our lipstick/gloss/balm... but I still wouldn't think that it would be all that good after liquid cosmetic has been through it...

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LisaBerczel Posted 13 Mar 2012 , 11:50pm
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While I do recommend to my students that they do have dedictated equipment, if the makeup airbrush is properly cleaned, it can be used for food.

The fluid path of an airbrush is chrome and stainless steel (with a teflon o-ring/needle packing) - so it can be properly cleaned as easily as ANY OTHER metal utensil - although a little more care will be required due to the delicate nature of the parts.

I would be far less comfortable if the airbrush had been used for harsher substances that go beyond cosmetic grade ingredients such as automotive urethanes or enamels that require solvents.

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Annabakescakes Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 12:19am
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I would recommend using the compressor, but buying a new airbrush to spray on cakes with. I actually used my kids' nebulizer for asthma as my compressor for several years!

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LisaBerczel Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 12:29am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Annabakescakes

I would recommend using the compressor, but buying a new airbrush to spray on cakes with. I actually used my kids' nebulizer for asthma as my compressor for several years!




This may not work unless the new airbrush is properly suited to the limitations of the compressor.

Just as in the cake world, there are many makeup equipment packages. Many of the "cute" makeup kits are equivalent to the Pegasus or Duff unit.

These "cute, tiny" air units are VERY low in power AND the airbrushes are basically a disabled double action airbrush. Air blows out the front of the airbrush the second the compressor switch is turned on.

The strong caution is that if a "regular" (non-disabled) airbrush were put on this class of compressor - one that isn't an open valve for constant air flow - the constant back-pressure will burn out the motor.

Now, if we're talking about a larger, more substantial compressor, then the options increase accordingly.

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tmcakes Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 3:28am
post #6 of 9

I have used the lumaniss makeup air brush for over two years for small projects but it was brand new/never used and is only used for cakes....i ended up with this when my mom bought it during one of her late night infomercial impulse buys and later decided i could have more use of it so i tried it and it works fine i still plan on buying a real cake air brush tho.

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AspenNicole Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 4:00pm
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Thank you for the replies so far!

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ashya Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 5:24pm
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Great idea Annabakescakes!! The idea never occured to as I was wishing for an airbrush while doing a breathing treatment. icon_rolleyes.gif lack of oxygen to the brain I suppose icon_confused.gif

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Annabakescakes Posted 15 Mar 2012 , 6:45am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ashya

Great idea Annabakescakes!! The idea never occured to as I was wishing for an airbrush while doing a breathing treatment. icon_rolleyes.gif lack of oxygen to the brain I suppose icon_confused.gif


. It is not perminent substitute, Unfortunately. It got me by for several years, but it is a constant stream of air, while a compressor will turn off and on to regulate the pressure. The hose will pop off if too much air builds up when you aren't spraying. It is important to allow it to pop off when it needs too, but you keep spraying out, or just pop the hose back on when you're ready, it works good enough to get by in a pinch.

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