Iwata Revolution CR Trigger "sticking"

Tony,
Yeah, I think the cleaning eventually dies out the oring. Certain chemicals will certainly make the orings swell but I've never heard of such a thing in a device designed to spray those very chemicals. In my case and the OP's I'm betting the trigger oring has simply been cleaned to the point of drying out and the natural friction of the material is sticking to the chrome. I use super lube and have no idea what's in it but one thing is for certain, it don't last long. Like someone mentioned, it dries out and gums things up.
I'm glad this thread came up because it reminded me that I want an alternative to the super lube. I have many types of oil at my disposal and plan to try one or five and see what I find. I figure with careful application of the lube to just the plunger itself there should be minimal chance of contaminating the needle, which I'll still used the super lube on.
Just a thought, has anyone thought of calling Medea/Iwata to see what they use on the triggers at the factory? That stuff lasted a long time.

If anyone wants to try the 3n1 oil do so. The oil won't swell the orings. Heck, one could probably pour it over his pancakes and suffer no adverse affects. It take much more aggressive chemicals to damage orings than one will find in 3n1 oil.

hkshooter, I know a bunch of automotive modelers who use that same technique to put a slight sheen on car interiors. Haven't tried it myself, I always wondered how it would stand the test of time. But that wouldn't be a problem with what you're doing. Or did.

There's another forum that I frequent that's mostly Iwata users and "a light machine oil" is what a lot of them recommend using on a sticky trigger. 3 in 1 would fit in that category. I haven't tried it myself, I normally just wipe the trigger with glycerin, but as Phil said I've wondered what effect it would have on the O-ring. You'd think most any O-ring could stand a little oil but if thinners can swell them I guess oil could too.

And on that note...

The original poster said that they clean the brush often to the point of completely tearing it down. I wonder if maybe you could have gotten some thinner in the airvalve and caused the O-ring to swell. That would definitely make it sticky. I have a CR and BR and the way the triggers are made there's naturally a little more resistance when you first push the trigger down and I normally only notice that when I first start to use the brush. I've never had any problem with the release. That's what makes me wonder if the O-ring is swollen. You could take the airvalve apart and let the O-ring dry out then put a little lube of some sort on the trigger and see if that helps. Or you may have to replace the O-ring. Just a thought...

Tony

but if it works it works I guess.

This will sound gross but there is something that I used to do that worked really well before I started using super lube. Skin oil.
When I had cleaned the brush and was ready to reassemble I'd rub my nose them apply it to the needle and plunger. Worked well and the tirgger never stuck. Maybe I'll go back to that.

I have a CR and love it. I don't like airbrush lube because it builds up and then gums up the work. Any oil based lube will work, but apply very, very lightly. You should be able to lube the whole brush with a single drop of oil.

Many, many years ago, when I worked in a gas station, we put soapy water on tires to make them easier to mount and dismount.  I'm not recommending this because I haven't tried it.  But, I wonder if a tiny bit of hand soap would act as a lubricant.  It works for sticky drawers. 

Don

Jester75

I wonder if 3-n-1 Oil would be ok to use here? I often experience the same problems.

I wouldn't put 3-in-1 anywhere near rubber O-rings, as it may make them swell. This would exacerbate the problem. Something silicone based perhaps?

hkshooter

My only concern is the oil somehow making it's way onto the needle and ending up on a kit.

Now that would really suck!

I'm sure it would work fine. My only concern is the oil somehow making it's way onto the needle and ending up on a kit. Only reason I havent tried it yet.

I wonder if 3-n-1 Oil would be ok to use here? I often experience the same problems.

I deal with this also.
The problem is the lube has all been cleaned from the trigger plunger. After I clean my ab I always relube the needle and plunger with superlube. It doesn't last very long and I'd like to find a suitable alternative but it works well for a bit.
Take your trigger plunger out and lube it with something and you'll be back to smooth operation in no time.