Hey guys, I’ve been out of modelling for about the last 18 months but I’m back. Good to see this place is still thriving. I need some help with my Omni 5000.
First, it’s been sitting for about 18 months. Do I need to lube anything? If so, what, and with what?
Second, is there a diagram anywhere that shows all the parts - like an exploded view or anything? I want to disassemble it to clean it and I have no confidence I could get it back together properly. To be honest, I bought the Omni about 20 months ago and I’ve never used it although it really looks and feels like a top-notch piece of equipment. It scares the bejeebers out of me.[:o)] Unfortunately, I started my airbrushing with a single action brush (Badger 200NH) which I really like. I also have a 200-20 detail brush which I have NO IDEA how to use. Anyway, I get the feeling that the Omni can paint circles around both of those if I can learn to use it. Bottom line - how do I clean it after use?
Thanks,
Rich [8D]
I’m new to airbrushes, so I won’t be of too much help. You need to talk to Music City, I know he has a couple of Omnis (http://www.craigcentral.com/models/), scroll down for a plethora of tips and tricks. He should be along soon as he is very helpful and willing to teach! But I can supply a link to a parts list and exploded view…
http://www.badgerairbrush.com/omni%20parts.htm
Good luck with it, I think you will find it an amazing tool.
Rich, I’m not a sage, I don’t even like most spices hehe [8D] I counted 3 questions in this post. Lemee try to answer them. Don’t go by what I say, you should get more answers from others too.
Lube - Not really but needle lube helps some
Parts Diagram - goto the dixieairbrush site they have one. You should only have to take apart the 3 tip/nozzle pieces for maintenance. here’s the link:
http://www.dixieart.com/Vega_2000_Schematic_from_Dixie_Art_Supplies.html
Cleaning - Depends on the type of paint you use. I clean with lacquer thinner , a nylon bristle brush (to swirl around in the cup), and paper towels. Keep a waste can (like a coffee can) nearby. I only take my airbrush apart every 10 sessions or so to clean it. Normally when I’m completely done for a session I just flush with lacquer thinner and take the needle out and clean that. Doing a complete breakdown and ultra cleaning is a little over-rated IMO. As soon as you spray the next color you have to do it again.
Most important don’t worry too much. It’s just a tool that sprays air. When the paint gets in the way it sprays that too.
If you didn’t leave any paint in it to dry everything will be fine. If you did you’ll know it as soon as you pull the trigger.
The Omnis are easy to clean, and I clean mine pretty much the same as I-Beam. Blow some thinner through it in between colors, pull the needle out and clean it at the end of the day. Every few days of use I break mine down and clean it thoroughly with laquer thinner.
Unscrew the head (three parts there), and remove the nozzle. Soak them in laquer thinner. Unscrew the back of the body, remove the needle chuck and pull the needle out from the front (keeps from pulling paint down in the the needle bearing). Clean the needle with laquer thinner and a Q-Tip. Remove the air valve (DO NOT soak it in laquer thinner!) , remove the spring adjuster, spring, and needle tube. Use a pipe cleaner soaked in laquer thinner to clean down in the area of the needle bearing or just soak the whole body (WITHOUT THE AIR VALVE!) in laquer thinner.
Before reassembling check the air path. The air cap body has 6 holes in it that must be clear and open. Looking at the very front of the brush there is a small hole beneath the hole for the nozzle. That goes all the way back to where the air valve screws in, and it must be clear. Remember that air does not blow through the nozzle, it blows around it and the air holes have to be clear to get even performance.
OK. Thanks all. I think it’s just a matter of experience.
Only one way to get that.
BTW, MC, really liked your message re: 911. Right on the button. [;)]
Rich [8D]
Thanks, glad you liked it. Most of the comments I’ve gotten on that page have been positive but believe it or not I’ve gotten comments from a couple of people who disagreed.