Needle Lube

MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Needle Lube

Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 10:30 PM

Since this is brought up once in a while on the forum and many people can't seem to find these products I thought this bit of advice from a friend of mine would be helpful. Some of us were discussing on another forum whether needle lubes are good to use or not and some of these top painters say it will affect the paint, I disagree as well as this friend of mine and others who know the airbrush business real well. Here is what my friend told me:

QUOTE: The active ingredient in Super Lube and Needle Juice and all the other airbrush lubricants is nothing more than common Glycerine. You can buy it at any drug store for 75 cents for a 6 ounce bottle. Glycerine makes a great extender/retarder for waterbase acrylics, and there is nothing in it that will have any sort of ill effect on any paint including uros. The one thing that is wrong with the commercial lubes is that they are nothing more than a relabelled drug store product that is sold for many times the appropriate value.

I thought that was pretty cool. Cool [8D]

So hit the drugstore and get your lube for cheaper. Big Smile [:D]

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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maddafinga

Member since
March 2003
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Posted by maddafinga on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 10:51 PM

Aha, well, I have some of that here. Claire uses it to soak her opal in. I'll have to give this stuff a shot and see how it compares. Good info Mike!

Madda Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle. -- Leonardo Da Vinci Tact is for those who lack the wit for sarcasm.--maddafinga

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 11:20 PM

sweet, i gotta get some. i wonder how long it took the folks at badger to think of this, and to come up with the name ragdab

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tweety1

Member since
August 2003
From: Alice Springs Australia

Posted by tweety1 on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 7:45 AM

Well, since having our first child we have heaps of the stuff.
Never knew kids could be so useful Shock [:O]

--Sean-- If you are driving at the speed of light and you turn on the headlights, what happens???

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 10:15 AM

Thanks for the tip Mike Thumbs Up [tup]

. I'll have to get me some & give it a go.

Regards, Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 3:02 PM

Mike, I have some Super lube which works great but prior to getting that I did try some straight Glycerine but I found that it beaded up on the needle like it didn't want to spread over the metal evenly. I know only the tiniest amount is required but the proper Super Lube definately seems to work better, they must put something else in it to stop this beading action happening and get even coverage over the metal. Anyway it's cheap enough to try Glycerine so give it a go and see what you think. Smile [:)]

Cheers....Snowy

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mass tactical

Member since
February 2003

Posted by mass tactical on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 3:28 PM

Mike: For those of us who support 2nd Amendment rights, and for those who do not, Remington puts out a nice little product called "Rem Oil". The product is of course intended for firearms lubrication but since it has Teflon lubricant in the product, it is ideal for airbrush needles. The product can be found in most sporting goods stores as well as Wal Mart etc.

Just thought I would throw that in Big Smile [:D]

Mike M

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 6:23 PM

Snowy,

I have heard that also and I don't know if there is a trick to it or what.

Mike,

I am familiar with Rem Oil as I used to handload quite a bit.
I am sure it works fine but I might be affraid of the Teflon possibly contaminating the paint.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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gharlane

Member since
December 2003

Posted by gharlane on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 8:20 PM

would this be an effective lube for enamels also??

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 9:44 PM

i hate to be a simpleton, but olive oil will take care of all of your lube needs.

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 10:01 PM

Gharlane,

Yes it helps for all types of paints except one.........gouache

Hatewall,

Olive Oil? I have yet to hear anyone recommend that for paints.
I highly doubt it works as well as the lubes we have been talking about.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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KJ200

Member since
July 2003
From: Bicester, England

Posted by KJ200 on Thursday, January 6, 2005 2:30 AM

I finally found Medea lube in the UK last month, and tried it on my Omni.

All I can say is what a difference, much smoother trigger action, and clogging appears to have reduced.

Having said that it did cost me £6, or $12, but at least it will last a while.

Karl

Currently on the bench: AZ Models 1/72 Mig 17PF

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tho9900

Member since
July 2004
From: SETX. USA

Posted by tho9900 on Thursday, January 6, 2005 6:17 AM

Karl, mine wasn't as expensive as yours, but as far as lasting. I've had the bottle 3 months and through 4 models and I can't tell I've even used any!!! And I agree, it does do a lot for the pull... and since I use acrylics a lot it really helps with that too.

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!

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four-star

Member since
August 2004
From: UK

Posted by four-star on Thursday, January 6, 2005 3:38 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by KJ200

I finally found Medea lube in the UK last month, and tried it on my Omni.

Hi, I also live in the UK, and have not had any luck in finding Medea lube here so far. I was just wondering if you could tell me where you got it from? Was it from an internet site? Thanks

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 6, 2005 4:30 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hatewall

i hate to be a simpleton, but olive oil will take care of all of your lube needs.

Wesson oil
(Vegetable oil)

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KJ200

Member since
July 2003
From: Bicester, England

Posted by KJ200 on Friday, January 7, 2005 2:38 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by bezics

QUOTE: Originally posted by KJ200

I finally found Medea lube in the UK last month, and tried it on my Omni.

Hi, I also live in the UK, and have not had any luck in finding Medea lube here so far. I was just wondering if you could tell me where you got it from? Was it from an internet site? Thanks

Bezics Try this link:

www.airbrushes.com

It's under accessories.

Finding stuff in the UK can be a real pain, especially at a sensible price.

Sometimes it works out cheaper to just order from the US.

Karl

Currently on the bench: AZ Models 1/72 Mig 17PF

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four-star

Member since
August 2004
From: UK

Posted by four-star on Friday, January 7, 2005 3:11 PM

Thanks Karl, that is really great Big Smile [:D]

. Finally a good source for airbrush accessories and spares in the UK! It is so annoying having to pay to import stuff from the US when all you need is one spare airbrush part. People in the US seem to be very lucky as far as hobby supplies go - if I want anything for the hobby I nearly always have to resort to the internet. They are always talking about their LHS and how good it is - my LHS consists of some humbrol paints and glues, a few knives and brushes, and a limited range of models! Oh well! Smile [:)]

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KJ200

Member since
July 2003
From: Bicester, England

Posted by KJ200 on Friday, January 7, 2005 4:27 PM

Bezics What AB are you using?

There are several other sources of spares in the UK, many of them cheaper than Airbrushes.com..

Let me know.

Karl

Currently on the bench: AZ Models 1/72 Mig 17PF

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Friday, January 7, 2005 8:39 PM

Here is what Coast Airbrush in Anaheim,CA said when I asked them.

QUOTE: The "Super Lube" is a product that we manufacture and developed about 13 years ago. It is a teflon based product, no silicone, oils, or petroleum are present. It acts much like a teflon coating on cookware. It will not affect any type of paint, it simply adheres to the metal of the airbrush to repel any material from sticking to it. Also it coats any rubber bearings to help prolong the life. We sell this product to top airbrush manufacturers and distributers and have never had any negative feed back. We absolutely guarantee our Lube against any paint contamination that would occur from it's use. It is really a great preventative maintenance product that is inexpensive and simple to use.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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mooseman

Member since
January 2004
From: West Yorkshire, UK

Posted by mooseman on Saturday, January 8, 2005 2:59 AM

I must be missing something! Still learning the art of the airbrush and taking advice from local friends but "Needle Lube" is a new one on me. Am I supposed to be using whatever UK equivalent there is to protect and prolong the life of my airbrush and make cleaning easier?

Mooseman

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KJ200

Member since
July 2003
From: Bicester, England

Posted by KJ200 on Saturday, January 8, 2005 3:27 AM

Mooseman I bought mine as I felt that the trigger action on my Omni was a little stiff, and this was inhibiting smooth spraying of details and mottle, where control is everything. The lube has sorted that out a treat, and as per Mike's post has considerably reduced the incidence of paint sticking to the needle and causing tip dry.

Like yourself , and probably a lot of other members of this forum, I'm still learning about my A/B and my own capabilities, or in my case the lack thereof!

Karl

Currently on the bench: AZ Models 1/72 Mig 17PF

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 8, 2005 7:37 AM

mikeV - we were talking about regdab needle lube in another thread ages ago and elbatagev oil came up as an effective needle lube.

regdab = badger
elbatagev = vegatable

Wink [;)]

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mooseman

Member since
January 2004
From: West Yorkshire, UK

Posted by mooseman on Saturday, January 8, 2005 9:38 AM

KJ200 & reggiethedorf. Appreciate the responce guys but still asking the question "what is it and what does one do with it?". Had a look on the link mentioned (airbrush.com) - do you strip down the airbrush and coat all parts? Obviously it can be used for airbrushes other than iwata and would you recommend it to enhance your airbrush performance? (I use a revell student ISB500)

Confused [%-)]

mooseman

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Saturday, January 8, 2005 11:38 AM

Mooseman,

You don't *have* to use any lube, but it does make the airbrush smoother and helps paint not adhere as bad internally. I know that many well-known automotive airbrush artists will not use any lube because they feel it can affect the paint.
I do not think their fears are warranted though and as I have already stated, the lube will not affect the type of paints that modelers, automotive painters and T-shirt artists use.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Saturday, January 8, 2005 11:40 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by reggiethedorf

mikeV - we were talking about regdab needle lube in another thread ages ago and elbatagev oil came up as an effective needle lube.

regdab = badger
elbatagev = vegatable

I remember that. Wink [;)]

The guy that used to work for Badger who came up with that backwards name no longer works for them. He is with Medea now (Iwata). Laugh [(-D]

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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KJ200

Member since
July 2003
From: Bicester, England

Posted by KJ200 on Saturday, January 8, 2005 11:54 AM

Mooseman The lube is just a clear liquid, not unlike 3 in 1 in consistency, but obviously not an oil.

Best time apply the lube is after stripping down and cleaning your A/B, then just coat the first 50% of your A/B needle in the lube, and I add a drop to the trigger assembly to ensure that everything works smoothly.

I'm not familiar with your A/B, but the lube would not damage it in anyway, and would stop dried paint adhering to the delicate components of the A/B.

Hope this helps.

Karl

Currently on the bench: AZ Models 1/72 Mig 17PF

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mooseman

Member since
January 2004
From: West Yorkshire, UK

Posted by mooseman on Saturday, January 8, 2005 1:40 PM

to all and sundry!

many thanks for your prompt and always helpful responses - will endeavour to let you know the results when I get some lube.

thanks once again and happy modelling

mooseman

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tho9900

Member since
July 2004
From: SETX. USA

Posted by tho9900 on Saturday, January 8, 2005 7:06 PM

it really does make it nicer to spray moose.. I think you will like it... keep us posted!!

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 8, 2005 7:38 PM

mike, does that make it atawi lube now?

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tho9900

Member since
July 2004
From: SETX. USA

Posted by tho9900 on Saturday, January 8, 2005 8:14 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by 1337

mike, does that make it atawi lube now?

I was trying to figure out the anagram for medea... figured it had to spell SOMETHING backwards! Wink [;)]

maybe it's one of those word mix type puzzles... all the letters are jumbled and you have to try to figure out what it spells! So far I have five cuss words from the name Medea.... ::shrug:: that's it...

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!

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