Airbrush newbie (need help)

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ason So what i'm asking was buying the Aztek a good choice? Should i invest more money into it?(buy an aircompressor, cleaning kit and new nozzles) Or look around for a new Air brush? I've heard the others are hard to clean. Thanks in advance if any1 can help out

IMO, try looking for another airbrush, preferably a metal one. Aztek's have given quiet a few people gray hairs.

As for hard to clean, not at all as long as you follow the makers directions for doing so. Most good metal airbrushes can be cleaned in a few minutes with no hassles.

Welcome to the FSM Forums . I've never owned or used an Aztek AB, but from most of the talk on the Forum, they are not held in high regard. Take a look at the Painting Forum & you will find many threads on the pros & cons of several AB's.

Regards, Rick

my two cents:
You'll hear a lot of people here complaining about the effectiveness of Aztec. First off, send back what they sent you, and get them to send you the one you paid for. The A470 is not a bad airbrush at all. The other thing that is important is cleaning. The problem you describe most definitely sounds like a clogged nozzle. As for cleaning, it depends on what kind of paint you use.
I personally spray acrylics ONLY as a rule, and after each session, run a full paint container of water, then twice with tamiya thinner to clean out the airbrush and nozzle. After that, Itake the nozzle and leave it for a night or two in a little container of Windex, to get rid of any other paint. The thing with Aztec is, if you don't do a good job cleaning immediately after you are finished painting, you have a pretty good chance of f***ing something up.

Thanks for the welcome and the feedback guys. Before i buy another Airbrush i'm gonna try and get this sorted.
Zokissima do you think i've f@%*#d up the Airbrush? Or the nozzles? because i might order some new nozzles. The said my old A470 had a fault,thats why they sent me a new one. Sorry 1 more thing if i buy a compressor, will it work with other Ab's?
Thanks again

O yeah i use Acrylic paints

Well, before you write off the airbrush, take a nozzle that you know works and try it out. If it works, then you're in the safe zone, but just take good care of it, as the brush and nozzles really need to be cleaned well every time.
If you were using acrylics, just plop the nozzle for a couple of days into windex, and it should disolve any paint left. Just take the actual needle housing out of the casing that screws into the AB body, and soak them both.
I had a similar problem with my first Aztec, but to be honest, I'm not sure what the problem was. I'm going to assume that they didn't send you a broken one, so the AB shouldn't be the problem, but rather the nozzle.

As for your other question, which compressor are you talking about? If it's the testors mini-blue compressor, I have no idea. I have the same one, and am wondering whether it will work. I have no reason to suspect that it won't, as the only thing you need is a proper adapter. I'm not sure how strong (in terms of PSI) the thing is.

I've never owned an Aztek airbrush, only Badger, so my comments are not based on experience. From what I've read here on this forum the claims about the Aztek not needing much cleaning are misleading. If anything Azteks seem to be much more picky about how clean they are than most other brushes, with the key being to thoroughly soak the nozzles after each and every use. If you run a search in the painting and airbrushing section you will find hundreds of posts pertainint to Aztek problems and cleaning issues.

Compressors do nothing more than blow air. As long as the fittings will mate to another airbrush and the compressor has enough volume there is no reason for it not to work with other brands. I've heard of several people using the Testors compressors with good results. Again, if you run a search in the painting and airbrushing section you will find hundreds of posts pertaining to compressors and air sources.

I have the A470 Aztech and i like it for what i use it for and thats Aclaid II painting. I have tryed Acrylic's in it but it seems that there is only 2 nozzels that will work with them in the kit. I think this is because to shoot Acrylic with out thinning it you have to go over a .4mm tip on them. The kit is a nice starter kit if you follow the paper work... I would invest in a better air brush if you are going to stay AB work. Get a Badger or a Paashe VL and you would be lot happy'er then what you have.

Thanks again i really apreciate the help, after doing some searches and reading posts about the Aztek, i think i might switch to a Badger 155. I was gonna buy a compressor, but i can get the Badger 155 with a compressor for roughly the same price, i think my nozzles are clogged up, i'v tried cleanin them so many times, but theres still paint jammed in them and from what i've read it seems like you have to be cleaning the Aztek constantly i've had mine over a month and only used it once.

I'm going to be using my AB for T-shirts, trainers(sneakers) and portraits. Which Air brushes are good for fine detail and fading. From what i'v read it seems like the Badger doesnt have nozzles, do you adjust it to acheive wide and thin lines? Any recommandations or advice before i buying a new Ab.
Thanks once again

clogged nozzle. i used to use an aztec. here
's what to do. soak nozzles in thinner overnight. take them apart and clean them with micro brushes windex and more thinner. put them together. spray thinner through them. wait til sunday. cut michael's coupon out of newsopaper. go to michaels. purchase badger 155 anthem. that should fix you problem twice over!

fixed all my problems. My aztek just kept stop working, jamming, sputtering, and ruined about $200 worth of models. I then went to michaels, 50% off coupon, and that day, the airbrush was just like the hand of god. Easy to use, easy to clean, cheap, cheap and available parts (take that Iwata).

I highly suggest you do. My aztek gives me nothing but trouble.

same here, I am a recovering Aztec owner... when it worked it was great... then I had to buy another nozzle, then another.. then I figured out how to clean them and it took too long so eventually got the 175 then the 155.

it's a beauty, real easy to clean and sprays good!

Thanks,i just ordered the 155 double action. Damn Aztek and there clever advertising

congrats! post a note to let us know what you think about it!!! With that metal cup on it you can do some outstanding detail for a siphon feed!!!

If the cup really starts bothering you try a different grip on the A/B.

Thumb goes on the trigger, second finger rests forward along the body, rest of the fingers hold the A/B/Hose.
Not for eveybody but I know quiet a few people that prefer it.

Alternatively put your middle finger along the A/B forward of the trigger.

Try a few different grips and see which one is the most comfortable.

Darn Aztek! lost another one to Badger? You won't be sorry. Semper Fi, mike

Yeah got my 155 2day, works wonderfully, i just learn how 2 use it properly, i cant even get a decent line out of it

Glad you like it Ason! It will give you many years of loyal service if properly maintained. Treat it good and it will more than return the favor. Trust me, that's the only AB that I use.

just remember, on the 155 pushing down on the trigger only turns the air on and off, I know with the Aztec it is "somewhat" capable to control flow with the trigger. And just pull back a little on the trigger until paint starts coming out barely, slowly adjust to the amount you want and remember about where you were in pulling back and the rest will come on its own! Stay in kinda close to the subject, close enough to get a good line but without the paint running or spidering out from the edges..

Good luck! I think you will really enjoy it! And word to the wise I would go ahead and get you an extra needle or so in case yours ever bends.... don't want to have to wait through a holiday weekend until the hobby shop or art store opens to get a replacement! About $5.00 and money well spent! Michaels carries them if you have one near you.

Ok thanks for the tips, you got any others?
Once i get the hang of it hopefully i'll be able to get some good illustrations from it.

I also had a Aztec, nothing but problems went through nozzle's like mad. Last Christmas was given a gift from God, Badger Cresndo 175 never looked back!
Cheers!
McCaber