Badger 350 "easy" airbrush - not siphoning

I feel your pain, sometimes they can be goofy for apparently no reason.

Let's start with a quick function test, run straight water through it, will it feed the water correctly?  If so, then cross the compressor and the AB off the list.  If that is the case, it appears to be that the paint might be too thick.

I read on here that the paint should be about as "thick" as skim milk, which is to say, not thick at all.

Try the water and let us know what the results are.  Good luck,

Bill  

I have a Paasche H which is about the same thing as a Badger 350, and it draws paint just fine as low as 15 PSI with maybe 17 PSI being my typical painting pressure. 

Since you're using a bottle, is the air hole in the cap clear?  The hole has to be clear, to prevent the air pressure in the bottle from dropping as paint starts to get pulled up the tube and thus preventing the paint from getting up into the airbrush.

Have you opened the tip enough?   Unscrew the tip anti-clockwise to open it up an allow more paint. 

As another experiment, if you do think your paint is thin enough, try shooting straight water through it.  If it can spray water, but not the thinned paint, that would tell you you need more thinner.  If water doesn't go though, then something else is at fault.

Andy

So I attached a bottle of cleaner (same consistency as water) and it wouldnt blow through either. Then I felt the connection at the compressor and lots of air was coming out around it. So I guess my equipment doesn't work together. Sure wish this stuff had some sort of universal standard to it lol :)

 Then I attached a bottle of Badger air to it with another air hose I had (since the one the 350 came with doesnt seem to work with a bottle - it's a big metal adapter on it). That didn't go so well either.

The paint came out in a splatter pattern and very wet. I'm guessing...too thin now?  So far I've mostly messed up some models lol :) 

 I kinda go through this each time I dip my toe in the airbrush world. I seem to be cursed (or just lousy at it).

How have you got your air hose connected to your compressor? If you're experiencing a lot of leakage there's definitely a problem. It's quite likely that you need a suitable adaptor to connect your hose.

Since we don't know a lot about your compressor, I am assuming that you need a 1/4 inch adaptor to connect your hose. You will need something like this: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX8191&P=0 (pretty widely available, the link is for illustration purposes only).

Once set up, re-try your setup with water and if suvvessful, try again with paint.

Vallejo game color paints are quite thick and do require considerable thinning when airbrushing. However, when thinning with water, go too far and you will reach a point where it will degrade the properties of the paint too far for it to be effective - it will bead up and not cover at all, and just run off like.... dirty water.

Yeah it's odd - the adapter from the 350 hose seems to fit the compressor, but leaks air a lot. So I'm not sure what the story is there.  It probably doesnt screw on far enough.  Worst part is I think I bought one of those adapters you linked for me a long time ago and managed to lose it :)

 For the VGC - that's exactly what's happening - beading and running. I guess I'm thinning it too much. Would I get better results using a "real" thinner? recommend any in particular?

You may be able to reduce your air leakage by using some plumber's thread tape (that white teflon tape used for sealing joints in plumbing). Wrap a layer around the threads of the compressor outlet before screwing the hose on.

I'm not sure what substitutes are available for thinning Vallejo paint. I use demineralised water but it's a fine line - too much and it doesn't stick, not enough and it's too thick. Maybe a case of trial and error till you find the right blend.

Alcohols are either marginally compatible or totally incompatible, depending on what type you use. I haven't tried Vallejo's proprietary thinner.