Need some help with my airbrush, or is it time for a new one?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

Well this is my first post here and I have a bit of a problem. I apologize in advance for being longwinded. It might be a big problem or a small one I’m really not to sure, which is why I’m here asking.

I’ve been lurking around FSM for some time mainly reading the boards and looking at all the terrific work, well I decided to register (Finally!).

I currently have a Paasche VL airbrush which I’ve had for well, roughly 12 years. In that 12 years for the most part it’s served me well, though I have a few complaints about it. It’s helped complete a wide range of airbrushing tasks. Having said that, let’s get to the issue at hand and the reason for this post.

I un-packed my airbrush along with what few other meager supplies/tools that survived 2 moves and almost a year in storage to discover some build up on the threads (it’s on all threads), it’s not terribly thick or out of control but it is problematic as I noticed my trigger doesn’t pull as smoothly. I fully disassembeled the airbrush and looked at it. The build-up smacks of water corrosion, looks like a weathered penny with that greenish/blue buildup. I’m not sure what this body is made out of, so I wont say for certain that’s what it is. My wife asked if it was paint, I won’t say it’s not, but I doubt it as I clean it after every use. Sure some paint is bound to stick around but this much and this bad? I’ve never even sprayed a color remotely resembling this LOL.

Well I placed the airbrush in some thinner to see if that would help any. Nothing, so I went to re-assemble the brush to store it while I figured out what I need to do and the handle wouldn’t screw back into the body. I ended up buggering the threads on the plastic handle, though the threads inside the body (where the handle screws in appears to be fine other than the aforementioned problem).

So…?

Does anyone know where I can get another handle for my Paasche VL?

I checked with DixieArt via the web and couldn’t find one, perhaps I overlooked it though.

Any takers on what to do about this build-up problem and how to safely remove it?

I will try to take some pictures of the problem areas and post them but I doubt seriously they’ll turn out to really help.

Thanks in advance for any help.

2

Ok I shot about 6 pictures and only one turned out ( if you could call it that ) so that I could post it.

See the “turqoise” buildup? Well that’s what I’m dealing with in several areas, and in some worse than others.

Again thanks!

3

That looks like copper or brass corrosion. You may be able to save the brush, you may have to buy some replacement parts, or you may need a new brush.

Carefully scrub it off with baking soda. Do not scrape! If you need sterner measures than a cotton swab or a heavy (industrial grade) paper towel, use a worn “scotch-brite” or similar nylon fiber pad. At most, a brass wire brush—but if you have to go that far, it’s probably a wasted effort.

Then polish each part with Brasso or better, a fine metal polish such as Flitz. Then examine the parts under the highest magnification you can—10X would be great. If you see any pitting, the part probably should be replaced, as polishing the pits out will be labor intensive, and may ruin the precision fit.

Good luck!

4

Thanks for the reply, I was wondering what to get it off with, I’ll give the baking soda a try!

I really would like to save this brush as it works well enough, it is a bit of a pain changing colors though. That’s my main complaint about this brush throughout the years, it’s also a pain to spray small parts even with the 1/4 oz paint cup, as you either have to much paint in the cup or not enough to be siphoned out.

I’ve been eyeing the Thayer&Chandler Omni 4000 and plan on picking one up sometime, but I would still like to keep this around and in working order for spraying larger parts and areas.

Again thanks.

5

Between you and me, it sounds like the time for an upgrade. You have corrosion, damaged threads and you are not fully satisfied with the airbrush. Don’t spend a lot of time and energy to not be satisfied. Maybe a Badger 100, or an Iwata eclypse would be a good start. Greg

6

I opt for the Badger 100LG, awesome airbrush!

7

So which one should I get the Badger 100LG or the Thayer&Chandler Omni 4000? I know Badger now owns T&C.

I was looking at the Omni for the simplicity of 1 tip/needle factor, I just looked at the 100LG for the first time at DixieArt a minute ago, looks like a good airbrush but I noticed that they came in several sizes for the tips.

I wish there was somewhere I could go to try these out first…I really don’t want to start an airbrush collection before I find what works best for me.

8

I would buy the Badger 100LG with the Medium tip.
If you want almost as precise spraying then get the Omni 4000.

9

Go get yourself a bottle of Tarnix or The Works bathroom cleaner. Disassemble your airbrush and deposit all the parts except the tip nozzle and the air valve into the cleaner for 15 mins. Run under tap water and blow dry with an air gun. Examine. Repeat if neccesary.

If that don’t fix it trash it and get a new brush.

The handles are still available I’m sure.

10

I ditto Mike’s suggestion of the 100LG… I don’t own one but as it seems you favor Badgers this is a good brush as reported by its’ owners… AND with the medium tip/needle you can do anything and MORE that the Paasche did, plus later uptgrade to the fine tip and needle if you deem your skills have increased to that point without having to buy a separate airbrush…

Good luck on salvaging your Paasche though!

11

Hello chap
If you want to stick to your Paasche and it is only a matter of some parts to be replaced, go see the site of Paasche as they have a wonderful commercial department and it must be the best place to get genuine parts. If the repair turns to brain surgery, then you could consider buying a new one.

12

I agree with Torio:

Download the parts breakdown for the VL and order the parts on the Paasche web site, I ordered replacement parts just to have them, only took 3 days to have them in hand.

Link to parts sheet: http://www.paascheairbrush.com/2005_parts/V_VJR,VL_VLS%20Airbrushes.pdf

Link to parts pages: http://www.paascheairbrush.com/cgi-bin/store/search.cgi?category=Parts+%26+Accessories

I ordered over 20 different parts for the airbrushes I have and got a 100% fill on them, excellent service.

13

Well I will be ordering the Badger 100LG today as well as a “fine” tip to go along with it.

I got all the parts cleaned up( thing looks great ) on the Paasche and a new handle will be in my cart at Dixie Art along with the B100. Thanks for the help and suggestions.

14

Did you order a fine needle also? [%-)]

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It’s in the cart. I actually didn’t get around to placing the order today got side tracked with some other things, oh well guess it will have to wait until Monday to ship.

16

what is their shipping time? I just ordered from them yesterday & am curious as to when to expect it to come in[:)]

17

I don’t know about out to California, I saw a estimated shipping map somewhere on there, I’m gonna see if I can find it again ( I’m pretty sure it was on their site ) and post the link. Be right back

18

http://www.dixieart.com/UPSMap.html

There’s the shipping map from their website…Looks like anywhere from 5-6 days for California and 2 days for me ( though on that map it also says to allow up to 3 days for processing! ). If gas wasn’t so outrageous I would just hop in the car and say “road trip” and make the 2-1/2 hour drive and pick it up. I don’t have good luck with UPS and never really have.

19

Thanks Rob, so, I should have my regulator by next weekend[:D] kewl…Then I can start really Badgering things around here[;)]

20

No problem glad I could help out.