Air Brush Question

[mark poulson]

I've been using an air brush for years now, but I really don't understand how they work.

Does the nozzle get forced open over the years, so it has an enlarged opening?

Will that make a difference in how it shoots?

How will I know if my air brush has an enlarged nozzle?

So many questions, so little time!  Hahaha

[BobP]

I guess they can get enlarged but it is much more common that they get split by rough cleaning, or clogged with dried finish. In my experience, the very small screw-in nozzles on Iwata and similar brands of brushes are pretty delicate. Soft stainless steel. Another problem you can have is the needle and the nozzle becoming mis-fitted so the brush cannot shoot a clean spray pattern. Iwata factory has a tech adjust the needle to the nozzle during manufacturing and he/she shoots a beautiful little pattern on paper that you get when you buy the brush. But if you bend the original needle, bump the nozzle against a hard surface, or buy a new nozzle or needle, the custom fit is down the drain and you're on your own. Bottom line is that unless you know the "black magic" of contouring and adjusting a new needle to perfectly fit the nozzle, your Iwata will probably never shoot as well as it did straight out of the box. So it pays to be very careful with an Iwata needle and that tiny little Iwata nozzle that's half the size if a grain of rice. Brands like Paasche and Badger generally use larger needles and cones (not screw-in nozzles) that are less exact but also less prone to damage. That said, I ain't giving up my Iwatas. They're just too good.

[mark poulson]

I guess they can get enlarged but it is much more common that they get split by rough cleaning, or clogged with dried finish. In my experience, the very small screw-in nozzles on Iwata and similar brands of brushes are pretty delicate. Soft stainless steel. Another problem you can have is the needle and the nozzle becoming mis-fitted so the brush cannot shoot a clean spray pattern. Iwata factory has a tech adjust the needle to the nozzle during manufacturing and he/she shoots a beautiful little pattern on paper that you get when you buy the brush. But if you bend the original needle, bump the nozzle against a hard surface, or buy a new nozzle or needle, the custom fit is down the drain and you're on your own. Bottom line is that unless you know the "black magic" of contouring and adjusting a new needle to perfectly fit the nozzle, your Iwata will probably never shoot as well as it did straight out of the box. So it pays to be very careful with an Iwata needle and that tiny little Iwata nozzle that's half the size if a grain of rice. Brands like Paasche and Badger generally use larger needles and cones (not screw-in nozzles) that are less exact but also less prone to damage. That said, I ain't giving up my Iwatas. They're just too good.

 

Thanks Bob.

I guess now I can blame my crappy paint jobs on the nozzle!  Hahaha

Edited September 17, 2016 by mark poulson

[SW Lures]

Iwata are nice brushes, I have a few myself. However when buying one in particular I had a nightmare when I found the needle bent from the dealer. The nozzle was damaged and trying to get the brush returned was a genuine migraine headache. Will I keep them oh yeah, but I looking at a high end Paasche with all needles and nozzle sizes available.

But when I got the new needle and nozzle I must have got very luck. The brush is doing very well. But be very careful... to the ones that hasn't never really looked at the nozzle. When Bob says "small", it is just that, very small and delicate. Put something under you while working on the brush. I got very close to losing mine. Lesson learnt for me.

To me everything wears down in time. I worked with SS tubing some years ago and it thin down in the wall with just gas flowing through it. I guess the question is, is it performing as it did? This will be hard to tell because of the length of time.

Just my opinion,

Dale

[barrybait]

I bought the Iwata Neo.  That nozzle is very small and brass and is very easily mushroomed out and split with pressure on the needle.  When I got the Iwata eclipse, I felt the stainless nozzle was pretty stout and much less prone to accidental damage by the user/cleaner. 

 

When the nozzle split on the neo, it took me a while to figure it out.  I was getting bubbles back in the cup and spraying was inconsistent.  I cleaned it and it still worked pretty well with water but paint did not work well at all.  I finally felt an edge to the nozzle at the tip and put it under a magnifying glass.  Of course a new nozzle is about 20 bucks.

 

Barry

[BobP]

About expensive Iwata nozzles - I checked one source that had the nozzle for my .2mm HP+ at $43.  Sort of makes you want to take care of them!  I guess you have to expect that on a precision manufactured tiny little part.  You definitely need magnification to check the status of one.

[northrivergeek]

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 2016 by northrivergeek

[SW Lures]

, Thanks for the videos.