Seven secrets to buying the right air-brush compressor

If you’re looking for an air-brush compressor, there are a few things you have to consider. The first big question is to ask whether this is for home or professional use. Home use doesn’t require the same dependability or rugged construction (and comes with a lower price tag) while commercial use requires better quality, these compressors will last longer under heavy-duty usage but come with higher costs.

Both home and commercial applications however require the same amount of airflow. Understand that the brush attachment doesn’t know if it’s a home job or a commercial job – all it understands is if it’s getting the right airflow going through the nozzle. Note that your gun should tell you what airflow it requires to operate at the best capacity, and if in doubt, ask at the outlets that sold you the air brush.

And once you know this figure, experts advise to “oversize” that compressor at least a little to smooth out the demands. Remember you can always adjust or downsize the airflow to the brush if necessary. Note though that if you have a higher airflow, you can handle a thicker paint.

So what’s...