When I first got back into modeling, I knew I’d need an airbrush sooner than later. I started out with that old standby, the red handled, single-action Paasche H. But the more I read, the more I wanted a dual-action model. I searched quite a bit and landed on the Badger Krome. Overall, I was happy with it, but never excited about it. The trigger wasn’t really that easy to use, and keeping it from gunking up while I sprayed acrylics was tough. Plus, I could never seem to get the paint thinning/air pressure ratios quite right.

So when I decided that for safety’s sake I’d invest in a second airbrush, one for acrylics and one for enamels, I started researching again. I posted on Armorama.com and got some great feedback. Namely, that the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS was a great tool. I’d read that in countless other articles too, so I gave in and picked one up.

When I took it out of the package, I was struck by how similar it looked and felt to the Krome. The front area was different, but otherwise, seemed almost like the same brush. Until I started spraying.

Wow, the Eclipse was a stunning marvel. It sprayed easily, cleanly, and laid paint down perfectly. It was flat out fun. The scariest part of a dual-action is getting the trigger right, but the Eclipse made this really easy. I felt like a pro instantly. I didn’t realize quite how much I was wrestling with the Chrome until I was half way through my Eclipse and it “just worked” like I wanted it to.

I cannot recommend the Eclipse highly enough. I’m now debating whether to sell my Krome and replace it with another Eclipse!