Aztek

You get through that many models before it clogs? wow.

QUOTE: and I'm running to the hobby shop

You don't mean you're constantly replacing nozzles due to clogs, do you?

Man! I've painted 10 models so far with my Aztec, the original nozzles, and enamel paints and the spray patterns are just as good as they were brand new. I know the nozzles are pretty inexpensive, but every 6 models! That just doesn't seem right at all. Sorry I can't help out on the Acrylics.

Enjoy your modeling...

First, the tip assembly can be disassembled, and I guess if it is a last ditch effort it's ok, but I don't recommend doing it regularly.. maybe like some of the people here talk about for the 'other' airbrushes... about every 4th or 5th time you could clean it like that... reason is, it's not really a needle you're dealing with on the interior, it's a piece of plastic and easy to mar or bend the tip on (voice of experience)

When I had an aztek I would take off the paint jar, clean it well... replace it with about 1/2oz. of thinner in it (don't use laquer thinner as the aztek is all plastic inside) and blow it out. I would then check the tip assembly and see if it was relatively clean. If the major portion of paint was gone I would then set it inside the jar, and just cover it with clean thinner. I let it sit at least overnight, occassionaly, especially with enamels I would go and swirl the jar to make sure the dissolving paint was carried away from the tip and undissolved paint was exposed then.

After all THAT.... when I took the nozzle out of the jar I would wash it in soapy water then rinse with clear water.. (now yall know why I didnt like to spray enamels at first)

When I was all done I would blow out the tip and maybe run a smidge of thinner through to clear any residual out...

I usually had no problem like this... only once did I have to buy a replacement head... they're not too expensive but enough so I wouldn't want to do it as regularly as you...

At 8 bucks a tip, 7 or 8 tips worth could get you a complete Badger or Paasche set from dixieart.com, 9 tips would buy you one from Michaels with the 50% coupon in the sunday paper... ($76 bucks at Michaels for the 175 set, about $65 on dixie art for the same set, comparable pricing on the Badger 155 and Paasche VL sets for both places.) just something to think about... if you did get one of the two I think you would be pleasantly surprised. I used my aztek and it performed decent for what I wanted it for... now with the Badger 175 it is a whole different world.

Not to push you towards one airbrush type or another, but I think a metal brush would make you happy... no more plastic nozzle tips etc... easier to clean being metal too... shoot some laquer thinner through it and it's clean as a whistle!

---Tom---

I had an aztek, and i won't make that mistake any more. at the prices of muh lhs, you could buy 5 tips and that would pay for a brand new badger 155.

Thanks you all for the info. I did take apart the two offending nozzles and they are sitting in solvent alcohol. I figured, if they don't work, don't worry. You should see the junk coming out of them.

QUOTE: Originally posted by gderue Thanks you all for the info. I did take apart the two offending nozzles and they are sitting in solvent alcohol. I figured, if they don't work, don't worry. You should see the junk coming out of them.

cool! yeah sometimes it's what ya gotta do!

I've had the same problem with Aztek nozzles and have had good luck by running Model Master Dried Paint Solvent through them.

I've never had to buy a replacement nozzle. I take the nozzles apart all the time. I use Windex to clean the airbrush and bottles after using acrylic. You can also soak the nozzles in lacquer thinner with no ill effect on them.

I have an Aztek and do something similar to what Tailspinturtle does; after painting, flush system with thinner or windex, and then flush again with water. I take the nozzle apart and ensure no paint is left in there. I only had to buy one replacement nozzle and that was due to not taking apart the nozzle to clean it...paint dried up and the spring was solid. Since then, I haven't had to buy any new replacements and I've had Azteks for a few years now.

Thanks for the info.

My old nozzles have the flair and brilliance that they once did.

G

is laquer thinner harmful to the aztek plastic?

QUOTE: Originally posted by reggiethedorf is laquer thinner harmful to the aztek plastic?

not according to tailspinturtle, he has one and posted it above... I dunno, I would try both the red tips I sent you with the airbrush, one works, the other I am not sure... if one doesn't work try dipping it in laquer thinner and see what happens... if both work just learn to use enamel ...

oh... and you CAN soak the brush parts in enamel thinner.. so don't worry... email me once you get the airbrush and I will tell you some more about how to use it.. it's a little different than the airbrushes you see most of the postings about on here... not much but a little...

oh yeah, when you get the airbrush attached to the end of the air hose is a silver connector, with a black connecter attached to it.. the black connector is for a compressor, just unscrew it and the silver one should spin right on the top of your air can....

but remember to always soak your aztek body in lacquor so you can find a reason to buy another airbrush

The Aztec plastic is pretty robust, I've put all kinds of thinner through mine - enamel, acrylic, laquer, acetone - no problems.

I only ever used one nozzle on my Aztek, the brown one, and did some awesome paint jobs with it.

It died when I ran Alclad through her, the 'O' ring around the needle actuator perished and leaked paint into the body.
Had it fixed, and stuck her on the shelf.

Still use it sometimes, just for giggles.

Hmm! I use lots of Alclad without any problems with my Aztec. I always use their Alclad airbrush cleaner though, as Alclad's are a water-based laquer, which is a bit unusual. I actually wrote to them at one point asking about alternatives (their cleaners are hard to find here in Oz) & they said Acetone should be ok. It's also good to pull the Aztec tips apart & clean them up pretty regularly, this seems to make all the difference. I soak them in acetone for 20' or so & then wipe them down.

Hi all
I was going to buy an Aztec A470 from Micro-mark but after reading some of the above posts, I'm not so sure. What would you suggest in its place. It seems to work well if it is properly cleaned and serviced, that goes for most things. Is there any body who would recommend the aztec?
regards Neil

There are a few people who have had good luck with the Azteks, but if you search this area of the forum for the word "Aztek" you'll find plenty of posts pertaining to them. Most are negative, a few are positive. Personally I prefer Badgers.

badger 100 lg, 155, or iwata hp-cs/cr

I second and third those opinions suggesting Windex as a cleaner for acrylic. Works great for me....same nozzles are serving in the years for me at this point.
Mike

well I love my Aztek ...it seems you love em or hate em ....but the results are fine for me

I've had good luck with my Aztec except with Testors acrylic's(I prefer to use Tamiya). I found that taking the nozzle apart and soaking it helps after several uses, then clean with soap and water. Most important , as with any airbrush, is to clean it immediately after use.
I sold more replacement parts for Badger and Paasche(usually needles) then I did replacement nozzles for Aztec's.
Best advise I can give is to find one that you are happy with.
John
helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission

I just tried the Mr. Color 1000 primer with my AZTEK, thinned with laquer thinner, and that made some weird strings, almost like cob-wes... Scary. Did not dare to use it again...

When I had an Aztek I would take the tip apart after every session. If I didn't it would clog or miss up on the next project. I would up out the needle and run thinner through the body until it was clear, then wipe out the inside with a wet Q-Tip dipped in thinner. THen I would let the needle soak for a while in thinner, then put the the thing back together.

Things got so much easier when I got my Iwata. All I have to do with it is run some thinner through it, wipe out the cup and I am done. Once or twice month give it a good cleaning and lubing and its back to bussiness. Never again will I go back to the Aztek as my primiary airbrush.

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandadjohn I sold more replacement parts for Badger and Paasche(usually needles) then I did replacement nozzles for Aztec's.

That is because of ignorant users not a reflection on quality.

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV QUOTE: Originally posted by grandadjohn I sold more replacement parts for Badger and Paasche(usually needles) then I did replacement nozzles for Aztec's. That is because of ignorant users not a reflection on quality. Mike

Speaking as an ignorant user who bent his Badger 200's needle after the last disassembly , is there an easy way to safely replace the needle without damage after disassembly and cleaning? Fortunately, I was able to fix the tip, and reassemble it without damaging it a second time. Howeve, trying to slide slide the needle back into place, through the airbrush body, pushing it through into the hole without banging the tip into something on the inside of the airbrush and bending the tip is a difficult exercise at best. I love how the Badger airbrush performs while painting, but I am just dreading the day that it next needs a full breakdown.

Andy

Andy,

Remove the head assembly from the front of the airbrush and put the needle back in through the front instead of from the back.

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by Winnie I just tried the Mr. Color 1000 primer with my AZTEK, thinned with laquer thinner, and that made some weird strings, almost like cob-wes... Scary. Did not dare to use it again...

just noticed this post Winnie... I had the same thing happen trying to run Chevy Engine Red laquer through my 175... it was like one of those cotton candy machines at the fair... finally I trashed the kit... wasn't worth trying to clean it up etc... I was doing it for my dad so I wanted it to be exactly perfect... doing take two on the HH-65 I am building him now and have enamel instead... feel a lot safer!

Thanks Mike, I don't why the obvious eluded me. If teh Badger could talk, it thank you too!