Review: Grex TG3 Combo

No new models this week.  I am going to write a quick review of the Grex combo kit I bought a few months ago.  Starting off I used to use the Testors Aztec diaphram compressor with whatever airgun they sent with that.  It worked okay for large areas and base coats.  Not the most even results all the time, but not terrible. From there I moved up to the Badger Anthem 155, great airbrush.  It has great control and consistency, but I still lacked a decent compressor and the Badger is no gravity fed.  Which, when paired with a lackluster compressor started leading to problems as I got into more advanced techniques like color modulation.

So, finally, I decided to step up and get a new compressor. Originally I was going to buy a tank compressor from a hardware store, but I really need a quiet compressor where I am living now.  So one day I stopped by my local hobby shop and talked to the owner about the grex kits he had in stock.  He was kind enough to let me try out the set he bought for himself and showed me some of the work he had used it for.  I really liked the pistol grip and got a sense of the sound the compressor generated.

With this in mind I told him I would be back the next week with the cash.  I will not lie, this set is not cheap, but he gave me a little bit of a discount, which I greatly appreciated.  About the price though, if you are seriously into this hobby, and really want a nice airbrush, buy this thing.

The compressor is very nice and quiet, it was less noisy than my TV at about 1/3 volume levels.  Next it has an automatic shutoff, so when you're not spraying, it stops running.  The hose is nice and flexible and does not hinder hand movement.  The attached pressure regulator and moisture trap are a great feature and something my old compressor did not have.  It's got suction cup feet which help dampen vibration and thus more noise.

Moving onto the airbrush.  This product is awesome!  The grip is so comfortable and easy to control, even for fine details.  This is one thing I was originally apprehensive about, will I get the same amount of control as I do out of the stylus?  Absolutely, and with more comfort!  All of the parts come apart super simple for cleaning and the pin is easy to change.  Paint comes off of the stainless coating very nicely. At least acrylic, I have not tried it with enamels or oils.  The adjust-ability of air and paint flow are great and you can go from base colors to fine line details in a few seconds.  The kit includes a quick detach for the brush that has another pressure regulator which helps facilitate this.  What I do is adjust the pressure at the compressor to suit the paint, then use the one at the gun to adjust more finely for spray area size.  These QD attachments are also available for other brushes and I bought one for my Badger Anthem as well.

All in all I say it's well worth it, and soon enough you will be seeing some of the results I have had using it.  Stay tuned!