FAQs about airbrushing nail art.
Airbrushing nail art is a fast, fun, and easy way to create beautiful nail art, once you get the hang of it, and we're here to answer all your questions.
Check out Quick Tips for commonly asked questions and then below are some frequently asked questions.
If you don't see your topic in the help section, drop us a line on the Contact Page.
Quick Tips
Base & Top Coat
You can airbrush over gel base coats and gel polish colors. Clean off the tacky layer first. Then use your favorite gel top coat, two to three coats, curing between each. Water-based clear nail polish is also great as a base and top coat. Use two to three layers of top coat drying between each.
Airbrush Paints
Our favorite airbrush paints are Createx brand Opaque airbrush colors. When choosing an airbrush paint, look for one that cleans easily but also has bold and opaque colors. You also want a paint that is not prone to drying at the tip of the airbrush needle.
Cleaning Stencils
Our premium nail art stencils are made from solvent resistent mylar. You can clean your stencils with spray cleaner, alcohol or acetone. Use a cotton swab on fine detail designs, and clean your stencils regularly to avoid paint build up. Don't be tempted to peel off the paint, as you can tear the stencil.
Airbrush Compressors
Airbrushing nails is easiest with a powerful airbrush. A good compressor will spray thicker paints and help keep the airbrush from clogging. 1/5 HP is best. 1/6 HP is really as low power as you want to go.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Can I use regular acrylic paints in the airbrush? You can use any thin liquid in an airbrush. Airbrush-specific paints are highly recommended. Pen inks can also be used, but can be difficult to control because they are so thin,
Do I need to clean the airbrush between each color? Yes, it is best to clean out each color as you go. This will prevent color contamination and allowing paint to build up in the airbrush is a bad idea. It is much easier to keep it clean along the way, than having to disassemble to clean it when it clogs up and stops working.
What cleaners can I use to clean the airbrush? Your airbrush manufacturer will recomend cleaning products that comply with their warranty. We use mostly water and a couple squirts 409 or windex brand spray cleaners.
Can I use gel polish or gel paints in the airbrush? We have never tried, seems expensive and spraying gel fumes around also sounds unhealthy to breathe, even with a mask. We would NOT recommend using uv gel polish or paints in an airbrush.
Can I use acetone to clean my airbrush? You do want to avoid using harsh chemicals in the airbrush as much as possible, but when cleaning your needle or the tip, a little acetone can break down dried paint quickly. If paint get dried up inside the airbrush, acetone may help loosen dried paint. Make sure to wash all areas that come in contact with the acetone with soapy water, and rinse well afterward.
Do you have a question we have not answered? Email your question from the Contact Us page.