I recently purchased a Badger 100LG airbrush and I really like it except for one thing. It leaks paint from between the head and main body. Anybody else have this problem? Anybody know what to do about it? I know Badger offers great warranty work but if I would prefer not having to send it back if at all possible. Any help is appreciated!
I have the same model, but never any problems. Check the O ring at the back of the head assembly - it could be damaged or missing. Or maybe the head is slightly loose.
If you still have problems you could try e-mailing Badger.
Or a little teflon tape would work.
I thought about Teflon tape or something similar, but taking a close look at it I don’t think paint is even supposed to be in the chamber from which it is leaking. I think only air should be in that chamber.
Sounds like the head assembly o-ring is missing. Is it spraying any paint? And lastly, are there any bubbles in the paint cup?
E
Yes, it is spraying paint; fairly good at that. I get some spitting the first couple of pushes on the button but then it does okay. The O ring is there but I suspect that is the culprit. Not sure about bubbles in the paint cup. I paint with the top on; at least by the time I get the top off there are no bubbles there and none bubble out the little breather hole while I’m painting.
Which chamber is that?
Paint enters the body of the airbrush at the color cup and exits the tip.
Mike,
I believe he’s referring to the small recess at the front end of the body where the head screws in.
The only reason I can think of which would allow paint to leak here is that the head isn’t properly screwed into the body. Either it isn’t tight enough and paint is leaking past the washer or the screw thread could be damaged/cross-threaded creating a leakage path. If the paint is actually bubbling out of the head/body seal when spraying, I would be looking for a nick/burr between the mating surfaces of the head/body. (The rim at the “front” of the body and the flat rear surface of the head should form a pretty much airtight seal)
Hi!
I had somewhat similar problems in the beginning with my Aztek. Moisture trap helped a bit. The main reason for leakage was loosely tightened nozzle, I had to use the tool that came with the AB, just couldn’t get it tight enough with my bare fingers for some reason. Maybe I was affraid to break the damn thing… [:D]
But if nothing seem to help try to dump those gravity feed cups. Use the ones that need air pressure to suck the paint out of the cup (whatever it’s called).
If you have another Badger airbrush you could try using the O ring from that. If the problem is solved you’d know that it was a faulty O ring.
Or you could try buying one, they’re quite cheap, and you could always have it as a spare.
Hmmm… Lots of things to consider. Thanks for all the info. I’ll see what I can do now to fix the problem.
If all else fails, try e-mailing Badger. They’re quite helpful and should sort things out.
Do let us know how you get on. Good luck!
Yes! Email Ken at Badger and he will take care of you if he is not traveling.
If you have problems contact me as I am a friend of his and somewhat of an art consultant for Badger Airbrush Co.