pakk

iTrader: (80)

After all the airbrushing equipment is obtained, I'm curious to what the average costs per body is, paint and anything else that is necessary.

My current paint scheme takes 3 colors. I buy 4 cans, 2 of one color and 1 each of the other 2 colors, and I can paint 2-3 bodies.

Does each bottle of airbrush paint last as long? better? worse?

--pakk

Sk3tch

iTrader: (8)

I can only base this on my own experience:

On an average 3 color body you can count on using at least 1/4 of a bottle of the 2oz Faskolor which is $4.50 per color. So...$4.50/4=$1.12 x 3 colors = $3.36. Using 1/8 a bottle AlcladII chrome trim at $11 a pop = $1.38.

Liquid mask from a 16oz bottle I use 1/5 of it at $17 a pop...So about $3.40.

So: Average body costs

$3.36 - paint
$1.38 - chrome trim
$3.40 - Liquid mask
$2.00 - Xacto blades
$2.00 - enamel backer
$1.50 - 4011 reducer (guessing)
$1.50 - white or dark faskolor coat before applying enamel
----------------------
$15.14 of material per body

Keep in mind that's a best case scenario ...basing it off a 200mm car body. I honestly think if you're going to be painting often...airbrushes are more fun and probably a bit cheaper.

Xpress

iTrader: (3)

If you plan to use laquer paint save some money and buy cheap thinner for clean-up and only use pactra thinner for actual thinning.

chris moore

iTrader: (96)

Overall AB costs less; BUT there is a catch. If you are only going to paint for yourself it might end up costing more. Thats because once you open the paint bottles thay do have a shelf life so you could end up throwing away unused paint.

wingracer

iTrader: (24)

Very true for some but I have bottles of Faskolor that are 8 or 9 years old that are still good.

pakk

iTrader: (80)

Thanks. That gives me a good idea to what it takes. I'm sure in the beginning I have to factor spills, mistakes, wasted paint.

I don't paint very many bodies. Maybe 1 every two months, but I wanted to start getting a little more detailed.

mx51

iTrader: (8)

Good to know guys thanks

Colors_By_Dave

iTrader: (84)

Painting for yourself can be very affordable, because you will only need the paint colors you use for your scheme. Painting gets costly when you begin stocking a rainbow of colors to satisfy customer requests. When you have 200 bottles of various colors and types of paints, you have a lot of money tied up waiting for a paying customer.

You said it yourself, you want to get more detailed in your painting. That should be the main reason anyone aibrushes a body. If you aren't going to do details and effects that an airbrush allow you, then a simple hobby sprayer siphon sprayer will shoot paint better than a ratle can, for less.

Good luck and have fun with the painting hobby!

tmgkbass

iTrader: (52)

I just started airbrushing a month ago. I get more satisfaction in knowing that the paint on my trucks is my own creation. Even though it's not perfect. You got to remember, practice makes perfect.

Goodesta

iTrader: (6)

you forgot the biggest expense......TIME/labor

looper

iTrader: (19)

if we bothered thinking about time put into a body and the resulting hourly rate we are actually making then,, well it wouldnt be good.

I actually did that once, and realised that i would be making more waiting tables and getting no tips. for those that dont know most waiters make 2.13/hr +tips