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There are two types of airbrushes on the market today, single action (external mix) and dual action (internal mix).

Single

• Single action airbrushes, to preface, have one control. The one control, is pressing the trigger. When the trigger is pressed down, air and paint are released at the same time outside the airbrush. A single action airbrush can be related to a can of spray paint, when you press the trigger, you get a broad line of paint. There is only one action and this drastically affects detailed work. These airbrushes are a waste of time and money, if you are going to airbrush for any amount of time, you will end up getting a dual action any way. Get a dual action airbrush from the get-go.

Dual

• A dual action airbrush has two controls, hence the name dual. The two actions are, #1 pressing the trigger (which releases the airflow) and #2 pulling the trigger back (releasing the paint flow). With a dual action airbrush you are in complete control. You control how much/little air and how much/little paint is need for your project. Dual action airbrushes are the leading standard for airbrushes. Unlike the single action airbrush (because the down and back actions of the dual), paint is mixed inside the airbrush. This air and paint comes out as a single fluid motion, which can be modified by pulling the trigger back more or less.

There are two major kinds of dual action airbrushes that are on the market today, gravity feed and siphon feed.

Gravity feed airbrushes a normally used for graphics and illistrations, they usually have a smaller needle and nozzle. These features allow for more detailed work. Details can be more easily achieved. In a Gravity Feed airbrush the paint is kept in a cup in top of the airbrush. Gravity allows the paint to flow smoothly throught the gun, hence the name gravity feed. This also allows the gun to be ran with less psiÕs (air pressure) and since the paint ÒwantsÓ to get out

• PROS
  
  
  • Conserves paints
  
  
  • Forgiving of thick paint
  
  
  • Runs with less pressure
  
  
  • Used with minimal amount of paint


• CONS
  
  
  • Cannot hold much paint
  
  
  • Thin spray pattern
  
  
  • Time consuming to clean
  
  
  • Harder to switch colors
  

Siphon fed airbrushes are normally use for projects which require more paint, such as t-shirts or wall murals. They normally have a bigger needle as well as a bigger nozzle. This allows more paint to be sprayed with a bigger pattern. These airbrushes are not always the best for detailed work, but keep in mind, it can be done. In a siphon fed airbrush, paint is stored in a bottle below the airbrush; the suction of the air brings the paint up through a tube, to the inside of the airbrush. More air pressure is usually needed to make the paint flow more efficiently.

• PROS
  
  
  • Easy color change
  
  
  • Wide spray pattern
  
  
  • Easy cleaning
  
  
  • Holds a lot of paint


• CONS
  
  
  • Less precise
  
  
  • Many bottles and adapters to deal with
  
  
  • Cannot be run with little paint
  
  
  • Harder to reach details
  

Keep in mind, either airbrush can be used for any project. Gravity fed can defiantly be used for shirts and siphon fed can be used for portraits, The paragraphs are showing the normal functions. Choose the airbrush you want, they are very versatile.