Iwata Eclipse HP-CS

Dear Aggieman,

I suspect your problem may be with the needle packing.  That would be part 13 on the parts breakdown chart.  Part number is i 725 1

If this packing is worn, paint may be leaking paint past it which would cause the problem you describe.  The screw may only need to be tightened up a bit instead of replacing.

The part is identifed as a packing screw, but it also contians the PTFE packing material.

I've had this problem with mine since the first time I used it.

I agree with everything strongeagle said above, and I've replaced the needle packing thing and adjusted the screw to compress it a few times in the 9 yrs I've had the brush. 

I tear mine down and clean it after a day of use. I've always wondered if I'm doing something wrong. I've hear it reported both ways over the years, some report seeing what you and I see, some say they never get anything behind the packing nut.

All that said, if this is the first you've seen this, then replacing the packing nut and readjusting the compression screw as eagle said would be the first thing I'd do too.

Good luck.

Hi, Aggieman -

My airbrushes with the teflon type needle bearings, all perform better by using a compatible lubricant for the needle/bearing surfaces. I use Badger's lube, but others will do well also, such as coconut cooking oil, olive oil or grape seed oil.

Over long periods of use, I see no negative effect on the bearing material. I place a film of the lube on the forward part of the needle, insert it into the bearing to distribute the lube, then adjust the tightness of the bearing/needle interface. Once set it doesn't need adjustment again.

I am fairly certain the lube not only makes for smoother trigger feel, but also creates a better seal to ensure there is no fluid making it's way back through the bearing, to be deposited in the aft portion of the A/B body.

This has worked for me for many years, you might consider trying it. My CS clearly has benfitted well by doing it. I hope it works well for you.

Patrick

Thanks for the responses!  

I have pulled out the packing screw to inspect it.  Don't see any obvious damage, so I reset it. I will be hooking it up again hopefully today (a beautiful day in my area, so the wife says we need to till up the garden to get it ready for spring planting).  Hopefully the packing screw simply needed to be tightened, otherwise I'll purchase a new one, and probably the piston components located under the trigger.

I use Badger needle juice after every painting session.  That comes after I run lacquer thinner through, and clean everything with pipe cleaners, dental picks, etc.