Air bubbles in my paint cup

Oooh. Well, I'll fiddle around with it until the problem goes away...

PZL P.62 wrote:

I tightened the head as much as possible, but there was still a leak, although it wasn't as bad as last time and I managed to paint my model (it's got splotches on it but oh well). When I get more free time I'll try to tighten the head some more.

It shouldn't be necessary to tighten it that much - tighten to "finger tight" and then just give it a little tweak with the supplied wrench. That's all you should need. Attempting to tighten further may damage the screw threads, or worse, snap the neck which screws into the body.   

You know I recently had a similar problem with my model maker airbrush, and I found the issue.  The little plastic seal that seals the little cone thingy had fallen off during cleaning(mine are interchangeable depending on the needle size so I hvae to swap them out on occasion), it fell down the drain.  Good thing there are 2 more seals one on each of the other nozzle thingy's.  Anyway that solved the issue.  So I think Phil_H is right on the money.  He knows far more about that airbrush then I do, and he pretty much described the equivalent on your airbrush.  I would seriously consider his words of advice.  Sounds the most likely candidate for the issue, and he sounds the most likely candidate to tell more specifically how to fix it.

Just my $0.02

Michael

Again, I would like to thank Phil and everyone else who responded to my thread.

KJ200: I took apart and cleaned my entire airbrush, so the head is clean and free of paint particles and the needle is sharp and unbent. So I don't think it's that.

I tightened the head as much as possible, but there was still a leak, although it wasn't as bad as last time and I managed to paint my model (it's got splotches on it but oh well). When I get more free time I'll try to tighten the head some more.

Both my 100s bubble if:

The head is not tightened up sufficiently. just needs nipping up with the spanner.

or:

If the head is clogged with dried paint. This is usually sorted by spraying throught some Lacquer thinner, or dunking the head in a pot of the same over night. Just remember to remove the O ring first.

Needle dammage couls be a factor, but should be easy to check and discount.

Karl 

Actually I would be less inclined to think it was the nozzle itself (the cone shaped brass piece at the end of the head, which is exposed when you unscrew the tip). If you didn't remove the nozzle when cleaning, I don't think it would be a problem. I have never removed the nozzle from the head (never had a reason to), so I can't even tell you if it's a friction fit or a screw thread. Either way, if it is installed correctly, then the flange at the "wide" end of the cone should be flush against the mounting in the head.

I still suspect you have an air leak at the head/body washer. Check that the parts either side of the washer are clean, ie no paint, dust, lumps or bumps. Re-check the washer for scratches/gouges/cracks etc. Also, check that the head is tightened sufficiently. Use the wrench supplied and tighten just a little more than "finger tight", but don't over do it.

The head/body junction is made to incredibly tight tolerances. The "outer" air seal is maintained between the base of the head and the rim of the body simply by the two parts being butted against each other. I've never had a problem with the washer myself, but others have described a pulsating, intermittent paint flow when the washer has been damaged. I would be inclined to replace the washer (and have an extra on hand as a spare). 

Ok, thanks Phil. You always know how to troubleshoot my airbrush! However, how do I adjust the nozzle to stop the air bubbles?

I think that the nozzle might be the cause, since I cleaned my airbrush thoroughly right before this problem began, and needle is undamaged, and the washer appears to be in good condition.

There's really only two places in the 100LG where air can enter the paint path:

Referring to the exploded diagram at http://www.badger-airbrush.com/100lgparts.htm

1: Where the head screws into the body, if the washer, (50-055) is damaged or missing, air can enter the paint path down the threads of the head. Note that this washer can sometimes be flattened or crushed between the head and the body. Some recommend loosening the head when the airbrush is packed away so this doesn't happen.

2: if the nozzle isn't correctly seated in the head before the tip is screwed on.

If either of these conditions is true, then you will be getting an erratic spray, probably with a minimal amount of paint being sprayed out before stopping. (ie. not a smooth continuous flow) Some paint will be expelled under pressure from the tip causing the spattering, because the airbrush isn't working correctly. Instead of atomising the paint as it would when operating normally, air pressure inside the paint path will "squirt" paint through the tip into the air stream.

Ok, thanks

The bubble problem is likely being cause by a cloged tip or damaged needle and forcing air to back flow into the cup. Break down your airbrush to clean and examine it closely for damage. Try swapping out with a new paint needle and see if the same problem occurs, if so than the old needle was damaged. Damage to the paint needle can also cause splattering. Also check your air flow to much or to little air can cause problems also.

 Air Master