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Airbrush problems

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Airbrush problems
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 11:52 AM
I'm having some difficulties with my airbrush. It's a Badger 150, with a W.R. Brown compressor. I don't have a pressure gauge, but I seem to frequently encounter these problems, no matter what the pressure. I don't have a moisture trap, either. If yuo look at the mottling, you'll see what I mean. Does anyone have any suggestions ? Should I buy both these items ? Or do you think it could be something else ? I thin the paints to the consistency of milk, which I have read is a good idea. Thanks for the help, Bill.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Iowa- USA
Posted by toadwbg on Friday, August 1, 2003 11:58 AM
Everything looks great from your photo- so I guess you photography skills are the problem :)

Yup- both the pressure (regulator) guage and a moisture trap are good to have. However, I would look at the airbrush itself too- check out your needles and tips under the microscope and see if they are damaged.

Toad
"I love modeling- it keeps me in the cool, dark, and damp basement where I belong" Current Projects: 1/48th Hasegawa F-14D- 25% 1/48th Tamiya Spitfire- 25%
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 12:47 PM
I agree with the Toad the model looks good.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 12:55 PM
What I'm talking about are the splotches next to the pitot tube and facia (sp?). To me, they are runny and uneven. I would like to have them as uniform as possible. Am I expecting too much ?
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: USA, GA
Posted by erush on Friday, August 1, 2003 12:59 PM
pixilater, I saw one spot that looked like it might have run like from a splatter, is that what you're refering to? If so, it's usually from too much paint, or too close to the target or both. It can also be caused by a pressure surge or by a clump of pigment that suddenly comes free or just by operator error (Not implying, just statingBig Smile [:D] ). I'd definitely get a pressure regulator and moisture trap and once you do that you can determine if it's paint consistancy or error on your part. The paint job does look really good in the picture though. I stared for a while before I even thought I saw this.

Eric
Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.     "Friendly fire...isn't"
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: USA, GA
Posted by erush on Friday, August 1, 2003 1:03 PM
Ok, you posted while I was and that's what I saw.

Eric
Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.     "Friendly fire...isn't"
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 1:38 PM
This picture shows the problem more clearly. I was hesitant about posting this pic, as if I were saying "I like the way this plane turned out." Art is about taking chances, though, isn't it ? ( the paints are Model Master, with their thinner) Thanks for the info !, Bill
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: USA, GA
Posted by erush on Friday, August 1, 2003 1:54 PM
I can see it better there Bill. It definitely looks like it sprayed too "wet". You can get that from having good flow but staying in one spot too long (easy to do on that kind of camo).

Is your airbrush a single or double action btw? Which ever, I'd practice getting as little paint as possible with a medium airflow so you actually have to watch real careful to see the paint building up on the model. It should take 10 or more seconds to spray in one of those camo areas that way. That will minimize the wet spots that then run. You may even be spraying it ok, but have too much air pressure which then pushes it and makes it run. A pressure regulator willsolve that and I'd bet that's the biggest problem. I never spray higher than 20psi and for real fine stuff I thin the paint more and drop the pressure down to 15psi -10psi depending on what the medium will spray at.

Hope this helps some. Get the regulator and moisture trap and then try it out!!

Eric
Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.     "Friendly fire...isn't"
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