Airbrush Newb With A Few ?'s

[Eck]

Hi, I got an Iwata Revolution HP/CR a month ago and have been playing with it since.  I have a 3gal compressor and bought createx opaque/transparent/and pearlized paints.  So far things have been ok, but I seem to be getting uneven spray from it.

 

I have typically been shooting at 10-15 psi (which as I read may be low), and have tried reducing the paints to 1:1 or 2:1 paint to reducer.  I have reduced with water, wicked reducer, and/or pledge floor care shine.  Between colors I run water through the gun then some airbrush cleaner until clear.  

 

I have dismantled the gun and soaked nozzle, nozzle cap in acetone.  Doing that gives me a minute or two of good paint then flow stops and I have to pull back the trigger which causes a "burst" of paint to come out. 

 

Shooting in my basement, so 50-60 deg temps. 

 

What am I doing wrong?  How should I be reducing these paints?  Where and how often do I need to use the super lube? I wouldn't mind if when this happens to just dip a q-tip in cleaner and rub the needle tip and nozzle, but that does not always clear the issue.  I am starting to get frustrated by this, hopefully you can help. 

[Jaw]

Stick with the1:1 ratio when reducing your paint or a little thinner in my experience. I would be careful using a q- tip around your needle because they will shed fiber and cause problems. I use the super lube if I feel my trigger is stiff and when I clean the brush completely I put a drop or two on a clean rag and run it down my needle. Before you get to frustrated I would suggest trying some of the medea com-art airbrush paint it is the closest thing to (ready to shoot paint) that I have found and I use it on a lot of my baits. I do not reduce this paint at all just multiple thin coats and it will give you a chance to get practice in and still get results while you are working out your paint reducing and thinning skills. Just a suggestion and there are multiple how to videos on you tube to check out I still watch to try and pick up new tips and tricks

[RayburnGuy]

Pick up some Createx Airbrush Restorer and try soaking the front of your airbrush in it. The restorer is formulated to remove the dried up gunk that can be left inside the nozzle. Sometimes cleaning with water and acetone just doesn't do the trick and paint can be left behind to dry up inside the nozzle.

 

Ben

[gone2long]

I agree with the psi setting you're brush is a .3mm needle nozzle and the pearlized paints will be a bear shooting without the right reduction and air pressure I would up it a bit.

[spoonpluggergino]

I own the same brush mine is a BR .3mm nozzle. I have taken my brushes apart many times. One thing you want to look for is that there may be a dried particle of paint by the nozzle. One way to get it out back flush with high pressure I crank mine up to 60LB and back flush I also hold the brush upside down under water so any junk will come out and drop in to my water bucket, The second option take the nozzle out and flush out really good any thing in there should come out. I do not like to use acetone I ruined the black "O "ring gasket doing that, but some of the newer brushes will probably be okay. Use Windex ammonia free . for reducer I only use Createx mediums made for their paints, I reduce until the paint is thin as 2% milk. As mentioned above you may want to get some Com-Art paint just to give you an idea how thin that paint is. For Createx paint I use 4011 reducer and for Wicked paint I use w100 reducer or w500. I know exactly how you feel I threaded to paint and mostly due to brush clogging and spitting, I solved all my problems by just paying attention on thinning the paint

If you take the nozzle out , make sure when you put it back be careful not to get it to tight, just snug I stripped the threads on one of my nozzles

 

Gino

[jwfflipper]

i use windex to clear my brushes and then use a drop or two of lube on my needles after cleaning

 

Jeff

[Jaw]

You can also clean your airbrush with fingernail polish remover it is basically thinned down acetone. I watched an iwata video showing how to clean your brush a few years ago and this is what they used then flush your brush with warm water. Like Gino stated above if you leave your brushes orings exposed to straight acetone long enough it will disintegrate them. I made this mistake myself when I forgot a brush I had soaking in it lesson learned

[Matt Moreau]

Just like everyone said a clean brush is a must. But I will tell you from my experience that is not the biggest culprit. I maybe clean my brush once a month if that. But I do back flush and clean after every paint color and when I am done for the night I pull the needle and wipe down. I bet the below is what's causing your issues;

1. STRAIN your paint
   1. Especially createx blues.
   2. I use some panty hose under the cap of my bottles.
2. Check for leaks
   1. Use soapy water or something that will buddle and show leaks.
      1. Spray it around your nozzle and cap
         1. Chances are you are not getting a good seal
            1.  Either the nozzle and
         2. Use Bees wax or plumber tape to seal each section
3. Develop good cleaning habits and back flush after every paint color change
   1. I have been using simple green with good results

[Eck]

Thanks for all the help!  Last night was much better. 

 

The transparent paint shot much better for me at 25psi, and the pearl and opaque I definitely had to thin more!  Once I got that down I used the nylon to strain before I put it in the cup and that seemed to help also.  Between colors I sprayed water until the paint was gone, then use the airbrush cleaner I have to backflush and clean.