Gaahleri Products Test Log - Part 3 (Airbrushes Test)

Gaahleri ACE Series Airbrush – Swallowtail Barbatos Rex

This article continues the evaluation started in Part 2: Mobius 0.2mm Airbrush Test, where I tested the Mobius airbrush from Gaahleri’s Premier Series.

In this part, I move on to the ACE Series Swallowtail Barbatos Rex airbrush, which uses a trigger-type design and supports interchangeable nozzle sizes. The purpose of this article is to document the physical inspection, handling characteristics, and spray test results of this airbrush in actual use.

Physical and Appearance Check

Similar to the Mobius 0.2mm airbrush, this ACE Series airbrush comes in a sturdy box. Since this is a collaboration model, the box artwork includes the name and branding of Barbatos Rex.

The box uses a magnetic lid, which gives it a neater and more secure closure compared to a standard flap box.

The first thing visible when opening the box is the information/support card, together with the internal component layout printed on the inside of the lid.

The support card states that the airbrush is fully tested before leaving the factory and that customers can contact Gaahleri directly if there is a verified issue with the product.

The quick start guide is placed inside an envelope printed with Barbatos Rex’s signature message. The guide itself includes multiple-language instructions and troubleshooting information.

After removing the protective sponge, the set includes:

• A trigger-type airbrush body
• One 1/3 oz detachable cup
• One 2/3 oz detachable cup
• Three needle and nozzle sizes: 0.28mm, 0.5mm, and 0.7mm
• Spare O-rings

The inner surface of both detachable cups is machined to a mirror finish, which should help during cleaning.

The 0.5mm and 0.7mm needle/nozzle sets are stored separately in individual tubes, which helps prevent accidental damage during storage or transport.

Ergonomics and Handling

This collaboration version uses a longer and more curved trigger shape. The trigger length and curvature are designed to suit different finger sizes and pulling positions.

For my hand, the trigger length and curve feel comfortable and easy to control.

The ergonomic handle also has an extended rear section, allowing the pinky finger to rest on it naturally.

With the 1/3 oz cup fitted, the airbrush weighs approximately 203g.

With the 2/3 oz cup fitted, the airbrush weighs approximately 213g.

This is clearly heavier than a standard airbrush, but that is expected due to the trigger-type grip design and larger overall body.

Needle and Nozzle Design

Looking at the front of the airbrush, the needle appears centered in the nozzle. This is something that can only be properly verified during the spray test, but visually the alignment looks correct.

This airbrush uses the 8 MAC quick release nozzle, which differs from the nozzle design used on the Mobius 0.2mm. The nozzle can be exchanged quickly with different sizes depending on the intended use.

An O-ring is present on the airbrush nozzle assembly, which means extra care is needed during maintenance. The nozzle cap should not be over-tightened, and strong thinner should be avoided on parts where the O-ring may be affected.

Gaahleri includes two spare O-rings in the package.

The needle can be inserted either from the front or from the back of the airbrush. From a handling point of view, inserting it from the front feels safer, especially when switching between nozzle sizes.

Spray Test

For the spray tests, I used Mr Color C-5 Blue, thinned at a ratio of 1:2. The test surface used was standard A4 paper.

The following tests were carried out for each nozzle size:

• Fine line test at 20psi and 30psi
• Gradient test at 20psi, with a fixed distance of around 5–6cm
• Dot control test at 20psi
• Full spray pattern test at 20psi, with a fixed distance of around 5–6cm and 1 second full pull

The purpose of these tests is to observe trigger predictability, paint transition smoothness, dot control, and maximum flow behavior under controlled conditions.

0.28mm Nozzle

Fine Line Test

• The trigger movement was smooth and accurate.
• The slight waviness visible in the fine line section is due to hand movement. Trigger response remained consistent, with no pulsing or sudden paint dump.
• No broken lines, no inconsistent sputter, and no sudden thicker blobs were observed, even at lower pressure. Atomization remained stable.
• The line edges appear slightly softer and the lines are slightly thicker than those produced by the Mobius 0.2mm airbrush.
• At 20psi, the minimum line thickness achieved was approximately 0.4–0.5mm.
• At 30psi, the minimum line thickness achieved was approximately 0.5–0.6mm.

Gradient Test

• This test was carried out to evaluate trigger predictability and paint transition smoothness.
• The test was done at 20psi, with a fixed distance of around 5–6cm.
• The gradient began at approximately 5mm and expanded to around 11.5–12mm at full pull.
• Two gradient strokes were tested.
• The first gradient stroke showed a slightly unstable result at the beginning and end, which may be related to my own learning curve with a trigger-type airbrush.
• The second gradient stroke increased more smoothly and linearly, with no sudden jump and no grainy transition.
• Atomization remained stable, and the transition was smooth and even once the pull became more consistent.

Dot Control Test

• This test was used to observe needle/nozzle alignment, trigger linkage precision, and air/paint timing.
• The smallest dot diameter achieved was approximately 1.0–1.2mm.
• The dots appeared roughly circular.
• As trigger pull and distance increased gradually, the dot size also increased gradually.
• At around 5cm distance, the dot diameter reached about 9–9.5mm.

Full Spray Pattern Test

• This test was used to observe maximum paint delivery behavior.
• At 20psi, with a fixed distance of around 5–6cm and a 1-second full pull, the airbrush produced a circular spray pattern measuring about 14mm in diameter.
• The pattern was darker in the middle and softer at the outer edge.
• Atomization remained clean, with smooth coverage and no flooding, sputtering, or spidering.

I also carried out a longer-duration test using Mr. Surfacer 1000. During that test, I did not notice clogging behavior, and the atomization remained good.

0.5mm Nozzle

Fine Line Test

• The trigger movement remained smooth.
• The slight waviness in the lines is due to hand movement. Trigger response remained consistent, with no pulsing or sudden paint dump.
• No broken lines, inconsistent sputter, or sudden thicker blobs were observed, even at lower pressure. Atomization remained stable.
• The lines are slightly thicker than those produced by the 0.28mm nozzle.
• At 20psi, the minimum line thickness achieved was approximately 0.5–0.6mm.
• At 30psi, the minimum line thickness achieved was approximately 0.6–0.7mm.

Gradient Test

• This test was also used to observe trigger predictability and paint transition smoothness.
• The test was done at 20psi with a fixed distance of around 5–6cm.
• The gradient began at around 3.5–3.8mm and expanded to around 13mm at full pull.
• Two gradient strokes were tested.
• The first gradient stroke gave a slightly more stable result, with paint increasing from left to right.
• The second gradient stroke appeared slightly inconsistent at the beginning but stabilized once trigger pull increased.
• Atomization remained stable when using higher trigger pull.

Dot Control Test

• This test was used to check needle/nozzle alignment, trigger linkage precision, and air/paint timing.
• The smallest dot diameter achieved was approximately 1.4–1.5mm.
• The smallest dot shape appears slightly oval.
• The biggest dot diameter observed was approximately 17.5mm.

Full Spray Pattern Test

• This test was used to observe maximum flow coverage.
• At 20psi, with a fixed distance of around 5–6cm and a 1-second full pull, the airbrush produced a circular spray pattern of about 19.5mm in diameter.
• The pattern was darker in the middle and softer toward the outer edge.
• Atomization remained clean and coverage stayed smooth, with no flooding, sputtering, or spidering.

0.7mm Nozzle

Fine Line Test

• The trigger movement remained smooth.
• The slight waviness in the fine line section is due to hand movement. Trigger response remained consistent.
• No inconsistent sputter or sudden thicker blobs were observed, even at lower pressure.
• The fine line output itself appeared slightly inconsistent.
• At 20psi, the minimum line thickness achieved was approximately 0.4–0.5mm.
• At 30psi, the minimum line thickness achieved was approximately 0.5–0.6mm.

Gradient Test

• This test was used to check trigger predictability and paint transition smoothness.
• The test was done at 20psi, with a fixed distance of around 5–6cm.
• The gradient began at about 3.5–4.0mm and reached approximately 15mm at full pull.
• Two gradient strokes were tested.
• Both strokes showed broken paint at the beginning, but stabilized when trigger pull increased.
• Atomization remained stable when higher trigger pull was applied.

Dot Control Test

• This test was used to observe needle/nozzle alignment, trigger linkage precision, and air/paint timing.
• I did not manage to produce a fine dot with this nozzle size.
• The biggest dot diameter observed was approximately 19mm.

Full Spray Pattern Test

• This test was used to observe maximum flow coverage.
• At 20psi, with a fixed distance of around 5–6cm and a 1-second full pull, the airbrush produced a roughly circular spray pattern measuring about 20.5mm in diameter.
• The pattern was darker in the middle and softer toward the outer edge.
• Atomization remained clean and coverage stayed smooth, with no flooding, sputtering, or spidering.

Closing Notes

Based on the tests carried out so far, the ACE Series airbrush shows stable atomization and predictable paint flow across all three nozzle sizes, although each configuration clearly behaves differently.

The 0.28mm nozzle remains the most suitable for controlled detail work, while the 0.5mm and 0.7mm configurations provide progressively broader coverage and higher paint output.

At this stage, these are still technical observations recorded from the spray tests. A final conclusion about overall suitability and whether the products should be brought into DeToyz will be made later, after the paint evaluation and final summary are completed.

Next in this series will be the Kaleido acrylic paint test log.

— Ah Chong