Irregular airbrush paint flow

This reddit post shows the exact issue I'm experiencing. The discussion there made me think it might be a paint problem, since spraying thinner or alcohol by itself goes without problems.

I use Vallejo Airbrush Thinner for Vallejo Air and MIG/AK paints, since they passed the eye test and I figured they work together just fine, but now I'm starting to have second thoughts.

I've been considering buying either the Airbrush Flow Improver from Vallejo, dedicated AK/MIG thinners or just straight up switching to Tamiya/Gunze. Has anybody experienced this?

If it starts out spraying fine then screws up a ways into the paint job, I'd suspect tip dry. It's a good idea to do a couple of things. Either put some retarder or flow aid into your paint blends, thus avoiding tip dry for the most part. Then keep a paint brush or Qtip handy with a cap full of thinner near where you are spraying. Then when this occurs dip the brush or Qtip in the thinner and just wash off the end of the airbrush with the needle protruding out a bit.

If it starts right off painting screwy and assuming a clean airbrush, I'd then suspect the paint is not thinned enough and or the air pressure not set quite high enough.

What ranges of PSI are you using? I don't have much experience with AK or MIG but I might be able to help with Vallejo. What you describe does sound like dry tip, but I'm not so sure the same thing should be happening with the AK or Mig.

JackieK

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try the Vallejo flow improver as soon as I can. The brush also sounds like a great idea. I usually spray at around 25 PSI.

 

25 PSI should be ok for Vallejo. They recommend 20-25, I use 22 or so, you use 25 so we are both inside recommended range.

Sounds like good advice from OMG re is your paint thinned enough, and dry tip. Glad to hear your are getting some Vallejo Flow Improver. You should find the improvement to be night and day.

JackieK

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try the Vallejo flow improver as soon as I can. The brush also sounds like a great idea. I usually spray at around 25 PSI.

 

I set my gauge @24-25 psi for MA, then after the drop when I hit the trigger I get 22-23psi working pressure with a siphon AB and side cup attached. That seems to work fine for me with VMA. But thats a siphon brush not gravity brush just fwiw.

Greg

 

 

JackieK

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try the Vallejo flow improver as soon as I can. The brush also sounds like a great idea. I usually spray at around 25 PSI.

 

 

 

 

25 PSI should be ok for Vallejo. They recommend 20-25, I use 22 or so, you use 25 so we are both inside recommended range.

Sounds like good advice from OMG re is your paint thinned enough, and dry tip. Glad to hear your are getting some Vallejo Flow Improver. You should find the improvement to be night and day.

 

I was getting dry tip with Vallejo too, and the flow improver did make a huge difference. And now from this experience, any new acrylic paint I purchase, I make sure to purchase their brand retarder or flow improver. Just to be on the safe side.