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Pulsating Airbrush Problem

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  • Member since
    April 2018
Pulsating Airbrush Problem
Posted by CNJMan on Saturday, April 7, 2018 2:24 PM

Hello All --

I am new to FSM Forums so I'm sure this has been addressed thousands of times, but I have been having trouble with my Paasche dual action airbrush. When painting, the flow pulsates at a regular rate. The flow is fine, it's just on-again, off-again at a regular rate.

I've read elsewhere that a common cause is a flattene or distorted teflon seal inside the barrel. I've replaced it to no effect.

My latest problem was with a Gravity paint color that comes ready to spray without the need to thin, so I assume its not a paint thickness issue. The airbrush is meticulously clean from stem to stern. When I spray pure wate, the pulsations are identical.

I have a compressor with tank and I am spraying at around 18-20 psi on the rehulator.

I've also cleaned and checked the attached paint bottle and tube, making sure that there is no obstruction to the air hole in the seal or bottle cap.

As far as I can tell, everything is checked adn A-OK. What am I missing?

A Frustrated Modeler

 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Fullerton, Calif.
Posted by Don Wheeler on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 12:11 PM

I have only seen the pulsation you describe when a needle seal is really leaky.  But, you've changed yours already.  You don't say whether your Paasche is siphon or gravity fed.  If it is siphon, try sprayin it upside down.  You can do this by putting  a piece of tape over the little hole in the bottle lid, removing the tube inside, and filling the bottle with water.  If the pulsing goes away, then the problem is probably something breaking the vacuum needed to draw paint up.  The needle seal is the usual culprit, but any leak in the paint path could cause it.  A poor fit between body and cup might do it.

If you have a gravity fed, or the pulsation didn't go away on a siphon, have a close look at the nozzle.  The nozzle should stick out just a tiny bit past the head cap.  If it's flush or recessed it could affect the spray.  A spare nozzle is always a good thing to have and would be worth trying.

I'm assuming the air flow is nice and steady.  I have heard of junk in the air path causing weird problems.   When your replaced the needle seal, did you adjust it for just a slight drag on the needle?

I hope that helps you solve it.  Please let us know if it does.

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
    March 2007
  • From: Northeast WA State
Posted by armornut on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 1:30 PM

   Try setting your operating pressure with the brush trigger depressed and compressor running, also how long of hose do you have? USUALLY any length over 6ft, (staight or spiral), suppresses the surge from the compressor however if your pulling from a tank ???? Head scratcher but keep checking and advising we'll get it sorted out.

we're modelers it's what we do

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 3:23 PM

Hmm;

 When I started to get pulsing in my system I went to a straight compressor with moisture trap and pressure adjuster and guage . I found my pulsing problems were caused by a faulty seal in the fittings between the tank and compressor . It was a pinhole in the tank right next to the threaded fitting hole .

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