I have a Badger 200 airbrush, I think is clogged. The airbrush is 15 years old, and the manual is long disappeared. It blows air, but won’t suction the paint or water, from either my color cup or siphon jar. I’ve taken it apart, cleaned, and put it back together, but that hasn’t solved my problem. I use Polly S paints.
Any ideas?
Nick
Nick,
I’ll bet money it’s the needle. Did you take it out to clean it? If you did (and I hope so) you probable didn’t put it back right. If my needle is to far in it will only spray air. By adjusting the needle you can fine tune your spray. Also there should be a big adjustment in the back that you just screw in and out. Make sure it is mostly in. One quick thing. With the back off there is a small screw that the needle goes through that you loosen to move the needle and tighten when you have it adjusted. If you pull back on the trigger the needle should move back and forth. if not then that little knob isn’t tight and it has to be snug, or you will get only air. You never told me if it was a single or duel action airbrush.
Do you have a fax number?
I also own a Badger 200 and I still own the manual.
I will be happy to send you a copy.
And it is my expereince with this. particular model. Dissasemble the airbrush completly, and soak every componet in laquir thinner and clean ever tiny port and nosel out with a pipe cleaner.
Email with a fax number and I will get it sent to you.
James
If you are using Polly S paints try cleaning the needle and other parts in Model Master Dried Paint Solvent #50495. Polly S dries fast – about 1 sec after you take your finger off the valve! Soak it several hours if necessary. Also if the airbrush is used and the needle was tightened to hard you may have a gvoove worn around the cone. Is the washer old and dry? Newer gun use nylon washers.
Another thing you can try is to increase the PSI and see if you can spray some thinner or solvent. I always clean my Badger with a higher (50psi) pressure; it does a better job of flushing it out.
Hope this helps
Jim
Take it apart, soak it in paint thinner and clean it.(The tip only has 5 parts). Make sure the vent hole in the paint bottle cap is clear.(I clean mine with carburator cleaner when it gets bad)
The Badger 200 is a single action. I did remove and clean the needle, when I cleaned the rest of the brush. It appears in perfect shape as does the washer on the tip. I will have to try the Model Master thinner route, regular paint thinner didn’t seem to do the trick.
Thank you for all your thoughts.
Nick
This might seem dumb, but are you sure the tube going into the paint bottle is clear?
I’ve got one of these and it’s pretty hard to make it NOT spray paint. (just trying to help)
Since you say the washer (where the head screws into the body) is there, my guess is the tip is clogged (which is why I try to avoid using Polly Scale if I can help it.) There’s also a little air hole on the back of the spray head assembly, make sure that is clear as well.
If you can’t find any of the Model Master solvent, I found out by accident that Scalecoat ONE thinner will also disolve Polly Scale.
Good luck!
Thanks guys. I know the siphon tubes are clear, because I get air bubbles in the paint or thinner. I’ll try and track down some thinner, and clean the spray head REALLY good.
Nick
Use some uncented nail polish remover (acetone). It will easily remove old cruddy paint in no time flat. I got a quart of acetone at the hardware store for about $4.00.
Man, I remember the first time I decided that “yeah I cleaned it enough” - took me forever to unclog the thing!! I’m a firm believe in you can never clean an airbru***oo much after doing a job! What’s that saying? Never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it again? Yup, fits me to a T!
I have always used Scalecoat Stripper to clean my M-200. Cleans everything out, including the small passages in the head. If you have bubbles in the jar, the nozzle is clogged! Soak it in stripper, than you wil be good!
just to add my [2c] When I’m done using my airbrush, it come completely apart and gets soaked in polly S ELO paint remover. Takes care of floquil and polly scale paint with ease. and leaves everything clean. I then spray water through it to make sure everything is ok. Then it gets put away.
All great comments…
I have both a 150 duel action and a 200 single action bru***hat I have used for a number of years now.
Bubbles??? Most likely clogged or a needle that is stuck, closing off the nozzle. Take it apart again and clean everything again!
Along with the “davekelly” comment about cleaning, I can add one more that I haven’t seen on this thread.
Once everything is clean, put a drop of Badgers “REGDAB” Needle Juice (it’s an airbrush lubricant) on the needle before putting it all back together…it really does help in keeping everything in working order.
A drop of good ol’ 3-In-1 oil on the needle will also work - I think either Fundy or Antonio taught me that one, I forget which.