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Iwata TRN1 issues and help

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  • Member since
    February 2015
Iwata TRN1 issues and help
Posted by acctingman on Sunday, November 19, 2017 6:13 PM

I posted a month ago about problems I was having with my AB and Vallejo Model Air paint. For the first month the AB/paint wasn't giving me any issues. Then, all of a sudden, I couldn't get enough air to come out. I've cleaned the AB multiple times with Vallejo AB cleaner. I've made sure to use Vallejo paint thinner and their flow improver, but still no luck.

I broke off the little nozzle during my last cleaning so I replaced that along with a new needle (to eliminate the possibility that I some how bent the needle).

Once the new parts arrived I replaced them, hooked up the AB and in an little cup mixed some Vallejo paint with some Vallejo thinner and I still cannot get enough air to come out. Some did, but it was more splatter and even though I have the PSI set to 20 the air flow is weak.

So, my question is two fold.

#1) do I have a crappy airbrush? I've read nothing but good reviews about it, but maybe mine is a dud?

 

#2) Do I have to totally strip the AB down and clean every single little piece?

 

Quite posibly this is all user error and the AB just needs a deep cleaning, but I'm new and as much as I want to really enjoy this hobby, if the AB needs this much maintenance, then maybe I have to question how much I really want to do this.

Is this an issue of the median I'm using? Are acrylics that fast drying that the second they come into contact with air it solidifies? If there is another paint out there that won't dry so damn fast, I'll start all over again. I'm horribly frustrated as I have 2 models that need painting and I want to get to my favorite part....weathering.

 

I appreciate any guidance here.

  • Member since
    January 2017
Posted by damouav on Sunday, November 19, 2017 6:31 PM

OK, so with no paint in the cup and the AB fully cleaned do you get air through with a good pressure?

If not, check your air compressor regulator and hose. Check the adjustment knob on the air compressor regulator  is working and the hose has no crack or leaks. You could also try checking the valve were the hose connects to the AB.

Try spraying plain water through the ab and see what happens, do you get a good mist, or do you get splatter.

What is the weather like in your region, cold, humid, hot this can have an effect on the way the ab works.

Best of luck.

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  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Sunday, November 19, 2017 8:15 PM

Another idea you can do is try cleaning with lacquer thinner. Other than that the above poster has good points to look into.

  • Member since
    January 2017
Posted by damouav on Sunday, November 19, 2017 8:23 PM

Thank you BlackSheepS214.

Excellent suggestion.

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1/48 Tamiya P47-D Bubbletop
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  • Member since
    September 2013
  • From: San Antonio, Texas
Posted by Marcus McBean on Sunday, November 19, 2017 8:59 PM

I just experience the same problem yesterday putting Vallejo primer on a armor vehicle.  At first I thought it was the primer or the dry air in the house causing the paint to dry at the end of the needle.  Very little or intermitten air flows. Turns out I didn't have the trigger sitting correctly even though I was able to insert the needle ok.  Pull it out, dab a little oil on the end, re-installed the trigger correctly and it worked just great.

  • Member since
    February 2015
Posted by acctingman on Sunday, November 19, 2017 9:34 PM

I do get air coming through but the pressure doesn't seem it's strong enough.

 

I've check my hoses and regulator before but I am noticing air leaking from somewhere where the quick connect meets the regulator so I will try to make sure things are more secure/tightened.

 

I've sprayed water through and it's a pretty nice mist.

I live in Seattle and it's cold and rainy

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by modelmaker66 on Monday, November 20, 2017 12:46 AM

Why not take it to where you purchased it and have them look at it and test it.

  • Member since
    January 2017
Posted by damouav on Monday, November 20, 2017 3:34 AM

acctingman

I do get air coming through but the pressure doesn't seem it's strong enough.

 

I've check my hoses and regulator before but I am noticing air leaking from somewhere where the quick connect meets the regulator so I will try to make sure things are more secure/tightened.

 

I've sprayed water through and it's a pretty nice mist.

I live in Seattle and it's cold and rainy

 

If you cant get the pressure to increase I would suggest you replace the hose.

I would also suggest a full strip down of the ab and give a thorough clean (using BlackSheep214 suggetion of laquer thinners), re-grease with super lube and see how you go.

Glad to hear your getting closer to resolving your problem.

I use Iwata's exclusively and have never had an issue with either of them that was not due to my poor cleaning or maintenance.

In Progress
1/48 Tamiya P47-D Bubbletop
1/48 Hobby Boss TBF-1C Avenger (on hold)
Pending
1/48 Roden S.E.5a
1/48 Airfix Walrus
  • Member since
    February 2015
Posted by acctingman on Monday, November 20, 2017 8:43 AM

modelmaker66

Why not take it to where you purchased it and have them look at it and test it.

 

 

The AB was bought off Ebay, new and from a reputable seller, but no way of returning it now.

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Fullerton, Calif.
Posted by Don Wheeler on Monday, November 20, 2017 12:01 PM

You might want to try contacting Iwata Technical support.  They are usually pretty good.

Don

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

A collection of airbrush tips and reviews

Also an Amazon E-book and paperback of tips.

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