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Problems with my new Airbrush

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  • Member since
    July 2016
Problems with my new Airbrush
Posted by MigMan on Saturday, April 22, 2017 6:24 PM

...or it could just be me.

Gentlemen,

I was using two very cheap airbrushes for the last two years so, I was very excited to receive my brand new Badger Omni 4000 airbrush. The Badger is superior in every way except for one... I can't get fine lines out of it especially for pre shading. I have used Tamiya, Model Master and Vallejo paints and their respective thinners and varied the ratio of paint to thinner with the same result (see image below). I have varied the psi from around 10 and up to 30 psi and same problem. I have varied the distance of the brush tip from almost touching the model to several inches away and the best I can get what you see below.  Occasionally, I can get that thin line I am looking for but my brush stops because the tip went dry almost immediately.

Is the brush I'm using not designed for this kind of detail, do I need a 0.2 mm tip or am I doing something wrong here? Please advise. I would really like to do this right because I am convinced it produces a more realistic paint job.

Thank you kind sirs! (BTW- I am working in 1/72 scale)

Joe

Image
 

  • Member since
    October 2010
Posted by hypertex on Sunday, April 23, 2017 7:01 AM

Are you using the air cap guard when you spray those fine lines? It should be removed when you get in close to the model as it causes turbulent air flow. Be careful though, the Omni needle is easily bent.

Also, are you thinning your paint in the paint cup or outside the paint cup? I usually mix in the paint cup, but I find that when I need thinner paint, I get better results when I mix outside the cup. Perhaps I am not mixing the paint adequately when I mix in the cup, and mixing in a separate container get me a more homogenous mixture and more consistent results.

If that doesn't change anything, get back to the basics. Check your needle and nozzle for damage (use as high magnification). Make sure your parts are clean, etc. Out of curiosity, were you able to paint decent fine lines with your cheap airbrushes?

From what I see in the picture, it looks like your atomization isn't adequate. That is, you need finer droplets. The usual solution to that is add more thinner.

Check out Don's airbrush tips on pinting fine lines. He mentions the Omni 4k in his post-script, so it might be helpful.

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/fine-lines

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Sunday, April 23, 2017 9:11 AM

sounds like you don't have an extra fine tip on yours. The ab shoul have a stamp saying the tip size up front. 

I have a Badger Renagade with an xtra fine tip and can get a hair/pencil line with it. 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, April 23, 2017 11:15 AM

There is a forum down below for Painting and Airbrushing.  Lots of experts hang on that group- it is a good resource for those types of problems.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, April 23, 2017 11:17 AM

Don reviewed this brush, he had no trouble with fine lines doing his usual draw and squiggle test, and that was with the stock (.5mm) needle/nozzle combo.

Maybe he will chime in with ideas. Looks like a nice brush, hope you get this sorted soon.

  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Sunday, April 23, 2017 2:41 PM

what air pressure are you using , I usually go to about 18 psi

 

  • Member since
    July 2016
Posted by MigMan on Sunday, April 23, 2017 10:53 PM
Hey Thanks Hypertex! I've seen some people mix paint in a little cup and pour it in to the paint cup. Iv'e always wondered why so I wll try that. I have nothing to loose! I've been reading Don's web page and it is helpful. Thanks much!
  • Member since
    July 2016
Posted by MigMan on Sunday, April 23, 2017 10:56 PM

I didn't know that.  I will look for the stamped tip size.  Supposedly the Badger Omni is a single needle with variable sizes.  It's a tapered needle.  It might not work well on the smaller size.

Thanks for the info

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2016
Posted by MigMan on Sunday, April 23, 2017 10:58 PM

I've tried everywhere between 10 psi and above 30.

  • Member since
    July 2016
Posted by MigMan on Sunday, April 23, 2017 10:59 PM

Hi Don- I didn't see the forum.  Do you have a quick link to it?

  • Member since
    July 2016
Posted by MigMan on Sunday, April 23, 2017 11:02 PM

Yes- I saw that.  Somebody suggested using Mr Hobby Thinner and Leveler.  He said it work great with Tamiya. He said it would help me with dry tip issues.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, April 24, 2017 8:10 AM

MigMan

Hi Don- I didn't see the forum.  Do you have a quick link to it?

 

It is in the same list as this forum.  Just scroll further down the page.  Start with the list of FSM forums.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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