How to get an airbrush working using propellant?

GMFreak wrote:

About the cans, what's this about a regulator? Is it the cap and valve needle pusher bit? Do I need one if not?

When people talk about a regulator, generally it's in conjunction with use on a compressor. It's simply a valve with a gauge which allows you to alter the output pressure.

As far as cans go, the connector/valve is sometimes referred to as a "regulator" but for all practical purposes, it's little more than an on/off switch. 

From the description of your problem it sounds like there is some sort of blockage in the valve assembly or in the hose.

Try this quick troubleshoot:

1: screw the adaptor onto the can but do not attach the hose. Open the valve slightly and check that the propellant flows out of the connector.

If this works,

2: attach the hose but don't attach the airbrush to the other end. Hold the end of the hose so it doesn't flail around and open the valve and check that the propellant flows through the hose.

If this works, attach the airbrush and test again.

There could be a bit of debris in the hose, allowing the system to pressurise, but when you press the trigger on the airbrush, it might be travelling up to the base of the air valve on the airbrush and blocking the flow. If this is the case, step (2) above should blow it out. (DON'T look down the open end of the hose when opening the valve on the can)

If I could get the airbrush working i'd happily buy a compressor, but i'm worried that i'll spend the money and then find it's not for me; that i end up bristle-brushing all the time. Any pointers for cheap compressors?

 About the cans, what's this about a regulator? Is it the cap and valve needle pusher bit? Do I need one if not?

Thanks 

One trick is to place the can in warm water...the cans can freeze up restricting the airflow or stopping it all together through the brush.

Again, look at getting a compressor or a CO2 tank setup...much cheaper in the long run. 

GMFreak wrote:

How do you get an airbrush working?

With a compressor. Air propellant cans are notoriously hard and expensive to use. The air pressure drops rapidly as the air cools in the can. It once took me a whole can to paint a 1/72 A-4 Skyhawk. Seriously, save up your money and get a compressor. If noise is an issue, there are silent (and I mean SILENT) ones from Micro-mark. If you're going to do any amount of painting, only a few cans will equal the cost of a good compressor.