New Iwata DA spraying like a SA

If paint comes out as soon as you press the trigger, then the needle is not seated against the nozzle.  Look at the front end and see if that's the case.  If it is, loosen the needle chuck and reset the needle.

Don

When you clean the ab and put it away the needle may either be stuck not seating properly or there's gunk in the tip area not letting the needle seat. It' s happened to me several times.

Pick up your brush, pull the trigger back and then forward. Watch to see if the little follower goes with it. If it stays back and doesn't follow the trigger forward then the needle is sticking in the needle seal/bearing. The seal is adjustable and sometimes may be a little snug. Then, if there is any residue on the needle or seal and it sets for a while it won't want to travel forward to seat. Enough gunk on it and the trigger may not want to move at all. It happens. If you use lube of some sort on the needle it may set up or become gummy and keep the needle from moving freely. If you back off the tension on the return spring for easier trigger movement it's even more likely to happen. Now, I'm not suggesting that someone not adjust the spring, not at all. Or that you have. I'm just saying it's more likely to happen. What I am saying is, lube the needle sparingly if you do. Get a set of brushes for cleaning airbrushes and from time to time, when you tear it down for cleaning, wet a brush small enough to fit into the passage the needle comes through and make a couple passes through the needle seal. I use lacquer thinner but use your cleaning solution of choice. I go as far as taking out the needle tube and trigger and insert a pipette in from the back to flush it out. The pipette should be able to reach past the air valve so you don't contaminate it and be gentle with the squeeze. If there just seems to be to much resistance when you insert the needle you can back off the needle seal a little. Something like a jeweler's screwdriver will work, just choose the right size. Barely moving it is all you need. Right hand threads so, turn left to loosen. Being a new brush, it just needs a little breaking in probably. But that seal could be a little too snug, it doesn't take much. If in the future it seems too loose, snug it up. Remember, it only has to move a hair.

On that brush you physically need to pull out the needle and wipe it down in thinner, then it's also advisable to put on a lite coat of either their lube or glycerin or a lite film of bees wax. Put it back together. Some brushes you can get away with a couple good back flushes and a rinse after painting but not that one, nor it's knock offs either.

oldermodelguy

On that brush you physically need to pull out the needle and wipe it down in thinner, then it's also advisable to put on a lite coat of either their lube or glycerin or a lite film of bees wax. Put it back together. Some brushes you can get away with a couple good back flushes and a rinse after painting but not that one, nor it's knock offs either.

 

That is an excellent practice to maintain efficiency. I wipe mine every time and even use 0000 steel wool to lightly buff the needle now and then.

oldermodelguy

On that brush you physically need to pull out the needle and wipe it down in thinner

And here I thought it was just me......

Also, back to the OP, on this 'is the needle seated or not' thing, it isn't that complicated. Release the trigger gently while observing the tip of the nozzle under magnification (or not, if you have good eyes). Look for the needle tip to appear and nest itself at the open tip of the nozzle. If it's not not seated right, you'll see it. It is just that simple.

Wearing my optivisor, that is the final step of my day-end airbrush cleaning. Every time. My airbrushes are always ready for the next session, be it the next morning or next year. Period.

Belated thanks to all.  It was indeed the needle set back a little bit that I just didn't catch after I cleaned it.  Caught it shortly after posting the OP.  Doh!  Spraying great now.  Now back to getting frusterated on having to wait for paint & materials I need for my currently build as I build up my supplies.  

BDF

It was indeed the needle set back a little bit that I just didn't catch after I cleaned it.

So easy to do.

BDF

Spraying great now.

And that's the main thing. Glad it's sorted out!

It's always nice to hear the outcome of a posted problem, especially a good one. So thanks for taking the time to follow up.

Glad you got it going. When you slide the needle in and it's seated, give it a gentle twist before you tighten the chuck. As far as supplies, sometimes going directly to the source can help. Although, some of them are running out of inventory now. But, they will also be the first to restock...

That's great !!

Supplies here is an issue with UPS, I've been waiting on an item since two weeks ago Friday. Every day it says out for delivery then doesn't show. Next morning says something silly early on, some canned message about missed shipment, then about 10:30 it's listed again out for delivery. I'm three weeks in now from the date of purchase with Amazon Prime. And the tracking number says it's in my area. I actually think USPS might be a wiser shipping method right now in these times we are in.