Badger 350 problems

I suspect that the little Testors compressor is not putting out enough air for an external mix siphon airbrush like the 350.  If airflow is too low, atomization is poor and the droplets will not be as small or uniform as they should be.

Don 

Could the position of the needle's hole relative to the airbrush body have an affect? I've had the hole facing down instead of up. Wondering if this could be it?

Why would Testors make and sell an airbrush compressor that doesn't have enough air pressure?

7474 wrote:

Could the position of the needle's hole relative to the airbrush body have an affect? I've had the hole facing down instead of up. Wondering if this could be it? Why would Testors make and sell an airbrush compressor that doesn't have enough air pressure?

I don't know if the needle hole position makes any difference, but it sure wouldn't hurt to try.

As for the compressor, I did a quick Google and found this review and this forum topic.  I would guess that it's probably marginally OK for a Testors internal mix airbrush.  Of course, that may not be your problem at all.  You would have to try another air source to find out.  You may be spraying from too far back, and the paint is partially drying before it hits.  Or, with acrylics, possibly a little retarder would help.

Don 

7474 wrote:

Why would Testors make and sell an airbrush compressor that doesn't have enough air pressure?

I tend to agree with Don Winter that you may not have enough compressor pressure for the Badger 350. One easy way (not too expensive) of testing out Don's theory is to use a compressed air can (about $8-10) with your Badger and turn up the pressure. If you get better atomization, you need a more powerful air source.

Badger states that the 350 needs 30 psi nominal and up to 50 psi. I don't use the 350, but the pressure seems to be consistent with my experience of the Paasche H, a similar, external mix airbrush that I used before. The Mini Bluemax cannot provide this level of pressure.

Testors sells 4 compressors each of which aims at a different price point and market segment. You will have to ask the seller of your equipments why they recommend this Mini Bluemax for your Badger 350 airbrush. It is ironic that usually, cheaper external mix airbrush needs a more powerful compressor (i.e., more expensive). The Testors AC500 compressor will be a better match to your airbrush, but still marginal. (Up to 20 psi at 0.6 CFM.)

Testors compressors are high priced and underpowered compared to other brands. You can check the July 2008 issue of FSM to find a comarative test of many popular name brand compressors including 2 Testors compressors. You can also search for "compressor" on this forum and find many discussions on the selection of compressors.

If you want to stick with your Mini Bluemax, you may find that a $20-30 clone of the Badger or Iwata internal mix airbrush offer much improved atomization and thus better modeling results. The Badger 350 is a fine starter airbrush which can produce very satisfactory results when paired with the proper air compressor.

I used to get the rough finish, kinda like sand paper.  I thinned my paint a little more and move the airbrush closer to the model.  It sounds like your paint is drying before it gets to the model.

Another thing, if the compressor outputs a constant 30 PSI than that is way too much pressure.

From my experience using external mix airbrushes is they require around 20 PSI to atomize the paint properly.  Higher pressure would make the paint dry faster.  

Acrylic water based paint will dry faster than enamel and should be used with a retarder. 

Link to retarder, scroll down to get the price.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/createx-airbrush-additives-and-mediums/