Today, I set out to paint a model, and discovered a major problem:
The airbrush works just fine with water or windex, but as soon as I added paint (even paint thinned to an alarming 35%) it won’t draw any paint. We cleaned it very well last time we used the brush, so I can’t believe it’s clogged already. My Dad cautioned me that where he bought the airbrush, doesn’t sell extremely high quality equiptment so he doesn’t expect the airbrush to have a very long lifespan. It is also a dual function, which I heard are less reliable than single function brushes. Can anyone give me any tips, and/or a diagnosis. Do I need to buy a new one. If so what kind?
CP stuff is usually a copy of someone elses product. We use a lot of their air tools and they work fine but yes they cut corners and the tools don’t last as long as others. As to the paint gun, most likely you have a tiny piece of dried paint or a speck of dust blocking the feed tube so it won’t pass paint but will pass the thinner fluids. I ended up field stripping my Paasche to bare before I got it to work a second time. Before you try that see if someone with more experience can offer better advice than mine. J.R.
I was wondering if the airbrush Harbor Freight Tools sold was any good. I guess I’ll stick with my cheapo airbrush, you’d be surprised at the good results I get.
As for your paint, are you thinning the paint with the appropriate thinner? Floquil comes in either water based or solvent based (see correct info from Modelmaker below). I know it sounds like a silly thing to ask, but thinning the paint with the wrong thinner can ruin a paint session.
I use a Pasche air brush and find that I must take it apart to clean. Very likely something is cloging the nose piece. Try stripping it so that you remove the needle. What kind of airbrush do you have? Compressor? Bob Whitten email:
Before you confuse everyone, FYI: Floquill paint does NOT come in water based and solvent based, it is solvent-based ONLY! Floquill does however produce another brand of paint called PolyScale, that is waterbased. Both brands are owned by RPM Industries and are part of the Testors’ group of companies now, (Modelflex, ModelMasters and Testors), we don’t call them all Testors, do we?. ModelMasters is the only brand amoungst these, that makes both types of paint under the same brand name.
As to the OP’s problem. get some pipe cleaners, completely disassemble the airbrush, dip the pipe cleaner in solvent (Diosol or Laquer thinner only) and run it thru everything. Better yet get a set of mini bristtle brushes from Micromart.
Two other pieces of advice: Don’t use the bottle the paint comes in to spray from and strain the paint into a clean bottle or paint cup, (mom’s old stockings work great for this!)
I stand corrected, thank you for the clarification. Minding what type of paint and necessary thinner is still a valid point though. Oh and it’s Micro Mark, not micro mart. [:D]
They have the manual and parts break down on the Harbor Freight site.(green box. PDF file) I’d try taking it apart and cleaning all the seals and passages with pipe cleaners and Goof Off or thinner. You probably just have some dried paint in it.
Let us know if you get it sorted out. I was thinking about trying one of those.
Did you try increasing your air pressure? Are you screening paint so your not getting chunks that are clogging up the brush?