Help! Airbrush gone bad

That's an excellent post, Mike!

If those steps don't do it, and the tip DocG posted doesn't do it, dump that gun and get a new one. If you're set on a single action, well, they're dirt cheap.

Glenn

Looks like others have given you all the suggestions you need,
however if you decide on another airbrush I would try the badger
Anthem. I just got one and its amazing. Its sort of a single and double
action combined. Hard to explain but I have now retired my 30 year old
model 200, which I thought I would never do.
ps got it on ebay for 30 $

I had the same problem - with the same brush - that kept me baffled for weeks.

Then I realised that during and over-enthusiastic cleaning session I cleared out a "plug" of paint from the main body of the brush - behind the head. Unfortunately the "plug" was in fact a well hidden teflon seal (not the head one!), Doh....

Have a look at an exploded diagram at a Badger parts suppliers web site, yu will see what I mean, its about the diameter of a biro refill, and only some 3/16" long.

Anyhow, I got a new one and all is fine again - I hope this helps :]

thats probably a good idea, "sigh", thanks mikes

Good advice Mike, but I say dump that single-action and get a real airbrush like the double-action T&C Omni or Vega 2000 which are both manufactured by Badger.

Mike

No problem guys. I'm glad somebodys benefitting from this knowledge stored up in my melon. I've used quite a few airbrushes for different applications. Down time is expensive time and just frustrating as all get out. The way I figure it the more info you have the less problems.

Besides, I have withdrawn way more than I'll be able to deposit in this talent/knowledge bank. I love this forum.

Regards,
Mike

wow, thanks thats a very pin-point guide. I think that the problem lies somwhere n the head because it only sputters when i run water through it. Thanks, mike.

Wow, Mike... Some step-by-step troubleshooting guide you've posted here, pal... I've got it printed already in large scale font and hung it on my workbench wall...

Thanx a lot. Much appreciated....

I'm not sure if the Badger 200 is a single action diffuser or a single action needle in body so.....

*Check your air supply. If its canned try a new can, if its a compressor check your pressure output. To spatter on purpose you lower the air pressure, so your pressure may be too low.
*Be sure that everything is attached/connected/secured.
*Is the head damaged or dirty?
*Paint thinned? Too rich a mixture and the drying agents will cause the paint to dry in the head or on the tip or needle. Air passing through as the propellant will accelerate the drying agent and a build up will occur. This can cause splatter. Thin the paint out or use a retarder or airbrush medium. This is dependent on paint so use accordingly.
*Paint clean?
*Check for leaks. (Again)
*If your splatters are showing up as caterpillars your too close to the surface and spraying too much.
*Remember you just replaced the head, so it will not act like the one you've been using for the last 5 years. It is newer and probobly not as forgiving. The action will be a little sharper and if you release the trigger too fast the lever returns too quickly and cuts off your paint supply but leaves some in the head from the previous stroke. it might cause a splatter.
*Is there dried paint on the tip or needle?
*Is there residue in the cup that would cause spitting?
*Air feed clogged? (This can happen if you remove the tip while there is still paint in the cup or brush)
*Moisture in the air feed? Moisture from the compressor? The CO2 can went liquid on you? (Try keeping the can in a warm water bath. Key here being just warmer than room temperature. Not hot.) Moisture build up in the line. Moisture build up in the diaphragm.
*Diaphragm is damaged. This could be from when "you"fixed it or it's just plain worn out. Sometimes paint can get back into the diaphragm and damage it. (This is a factory job)

If all else fails, consider two factors.
1) what is the frustration worth, does it outweigh the downtime incurred by sending the brush off to badger for repair or check-out?
2) Does the frustration and your frugality outweigh MikeV's suggestion of upgrading your airbrush? In this case I would upgrade my airbrush, send the other one off to badger for check-out and you'll have two airbrushes one for either back-up or different applications.

Good luck,
Mike

nclay,

Is the sputtering related to paint clogging it?

Have you disassembled it and cleaned it thoroughly?

Does it sputter with air only coming out of it?

Mike

id love to but im very fond of a single action. ive used a dbble in the past and i feel like i have more control of the paint with a single action, eventhough double actions purpose is to give you more paint control. hehe.

Why not replace it?

Good airbrushes are not very expensive. Why not step up to a double-action airbrush?

Mike

dammit, its still sputtering now, i even stuck the whole head of my airbrush under water to check for leaks and couldnt find any, the whole thing is air tight but it still sputters madly. Someone help, i think that my next step might be to send to badger for repairs, which i really dont want to do.

thanks, that helped.

Check the head. There it sounds like there is an air leak in the head somewhere. Check that it is seated properly and that it is on tight. Not too tight as you don't want to strip it. But enough that at every junction there is a good seal.

Mike
BTW Another scary quote by Adolf...
"How fortunate for the governments that the people do not think."

Those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.