Airbrush problems...

What sort of paint are you using? Most paints need thinning to actually pass through an air brush.

Also, make sure that the adjustment dial that is used to restrict flow of paint is open enough and there is enough air pressure from the compressor.

Seriously though, check the paint and make sure it is thinned and that the air brush is adjusted correctly to allow flow through the acutal air brush.

What kind of Badger? I'm not familiar with a Badger 300. They have a 250 and a 350 which are really basic airbrushes.

The 250:

And the 350:

What air pressure are you spraying at?  Both brushes will require pretty high pressure to pick up the paint. I have a knock off copy of the 350 I use for spraying clear coats and I have to run it at 30 psi to get reliable operation.

Also thinning your paints to the consistancy of 2% milk is recommended. 

I could not get it to spray thinner through, let alone thinned down paint. 

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=27156

that is the airbrush 

That's a Badger 200.  I have one that is about 18 years old and have never had any problems with it.  It will spray reliably down to about 15 psi and less than 1/2 cfm.  Check your hose and make sure you don't have an air leak.  Sounds like you aren't getting enough air volume.

If you are trying to use a can of Propel forget it.  They don't last very long at all (a few minutes).  You can try sitting it in a pan of warm (not hot!) water and it will increase the pressure slightly.  Plan on getting a compressor.

The needle is adjusted by unscrewing the knurled knob at the back.  The more you screw it out the more paint you will get.  Screw it in until the needle barely seats against the nozzle, do NOT tighten it down, just barely let the needle touch the nozzle.  Back it out several turns and it should be wide open.

Also check the bottle cap.  There is a hole in it that prevents a vacuum from building up.  Make sure that hole is not covered by the seal on the underside of the cap.

one problem I am having, is that the paint or thinner or whatever starts to come up, out of that little hole and over my hands and the bottle.

edit, loosening that back piece really helped. 

smeagol the vile wrote:

one problem I am having, is that the paint or thinner or whatever starts to come up, out of that little hole and over my hands and the bottle.

Under normal circumstances, the paint and air paths inside the brush are separated.  An internal air leak can cause bubbling in the paint jar and leakage through the vent hole in the paint jar cap. This suggests that the head may be insufficiently tightened or that the head washer is either missing or not sealing properly.

When tightening the head, do not use tools (pliers etc) or you may strip the thread.

I have a 200 and it's a great little AB. Being a single action you have to set the needle. It was likely pushed all the way in, which would certainly stop the paint flow. Take your time and try not to get frustrated. A compressor will be a HUGE improvement.

I have a Createx DVD on how to airbrush that came with my 200. I've never even used it. PM me your snail mail addy and I'll mail it to you free of charge.