Hello, folks. I just wanted to share a little tip with you about airbrush needle lube. After searching my house high and low for any vaseline, I decided on something else. Vitamin E capsules. Yes the same Vitamin E that keeps your hair from jumping off your head, and makes your skin softer (for the ladies of course[;)]) and helps heal scabs from all those exacto cuts acts as a very fine lube. I just thought I’d throw that out there!
Actually, mineral oil will do the same thing, and it is a lot cheaper.
Tom [C):-)]
Vitamin E capsule use Glycerin for the ‘carrier’, and needle lube is Glycerin, so it should work fine. I don’t know about the States, but we can buy Glycerin at drug stores and it’s way cheaper than the little bottles Badger and Medea sell. Mind you I found that out after buying the expensive stuff. I figure the bottle will last me about ten years, so it’s really not that expensive.
I have to disagree with Tom, as I use acrylics and mineral oil would only contaminate the paint. I’ll stick to glycerin based lubes.
Depends on how much you use for the needle, Griggsey.
I simply wipe the untapered portion of the needle that fits into the trigger mechanism with a moistened cloth, which only leaves a film, which I have had no contamination problems with.
I do not ever recommend flowing any sort of lubricant into an airbrush, especially the front portion of the needle that sees the paint mixture.
However, of course glycerin is better when dealing with water-based anything, provided the whales they kill to get it from don’t mind. [;)]
Tom [C):-)]
I put it on the tapered part of the needle as well, to help prevent “tip dry” which is a common problem with acrylic paints. So far, no problems. I don’t expect any, since Glycerin is used in the production of acrylic retarders.
While you can process Glycerin from whale blubber, most comes from the leftover fats from the meat processing industry, and also from plant emollients, and is mostly corn in origin.
Just buy a bottle of Badger Needle Juice and stop being so cheap! [(-D][:-,]
Glad this topic finally sparked some conversation!!!
Tom, Vitamin E’s not too expensive for me because my dad takes it every day. It helps with his eczema and keeps his hair in! So it’s win-win! lol
Mike, I’m not cheap, I’m frugal!!! Actually, I can’t find any Needle Juice around here. Oh well, mine works well[:P]
Yeah the regdab stuff works great. Really helps the tip dry on acrylics. (at least when I’m not too lazy to put it on…)
Order some online. A bottle will last you for years. [swg]
Mike, do you get kickbacks from Badger? lol
No I do not. I am an art consultant for them but there is no monetary rewards for me, I just push what I think is a good product and Badger is excellent. [swg]
I gotcha! That must be a pretty neat job. Is it full-time or on the side?
It’s not a job at all. I like Badger products and I contacted them about it and they thought my knowledge of airbrushing for modeling was good and asked if I would mind telling people about Badger products on here and I agreed. Ken Schlotfeldt is a good friend of mine and I enjoy telling others about the great airbrushes his company produces. You can’t buy me as I am a man of integrity and if I did not believe in Badger Airbushes I would not brag about them so much.
Mike , by no means am I questioning your integrety, just judging by your posts on this forum I know you are a man of your word! I may need your help in the next month or so, as i’m eyeballing a new airbrush, and i’d like to hear the pros and cons of it. Since it’s a badger, you seem to be the go-to guy[:)]
I will help if I can my friend. [swg]
I know you weren’t questioning my integrity, I was just trying to convey my position without sounding like a Badger paid employee. [(-D]
I see you are a Blue Jackets fan. I have been a Flyers fan since I was a kid although I don’t watch many games anymore. I used to go to the Oakland Seals games here when I was a kid…I miss those days!
I agree with mike lol…just go buy the badger regdab stuff…save the whales! [^]