I use the airbrush to make my living. You can see some of my work on my Big Dandy Lake Fork Spoons and Shibui Spinnerbait pages - the detailing on these baits is completely airbrushed by hand. By all means check out tackleunderground.com, but be careful - some of their ideas there are really quirky and at times a bit entertaining and completely misguided.

We've used Paasche equipment http://www.paascheairbrush.com/ for over 25 years. Not the most expensive or considered the "highest quality" in the world by some of the bike painters, but I'd put my Paasche work up against theirs any day! Hobby Lobby carries a Paasche airbrush starter kit. Gary Jville is right, buy extra jars preferably the ones with solid caps. And buy extra tips, #1, #3 and #5. You'll use the #1 for fine detail, #3 for most of your work, and #5 for glitter and clearcoat.

Try out Component Systems http://www.csipaint.com/ for paint. They have smaller sizes for hobbyists and it's easy to order. I'd stay away from their "water based" line. House Of Kolor http://www.houseofkolor.com/ has awesome paint and effect additives, but it's best to have a bit of experience before investing here. For top coat I recommend an exterior grade 2-part epoxy for small jobs - it's easy to mix in small quantities and can be thinned with MIBK.

Get a decent compressor, something like 18 gallon 5hp. It's bigger than you'd think you'll need, but it won't run all the time. Plus, trust me, you'll find all kinds of neat gadgets to run with it. Keep the moisture drained out of it and it will serve you for years. Also don't forget to use an adjustable pressure regulator (you'll want it where you can reach it from your paint bench) and air dryer in your supply line.

Whatever you do, do not paint indoors unless you have some sort of exhaust system in place! I'm talking at least 3000cfm for a small space like 1/4 of an average garage! The thinners are highly flammable and hazardous to breath! You will need to use a real respirator (not a dust mask) http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_992.asp?desc=Reusable+Respirators+%26+Supplies (use the Organic Vapor cartridges).

If you'd like to PM me I can give you more info.

Andi

This is good information. Do any of you have links for custom carvining balsa crankbaits as well? I am gathering the materials now, and have started researching building methods.

I just started airbrushing, and it is definitely awesome. I love it! I purchased an IWATA BC-S and a 1/5hp compressor with moisture tap. Compressor was $150 and the brush was $85 (normally $150+...got it on ebay). Anyway, I paint in my house on the kitchen table with no problems. I use water based paints, as most lure painters do, which do not have any fumes and clean up easily.

I have been making and painting Crankbaits for a little while now. I am by no means real good yet, I learn new things everytime I make or paint a bait or everytime I am on tackleunderground.
I use the Paascha Airbrushes (3 of them) and a small pancake compressor I bought at a pawn shop ( beats using the bigger one I was using). These brushes are really good. You can get them at Hobby Lobby.
I use water baised paints for my baits. As staited earlier, easy clean up. I thin them out with glass cleaner instead of water, something I picked up on one of the airbrush sites, and it works better then water. I also run it through the brush with every color change and for cleaning. The brand of paint I use is called Apple Barrel. You can get it at Wal-Mart for less then $1.00, so it is easy to have many colors.
For a cover I use Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy also from Wal-Mart. Once applied you will want to put it on a bait wheel to turn the baits for about an hour.
If you have any questions that I might be able to help you with, please just PM me. I would be glad to help with anything I can.
Here are a couple of the baits that I have made. These are from Basswood, like I said, I still have a long way to go, but getting there.

Emmett

Try airbrush depot. They have about every possible airbrush and compressor made. They also have any and everything you would possibly need to get started. I would recommend making your own paint booth. You can make one easy and cheap(about $60-70). Also, you can use the water base and have easier clean-up or try csi paints and you will get a much brighter finish. I would highly recommend a 2-stage airbrush for detail, but for base coating your better off with a 1-stage and #5 tip. I use 4-5 different brushes for different applications. Any questions, I am always available to lend a hand to fellow lure crafters.

Harbor Freight has one that I've been looking into. I can't paint worth a flip but momma is an arteste.

Watch those from Harbor Freight. You really want to spend the extra few bucks and get a good name brand Air Brush, and the reason I say that is, if you get a cheap brush, you are going to wind up spending more money in the long run. Just my .02 worth.

Emmett

I have one from harbor frieght and it has cost me a lot more work in the end. It is worth buying one that is good first.

A really good one is not very expensive. Like a pache.
Johnny

How bout the one snap-on sells on their truck. I'm privelaged to be able to order from him 24-7 so if any of you have ever heard any feedback on these, I'd like ta hear.

This is a really interesting thread with a ton of info. I'm also impressed with those of you who do this for a living who are so willing to share your information and ideas. That's tremendously impressive; it says a great deal about the kind of man you are.

Thanks for the info. I also enjoyed checking out your websites and enjoying the lures you have done. You've made my afternoon between patients much more enjoyable.

Take care!

Ray

check this place out http://airbrushcity.com/

I use Badger and Omni Matrix. Do yourself a favor and get a gravity feed brush. They are much easier to use then a siphon feed, if you are using one brush for all your colors. All my brushes are dual action for painting. I use an external mix Harbour Freight single action for spraying clear coat. I have heard good things about these brushes http://www.nbimarketing.net/. I haven't used one though, but some of the regulars on tackleunderground gave them a good review. I will probably buy one to try out. I think the PS950 is the one people were buying. The price is right.

Actually it was the PS900 that guys had given the good review on.

Steve
www.amistadtackle.com

For all of you looking for a Paasch airbrush, Hobby Lobby runs 40% off one item specials every now and then. Print the coupon and get a heck of a deal on a airbrush. Michael's does the same thing if you are looking for an iwata brush.

I think they have a coupon out right now or at least they did last weekend.

I agree with Amistad, get a gravity fed. I have several airbrushes and I always find myself using my trusty badger/gravity fed. An air compressor with a regulator is another thing to look at to control air flow. Start with a less expnsive model and get the hang of it and then decide where you want to go from there.
After I finish a handcarved I will seal with a base sealant and then I use createx paints in my airbrush. Dilute with windex as needed. You gun will let you know if its to thick. After im done with a bait I will seal with Devcon 2ton epoxy.
Also look at getting a good paint schedule for diff fish, you can get these at any taxidermy shop online. It will ease your pain in the painting process as its all about layers to make it really pop.