Bílek Airbrush Pen (Red)

Double-action control and a fine nozzle

On a double-action airbrush a single trigger decides two things at once: pressing it opens the air supply, and drawing it back uncovers the needle and lets the paint through. The modeler therefore regulates both the width and the density of the line smoothly during a single stroke, without having to put the tool down and reset anything. It is precisely this quality that makes a double-action airbrush a tool suited to soft camouflage transitions and to the fine shading of figures. The feel for a smooth stroke, meanwhile, is acquired over a few test sprays onto paper.

The make-up of the tool

The nozzle and the needle are 0.2 mm in diameter, which is a size intended for a fine line and a fine mist, not for covering large areas quickly. Both parts are of the screw-in type, so they can be taken out, cleaned and put back without special tools. The amount of air and the amount of paint can be set separately, which helps when working with thicker paints. The paint cup screws onto the body of the airbrush, thanks to which it is easy to rinse out once the work is done.

Care after use

A tool with a nozzle this fine calls for thorough maintenance. The paint has to be rinsed out immediately after finishing, before it dries in the channel, and during a longer break the front section should be taken apart and the needle wiped. It is advisable to use a thinner matching the type of paint, and when reassembling to insert the needle slowly, so that its tip is not damaged. Storage in a case or in a stand protects the tip from being bent and extends the life of the whole tool.