If you are new to airbrushing then odds are the first term you have heard, or will hear is: “Gravity Feed Airbrush”. To which likely sparked your curiosity enough to learn what gravity feed means, and how it applies to airbrushing.
Am I right?
Well, either way, today I want to discuss everything we possibly can about the gravity feed airbrush. Everything from what it is and how it works, to real world uses and the pro’s and con’s behind it.
So, what is a gravity feed airbrush?
Well, in simple terms: Gravity feed refers to the placement of the paint cup, and how the paint is fed to the airbrush. In this case the cup is mounted above the atomization chamber (On top of the airbrush). The cup is shaped like a funnel, and employs gravity to feed the airbrush with paint.
How The Gravity Feed Airbrush Works
The gravity feed airbrush works by using gravity to feed the airbrush with paint. This allows the user of the airbrush to work with less air pressure then would otherwise be required if using a siphon, or side feed airbrush.
Paint Cup Location
The paint cup is manufactured on top of the airbrush with a hole in the bottom as you would see on a funnel. This makes it very easy to both place paint in the cup, and get paint in the atomization chamber with little force.
Paint Flow
Other airbrush feed options such as the siphon and the side feed require added air pressure in order to suck paint up and into the atomization chamber.
For example: a gravity feed airbrush requires on average, 15 – 30 PSI in order to get optimal paint atomization, before leaving the airbrush tip. However, a siphon feed, or side feed airbrush will require added air pressure such as: 25 – 45 PSI to operate properly.
This is because unlike the gravity feed. The siphon and side feed requires the added air pressure to aid in pulling the paint up and into the atomization chamber.
This is because a siphon-fed airbrush places the cup under the atomization chamber. And the side feed airbrush places the cup at the side of the atomization chamber.
Where as the gravity feed funnels the paint into the atomization chamber
Available Gravity Feed Airbrush Options
The gravity feed airbrush comes in 2 common options. Those are the “Single action” & “Double action“. The action simply refers to how you operate the airbrush.
Single Action
The single action utilizes a button located just behind the cup on the gravity feed airbrush. The button controls the airflow, while a knob (commonly) found at the tail end of the airbrush controls the needle position.
The farther the knob is turned out, the farther the needle is pulled back and the more paint will flow, and vice versa. (You can learn more about the single action option over on my latest post titled: Single Action Airbrush Explained!)
Double Action
Now in the case of the double action. The button / trigger is located in the same spot as the single action (behind the cup on the gravity feed airbrush). However, the major difference with the double action airbrush is the fact that both air and paint flow are controlled using the button / trigger.
To operate you press down on the button for air flow, then simultaneously you will pull back on the trigger to get paint flow. The farther back you pull the more paint you get. (For more info on the Double Action airbrush, be
The double action essentially provides more control to the user in their work.
The most common options in airbrushing, both on the paint and makeup side is the Gravity Feed Double Action Airbrush. As it tends to fit a broader array of uses when compared to the other options.
If your currently in the market for an airbrush I strongly recommend you take a look at my latest Gravity Feed Airbrush Recommendation!
Gravity Feed Paint Cup
Now, depending on the model of gravity feed airbrush you opt for. The manufacturer may provide you with options when it comes to the cup of the airbrush.
Some cups are manufactured on the airbrush during the process of production. Meaning, the cup can not be separated from the airbrush. While others are made separate from the airbrush itself. This means different sizes can be used at different times.
Different Cup Sizes
In this case the most common way of attachment is by simply screwing the cup of your choosing on by utilizing the threads placed in both the bottom of
My top recommended Gravity Feed Double Action Airbrush actually comes with 2 different cup sizes.
However, They only equip one of the cups with a lid the other cup is much smaller, and does not require a lid.
Lid Or No-Lid
Now you’re probably wondering, “Why wouldn’t you use a lid to cover your
But when it comes to gravity feed airbrushes. The cup on top typically isn’t intended for holding massive amounts of paint that will be sitting in the
Rather it is intended for small amounts of paint at a time. Usually so little that you will use it all before it dries out. Now, this mainly only applies to cup sizes that are on the small side when speaking of gravity feed
It’s likely that the larger cups will be equipped with a lid in order to slow the dry time inside the cup.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Gravity Feed
Even though the gravity feed airbrush is the most common, and frankly, most preferred in the airbrush industry (for the most part over say the siphon, and side feed airbrushes). It does have its disadvantages that you need to know about.
But first lets go over the Advantages.
Advantages
| Simple To Use |
| Operable With Lower PSI |
| Can Use Thicker Paint |
| Easier To Clean – at the end of a session |
| Easier To Load |
| Will Operate With Very Little Paint |
Disadvantages
| Holds Less Paint Then Siphon |
| Cup Gets In Your Line Of Sight Sometimes |
| Harder To Clean Between Colors |
Likely the biggest disadvantage to operating a gravity feed airbrush is the fact of trying to change colors. Before doing so, you need to roughly clean out the paint cup, and atomization chamber.
This way the next paint you use will not be contaminated by the previously used color. Granted the other airbrush options are difficult to deal with when changing colors, but many say the gravity feed is a little more annoying to deal with.
And I used to agree with them until I found out how to go about cleaning the gravity-fed airbrush between colors! Check out my latest post for further details, and steps for cleaning a gravity feed airbrush between colors!
Other then that, some complain about not being able to store more paint in the cup, but it’s very simple to poor more paint in the cup once you run out.
Now, let’s discuss some of the common uses people have for the gravity feed airbrush!
Gravity Feed Airbrush (Uses)
Though the gravity feed airbrush is very versatile in terms of what it can be used for, it does have it’s limitations. But first lets go over some of the things it excels at!
Desirable Uses For The Gravity Feed:
- Shading
- Gradients
- Fine Detail
Un-Desirable Uses For The Gravity Feed:
- Large Coverage Of Jobs
It’s quite common to see people using the gravity feed airbrush from anything such as makeup, to automotive, to modeling, as well as portrait work and so forth.
Granted you likely will see the siphon feed, and side feed being used by some, but for the most part you will see gravity feed (otherwise known as Top Feed).
Why Gravity Feed Is Preferred Over Siphon & Side Feed
The gravity feed airbrush is simply just much simpler to operate, requires less to operate, and just overall is very versatile. That is why most opt for a gravity feed airbrush.
Granted its not Ideal for some jobs such as large coverage. However, it can still do such jobs, you will simply be required to add paint to the cup more often than you would say using a siphon feed (Because a siphon feed typically holds more paint).
But if you were to swap the equation and try to utilize a siphon (suction) feed airbrush for say, fine detail. Odds are your arms will get tired of holding up the extra weight in paint, and really, there is no need for all that extra paint when working on fine detail.
Now you may be thinking, “Just put less paint in the bottle when using a siphon feed”, which could work for a moment. But like when drinking from
So you will need to add a little more paint to the bottle in order to get consistent paint flow.
For more information on the Siphon (suction) Feed Airbrush, be sure to check out my latest post on the topic!
For more information on the Side Feed Airbrush, do also check out that post as well!
Conclusion
Overall, a gravity feed airbrush is simply defined by the method to which paint is guided into the atomization chamber of the airbrush. In this case it is funneled in by using gravity.
I personally prefer the gravity feed double action airbrush. That is what I have used, and currently do use. I like it so much for its compact, and simple design. Plus, I really like the fact that I’m able to use it at 20 PSI or less.
This means less wear on my compressor, and less over spray. As over spray is increased the more pressure you use.
Anyway, I hope you were able to find some value here! If you have any further questions regarding the airbrush do be sure to take a look around the website. Airbrush Insider is dedicated to helping all in the airbrush community!
This is Colt signing off!
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