Hey all, I’ve got a problem I hope you can help me with. Ive had the trigger on my Iwata neo sticking in the depressed position lately. I took it apart and cleaned it and it works better but there is still a delay before the airflow stops. Do I just need to lube it? Thanks for any help!!
You could try lubing it. Iwata recommends their Superlube. Try a tiny drop in the hole under the trigger. Have you ever gotten solvent in the air valve? If so, you may need to replace the O-rings. There are two, one between the valve and body, and one inside the valve. Solvents can make them swell and jam. If you look at this page, you can see a valve disassembled.
Don
Don I have gotten some solvent in there before you mentioned that it wasn’t a good idea. I’ll pick up some lune and if that doesn’t work I’ll replace those orings. Thanks for the feedback Don!
Good luck with it, Andy. You could also use Badger’s lube, Regdab. I prefer it. I’ve heard of people using all kinds of stuff, including glycerin and WD40. But, I’d stick with what the manufacturers recommend. My Neo came with some kind of grease in the valve. I don’t know what is, but I just left it alone.
If the O-rings are swollen they might shrink back if you let them air out. There are actually three, but one is just a seal between the air valve assembly and the airbrush body.
Don
Rooster
The same identical thing hapenned to me with the Neo I use. I took the air valve out thinking it had paint stuck in there but it was squeaky clean. I put a drop of Badger Needle Juice on the small red o ring and problem solved.
Thanks Don and PJ. I got some airbrush lube on order today. Thanks for the help fellas!!
There isn’t anything mystcal or magical about lubricants for airbrushes. WD40 is not a lubricant and left on long term it will turn into varnish … likewise, as much as a fan of Iwata that I am, their blue lube is only good if you frequently use your airbrush. It is not good for longer term storage … it will harden up … not good on threads that aren’t broken apart frequently. Over the years, I’ve found that Tri-Flow works very well for a light lubricant and a good quality white lithium grease (frequently sold for bicycles) works well on threads.
Paul