AZTEK......THAT BAD?

You're likely to hear lots of opinions on Azteks.... here's mine....

My first airbrush was an Aztek 370, their cheap ($20 at Walmart) dual action airbrush. it wasn't bad to learn on. Someone gave me a Paasche VL, and I liked it OK, but I found myself using the Aztek still. So I bought the 470. For about a year, I used it and loved it- simple to clean, and it just worked.

If you ever check out Hyperscale, the guy who runs that, Brett green, uses Azteks. And he's a world class modeler. He makes that thing sing.

Anyway.... earlier this year, I began having problems with my Aztek... mostly decreased airflow. I could've sent it in under warranty for repair, but I decided to try my Paasche again. I liked it, got better acquainted with it, and was happy with it.

Then it went south.... it was old and had some green corrosion onthe inside.

I decided to try Badger airbrushes, and bought a 200G and a 155. I absolutely love them.

Now, to get to answering your question- in my own experience, there's far more to the hand that holds the airbrush than the airbrush itself. My son has a Paasche aibrush from Hobby Lobby that was $20 and is a very simple, basic airbrush, and honestly, he sometimes makes me scratch my head with what he can do with it. And I've seen models done by fellows who had the most expensive brushes you can buy- and you'd think they painted the model whileblindfolded with a rattle can.

While you certainly don't want to fight your equipment, you can do fine work with an Aztek. Clean it well. DON'T soak the body in anything. Get the gray, black and tan nozzles (in fact, PM me your address and I'll send you some tips and any other accessories I have), and practice. Don't do the backflow cleaning method.... that's what hosed me, I discovered. I liked lower air pressures (10-12 psi) and I liked using the white side feed cups, with paint thinned to a consistency liked 2% milk.

What really matters is learning how to thin the paint right, how to play with the air pressure, trigger control, and painting strategies. When you start to get a mastery of that, then you can actually start evaluating the brush itself. I'm just now beginning to feel like I'm mostly in control of my airbrush.... of course, this time last year, I thought that too. We're always growing.

So be prepared.... you're likely to hear how Azteks will destroy your property value, steal your car, and make your socks smell.

Some people have loved them... some have had them fail them.... we're all a bit different in our perceptions and use of any modeling tool. I've read many a critic, who, after blasting Azteks, get asked "Have you ever used one?" and the answer is a sheepish "No."

I'm certainly no airbrushing expert, but I can say that I love my Badgers. But I liked my Paasche too. And I would not trade in the time I learned with my Aztek, because it worked, and I learned.

If you're having fun with it- it works just fine.

Perfectly put, jwb!

I've had my 4704 for over 5 years now with absolutely no problems whatsoever and love it.

[Edit - I'm still using the original tips that came with the brush and have never done anything to the body other than running a pipe cleaner in the cup hole at each cleaning and wiping down the exterior.]

Most of the problems people have with the Aztek airbrush is paint building-up between the pin and the washer.  This will cause a decrease in airflow and spitting of the paint.  Unfornuately, this area can not be cleaned without taking the airbrush apart.  Furthermore, taking the airbrush apart voids the warranty. 

However, taking the airbrush apart is easy.  I've done it numerous times when my airbrush began to act-up and after cleaning the insides, the airbrush worked good as new.  If you want to break down the airbrush, here are two good links to help you along the way: http://www.rlm.at/cont/thema06_e.htm

http://www.master194.com/encyclo/aztec/index.htm

Hope this helps.

Jesse

I guess so.  Think about how the airbrush works.  Paint fills up the cavity behind the nozzle.  The pin moves forward to engage the nozzle.  The pin gets paint on it.  When the trigger is released and the pin moves back to its default position, it pulls some paint back with it.  Therefore, my theory is, the paint will build-up at the base of the pin overtime.  And, like I said before, you can't really clean that area without taking it apart.  But who knows, just a theory...

Jesse

usmc1371 wrote:

I guess so.  Think about how the airbrush works.  Paint fills up the cavity behind the nozzle.  The pin moves forward to engage the nozzle.  The pin gets paint on it.  When the trigger is released and the pin moves back to its default position, it pulls some paint back with it.  Therefore, my theory is, the paint will build-up at the base of the pin overtime.  And, like I said before, you can't really clean that area without taking it apart.  But who knows, just a theory... Jesse

Sounds reasonable to me- that would exactly explain the problem I had! When theory and observation align, you have fact.... or something close to it!

Aztecs are like any other airbrush, they have their nuances. When they work they work well, when they don't (as mentioned above) they need attention just like any other airbrush.

Brett does make his airbrush sing, though he does have an unorthodox mannor of holding it. He is also sponsored by Testors, so it behoves him to use his sponsors products. 

They're useable but, except for the very cheapest Aztecs, you can get a much better airbrush for the same or less money so why waste your time?

Make all the arguements for them that you'd like, they aren't worth it. If you have one and get by with it, more power to you, but more often that not after a short period of time you're either gonna chuck it in the trash and buy something else or be making thread after thread here trying to get someone to tell you how to fix it. So save yourself and everyone else a lot of grief and spend the money on a Paasche, Badger, Iwata, etc.

Tony

Maximus DukusErectus wrote:

With all the negative posts.....did I make a huge mistake picking up the Aztek?What are the problems with them?Any input will be well received...even negative!lol

I had (technically still have although I no longer use it) a double action A430.  It worked fine for a couple of models and then it quite simply died.  Very little air would come out of it leading me to think that there was either some sort of internal blockage or the trigger mechanism broke.  I have no idea what caused the problem because I religioulsy followed all the cleaning, care, and usage instructions.

Maybe you made a mistake and maybe not.  If you were considering purchasing an Aztek, I would advise against it.  On the other hand, since you have already bought it, I would say to use it until it breaks.  If and when that occurs or does not occur will answer your question of whether or not it it was a mistake to buy it in the first place.  While it is working, it will do a fine job of applying paint.

From what I've been able gather over the years of reading the posts of people whose Aztek died, it seems as though at least one common problem is from lack of proper cleaning.  Although it didn't help at all in my case, I can't help but think that carefully following all their cleaning and care instructions will give you a statistical edge in having a good Aztek experience.

Good luck with it.

Andy

As a final statement, I think the Aztek A470 is a great airbrush but Testors did screw-up by stating that you can't take it apart.  Any airbrush user knows you have to break down your airbrush and do a complete cleaning every now and then.  I can break down my Aztek airbrush, clean it, and put it back together just as fast as my Badger or Paasche.  Here are some of things I love about the A470:

• Ability to switch between single and double action
• Ability to pre-set how much paint comes out
• The large number of cups and jars included in most kits
• The different tips for different spraying

In regards to it being plastic, the plastic is very hard and not affected by solvents.  This includes lacquer thinner.  The plastic also makes the airbrush very light and comfortable.

Like I said, the real problem with the A470 is that it was not designed to be taken apart.  For anyone having problems with their A470, try taking it apart following the above links.  I bet it will work like new after cleaning the insides.  Just remember it voids the warrenty.

Jesse

usmc1371 wrote:

Ability to switch between single and double action

I LOVED that feature. I used it all the time.

Pulling the nozzles apart to clean them is a good thing, too, IMO.

You know, you're right Jesse. If they would've engineered it to be taken a part for full cleaning, it would've made it a horse of a different color.

scrambler8 wrote:

Wow! I've heard about the Azteks, but have never used one. But I've never experienced a brush that generates such polar opposite opinions. I'll have to try one some day soon so that I can form my own opinion on the things. Lot's of comments on the Aztek Maintenance issues, but how do they work with paint compared to a good Iwata, Badger, et al.?

My Aztek A407 http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81710 and ...

A7778 http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82887... works just fine as long as the paint is at right consistency for spraying. I even accidentally mix my acrylic paint with lacquer thinner and spray thru the brush with no problem. I only found out after I removed my gas mask. That I was blowing lacquer.

I bought a  Badger 150. But I still ends up using my Aztek. Theres just a feel that keeps me picking it up from my drawer.

I own an aztec A320 single action for over 10 years now and have bought a few extra tips and a cup, it still works fine.  I use it for all general airbrushing, I have a badger 100 with a fine tip for thin lines and tight detail, but I can use the aztec for 90 percent of what I need to do.  Pick any airbrush you like, fail to thin the paint and/or clean the brush and it won't work.  I use laquer thinner for cleaning and I got some tiney cleaning brushes from BearAir.  I take the nozzle apart after each session and put them in a paint cup of lacquer thinner, run the brush down them like cleaning a rifle bore, blow the tips out, re-assemble, wipe the body down, run a pipe cleaner soaked in thinner through the cup holes, button it up and blow a paint cup full of thinner through it. I always backflush it too and have had no problems.  When changeing colors I run a coupla cups of lacquer thinner through it between colors.  I finish by running a cup of whatever PAINT thinner I've been using to flush it out.   No hassels.

                           practice.       good luck          G.L.

Hit and miss with these.

Some claim to have used one for years. Others claim that theirs failed at a bad time.

I reckon Testors has made some changes over the years to correct the pile of warranty returns they had. I've read many accounts where people sent them in just like Testors tells them to. The one I had worked great for nearly two years then one day took a poop and never, ever worked right again. I ditched it and went another direction, never to look back. Back then they wern't called Aztek yet, they were just Model Master airbrushes.

If I needed to buy an AB today as a beginner brush I'd buy an Aztek. There seems to be far fewer complaints today than over the old models.