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paint pick-up problem

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  • Member since
    January 2016
paint pick-up problem
Posted by ardvark on Thursday, March 3, 2016 9:12 PM

hi.  i have a badger 350-3.  its worked great till just recently.i flush it every time i spray with approprite solvent. for some reason the paint is not picking up. i have thinned what has always seemed correct. i keep getting blowback thru cap vent hole because i increase air pressure. that don't work but short time, then back to same. i do a complete break down and clean every few sprays. can't figure it out.  sphion tube?  any help would be greatly appericated. keep on model'in

  • Member since
    February 2015
Posted by Bick on Friday, March 4, 2016 7:17 AM

Hi,

There is a small hole in the bottle cap, make sure the hole is open (not blocked with paint etc). If the hole is not open the AB can't suck paint from the jar.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, March 4, 2016 8:57 AM

I find some paints, especially Testors enamels, tend to thicken substantially every time I use a bottle.  So my thinning ratio has to be adjusted each time for the age of the paint.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Friday, March 4, 2016 9:14 AM

Sounds like the  siphon tube they do get  restricted with old paint 

 

 

 Nick.

  • Member since
    September 2009
Posted by Cobra 427 on Friday, March 4, 2016 11:06 AM

What Don says makes sense, but if you have that positive air pressure hole in the jar obstructed by something then it won't allow any air to come into the jar, or leave through the air line.  The paint needs something to push, and something to pull it - in this case it's air. Without a clear path for the air to travel along it can't pick up the paint inside the jar. I too find myself having to redo the air pressure every time I change my paint even during the same paint session. Even if you have the same paint to thinner ratio you'll find that the compressor may also need to be readjusted a little. This is because of air loss while the brush is idle, and will leak tiny amounts of air especially if you have to remove it from the air line for any reason. If you have a tank like I do this makes it lose air. Also if you have any obstruction in the air line will do the same thing.

Sometimes you might have to also readjust your needle while spraying if it builds with too much paint in the tip requiring you to clean it. If your jar gets some dried paint in the line it will clog, and not spray as well. Also if your paint pickup tube inside the jar lays on the bottom with not enough room in between this too will cause it to not pick up paint properly. Sometimes this may slip if you get paint between the jar attachment point, and the inside of the tube where they meet. Try any of these things to see if that fixes the problem.

~ Cobra Chris

Maybe a picture of a squirrel playing a harmonica will make you feel better?

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Fullerton, Calif.
Posted by Don Wheeler on Friday, March 4, 2016 12:22 PM

If you're getting blowback through the cap vent hole, there must be pressure instead of vacuum at the tip of the nozzle. Check the air tip to make sure there is no junk deflecting the air flow. Also have a close look at the nozzle. See if it's split or deformed.

Test with plain water. If it works with water, it should work with properly thinned paint.

Don

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

A collection of airbrush tips and reviews

Also an Amazon E-book and paperback of tips.

  • Member since
    June 2010
Posted by 5-high on Friday, March 4, 2016 4:01 PM

Ardvark. Check the tube in the bottle right where it connects to the fitting. Some times the tube will kink or right at the fitting under the cap will clog from built up paint over time .these single action airbrushs are dummy prof...no offense. ..but it's ether the hole in the cap is plugged by old build up or paper seal for the cap it's swells making the hole smaller. .or where the tube connects to  ( the metal fitting ) also gets clogged .if not cleaned out over time paint also builds in the passage. not allowing the paint to pass .

5-high 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Friday, March 4, 2016 6:05 PM

Check that the tube on the jar cap is sealing properly when you plug it into the base of the needle assembly. A bad/loose fit may allow air to leak into the paint path, preventing the paint from being picked up. 

I'd also suggest testing using the cup instead of the jar/cap assembly.

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