lubricant question

I'm not sure how that lubricant would work.
The reason people recommend lubricants like Super Lube, Badger Needle Juice and Airolube is because they will not affect any paint sprayed through the airbrush. I am not sure if that lube you have would affect it or not.
Some people use a very small amount of Vasoline petroleum jelly but I would be real careful with it as too much could affect the paint.
To lube the trigger alone an inexpensive lube for that is glycerine that can be found at a drug store. I have not tried it but I have heard it works well.

Mike

The glycerine does work nicely for the trigger, but beads on the needle. I use the petroleum jelly, but I make sure to keep it very very thin and have had no problems. Before too long I'll pick up some airbrush cleaning brushes and some super lube as well. Until then, I'll just soldier on.

OK, my secret cheap air brush lubricant. Very easy to find...it is virtually everywhere. It is (you would never guess) LIP BALM. Yes, Skin Protectant/Suncreen...Chap Stick. It is more waxy than the gooey Vaseline and sticks well. I've been using it for years on all my airbrushes. My airbrush mechanisms work smoothly and much better than an AB without a lubricant. And the stuff is cheap too. SPF4 so your airbrush won't sunburn and the lip balm comes in different smells too. I use the Chap Stick Cherry and Green Apple lip balm. My ABs have a nice Cherry and Apple smell when I finish cleaning them. Don't laugh until you try it!

Roosterfish,

Do you use your screen name because you like fishing for roosterfish?
I am just curious as a fisherman. I would love to catch one of those beauties.

Mike

hey roosterfish, how do you get the chap stick amongst the trigger parts? also, do you rub it on the needle gently, or what? as of now, i dont have a lubricant on my ab. what is the purpose? elaborate please.

Chris,

The lube makes the airbrush's action smoother.
Kind of like how much nicer a gun bolt feels after it is lubed as it eliminates the feel of metal to metal.

Mike

Exactly what Mike says. Air brushes have moving parts and the lube helps prevent metal to metal contact with less wear on the parts. And the lube acts as a 'cushion' between the moving parts to take up any loose slack. When I take down the AB and wherever there is a moving part or thread I roll over the part on the head of the Chap Stick lube. Once the AB is lubed and assembled (you are an amateur if it take you over 10 minutes to put an AB together) you will feel how much smoother the AB is. For spring tension I turn the spring rod all the way in and back it out five to six times. I like that setting, a medium setting.

For Mike’s question. That name Roosterfish. Yes, it is a fish in the California Gulf with a rooster feather-type top but that is not the reason for my name. An old man called me that name for years until I figured out what he was saying. Hmmm? Should I tell? Another name for a rooster is a something that sounds similar to SOCK. The fish part was a little harder until I realized that octopi have things that sound similar to CLUCKER. Figure it out? Believe it or not Al and I are really good friends. We both had a good laugh when I told him I figured out the name so for fun I use the name on the Net.

Sorry I asked.

Mike

You asked.

I've always wanted to go to South America after Peacock Bass.

I am going to be receiving some Badger Needle Juice here within the next week or so and will see how it compares to the Super Lube I have always used.

Mike

Thanks guys for all your help. I never would have even guessed to use chapstick.