need help with airbrushing - please!

I started decorating cakes about a year ago (for family and friends) ... have found my strengths and weaknesses and have gone with the flow.

One thing I really wanted to try to was airbrushing - for 2 reasons: 1) to get the dark colors (black and red - since i found it difficult to use those colors in buttercream or fondant and get a true rich color) and 2) to be able to add highlights with color that isn't as intense as using a brush...

I was given an inexpesive air brush by a friend (I think it cost about $15) and my husband bought me an air compressor for Christmas.

I had read that folks use gel/paste food color mixed with vodka as the 'paint'. I tried this but found that a)the paste/gel didn't completely dilute in the vodka and b) when I sprayed the cake it was blotchy and sometimes those undiluted pieces came out ...and then when I was all done the color created small little drips.... it didn't cause runs down the cake - just the start of little bumps that looked like they were ready to run down....

I'm planning on getting a new/more expensive air brush but wondering how much of the problem is the brush vs the vodka colors? I'm wondering if someone could give some advice on using the gel colors with vodka? Maybe I'm diluting too much? Am I better off buying premade/mixed colors?

As far as the airbrush goes, I can't justify spending too much on it since I'm not selling cakes ... I've seen one locally (which doesn't stay in stock long) for about $79 .... but wondering if anyone has any recommendations?

Thanks for the information! I have no cake supply stores in my area (east coast of Canada) so will have to order online.... I will give pre mixed colors a try... I also like the idea of using a coffee filter to filter the gel versions in the mean time...

I'm hoping the premixed colors do NOT have the same tendency to 'run'.....??

I can understand the need for a moisture trap but not sure WHERE or HOW to address that?

I think cleaning it may be a good idea but I have not idea how to do that?

When I'm done using it i just add plain water to the jar and keep spraying until it comes out clear.... I'm guessing that that is wrong and bad ?

thanks everyone! One more question - after you spray your cake (either buttercream or fondant) do the colors (premixed) dry 'flat' or still look wet? or feel wet?

When I used the vodka and gel color on buttercream I found that it took a very long time to dry and even the next morning felt a little tacky and still looked very wet..... does that wet look go away with premixed colors or not?

thanks malene541!

I think the 'wet' look works for some things but not most so before spending money on the premixed colors I wanted to see how folks that do use them find them. glad to hear that they are somewhat mat vs wet looking! i hope that that is the norm.