My First Airbrush From Over 30 Years Ago - Testors Aztek 

In college a friend of mine would go "dumpster diving" around the campus. Along with a laptop that all it needed was a HD wipe and reboot, a TV, and a R/C trainer airplane. He found an Aztek airbrush with all the parts and a compressor. College kids throw out so much good stuff.

Rex...still have my Aztek, in the wood box, with all the available nozzle sets and accessories. NEVER USED... and, even better, I have the original Testors packing box. Wooo. thanks for the memories. I'm probably never going to use it.

Nice little trip down memory lane. Thanks for sharing.

My first airbrush was an Aztek, double action and I got it before Testors took over the line. The body is teal, with black grip pads on the sides. Still works great for priming and base coats. Also have a single action that I let Cub Scouts use to paint their Pinewood derby cars. Thanks for another great video!

I got my first airbrush around 1989 I cannot even remember the brand got it at hobby lobby. It used canned air and that's about all I remember. Just got back into airbrushing within the last two years.

That looks like it would be an excellent airbrush system for beginners. Thanks for showing this to us.

I do remember that brush, but I never used one or saw how it was put together. It's a good design and it's probably a prime candidate for a repop in all metal. I'm sure the patent on the design has probably lapsed and could be manufactured again without a payout. I started off with the Paasche F which is just like the H but smaller and it worked great for everything I used it for back then. I don't see them come up that often and if I did find parts, it probably would be cheaper to get into the H model. I enjoy my Grex, but I do miss the simplicity of the F.

Another enjoyable video. I remember buying this Aztec kit back in 2000, went hunting and found it in the back of the cupboard. Brand new and untouched. Everything is in the box and will be on eBay soon lol🥳🍾🤩👍

I got my Aztek nearly 15 years ago. I didn't have the time, paint, booth and other items to do much with it initially. It sat in the box until 5-6 ago when I finally used it to paint and clear coat a fairly sizable model, and it seems the two nozzles that I used were heavily clogged up with paint from back then. It went back into the drawer and I hadn't used it until the other week to paint paint a small model, where it was having air backing up in it by the time I was done. Today when I got it out, I found the needle wouldn't move. Watching your video I was able to take the nozzle apart, and get it cleaned up properly and do the basecoat for the model I am working on. I then cleaned the nozzle properly so it will be ready for next time. Having it in the box nearly 10 years before having used it for anything significant, I either never knew, forgot about, or never knew that the needle could be taken apart to clean it fully. I know I haven't taken the needle apart before, at least not in the last 10 years. I am hoping to use it more. I am happy with the Aztek, and I have had good results the times I have used it. It is a pity they discontinued it. I do have a set with a wide range of nozzles, and I picked up a second white nozzle for acrylics, which is what I use as much as I can. I did order one of the airbrushes you reviewed, and it came in yesterday actually. I mostly got it because the Aztek is discontinued, and I figured I may have to replace it with something else at some point.

These are very cool, completely new to me.

I have one of these from years back.. Still use it along with the newer weapons in my airbrushing arsenal!

Still my favourite go to airbrush despite also owning Iwata`s If a company made this idea with higher quality they would be world beaters for sure!

I found one of these in an old stash of hobby supplies that I bought years ago and never used. After watching this, I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for the video!

These paint cups look good, easy to clean. The original cups were a two part assy, outer cup and liner. You had to disassemble them to clean the cups. Got my Badger 360 and never looked back.

Wow, interesting video. I remember the Aztek but that was $$$$ unattainable when I was a kid. I got by with spray cans but always wanted to try it. I finally got a Badger in late 90's - I painted a motorcycle with it. Not a model, an entire sportbike! I was living in an apartment and shot a 2 stage PPG paint in my livingroom! I bought the motorcycle and it got stolen within 2 weeks. I didn't have insurance on it... so I had to buy mismatched junk yard plastics and eventually had the $$ to buy the Badger and paint it. Not exactly good times but I can look back and smile now.

My first airbrush was an AZTEK. I still have it and I love using it. I wish there was an updated version. I didn't get the big kit in the wood box, it was kind of pricey at that time. I have almost all of the nozzles, missing may 1 or 2 out of the set. I liked it a lot because it wasn't heavy at all. I had a motorcycle accident when I was young and I did a lot of damage to my hand. I have the metal version stashed somewhere here that i bought off ebay a few years ago. It was a very expensive purchase but it was a Holy Grail for me.

Happened on this video after seeing another one of your Testors single action airbrushes. I tried to look up the ones I used years ago. Growing up, my mom didn't want me to have an airbrush fearing I'd do it indoors without ventilation. My first fore was a single action Testors and canned air. Then I got the same double action as this one (so early 2000s). I had a Testors air compressor for it, and would paint with their enamels. Getting tips on sites like RU-vid didn't exist...so my understanding of cleaning was through trial and error (usually just spraying thinner into a cleaning jar, and taking apart the nozzle if there was a clog). When I had another time to get back to modeling, there seemed a better availability of airbrush compressors through the internet, and I collected some Badger airbrushes when they were on sale. Now I'm in another cycle of the modeling hobby and have added Iwata and Harder and Steenbeck airbrushes to try. I think one of the reasons Aztek ceased to exist was due to pricing. Back when I had one, it was a viable budget airbrush system. Now you can get a cheap Chinese compressor and Badger 105 on sale. And now for people just entering the hobby can find tips on RU-vid and a really cheap kit with knock off brush.

I bought it some 20-25 years ago and painted 10 big canvases for my first solo exhibition. Still own it, still works.

I's always great to go for a little travel down memory lane Robert. Great to hear the story of how you got into model making and spray painting and to see some of those old but functional AB's. Thanks for the journey.

Thats funny. I just did a search on those Azekes. multiple hobby shops here in my country still have them in stock, the Aztek A320as an exsample for 38 USD brand snaking new as an example, or the Aztek 470 Metal for 170 bucks.

I have the testors single action with the tab, works great when you connect it to a compressor great vid bro!!!!

Terrific video. Things are so much better when we can actually see a tool being used instead of magazine captions. My first airbrush was a basic Badger single-action. It came with an adapter for Propel canned air, which was expensive, so I rigged it to use the air from a spare tire that I could refill at a gas station. Nothing fancy but it was more versatile and cheaper than rattle-cans.

I have the A470 set since 1997. Love the wood case it came with. I remember people unliking them just because they were plastic. I was able to find a bunch of nozzlez on clearance when AC Moore was still on business. Would be nice if they re-release them.

I just grabbed one off of Craigslist yesterday. It is the full A7778 metal set. Set has 9 nozzles. in a wood case. But the real kicker is it came with a box of extras, including two plastic A470 brushes, About 5 or 6 extra nozzles, A cleaning pot with extra filters, a 4 brush clamp on style holder, A jar rack with a bunch of paint jars, some extra hoses, Plus a Paasche VL airbrush and a Paasche air eraser. $80 for the whole kit and caboodle.

Wow, I have this really huge deluxe Testors Model Master set too. Looks nice all black. Like one of the previous posters, I didn’t have the means to use it. As much as I wanted to, it sat in the original box. When I joined the Army, I put it in storage with many other things. Sat in there as a traveled the world. 24 years later, I went and got some stuff out of storage. There it was like I left it. I have since purchased many Badgers and Harder & Steenbeck airbrushes. I still keep it. I even found a sealed, very old Citadel paint. Still good! I didn’t open that either. lol.

The long part on the wrench is used to push the stopper out no using pliers. And i have the metal one in the wood box with all the nozzles , loved the splatter one for german dot camo

Thank you for all the videos you make, I've learned a lot from your videos especially your tutorial or review videos that I would've never learned how to use correctly .

That Aztek i was my second airbrush, stepping up from a Testors single action model. I think I paid around $65 for it circa 2000. One of the things that attracted me to was the advertised simplicity of cleaning and the other thing was the capability to quickly go from fine to medium to large patterns by simply swapping spray heads. I did a few models with it and found it to be decent until one day the body stopped working: no air would come out. Not really sure what happened. I sent it back for warranty replacement but during the 4-5 weeks that it took, I picked up a Badger 200 and just got used to the Badger so that when the Aztek came back, I verified that it worked, at least so far as the air was concerned, put it back into it’s wooden storage box and never used it to paint anything again.

This was my first airbrush too. Still have mine in the wood case. Really good beginner airbrush, and I think it would be a great idea if someone would pick up the rights and Kickstart a production run.

Fantastic video Thank you for sharing. I think this is a wonderful design especially for the ease and simplicity of it and the beautiful job it does. I know that I AM 100% GUILTY of this as well but there is a strange, unfair, and unfortunate bias that plastic Airbrush kits are cheap junk for those who don't take Airbrushing seriously and will never get good results. And Heaven forbid anyone finding out you use 1 but these Airbrush kits did a fantastic job and I will absolutely love to see these Airbrush kit systems come back THEY ARE AMAZING, Everyone keep yourselves and love ones safe and healthy and remember to SMILE

awesome airbrush for a 20-year-old airbrush still looks like brand new.

I have one of the metal body ones I used off and on for several years but never did master it very well. I should try it again.

Had the single action for years. Worked great with enamels and lacquers. I could never get it to work well with acrylics. Went to a badger and never went back.

You're right it was a revolution in their day I had one (still do) shame as you say nobody developed it further, does everything that most modern brushes do and the ease of cleaning and change of nozzle system made them ahead of their time. Think I'll get mine out and take a trip down memory lane. Really useful and informative channel just changing from spraying enamel to acrylic paint so your info has been really helpful Many thanks

I had the double action one about 25 years ago - used it for spraying gouache - loved it!

I remember these brushes!!

I have a dual action Aztek from back then as well and used it for many years until I finally picked up a Badger Patriot. Never used it since. The only thing I didn't like about it was it's lack of weight. It never felt really solid but it did work adequately.

Hands of a surgeon.

My first one as well, a testor got it two years ago. Never touched an airbrush before. I got it with the compressor.

The airbrush in the wooden box is one of the airbrush I also started to learn on the wonderful airbrush I still have it I will show it on my channel

Better than my first airbrush. I started with a Model 200 back in the mid 70s. I do still have it, and use it...put a .5 needle/head on it - the 200NH parts do work on the old 200s - and use it for priming or large area painting.

Super interesting, I bought my first airbrush back in 2008-9 off of ebay. Used it once and was so scare about how to clean it that I gave up. I only went back to Airbrush again about 1 1/2 year ago. Still very much a amatuer.

Aztek A370 was my first airbrush about 18yrs ago. Never had a compressor as they were still crazy expensive. I used it (poorly) until the can of propellant ran out and kind of forgot about it.

Thanks for the acetone tip. I love the simplicity of my Aztec brush. Some years back I clogged the nozzles shooting Vallejo acrylics and haven't used it since. I'm gonna use some acetone and bring it back to life. Previously I used to shoot enamel or laqeurs with no issues.

Always so informative - thanks for sharing. Model On.

regarding the universal system, harder & steenbeck do a similar thing. you can interchange almost every significant part between the infinity/evolution/ultra

Very Interesting system the video was worth the watch thanks for sharing. 🙂Thomas over at The Model Hobbyist

0:38 Well, that explains a lot haha You never know if the things you do can leave such a mark on the ones around you

Very nice airbrushs

Fun video, my first was some ofbrand one. Then i just went all in on harder&steenbeck with the Infinety cr chrome pluss and the Evolution AL pluss and i love them and still use them almost every day now almost 7-8years later. And i have a sotar 20/20 but dont like that as much

I remember see that that Aztek airbushes when I was a kid. and I drooled all over it, but there was no way heck I could afford that when I was a kid, couldnt even afford an airbrush in my 20's. that was WAY WAY before amazon, cheap chinese airbrushes or brushes from Japan.

You keep saying 20 years but 92 was 30 years ago and that's when I graduated. I have two of these and liked them back in the day.

Aztek! My 1st too!

@Bartbatos Rex my man! You gotta check out GSW’s new line of colored chrome paints!!! Dude they have gold! Antique, copper, bronze, chrome metal! This is the mother lode!!! Looking forward to seeing your review!

Also, I am glad that I thought about my NIB Aztec because I want to learn from the best how to use great tools. Cheers!

92 was 30 years ago - time flies...

My first brush was a the Testors Aztek also. I still have it somewhere, but I know it's not in great shape

Great video yea they look sweet i got the Aztek wooden box set but never used it in a paint job but yea they work good I got a new neo even before using my aztek set lol keep them coming

I got a AZTEK in the mid 90 and never used it. It is still in its wood box and I am now thinking about giving it a try .Wish me luck lol . Steve U.K.

Tamiya acrylics will come back to life with that Mr. Color Paint Replenisher. Might save that Flat Aluminum, but as you know there are better metallics out there anyway.

I must have the deluxe wooden box version as I have a set with a great many tips and jars. Just found it tonight and realized it wasn't a "normal" airbrush. Bought it likely in the late eighties and never got around to airbrushing. Finally got a Tooty today along with the $40 kit you recommended and I figure I'll be gtg. Might just try to sell the Aztek on eBay myself.

Going back to '92 is 30 years. I got my first in '05, it was a testors kit that was so picky off the can I used it to prime and mass coated the rest with the spray gun for our vehicles

I still have the cheapest single action and the most expensive silver deluxe wooden box set. They look nice nice. But personally i don't like to work the aztek airbrushes. Just personal choice. Other people find these great which is good. Nice tutorial maybe i give them a go once more. If not both go for sale on ebay.

As a kid I wanted an Aztek A480 so bad I could taste it. Never got the chance, and now they're gone forever.

now those are airbrushes i would love - just for the super easy cleanup.... they should have kept making them.

I wish more airbrushes came in a premium looking wooden box like that.

I believe I still have a yellow nozzle in my toolbox but I sold my Aztec a few years ago.

My first too. Cooler box than what it could do tho. It usually splattered and ruined a couple of tanks

I've been using an A470 AZTEK for years and still do, the only downside to them is the rubbish air valve arrangement, the rubber tube underneath the trigger gets compressed over time and then splits so air leaks out. Wish I could get some spares then it would probably outlast me, 😉.

I had one that was a lifetime warranty.. I sent it into testors and got a replacement but replacement was not on warranty and that one broke also after many use .

Could still get the metal body version wooden box set, new up until a few years ago but ebay sellers wanted $400+ for it. I have the single action on the right. What I like is that they're really lightweight. Agree on the procon boy. Could get rid of all I own and would keep 105, ps270 and ps771.

I still own one of those. I think mine has 5 or 6 tips.

my start in airbrushing was with an aztek 3000, now i have 2 470's it's a pity that it's now impossible to buy replacement nozzles ...

Got mine 20 years ago. Set with 6 nozzels. However I've seen that still selling this airbrush and accesories. It's not that outdated, Am I right?

Please help!. I'm 66 and trying to get back into modeling after some 20+ years. The last airbrush I had was a little ole Testors compressor and siphon airbrush. I built 50 nascar models with that airbrush. Now I've updated to a gravity feed airbrush. I'm on my third one, this one is a Nedeco like you reviewed not long ago. I added MCW paint to the Nedeco and tried to spray a car body, paint barely comes out on .3 needle. Like I have the airbrush nozzle up against my work, hold down trigger and just continue spraying, barely covering anything. So I swap in the .5 needle and nothing. It blows air but no paint? I have all new everything, compressor, hoses, water traps,. All 3 airbrushes behaved the same way. I've tried air pressures from 15 to 30. Thinned down the MCW paint to water consistency. What am I doing wrong????? Please help.

Awesome!

I have an old Badger 250 which used caned air for it propellent. I purchased and used some 50 plus years ago. At min. 4:14 you spoke about an adaptor for your old airbrush with used can air. Could you tell me where I might find this adaptor. Thank you.

I think this is the first airbrush for our generation

Hate to break the news but 92 was 30 years ago, not 20! We're older than we feel! 🤣

thanks for this great video - is this the Aztek 470?

Lmao I had an Aztec like 20 years ago! I forgot all about that thing. Kind of cool idea but very finicky

I have the Aztec one in wood case with 5-6 needle. The plastic hose is now broken. Where can I get that adapter for larger hose???? Any help would be awesome. Thank you.

Now & zen!😳 Jman

Shame this style of brush was never further developed. I feel like having nozzles that can do different patterns, like the spatter one, to give texture effects without having to do things like bounce paint off Popsicle sticks would still be very useful. I saw someone use the spatter tip from an Aztek to do a really cool satin effect on clothing

Wait... what's that brass bit in your box next to the red key?

Would like to know where I can that base you have the airbrush attached to?

Where did you get the fitting? I've tried the company from Florida, forgot the name, and they are in backorder. I have mine and would like to use the same compressor as my other airbrush.

My dad just gave my daughter his Model master professional airbrush. Do you have a psi suggestion?

cool

You forgot to mention, these were advertised as Life Time Warantee and they DID sent me two free replacement. I guess they are no longer in business, so who's responsible for warranty?

Hi, does the black brush have the same internal parts as the metallic one? I understand it doesn’t have the roller, but is the trigger linkage plastic or metallic?

I have the exact same Airbrush never been used. it must be 25 years old .

PAASCHE MVLS SET 🤔🥰

I have one of these. Lost the universal tool. Called the maker to get a replacement, told I had to buy an entire set again, just for the tool. Not seen the light of day since.

You use the red tool to poke out the stopprt

1992 is 30 years not 20 years.... 😁

If 3 needles of different sizes were laying on your bench, how can you tell the size?

Hated this airbrush, I used to work at a pottery factory in the UK, they made those china figurines your granny will have dotted about the place, and I worked as a painter, for ages I kept telling them that they should try airbrushing some of their stuff, as I was a keen but not very skilled custom painter, used to paint my bike and the bikes of a few friends, So, finally my pestering paid off, and they decided to give airbrushing a try. I was asked to give them a demonstration, I was shocked when they presented me with an Aztec, I had never seen one like it before, I had a trusty old Badger 150 at home, loved that airbrush. Despite never using an Aztec before my demonstration was enough to get them interested, long story short, I ended up as the new 'airbrushing department' supervisor and trainer. I was also the 'fix it' man every time one of my 'crew' had a problem, and, they had problems, they had a LOT of problems, constant clogging was the main problem, we were spraying coloured glazes, very abrasive stuff, it used to destroy the needles all the time, the company had a contract with Aztec to supply them with all the airbrushes and spares they would need, W must have gone through HUNDREDS of them, the company would replace any parts or entire airbrushes that I couldn't fix or the parts were too worn. The people who worked in the department were all airbrushing noobs, never used one before but want to give it a go, Very few made the grade, and even that was very low, it was just to get them into training,, I even had to tell some of them that spraying it towards your face was not really a good idea! I had a love hate relationship with the Aztec, I 'acquired' a couple for personal use, I just found them either good, or bloody awful, not often any middle ground. The factory is closed now, and I am retired, but at the age of 70 I still have a couple of airbrushes and am currently in the process of painting the tank on my bike.

'92 was 30 years ago not 20 ;)

THE COOLIES TIMES AS A MODEL MAKER, AIRBRUSH USER: BARBATOS REX IS THE BEST!