Have used aerosol paint and it's messy. Also painted the inside with a cheap craft brush, too. Thinking air brushing might be better with less mess plus an even coat of paint. Anyone do this?
Paint cans work well. Not sure where you are getting a mess. You lightly spray one side and flip over. May have to give 2 coats. You do not want a thick coating. let it drip on some paper but sit it up on a block or something so the paint drips out and does not collect at the edge. Could not be any simplier. Air brush now you have to clean it every time and probably have to thin the paint because they do not like thick paints. Wear gloves if you do not want to get on hands. Put some paper under wherever you are spraying. I have been doing this for years. Just my opinion.
In my experience ... the skills required to master air-brushing are no less than the skills to master aerosol paint cans. Expect the same uneven coats and drips and runs until you've spent a while practising the techniques.
And as @jttheclockman says, you'll have to disassemble and clean the airbrush after every session.
Tried cotton swabs but not happy with uneven coats. Got thin spots and had to coat twice. Craft brush did good. Negative on air brush is doing different colors of blanks. In the past, used aerosol can with white for a few blanks. Did six blanks with pink acrylic paint for Breast Cancer Awareness for next month. Just an inquiry to see what others are doing. Basically doing what John said. Thanks.