REVELL Airbrush – Review of various Products and Sets
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If you are a bit into model making or airbrushing, you will probably soon come across the brand name REVELL. This article will tell you who is behind Revell, which product range is covered for airbrushing and which airbrush sets of this manufacturer are particularly recommendable.
Table of Contents
About the REVELL Company
The company was founded in 1947 by Lewis H. Glaser originally in the USA and over the years has grown into a worldwide company for model making and airbrush. Revell has branches in Austria, Germany, but also in France, England and the USA. Both in the past and today the company remains true to its core business of plastic model making. However, the product range has adapted to the new markets and has therefore expanded considerably. For example, airbrush products and metal construction sets have been added to the range.
You can also find products of the company in the toy market. So there are simple model construction sets with the well-known Easyclick system as well as airbrush sets especially for children. Also in the field of remote controlled toys the company Revell could make a big name for itself in the last years. The RC (Revell Control) models have an attractive design and guarantee fun on land, in the air and in the water.
The airbrush area was created by the demand to colour the plastic models as true to the original as possible. In the meantime, the airbrush range includes not only the spray guns and compressors, but also paints, thinners, airbrush cleaners, cutting mats and masking tapes.
Revell Airbrush Basic – Set with Compressor
The Airbrush Basic Set from Revell is a good way to get into the airbrush hobby as easily as possible.
Scope of delivery
The following components are included in the practical case:
- Mini Compressor
- Single-Action-Spray gun with flow cup system
- Air hose
- 2 Pipettes
- 2 Colour pots
- 2 Mixing Glasses
- One small bottle of airbrush cleaner
- Paint thinner
With this set you as a beginner are well equipped for your first spray tests.
Design and Operation
The solid metal single-action airbrush gun is extremely robust. With the Single Action operation you can regulate the amount of paint application by lever pull. You can adjust the air pressure in three different levels directly on the compressor at the touch of a button. The classic pressure gauge has been replaced by an LED display. The airbrush gun can be completely disassembled for cleaning, which makes the cleaning process quick and easy.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Revell Airbrush Basic Set
A big advantage of the Revel Airbrush Basic Set is the comprehensive scope of delivery. With this set you really get everything you need for your first spraying attempts. In addition, everything is delivered in a sturdy plastic case, which makes it easy and safe to store and transport.
Advantages and Disadvantages Airbrush Gun
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can be used with all water based inks
- The single-action principle is well suited for the beginner, as only the amount of ink is regulated
- Can be completely disassembled for thorough cleaning
- Spare parts can easily be obtained from Revell
Cons
- Only one nozzle included (0.5 mm), therefore limited use in the long run
- Especially fine lines and details are difficult to create, advanced artists prefer double-action models
- When changing over to another airbrush gun, please note that the pressure generated by the compressor is not sufficient for every gun
Advantages and Disadvantages Compressor
Pros
- The mini compressor works relatively quietly
- A working pressure of 1 bar is permanently generated, which is completely sufficient for processing thin inks
- The airbrush gun can be easily placed in the notch on the compressor
Cons
- The compressor heats up considerably during long operation
- It has no water separator, which causes water to collect in the hose. Therefore it should be blown out from time to time
Which colours can be used?
You can basically process all colour media with the Revell Basic Set. However, the performance of the compressor is rather designed for thin colours. Spraying on paints is therefore not recommended. However, you can use all water-based paints, especially of course acrylic paints in the correct thinner without any problems.
Conclusion
The Revell Airbrush Basic Set is a solid, complete package that makes it easy to get started with the airbrush technique. The starter set comes with all the necessary components to get you started. Both the airbrush gun and the compressor are easy to use. The Basic Set from Revell is versatile and can be used well with acrylic paints in the appropriate thinner. However, the Single Action gun is not quite as suitable for fine detail work, in which case a Double Action gun would be the better choice.
The Revell Airbrush Starter Class Set
A brush is often not the best solution for painting large model surfaces. By using the airbrush technique a much smoother and streak-free surface can be created.
Scope of delivery
The Revell Airbrush Starter Set contains the following components in addition to the Revell Beginner Airbrush Gun
- Connection hose for the compressed gas cylinder
- Gas cylinder and propellant regulator
- 2 Colours
- 2 Mixing Glasses
- 2 Pipettes
- A bottle of airbrush cleaner
- One bottle of paint thinner
Design and Operation
The starter airbrush pistol is very simple, but nevertheless well manufactured and consists mainly of plastic. Due to the Easyclick system, the paint cups can be attached directly to the handle of the gun and therefore there is no need to decant paint. The airbrush gun of the Starter System uses a so-called external mixing system. This has a decisive advantage, as the gun does not have to be disassembled for cleaning and in addition, thicker paint can be applied.
The set includes both the connection hose and the propellant regulator. With this you connect the gas bottle with the gun. The connection hose is also compatible with some other compressors.
Which colours can be used?
Due to the plastic parts, the use of solvent-based paints is not recommended for the Revell Starter Class. However, all water-based paints can be used with the Starter Class without problems. As already mentioned, the outdoor mixing system has the advantage that thicker paints can also be used.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Revell Starter Set
Pros
- Airbrush gun with easy handling
- The Easyclick system eliminates the need to decant paint
- Cleaning is easy due to the external mixing system
- Thicker colours can be processed with it
- An external compressor can be connected if required
Cons
- Relatively short spraying time with a compressed gas bottle of approx. 15-20 minutes
- Solvent-containing paints should not be used because of the plastic parts
- Spraying fine lines and details is not one of the strengths
- It is not intended to replace the nozzle
Conclusion
The Revell Starter Class Set is a particularly inexpensive airbrush set for beginners, which is primarily suitable for working on large surfaces. Fine details are difficult to implement. You will receive all the materials you need to start airbrushing.
More Airbrush Products from Revell
In recent years, the traditional company Revell, based in Bünde, Westphalia, has made an excellent name for itself in the field of airbrush technology for model building. Revell offers not only high-quality airbrush guns in all price ranges, but also high-quality compressors. All requirements from beginners to professionals are covered. Revell also has airbrush colours in its product portfolio.
The company offers extensive complete sets for an easy start into the airbrush hobby. In addition to the airbrush gun and the matching compressor in most configurations, you will also receive the matching colours, a cleaner and thinner. The most important spare parts can be ordered for almost all Revell products.
The compressors from Revell at a glance
The most important basic requirement for a beautiful airbrush work is a well adjustable and constant air pressure. The Airbrush Compressor generates the air pressure for the airbrush gun.
When choosing the right compressor, the maximum working pressure, the noise level and any maintenance to be expected are important criteria. Last but not least, the price also plays an important role in the decision. There are also special requirements, such as a pressure gauge, pressure regulator and water separator. Weight and transportability may also be decisive in the selection process.
Revell offers four different types of compressors: The inexpensive Basic Class, the solid Starter Class, the classic Standard Class and the high-quality Master Class
Basic Class or New Starter Compressor
- Mini Compressor
- Simple operation with push buttons
- Maximum working pressure of 1 bar
- Very quiet, small and handy
- An LED display replaces the pressure gauge
- Costs: under 100€
Starter Class Compressor
- Oil-free piston Compressor
- Noise level of 57 dB
- Maximum working pressure of 3 bar
- Handy and transportable
- No water separator and manometer available, but can be retrofitted
- Perfect entry-level model
- Costs: around 100 €
Standard Class Compressor
- Oil-free piston Compressor
- Noise level of approx. 55 dB
- 5,5 bar maximum working pressure
- Water separator, Pressure Regulator and Manometer available
- Very well portable thanks to the weight of 5kg and existing carrying handle
- Protection against overheating by automatic switch-off
- Suitable for ambitious beginners and advanced students
- Costs: approx. 200 €
Master Class Compressor
- Oil-free double cylinder piston compressor
- Noise level of only 50 dB
- Maximum working pressure of 4.4 bar
- Two manometers, a pressure regulator and water separator are part of the basic equipment
- Air tank, which guarantees a particularly constant air pressure
- Water drain valve in air tank
- Automatic switch-off prevents overheating of the device
- Easier transport through the carrying handle
- Professional tool
- Price: ca. 300 €
Revell Spray Guns at a glance
The Airbrush Gun, also called spray gun, is the main tool of the airbrush artist, which is why it is the main focus of attention. At Revell, we are guided by the categories for compressors. In the beginners’ segment, for example, there are very reasonably priced pistols in the Starter Class, for ambitious beginners the Medium Class is the so-called Standard Class, and for experienced and professional users the high-end products are in the Master Class.
Starter Class Airbrush Gun
- Suitable for simple and shorter work
- Easy handling
- Consists mainly of plastic (no processing of colours containing solvents possible)
- The external mixing system allows the use of viscous paints
- No need to decant the paint thanks to the Easyclick system, where the paint cup is attached directly to the gun
- Designed for use on a compressed gas cylinder, but can also be connected to a compressor using appropriate adapters
- No fine detail work possible, among other reasons because it is not possible to change the nozzle
- Price including small compressed gas cylinder: under 30 €
- Arbeitet mit einem Außenmischsystem
- Enthält Airbrush Pistole, Luftschlauch und Kraftstoff Regler
- Ergonomisches Design, Material: Kunststoff
- Ideal für Anfänger, einfach zu handhaben
Standard Class Airbrush Gun
- Easy handling
- Also works with the Easyclick system
- Paint is mixed in the outer system and does not get into the interior of the gun, so that also paints with higher viscosity can be processed
- An ink regulator enables a more precise dosage of the ink quantity
- Suitable for simple painting, for example camouflage and varnishing
- Including air hose, colour glass, propellant regulator and pot adaptor for approx. 55 €
Master-Class Airbrush Guns
In the Master Class you have the choice between three different airbrush guns: the Vario, Professional and the Flexible. The price in this class ranges between 120 and 200 €.
Master Class Vario Airbrush Gun
- Flexible use due to the conversion with different nozzles and needle sizes
- Easy-Click-System for quick colour cup change
- Almost all types of paint can be used, as the gun is made of metal and works in the external mixing system
- Precise and easy handling
Master Class Professional Airbrush Gun
Basically this is the Vario model, but with a larger scope of delivery.
Master Class Flexible Airbrush Gun
- Patented novelty of the company Revell: 2 pistols in one
- Both large and small quantities of paint can be sprayed as it is possible to change between flow cup and screw-on glass.
- Paint can be removed from the Easy-Click colour cup by inserting a suction nozzle into the flow cup.
- Swivelling flow cup allows working in any position
- High quality processing
- Very good spray pattern
- The right choice for ambitious airbrush artists in model making
Conclusion on the REVELL brand
Revell products are specially designed for model making. There is a versatile range of products that covers all price ranges. Both beginners and professionals will find models tailored to their individual needs. A great advantage of Revell is that spare parts and accessories are easy to obtain. The product range has something for every budget. The quality offered is good, and the same applies to the price-performance ratio. We can therefore recommend Revell products for purchase – for airbrush artists and model builders alike.
In 2005, Charlene completed her wellness degrees in therapeutic aromatherapy and reflexology at the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for several years before opening her own therapy practice. In 2015, she was asked by a digital marketer friend to join her company as a content creator, and it was here that she discovered her enthusiasm for writing. Since entering the world of content creation, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing about various topics such as beauty, health, wellness, travel, crafting, and much more. Due to various circumstances, she had to give up her therapy practice and now works as a freelance writer. Since she is a very creative person and as a balance to writing likes to be active in various areas of art and crafts, the activity at acrylgiessen.com is perfect for her to contribute their knowledge and experience in various creative topics.
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