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A simple airbrush question.

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  • Member since
    March 2012
A simple airbrush question.
Posted by Sawron on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 9:53 AM

Hello guys,

About a week ago, i bought a brand new Iwata HP C-Plus. And so after getting home i started testing it.

The Problem is that when spraying for about a min or 2 continuously, paint starts building up at the
NEEDLE CAP... and then it splatters in tiny dots over the spraying area...

The paint is thinned to the right consistency, but to be honest, i have absolutely no clue on what is causing this.

Could this possibly be the lack of a moisture trap on both the compressor, and between the hose and the airbrush?

                                                                                             Many thanks.

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Democratic Peoples Republic of Illinois
Posted by Hercmech on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 9:57 AM

I would assume that you are using acrylics...that being the case, it is the nature of the beast with acrylics. (Called tip dry)

If you are using enamels or laqure...water could be your culprit


13151015

  • Member since
    March 2012
Posted by Sawron on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 10:01 AM

You are correct Hercmech.

To be more specific i ONLY use Tamiya and Lifecolor Acrylics.

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Democratic Peoples Republic of Illinois
Posted by Hercmech on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 10:18 AM

It happens with all acrylics...just wipe of the tip every now and then.


13151015

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:17 PM

Hercmech

It happens with all acrylics...just wipe of the tip every now and then.

To elaborate on what Herc said put a box of cotton swabs/buds next to your airbrush with a bottle of paint thinner, just plain rubbing alcohol will work with acrylic paint. Then every now and then carefully wipe the tip with a thinner dampened swab.

You can also add a drop or two of acylic paint retarder which you can buy at an art store. Or reduce your air pressure helps sometimes. Still wiping the tip is the best thing to try.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:17 PM

Sorry, double post Whistling

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 1:00 PM

Sawron

You are correct Hercmech.

To be more specific i ONLY use Tamiya and Lifecolor Acrylics.

No wonder you are having a tough time airbrushing. For Tamiya, thin the paint more and lower the psi. Are you using Tamiya's acrylic thinner. It seems to work the best for me. I can airbrush Tamiya for 10, 15 min without needing to clean the tip. As far as lifecolor goes...good luck!! I use Gunze Mr hobby aqueous and I can airbrush for hours without tip dry, so every brand acrylic is different.

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: Denver, Colorado
Posted by waynec on Friday, April 13, 2012 11:44 AM
good answers guys. i have the same problem also with modelmaster acrylic. of course, in colorado, it could be a no humidity variable too. usually i don't mix enough paint in the cup so i have a reason to stop and clean often.

Никто не Забыт    (No one is Forgotten)
Ничто не Забыто  (Nothing is Forgotten)

 

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by GreenThumb on Friday, April 13, 2012 7:37 PM

Sawron

Hello guys,

About a week ago, i bought a brand new Iwata HP C-Plus. And so after getting home i started testing it.

The Problem is that when spraying for about a min or 2 continuously, paint starts building up at the
NEEDLE CAP... and then it splatters in tiny dots over the spraying area...

The paint is thinned to the right consistency, but to be honest, i have absolutely no clue on what is causing this.

Could this possibly be the lack of a moisture trap on both the compressor, and between the hose and the airbrush?

                                                                                             Many thanks.

That's common with acrylics. Make sure you point the airbrush off away from the model once in a while and give it a little shot of air only to clear some of the paint that builds up. This happens because paint is being sprayed onto the model and then is abruptly stopped when the painting pass is completed and the wet paint is just sitting there on the air cap and needle tip.

Mike

 

 

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