30 Replies

I would love to know the same thing!! I purchased one on ebay (knowing virtually nothing) and can’t get it to work – not sure if it’s a faulty product or if I just don’t know what I’m doing and since I purchased on ebay, the seller is hard to communicate with and I’m just not able to get any helpful info from them :(

Oh man! That’s too bad. See that’s exactly what I am afraid will happen to me. I’m sure with all these talented people here we’ll get some help.

I’ve got an Iwata and LOVE IT!!!

I bought mine from www.tcpglobal.com, but to be honest the one I bought is more hardcore than I needed. I have heard a lot of great reviews about the Airmaster from www.kopykake.com. I would say check out both sites and see what is best for you, and before you buy check out prices/warranties/etc.

I got one from Michaels duff it was only $90 dollars just to try and to learn how to use one i thought if i could learn how I would spend the money for a better one later on.

mom09 – how is the Duff’s airbrush working out for you so far? Reviews available yet? ;)

Yes, mom09, how is it? I’ve heard good and bad about it. What’s your opinion? I don’t think I will be using one very often as for now, so if the negativity I’ve heard is related to lots of use, I don’t think that will be a problem. I just want one for the same reasons you stated above.

I havent try it but as soon as i do ill post

Hi everyone! I’m new to this site…just joined today :-) I’ve done a lot of research on airbrushes and actually taught a class on them at my local cake supply store…from what to look for to how to clean them and how to use them….so I’ll try to keep this post brief. I do have additional information so if you still have questions, please feel free to contact me :-)

When it comes to airbrushes, a lot of the time you get what you pay for…with that said though, it also depends on what you want to be able to do with the airbrush. Personally I have a Kopykake Airmaster Pro and I absolutely love it. Here are some things to look for:

There are MANY brands of airbrushes and prices range from as low as $80 and as high as $500+. Common brands/models include: Airmaster, Kroma-Jet, Bakery Crafts, Badger, Aztec, and many others

Regardless of the brand or model of the airbrush, they all require two main components: the compressor and the airbrush gun.

The airbrush gun moves the color one of two ways: gravity feed or siphon feed. Most cake decorating systems are “gravity feed”. Siphon fed systems have a tenancy to waste color because you can’t get all of the color out of the bottle and take more time to refill than a gravity fed system.

Another important feature to consider is the PSI (pounds per square inch). The PSI varies by airbrush. Systems go as low as “0” and as high as “55”. You don’t want too high of a psi because it could literally blow your icing off the cake or make dent or hole in your fondant…7-10 PSI is ideal for cake decorating.

Other terms you may hear regarding airbrushing is: Single or Dual Action. With single action airbrushes pull back on the trigger for air only, the paint flow is adjusted separately with the nozzle on the compressor, usually with your other hand. With double action airbrushes you push down on the button for that air and pull it back at the same time to adjust the paint flow. The paint flow is regulated by the needle moving back and forth in the tip.

WOW! Thank you SO much. So do you recommend a single or dual action airbrush? Which is easier? Which has better control of paint flow? Which can someone like me who can’t multitask successfully use? lol

You’re so welcome! If it were me, I would go with a single action airbrush with a compressor that allows you to adjust airflow. It’s MUCH easier to use than a dual action.

I’m not sure what price range you’re wanting to stick to but I really love my Kopykake AirMaster but it’s around $250.

Thanks so much, SandyT.

@Becky—if you want some help with your airbrush, I’d be happy to help you. If you have a webcam or want to take a picture of your airbrush, maybe I can help you :-) Just a thought :-)

Oh, SandyT!! Thank you so very much!! I’ll work on getting that picture for you – that’s so very kind of you and much appreciated! (As it’s just gathering dust at the moment!)

So these are the compressor and airbrush I picked up on ebay – they were pretty cheap in price when compared to others, so wouldn’t be surprised if that’s my main problem right there! The compressor runs and the airbrush will spray air, but nothing will come through.

Very interesting exchange by everyone. I have an airbrush that I received as a gift. My big question is “how do you handle the overspray?” I have adjusted the PSI to 4-5 and it decorates the cake nicely, but I always have overspray. I use this in my kitchen and don’t appreciate the extra cleanup. Any suggestions from anyone? thanks

I received as a gift the Pegasus which was purchased from Design Me A Cake website (Edna De La Cruz uses). It’s quiet running, light weight, very portable, 15 psi output. I have never used one so I’m currently looking to see if there are any classes in my area. I hope its a good one.

@Becky – I found an airbrush on Amazon that looks a lot like yours: http://www.amazon.com/Multi-purpose-Airbrushing-Airbrush-Compressor-Dual-action/dp/B004PJKH8C/ref%3dsr_1_23?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1325889953&sr=1-23

Looking at your picture your airbrush gun is a gravity load type with a moisture trap attached. I can’t tell by the picture if it’s single or dual action but you’ll be able to tell….if you can pull the trigger back AND push down, then it’s a dual action. If it only pulls back, then it’s a single action. I think you mentioned air blows from the airbrush but no color comes out. On some airbrushes, the back of the unit has to be unscrewed slightly. I attached a picture to show where it may need to be unscrewed. Other things to check include:
- use airbrush colors only (do not use any gel or other color unless it’s specifically designed for an airbrush)
- make sure the needle in the airbrush isn’t bent
- make sure the unit is clean by running hot water thru the system
- if it still doesn’t work, you might try to remove the water/moisture trap and hook the hose directly to the spray gun

Hopefully some of those tips will help you :-) Sandy

SandyT – thanks so much for all your suggestions – can’t say how much I truly appreciate it!! I’ll try those out and let you know how it goes. I did have one question – I purchased a bottle of “Americolor” brand airbrush color to use with my airbrush – would it need to be thinned at all, or can it be used straight from the bottle? Thanks again!! You’re a true cake angel! ;)

You are so welcome Becky :-) The Americolor brand is really good! You don’t need to do anything to it, just pour in the airbrush cup and start spraying. Please let us know how it turns out :-)

@GransCakes – no matter how much you try not to have overspray, it’s going to happen with the airbrush. A couple things you could try though to make clean up easier is: cover the countertop/table with cheap plastic wrap (like the off brand of saran wrap) or newspaper so when you’re done airbrushing, you can just throw it away. Also, you could get one of those tri-fold cardboards (like the ones they use for school projects) and place that around your cake when you’re airbrushing.

@vpardo53 – there are lots of free airbrush tutorials on YouTube….even if they aren’t specifically for cakes, it’s the same concept. But if you want a video exclusively for cakes, I would check Ronald Winbeckler…he is amazing!!

Hope this info helps! Sandy

thanks Sandy T, I will give the cardboard a try.

I just bought the Duff air brush and used my 50% off coupon. Just needed something to try out and once I get the hang of it then invest in something better.

As for the over spray…I have seen many who make a box type thing and put their cake in it. I wonder if using a science project board would help? It has three sides that you could put around your cake that would block the over spray…just a thought. That’s what I was thinking once I have time to pull the Duff one out of the box. Thanks so much for the tips!!

Here is the airbrush I use…

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-5-hp-58-psi-compressor-and-airbrush-kit-95630.html $89.00 for the whole set and… you can find a 20% off Coupon in most newspapers, brining the total to $71.00.

As for the overspray, I have tried the science board & box, and it is what it is! I am sure one can add a powerful exhaust fan & filter to a box and catch some of the color… However, I do not use the airbrush that often.

I’m with SandyT I own a Kopycake Airmaster one too. My husband bought it for me about 9-10 years ago. I have decorated in grocery stores for many years and always loved mine more than the stores. The kopycake airmaster you have alot more control over the flow. I admit mine doesn’t get as much use as I want. If you don’t plan airbrushing a ton I would go cheaper (if mine wasnt bought for me I would of bought cheaper) I’m hoping to start breaking mine out more.

I bought the Duff airbrush back in Dec.
I used it maybe 2 times. When Im done using it, each time I clean it and store it in a little basket.
I went to use it today…and it doesnt work. Im soooooooooooooooooooo upset.
I no longer have my receipt and I need it to airbrush some flowers.
It turns on but when you hit the “mode” button…NOTHING happens…I pull the trigger and NOTHING.

Has anyone had any problems with the Duff airbrush? My guess…the motor is shot after TWO fricken uses! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Ansa Did you try moving to another outlet? I’m just hoping it would be that easy :) The motor doesn’t make any noise?

Ansa…I’m with Jessica…does the motor turn on at all? Based on your post, it sounds like the motor came on but when you try to spray nothing comes out. If that’s the case and the motor IS working, I don’t think all is lost. :-) Let us know…..I can give you some tips on cleaning and adjusting the airbrush :-)

I have a airmaster but it looks like Duff airbrush motor is in a little box like mine is. I had the hose pop off my motor inside the box only once and I knew thats what happened when I heard the pop. Had to take off the box and reattach the hose. Really easy fix. Airbrush machines can be frustrating, my trigger doesn’t always move the needle back, it just slides around like it’s loose and the only way to fix it is for me to take it apart and put it back together….wish I could figure that one out.

I have the Duff airbrush. My problem is it keep blowing air even when it’s off . I put the color and it blows out before I get to the cookie. My ? is does the needle stick out a little at the tip (from where you airbrush) Mine has no needle sticking out all I see is a little hole. Thank you

I LOVE, LOVE my Kopycake airbrush machine – it works beautifully – just be sure to clean it thoroughly when putting it away.