Review on Iwata Medea High Performance Plus Action by Gelin Battle

The Iwata HP-SB has been a premier airbrush line for illustration and photo retouching for over 40 years and sets a very high standard for siphon-fed airbrushes. Like all other airbrushes in the Iwata High Performance (originally handpiece) line, the HP-SB retains its superior quality, craftsmanship, reliability and performance. Its slim yet sturdy body is crafted from brass and plated with nickel and then polished chrome for durability and longevity. Internals are carefully machined and nickel plated to prevent jamming and the trigger has a satin smooth finish. The 0.2mm liquid nozzle allows the user to draw 3/4 inch wide spray lines. The needle cap can be removed to make the lines even finer, but care must be taken not to damage the needle tip upon contact with the work surface. By removing the nozzle cover, the user can spray grainy, stippled patterns not common on most airbrushes. Performance is dependable and dependable when using properly diluted media with minimal tip build-up during use. Top quality in everything. The airbrush is powered by a detachable 1/16 oz chrome cup. The bowl base can be unscrewed and removed for cleaning and is fitted with a PTFE gasket. The airbrush is reversible, allowing the user to attach the bowl to either the left or right side of the brush, minimizing the confusion of your work during use. The pan's friction fit allows for secure adjustment at any angle you need for your job. Additional colored 1/8 oz cups with removable lids are available as accessories and fit HP-CSB and CM-SB airbrushes. Cleaning the Iwata High Performance and High Line series airbrushes is very easy, although the user must bring special supplies. Be careful when removing and installing the fluid nozzle to avoid snapping threads or shearing the nozzle off with the included wrench. Also, the needle can only be removed and replaced through the back of the airbrush, so care must be taken to avoid bending and dulling the needle tip. The HP-SB Plus features Iwata's new pre-installed chrome handles. A new grip allows the user to adjust trigger tension and access the needle chuck for quick cleaning. In addition, the handle has a preset function that allows the user to limit the trigger range, which is great for fine work. However, these new High Performance Plus handles are not as good as the pre-installed handles on the H&S Infinity CR Plus brushes. The HP-SB Plus excels at fine detail, although not as efficiently as Iwata's Custom Micron CM-. SB in this area. User can purchase a 0.3mm liquid nozzle and needle (sold separately) as an accessory to improve the atomization performance of the HP-SB mid-range. Other accessories (also sold separately) include a crown needle cap and 1/8-inch quick-disconnect couplers between the brush and air hose. The recommended operating air pressure is 10 to 30 psi, depending on the media used and the desired spray pattern.