I need help with my new airbrush

Have a close look at the tip of the nozzle.  It may have a tiny crack in it.  When you install the nozzle, put a little chapstick on the threads.  Don't over tighten.

Don

MagnusDidNothingWrong

I was gifted a sparmax max-3 airbrush and have used it twice. The first time i used it, it was fine and i cleaned it well afterwards but the next time i went to use it i had trouble getting consistant paint flow and bubbles started to come into the cup when i used paint (didn't get bubbles with just water). I tried cleaning it multiple times but i couldn't fix the problems, any help would be appreciated. 

 

 

I can't tell if this is your first airbrush or if you are an experienced airbrush user.

If it's the former, my guess is you need to thin your paint more. .3mm needle/nozzle is pretty small for general use with the paints we typically use as modelers, IMO.

Sparmax is one of the airbrushes I currently have and use. I can attest that Sparmax nozzles get damaged very easily and had experienced what is now happening to yours. Can you share with us how you cleaned it?

Bubbles in the cup is a symptom of air flowing back into the paint channel.

I would hazard a guess that your nozzle got damaged because that was what happened to mine. Get a replacement nozzle and don’t remove it for cleaning too often. I was too used to the thorough cleaning I do for my Badger airbrushes, but the Sparmax nozzle is no where as durable. It’s a good airbrush otherwise.

It may not be damaged, just not truly clean. If there is ant blockage it will cause bubbles. Try cleaning with lacquer thinner thoroughly then see.

On this brush, there are only two ways air can get into the paint path and blow back into the cup.

1: As described above, if there is a crack/split in the nozzle.

2: If the nozzle hasn't been fully seated and/or the nozzle o-ring isn't sealing (ie. damaged/deformed or missing

When reinstalling the nozzle, screw it down by hand until it stops, then use the supplied wrench and using fingertip pressure only, turn it down the last little bit until it compresses the o-ring and stops. Don't turn it any further or you risk snapping it off.

(I use a Sparmax SP-35, which is very similar to your Max-3) 

PS: An accumulation of dried paint inside the nozzle won't cause blowback, it just causes an irregular blotchy spray pattern. When this happens, I'll unscrew the nozzle and gently clean it out with an old pointed paintbrush dipped in lacquer thinner. 

Thanks I will give this a try. If there is a crack will the chapstick be a long term solution or will I have to replace the nozzle

The chapstick is only used to help seal the threads. If there is a crack in the nozzle, it's toast and will have to be replaced.

If your avatar name means what I think it does, then I agree wholeheartedly , and I despise the Wolves.

I'm new to airbrushing and after the first dismantling and full clean I was getting blow back. Removed the nozzle and needle gave them both another clean made sure the nozzle was seated correctly and tightened it, I was worried before of over tightening but this time gave it a extra turn to make sure it was good and tight. I'll use the chapstick tip on the threads thanks.

Joe