Hi. First post here.
I’ve been having lots of problems with my Iwata Neo, paint spatters regardless of thinning ratios/brand/PSI. I thought initially it may be a bent tip, but just recently (after switching back to my Paasche VL, which works like a charm) that the air that comes out of the Paasche is significantly more substantial/seemingly higher velocity than the air that comes out of the Neo, for a given PSI setting on my regulator. Any thoughts?
TIA
Jeff Ital
Welcome Jeff!
Bump for a first-time poster.
Is it the Neo CN or BCN?
If it’s a CN, the nozzle is about 1/2 the size of the VL’s finest nozzle & although it’s the air cap that controls the air flow, these are designed to operate with the nozzle - big nozzle/big airflow, small nozzle/small airflow.
Has the Neo behaved like this out of the box or is it something that’s developed?
I know you have probably checked but if the needle tip is ok then it does sound like dried paint partially blocking the nozzle. maybe try soaking it overnight in the most vicious cellulose thinners you can find (just the nozzle unless you are sure the brush has ptfe seals)
Jeff,
The Neo for Iwata has been controversial form day one due to its quality control problem. You can check out at Don Wheeler’s website for more discussion of the issues.
It is a made-in-China knock-off of the Iwata airbrushes. The dimension, quality of its nozzle and needle are the same as other Chinese knock-offs, which is NOT very good. Iwata makes the Neo body in Taiwan, which makes it one of the best knock-off on the market. It has a good trigger action, precise and smooth.
For $38 I paid at Hobby Lobby, it is not a bad deal. My Neo worked fine. But I do not use it since I have the real HP-CS Iwata.
If you have problem out of the box, take it back to the seller for an exchange. Better yet, return it and use the refund and additional money for a real Iwata. The revolution HP-BR will be a good choice for low cost airbrush.
Wouldn’t a smaller opening cause the air to come out faster for a given pressure?
It’s been like that out of the box. I’ve never been able to get anything but water to come out smoothly.
Thanks, Tim. Great to be here.
Faster yes, but the volume of air would be less - 20 psi from a syringe tip would have considerably less flow / volume than a 20 psi from a drainpipe…
I use an Iwata CN (gravity feed) and it did that for the longest, I keep mine spraying clear by wetting a q-tip and swabbing around the needle cap every few minutes, you also have to pull the needle out and wipe it clean with cleaner. Its best cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner, I bought a cheap one and I’ve had no more clogging issues.
It’s a .35mm nozzle so it will get clogged easier but as long as you thin the paint out enough and keep the needle swabbed clean it should spray fine. Ive sprayed all the major brands fine through it, with the exception of Vallejo Model Color.