Ok so I got my airbrushes in the mail yesterday. They are both from airbrush city, one is a single action siphon feed, the other is a dual action gravity feed. I began playing with them right away. (being excited as I have never used one before)
I am having issues with both of them and I’m pretty sure it is me, not them. I am using polly scale paint (says it is for airbrush) I thin it according to the paint label description, 10-15% distilled water. At first they paint great but then start to quit spraying. The air goes thru but no paint. What I have done (playing around for awhile) is either open the valve fully for a second or pour some cleaner on the tip. Then it works for a few more minutes, and quits again. I get the impression that the paint is drying and stopping up the needle??
I tried thinning it a bit more but it made no difference…so I thinned it even more…no change. Then I tried a thicker mix of paint with the same results.
Does anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?? Anyone have any ideas on what to try? Maybe a new brand of paint but not tonight.
Another small problem, no big deal right now. The single action says it will do 1/8" lines and it does. The dual action action says it will do 1/32" lines…I can’t get less than 1/8". It could have something to do with whatever my paint problem is (above) or my total lack of skill. I will work on it more if I can get the paint to come out consistently.
Any comments would be appreciated. Constructive comments preferred but not required. [8D]
Your description is exactly why I don’t like Polly Scale paints for spraying… Your theory is dead on… The paint is drying inside the airbrush. Keep an extra bottle of distilled water on hand to periodically flush out the airbrush. A squeeze type water bottle with a nozzle that fits the opening of the airbrush is great for this.
Getting thin lines with a double action is a balancing act between control, paint (thin or thick), and air pressure. It can be done, but takes some practice. Just keep at it, you’ll get there.
I have had the same problem, but not with Polly Scale. All though, if I stop spraying for more than a few minutes, I mighthave to “wet it up” as it will dry. I have a an old Badger single action, ( i think thats the brand) and I will just thread the piant tip in and out a fewe times ot break up and paint then give it a quick squirt.
What air presure air you running? I usually run around 22-25lbs. for most normal stuff.
I just started also with an airbrush. It is a cheap single action. I was spra;ying a larger area which I have learned an airbrush is not desinged for. I tried increasing the air pressure and it did not work. I operate at around 20psi. I thought being the bottle was at an angle that maybe the paint level was too low. However, opening it up it seemed to be ok. I basically did as you did opened it up and sprayed it on a test area to make sure it was working. I was using Poly Scale. The paint does seem to dry fast though I did not see the needle clogging up. .
Thanks for the quick replies. I was afraid it was just drying on the tip of the gun. Any paint brand in particular you guys like??
To asnwer ya’lls questions:
The brand of the airbrushes is Airbrush City (www.airbrushcity.com) And I am running 25-30 lbs of pressure. I played with it between 20-40 and really saw no real difference.
By the way if anyone else needs some airbrush help I just found this site http://www.howtoairbrush.com/ while doing a quick Google on airbrush paints. It seems to have some good advice and tutorials.