Airbrush issues

[StingrayP226]

Ok just got an Airbrush (traded for it... only took a year to get the airbrush I traded for but that is another story) "from a friend" its a Snap On BF170A, which leads me to believe I not only waited too long but got ripped of as it was not worth what I traded for it (or was led to believe as I trusted the guy). Anyway. Issues aside I picked up a Badger AS180-12 Compressor (no tank) and got a regulator and Air filter from Lowes. Now I have NO idea the size needle I have on this thing (likely a 0.5) and it seems to work fine from a distance, but once I get up close I get that watery "splatter" (looks like a web or paint splatter). I read that could be a pressure issue so I lowered the Regulator to around 15PSI (or so it says), and keep having that issue. I put the pressure any lower and no air comes out (or so little its a joke).

Another strange thing that I noticed is when I press down on the trigger to get airflow I have to wait a second before the airflow actually gets up to full pressure. Is this normal or have I chosen a Compressor poorly (I thought I saved my receipt but looks like it might not have actually been saved... just my luck)?

Or is this all because I'm still a newbe with my airbrush and need more practice before I can get this darn set up to at least spray a good line when up close?

Also I use watered down (with windex) reaper paints.

 

[Zab]

For the spidering you may be watering them down too much. Also, use water, not windex. If it is not those then you need a moisture trap because water is getting into the mix from the humidity ion the air. As for the lag in start time you may need to clean the AB or check that there are no leaks at any connection points. Teflon tape on all the threads can help with that. Welcome to the trial and error of air brushing. I bet you thought you would save some time and make you life easier too We've all been there.

 

[StingrayP226]

Ok I will try water. I have Teflon taped almost all the connections, but I did notice when cleaning my airbrush that air seems to leak out of the nozzle area. Would it be safe to teflon that? Also I'll double check the other connections as well.

My Filter is a moister remover as well but its not right up next to my airbrush my current set up is: Compressor - Regulator - Filter/moisture trap - Hose - Airbrush should I have the moisture trap right up next to the airbrush?

 

[Zab]

No don't tape the nozzle. Sounds like everything is right. Is the needle bent or the little part inside the nozzle that the needle tip fits into split by any chance? If not It's just a thinning/pressure thing that you will have to learn. Each color and manufacturer is different. Some just need water some need thinner and some need flowaid or slow dri medium. Like i said: welcome to hell. Get comfy, you'll be here a while 3 years into it and i am just getting comfortable with being able to do blends and shading and other such fine tasks with my AB -_- It's worth it though.

 

[MagmaPainter]

I recommend practicing on some paper with feathering the trigger, that's where you eather hold down the air then pull back on the trigger in short light burst, or just do it all in one motion. If you can master that you can get in tight with very thin paint on a low psi. For a thinner I would recommend Vallejo airbrush thinner. Or even 70% rubbing alcahol. Or you can make up your own mix of something like 50% distilled water 30% slow dry 10% flow aid 10% Matt medium. The airbrush can take a lot of practicing and a light touch to master.

 

[moetle]

You can teflon the threads of your nozzle, but you shouldn't have too. If you do, make sure there is no tape flopping around inside the nozzle as it can lead to more problems. I tried to find a schematic for your airbrush but my google foo wasn't finding anything useful.

You should check to make sure your needle is fitting snugly with the nozzle tip. if its not the needle or nozzle could be damaged. You can normally buy a combo set of the needle and nozzle.

If your using a bottom feed airbrush your probably going to waste a lot of paint trying to get your mix right. They are normally used for large jobs like T-shirts or cars details and such.

Also if your not getting air as soon as you press the trigger down, it could be your valve is sticking or your compressor is not building enough pressure or you have another leak somewhere. Also make sure your nozzle cap is secure and not damaged. Get a spray bottle with a little dish soap and spray your stuff with it. If there is a leak it will start making bubbles.

Every thing the guys said above is good advice. You should also use a mask when using your airbrush. You can also get a small moisture trap that fits right on the airbrush for about 5 bucks U.S..

 

[JohnLobster]

It may be that the Lowes regulator isn't great at lower pressures and that is the issue with the slow start. I always try a couple of blasts of air before running paint as well. When I started with my airbrush I did 2 things. 1 - buy a few airbrush paints (I used Vallejo model air) that are ready to go - that should help in figuring out the paint consistency. 2 - get some relatively cheap paint (I used Createx), preferrably still airbrush paint, and some large pieces of paper and play around.

Iwata Neo is good value for money if you get it on discount

Good luck

John