Well-groomed hands with an attractive manicure for the fairer sex are an indicator of grace. Professionals use various techniques for applying beautiful patterns on nails, it has become especially fashionable to do airbrushing. The main tool for its implementation is a small paint spray gun , which is not so cheap. That is why many try to make an airbrush with their own hands at home.
The principle of operation of the device
Such a device operates as follows: the air present in the valve is compressed, thereby creating strong pressure and spraying a special dye. Its main advantage is that it allows you to create smooth color transitions on your nails. The patterns drawn by this device always turn out to be voluminous and realistic.
Varieties of Spray Guns
Airbrush for nails can be single or double action. In simple home-made pneumatic guns, the flow of coloring liquid can be controlled. As a rule, such a device is used together with stencils. With it, saturated and clear patterns on the nails are obtained.
But in devices of double action, not only the supply of paint is controlled, but also even the flow of air. Adjustment in them is carried out manually by a special valve. Such an airbrush for nails allows you to make more accurate and beautiful drawings with subtle elements. By adjusting the air supply, you can change the thickness of the lines.
What does an airbrush consist of?
There are a huge number of varieties of pneumatic sprayers, but their structure is almost the same. A self-made airbrush created at home consists most often of such details as:
- Dye control needle.
- A nozzle, which is an element at the end of the tool for adjusting the thickness of the jet, with a diameter of at least 0.2-0.3 mm.
- Adjusting lever and valve for controlling the level of air and liquid, creating optimal pressure in the system.
- The tank in which the varnish or paint is poured for drawing.
- The pen, however, is not present in all devices.
- Air valve that transfers air to the nozzle.
By the way, a self-assembled airbrush at home will work more efficiently with a compressor that creates the necessary pressure. Therefore, you should take care of its manufacture.
How to make an airbrush from a ballpoint pen?
To assemble such a tool, it is necessary to prepare in advance:
- a simple pen for writing;
- sealant or glue;
- wine cork;
- 0.5 liter empty glass jar (preferably with a lid).
First of all, untwist the ballpoint pen housing and pull out the core, from which all ink will have to be blown out. Then it should be thoroughly rinsed using a solvent and dried. The housing from the handle will act as a nozzle, so do not throw it away.
If there are problems with cleaning the rod, then you should try to do this with a syringe. To do this, it is necessary to heat its nose and install it in the shaft, flaring a little, and then pull out the liquid dye.
Then, a notch is made in the cork from one side to the middle, after which it should be turned over and incised in the opposite direction. The cut piece can be thrown away, it will not come in handy. In the remaining part, you need to make a hole for installing the rod, which is better to be placed in the center. Another hole is cut perpendicularly to it in the middle of the cut out part.
Then the nozzle of the future airbrush is made. One end of the rod should be rounded with an emery cloth and inserted into the first recess. In the hole located on the side, the housing is installed from the handle.
In the lid of the jar, you also have to make a small hole under the rod, the extra length of which can be cut off with scissors. Before using an airbrush, it is necessary to fix its position in the upper part of the container with silicone sealant or glue. Thus, it will be possible to balance the pressure of the air flow inside the system.
To ensure that the assembled airbrush with your own hands from the pen lasts as long as possible, it is better to put copper tubes instead of a rod and a writing instrument.
Creating a small compressor from a diaphragm pump
To make such a device is not difficult. A mini-compressor for airbrush, made from a car electric pump, is suitable for creating beautiful designs on nails. Of course, its staining quality and power will be inferior to professional devices, but for an independent manicure it will do.
In order for the finished gun from the ballpoint pen to start functioning, it must be connected directly to the compressor hose. However, the pulsation of air created by the pump will not allow you to evenly go to the varnish or paint. Therefore, you will have to add a receiver to the system, even the simplest one.
For such purposes, you can use the expansion tank from the machine or a plastic canister with a volume of 3-5 liters. The advantage of the first option is that there are outlet pipes that facilitate the installation procedure. They only have to put on the connecting hoses, then fix them with clamps, and the simplest compressor for the airbrush, made by yourself, is ready for use.
Homemade syringe spray gun
Before proceeding with its assembly, it is advisable to prepare all the necessary tools in advance. To make this tool, you will need:
- needle and disposable syringe;
- ballpoint pen;
- hot glue;
- plastic or glass bottle with a cap;
- reservoir for paint.
The syringe is fixed on the prepared glass or plastic container, while a tube with a needle is inserted into the body. Several openings are made in the lid for air access. The optimal distance between the tip of the pen and the needle can be calculated experimentally. The main advantage of such a spray gun is the easy replacement of the tank.
Do-it-yourself airbrush at home from a syringe is created in several stages. First, the tip of the handle is cut with a cone. Then the working part of the needle is cut off, after which it is lowered into the hot-melt adhesive and inserted into the cut rod. This must be done in such a way that the tip of the medical needle is visible from the metal part of the rod.
Another way to make a syringe airbrush
To assemble such an instrument, the following parts will be required: a disposable syringe with a needle, electrical tape or tape, a paper clip, thread and a container for the coloring matter.
The medical needle should be well heated over a fire so that it easily separates from the plastic base, and remove the piston from the syringe. The paper clip must first be straightened, after which it will have to be slightly bent. Then, one side of the metal clamp is fastened with a needle with a thread, and the other is fixed to the body with adhesive tape. Moreover, the structure must be attached to the upper part of the medical instrument.
After that, insert the needle tip so that it is in the middle of the syringe nozzle. In order for the made airbrush from a syringe to work, you should add coloring liquid to the container and dip a needle into it. It remains only to blow strongly into a wide hole.
A homemade airbrush made in this way at home is popularly referred to as a “rotor”. It takes about 15 minutes to assemble it.
How to use an airbrush?
Before filling the tank, dilute the paint to the desired consistency. After all, any coloring matter poured into a container should be a little thicker than water.
A mini-gun for creating a unique manicure will become more convenient if you install handles on a vessel with paint. Although the airbrush is light, it often takes several hours to draw, which is why my hands get very tired of holding it.
Anyone can work with such a device, if desired, not necessarily be an artist. The main thing in airbrushing is to master the technique of execution. Nail art allows you to create unique drawings and unusual graphic compositions on nails using special stencils and other additional devices.
If the homemade airbrush does not have a compressor, then it is enough to simply blow into the back of the handle body. It is by the force of air pressure that you can control the range, as well as the intensity of the inkjet.
Useful Tips
Each newcomer to this business must first learn how to airbrush simple plain patterns, lines, and shapes. It is best to take special training courses where they will show how to properly handle such a device. After gaining sufficient experience, even very complex compositions can be created.
A homemade airbrush will not only allow you to make a luxurious and quick manicure at home, but also save money on beauty salons.