Hello all.

I'm new to this forum but am a lifelong modeler (35 plus years) but am coming back into the hobby with a vengeance after a several year hiatus. Not only am I trying to get my modeling chops back up to scratch I'm also checking to see where I need to bring my tool box up to date.

Currently I have a Paasche VL as well as an old Paasch H mated to a Paasche D500 tankless compressor with moisture trap. I've had this for close to 18 years.

I've seen buzz about Iwata and Aztek brushes and I really want to take my airbrushing skills up a level or two in the coming years. My question for the airbrush masters on the forum is should I update my airbrush kit? If so what are the suggestions? Is my VL still up to par with the newer offerings?

Thanks for any insights.

Cheers

Hi Fredrick.
I use a Paasche VL also. Been using it for 4 years now and my 14 year old son uses it as well. It sees action at least 4 or 5 times each week. Never EVER had a problem with it or had to replace any parts on it. I frequently switch between acrylic and enamel paints and it doesn't effect it at all.
My 2 cents worth is, if it sprays the paint where ya want it and you're satisfied with the results keep using the VL.

Hermon

I loved mine... I did upgrade to an Iwata HP-C as it saves cleaning. but in all the VL is a great airbrush

I was finishing up a MKII Spitfire yesterday and had busted out the VL again. It really is a very nice brush. If there isn't a "must have" brush out there now, perhaps I'll just stick with the VL and keep working on my skills.

My VL hasn't skipped a beat in about 7 years.

Keep it clean of course, and you shouldn't have a problem.

Its still capable of spraying fine lines with the fine tip needle...

I own close to 20 airbrushes and the very first one I bought with my own money in 1975 when I was 12 was a VL. I still have it to this day. It'll will work fine should I dust it off and put it thru its paces. I found that the Iwata brushes provide me a little more in the way of air and line control so I swithced to them for all of my builds. I could probably do the same thing with my VL with some practice, but my Iwata's have needle presets and the VL doesn't. If you get comfortable with the VL, you'll be amazed what you can do with other brushes. If you want to upgrade, I suggest and Iwata. I had an Aztek brush, actually I had two of them. I used one once, put it back in the box, then tossed it in the trash, and donated the other one to a model contest. Keep in mind this was several years ago and they may got things figured out by now, but it really sucked to say the least. Very tempermental as I was moving from acrylics to enamels, and back and the brush would just quit working. I found that I had to thin the paint so thin that no matter how I sprayed it, it would run, or just not cover. I have several dedicated brushes. One for metallics, one for acrylics, and one for enamels and lacquers. Makes for an easier day at the paint booth for me. So, I guess what I am getting atis that your VL will work if you wnat to keep using it, but there are better brushes out there to choose from. I sugget an Iwata HP-CH if you want to upgrade. Sorry for the rambling.. "Q"

Like Matthew, I have owned and used a number of airbrushes over the years. I still own the VL I bought 25 years ago, and I still recommend them to anyone who'd like to start using a double-action. I love my Iwatas, too, but there isn't much they can do that the VL can't, especially with a fine tip and some practice.

Stay away from the Azteks - they're junk.

There, I've said it. I've used and repaired Azteks, and have not been impressed. Pricewise, they're no bargain, basic sets starting at more than $100 msrp. While the ergonomic design and light weight are nice, they're built like a Bic disposable ballpoint, but with less reliability. The innards in the "no maintenance" handle (Ha!) are mainly plastic or nylon with vinyl tubing for the air supply, and with age they tend to come adrift or break. They're no easier or faster to clean than conventional airbrushes. The nozzle assemblies are supposed to cleanup with just a good flush, but in reality they need to be dissassembled, which can be tricky to do without damaging them, especially for beginners (and new nozzles are surprisingly costly). Dammingly, the Testors Corporation reduced the warranty period on Azteks a while back from "lifetime" to just a couple of years. I wonder why? Warranty claims getting a bit too costly, perhaps?

I know there are modelers out there that get fantastic results with Azteks - Chris Wauchop and Brett Green of Hyperscale.com spring immediately to mind. But to be fair, I suspect that these two gents are so superbly talented that they could get amazing results blowing paint through a straw! I also know that there are modelers out there who swear by their Azteks, so much so that they have three or four of them - so that they always have at least one that works while the others are back with the manufacturer for repair!