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Airbrush compressors
Airbrush compressors supply the air power that sprays the paint. An airbrush is a compressed air-driven device. If you are willing to spend $200 or more, you can get a device made especially for airbrushing, but you can get less expensive compressors that do the job, but aren’t necessarily designed for airbrushing.
Essentially, for airbrushing all you really need is a reasonably dry air source regulated at around 20 to 40 psi. You will need one that allows you to adjust the air pressure. It could be as simple as an old paint sprayer compressor with a regulator.
This specific compressor is noisy, but there is a possibility you might already have one sitting around. To buy a regulator with a pressure gauge, expect to pay around $15. For low-pressure work, you could also use an old pump that might be part of some kind of a medical apparatus. It works at 20 psi and runs without a regulator.
Some dedicated (starving) artists even make their own airbrush compressor using a light truck tire pumped up to 50 psi and then regulated down to 25 psi. This could last for more than an hour. If you have an old shop compressor hanging around, it'll work fine too. If you do something like place the regulator on the output you can shut it up until the pressure valve falls.
Many people who live in humid environments add water traps. You can pay $50 at an artist supply store or $20 at an auto parts store. If you don't trap water, the brush will periodically splash paint on your work.
Now that you know what to expect from airbrush compressors, you may also have a better idea about what you need.
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