Strange issue with Iwata HP-CS

In my experience, periodically all the front end parts of airbrushes need stripping down and soaking overnight in lacquer thinner or acetone. And just fwiw and generally speaking, alcohol and Vallejo paints don't mix unless you're trying to simulate half dried tub and tile sealant. And there have been threads on cleaning airbrushes of acrylic paints, both while in use and changing out paint colors and for stripped down cleaning. Non the less, most recently in my world I'm still liking really hot water and either Iwata Medea airbrush cleaner to follow, then rinse with more water. Or I've found another option to be Zep industrial purple degreaser ( smells similar to the Iwata product actually). I backflush everything, just slide the needle out and wipe that then move on.. Thats for acrylics.

But on the tear down after a few sessions or weeks of the prior just mentioned, it's lacquer thinner or acetone, been that way for decades for me with several brands of airbrushes and spray guns and types of paint..

How about inside the brass nozzle.I clean inside it with those little dental brushes.

I spent time yesterday on the phone with the local Iwata representative. We couldn't resolve the issue so I'm sending to him for inspection/repair. 

So tonight I thought I'd give the Iwata another once-over before sending it for warranty inspection. Long story short - the o-ring inside the quick release male connector had inexplicably expanded and was blocking a lot of air. Not sure why it had done that, as it never gets exposed to cleaner or solvents. I've now connected the airbrush directly to the compressor and it's working like a dream! That's the 2nd o-ring for the male connector that has failed. Anyone else noticed that?

phew ! I was beginning to think I was useless at airbrushes, or going mad, or both!

IDK how either but on my Paashe VL the male connector of the quick disconnect that fits onto the airbrush thread the o ring can somehow get turned on edge down inside the airbrush passage. Makes 0 sense to me but the result in my case is an air leak, the brush still works as the ring is skinny and doesn't totally block the passage, just consuming much air.. I might see if maybe I can get a hardware store o ring that will fit in there ( unlikely since my local hardware has a rather small assortment of these.). However, if diligent I have found that I need to be sure the ring is fully down in the nut and fitting the outer groove ( in mine indeed there is a groove there for the ring). I have to take a tool and kind of pack the ring down in there. As it turns out the stem of the metal paint cup fits perfectly to seat that ring.Then lube the male thread with lip balm and assemble it, you can almost feel the male portion slip into the O ring then as it's lightly seated.

Yes,I have found if I make it too tight,no air at all passes,should be tight enought to seal,but not too tight to expand it.

oldermodelguy

IDK how either but on my Paashe VL the male connector of the quick disconnect that fits onto the airbrush thread the o ring can somehow get turned on edge down inside the airbrush passage. Makes 0 sense to me but the result in my case is an air leak, the brush still works as the ring is skinny and doesn't totally block the passage, just consuming much air.. I might see if maybe I can get a hardware store o ring that will fit in there ( unlikely since my local hardware has a rather small assortment of these.). However, if diligent I have found that I need to be sure the ring is fully down in the nut and fitting the outer groove ( in mine indeed there is a groove there for the ring). I have to take a tool and kind of pack the ring down in there. As it turns out the stem of the metal paint cup fits perfectly to seat that ring.Then lube the male thread with lip balm and assemble it, you can almost feel the male portion slip into the O ring then as it's lightly seated.

 

Check your phone book or a Google search in your area, you might be surprised at sources available.

patrick206

 

 

oldermodelguy

IDK how either but on my Paashe VL the male connector of the quick disconnect that fits onto the airbrush thread the o ring can somehow get turned on edge down inside the airbrush passage. Makes 0 sense to me but the result in my case is an air leak, the brush still works as the ring is skinny and doesn't totally block the passage, just consuming much air.. I might see if maybe I can get a hardware store o ring that will fit in there ( unlikely since my local hardware has a rather small assortment of these.). However, if diligent I have found that I need to be sure the ring is fully down in the nut and fitting the outer groove ( in mine indeed there is a groove there for the ring). I have to take a tool and kind of pack the ring down in there. As it turns out the stem of the metal paint cup fits perfectly to seat that ring.Then lube the male thread with lip balm and assemble it, you can almost feel the male portion slip into the O ring then as it's lightly seated.

 

 

 

 

OMG -  The city near me is not all that big, but there are two great sources of air fittings and "O" rings there. One specializes in pneumatic everything, the other carries only O rings, any O ring I've ever needed they have.

 

Check your phone book or a Google search in your area, you might be surprised at sources available.

 

Actually Patrick, I was in the hardware store today for something and took a look at the O rings and they go down to 1/8", so indeed there may be a size there that fits. I'll go in one day with my adapter piece. I also found out that the male nipple for the disconnect is a Paasche A-192, to which the fitting itself with O ring is $5 and change. I'm guess you can get the O ring separately though I did not see a number for it..

Meanwhile if I pack mine in correctly and lube the airbrush thread on assembly, lightly tightening all seems well. Additionally there is little need to take that apart if not leaking.