need airbrush help plz ::::::

[eddiesolo]

I think Steve has hit on a good point there, making sure that everything is really clean. I thought my AB was clean having done a complete strip down and clean only to find that the nozzle still had some paint in it albeit only small-hence I missed it, so check, clean and check again...and clean again if need be.

Si

 

[eddiesolo]

I was just wondering if the screw at the bottom is for fitting a bottom reservoir cup-syphoned with a choice of syphoned or gravity fed?

Si

 

[Stevekir]

I think Steve has hit on a good point there, making sure that everything is really clean. I thought my AB was clean having done a complete strip down and clean only to find that the nozzle still had some paint in it albeit only small-hence I missed it, so check, clean and check again...and clean again if need be.Si

Right on! I forgot to mention that it is a good idea to look down the nozzle (in the direction of paint flow) against a bright light (sky is good) and with a magnifying glass. Focus clearly. It helps to blow or suck the nozzle to remove fluid. Roll the nozzle between the fingers and if anything can be seen moving round inside with the rolling, it is dirt or something which needs removing.

Do this while holding it well over your work table. If you drop it you might find it again, but not if the Carpet Monster has got it! Nozzles are expensive.

 

[yak face]

Monica , the screw under the cup is an air pressure adjuster. Screw it up and the air reaching the nozzle goes down , screw it down and it goes up . be careful when screwing it down though as it will come right out in your hand . Its just a case of giving the brush a good clean ,then having a play around . Personally I spray at around 30 to 35 psi with acrylics , its just a matter of finding what works for you. Get a cheap A3 paper pad and just play around with the brush trying all different settings , the beauty of this is youve got about 100 pages of white paper so always test on this before you start spraying the model (I have one hung on the wall next to my extractor booth ) hopefully it will show any problems such as spattering , too thin , too thick etc. In all cases where Ive had the spattering its always been a partially blocked nozzle so if I were you thats where I'd start, cheers tony

 

[monica]

sorry for late reply busy day

hi Steve,thank you, it is only a new AB that come with the compressor i will , look again and do another clean and take on board what you have said

,when i did change the needle the lever guide did drop out ,oops so i put it back in thinking it is the right way around, as it dose have a curve on each end

but dont think it would real matter beening around the wrong way ? as the needle moves find when pulling the trigger

i did find that with the needle cap that was on it was so hard to undo it broke the o-ring, the one thing im a little confused about is the PSI ?

,should i try at 20 1st and see how i go ? with the right thinners and do as said :oops:

or do I try it set to 25 ? as Steve has said

or do i try your way and have it set higher ?

hi Tony thank you as well , yes that screw i messed with when i was getting the spattering , which maybe i should not off touch oops, again,

and maybe im right in saying that using the wrong thinners gave me most off the problems ? as i did find that the paint was building up on the tip and was drying

as i read that the air thinners has a bit off a slower drying time maybe that will stop the paint drying on the needle cover ?

i do have a busy day tomorrow and the air thinners should get to me by Friday so i will have a play about then and thank you all for the help , we will get it sorted :rolleyes:

its not scarey at all dont know why i waited so long to try it , just nuffed things up :rolleyes:

 

[Laurie]

First Monica I assume the air adjuster on the airbrush does not have a gauge. In which case I would leave it in a position open and use the adjuster with gauge on the compressor. Ensures you get a measurable pressure rather than an adhock type.

One thing that Ian (M) mentioned. Is your brush a single action or dual action. With a single you just pull the trigger back

Dual action push down the trigger to get the air pressure. Pull back the trigger for paint. If it is dual action then push the trigger right down before pulling back for paint and keep it down until you release the trigger. If you do not push all the way down you will not get the full pressure. All this becomes auto in time. As Ian has highlighted if you do not get the sequence right you will probably get splotches plus a blocked airbrush.

Pressure. Just start at 25 then 20 then 15 and see how it goes for you. Once you get all this sorted i am certain, as I was, that you will be over the moon with the finish.

Laurie

 

[john i am]

Monica frustrating airbrush problems for you. Please be aware of what you are experiencing I would say a very high percentage of people have suffered also me especially when they 1st picked up an airbrush .there were times when I wanted to throw it through the window. All I can tell you is to follow the excellent advice that people have given you in previous posts .don't wait to spray your paint onto your models practice on bits of card 1st make sure you have all the correct mediums paints thinners cleaner cotton buds etc and always flush your brush immediately after every use good luck and perseverance trust me all your trials and tribulations will be worth it in the end regards John

 

[monica]

hello Laurie, oh sorry and '" Ian" i missed that completely , it is a dual action so much info input at once my head :oops: only joking

i think i got that bit right as i started off the kit then pushed down and pulled back all in one motion,

but i did work out about the adjustment screw, so i have lefted that just over half open so it wont fall out,

i will try that as you have said with the PSI and i think we should get this sorted, oh i got over being scared, off the thing ,

so this part is just a hedge in the way , and as you said will be over the moon when sorted :rolleyes:

everyone has been such a great help which is real nice

 

[monica]

hi John ,thank you so much for helping as well,I could not agree more with you, and you know i id think i had it right with the thinner and primer,

but made the miss take off using the wrong thinner ,them it all went sideways ,

but i have taken in as much off the great advice given by all the lads and think we should have this sorted

your right its not scarey buta tab on the frustrating side i think,

i should get the right thinner today but busy so will try again ,:rolleyes:

 

[monica]

well look what the postman gave me today :D so will be giving this another crack tomorrow as well , :rolleyes: fingers crossed ,if not i think what John said sounds good to me , only joking

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[Laurie]

Hope all goes well Moni.

Do not forget to mix the paint. On average it does not need it as the whole thing lays in suspension. Vallejo say roll the bottle on the table stops the bubbles you get when shaking. Also the little top flicks off and you can use a knitting needle (you must have one !) to give a gentle stir (Australian way is left about, anti clockwise, I believe).

We wait in suspension !

Laurie

 

[tanktrack]

I agree with what has been stated and you will learn from the experience most of all don't give up

 

[monica]

thank you Laurie, Steve, so with all whats advice been give the base to start at is about 25 % thinner to primmer and try at PSI, 20 first then alter if needed try up by 5 or down by 5, ,right ?

and if all dose go well , what mix of paint to thinner for the air colors ? please

 

[Ian M]

Air color does not need thinning it is ready to go. Shake well put it in the airbrush and go for it.

Having said that, there are some that thin it a LITTLE as they spray at low pressure, and with a fine needle.

Try it "out the bottle" and see how that goes.

Ian M

 

[john i am]

Monica I always thin my model air paint a little 1:5 drop ratio in the cup thinner 1st either a blowback mix or depending on how much paint used stir with a cocktail stick it seems to work well for me with no issues to date I'm to scared to go straight from the bottle but whichever you go you will find one that suits you in the end good luck cheers John

 

[Laurie]

I think Moni that we are all firing answers at you, which is great, but I am sure now confusing.

So to give you a programme that will encompass all.

1. Keep your brush clean.

2. Try as Ian has said Model Air un-thinned. Try Air pressures for 25PSI 20, 15.

3. Try thinning (my recommendation especially with a .3 nozzle/needle) 10% using 25PSI 20 15.

This will give a fair idea. Then keep practising over and again as it pays hugh dividends.

This is what Vallejo say. But in the end I would bet most have their own ways gauged by experience which is what you will find.

Laurie

5.2. Must I use a thinner for the Model Air Colors?

Model Air can be applied without using thinners, but even so, we find that

almost everyone has the habit of thinning the product no matter the size of

the needle. Please see point 5.3.

5.3.If I want to use a thinner, what product and in what proportion do

you recommend?

Our airbrush specialists claim that a thinner is not necessary, but they

consider it can be used up to a ratio of 1:3. The Vallejo Airbrush Thinner

(Ref. 71.061) does not change the adherence or coverage of the Model Air

colors, and delays the need for cleaning the airbrush.

 

[monica]

great Laurie, thank you ,so very much,so that my check list, and thats less confusing, :D

I will follow that and see how I go if not up and down PSI, and maybe acouple more drops off thinners if needed :rolleyes:

ratio of 1.3 means if im right 1 paint 3 thinners ? right :rolleyes:

 

[Airfix Modeller Freak]

What sort of Airbrush are you using? gravity or Siphon and what brand is it? I have heard really bad reports on those cheap Chinese imitations (not saying you have one!) Also Check the vallejo website and go to the downloads section and download Vallejo FAQS as this might help considering you are using Vallejo products.

 

[monica]

hi John thank, you its a gravity feed one,, :P well you guessed it ; a cheap chinese one lol,

i will do that some re-some the % rate and scales working out i always have problems with , just old i think :rolleyes:

 

[monica]

well all after all your help and advice we had success:p :D Im happy how it turned out still a little ,little tiny bit off splattering,

and i would say that me not real mixing right just a few tiny drops some times when restarting to spray, :oops:

I used PSI 25 with a mix like 12 to 4 or 26 to 9 so what ever % that is sprayed and then when back over again so its just my mixing that needs a fix

hear the pics off what i did test on after some paper ,

so thank you all very very much and i do real appreciate all your advice and help -cheers lads

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