Hey guys, need to tap into the database here.
It seems like the needled airbrushes I’ve owned have a common issue: sometimes paint gets behind the packing washer and into the air valve and trigger assembly. What can I do to prevent this, as this causes some serious issues with airbrush operation. Thanks a bunch!
Are you installing the washers correctly? Some have a specific direction which they go in…this side faces the seat. The valve stem might be damaged. I use a polishing stick to smooth the shaft so it doesn’t tear at the washer. Is the valve set in place properly? Sometime the threads might get messed up and not allow it to be screwed in all the way. Worst case, I’ve had to resurface the seat on one of my airbrushes.
When you say, “packing washers” are you talking about the needle bearing that needs a special tool to install?
Yep that’s the one. I’ve never replaced the needle bearing in either airbrush that this happens to.
OK, what airbrushes are they? How are you cleaning them, etc?
OK I’ll give you guys the full rundown.
Omni 4000: I spray both enamels and acrylics through this brush. When using enamels, I thin with Mineral Spirits and clean with Lacquer thinner. When cleaning, I fill the color cup with thinner and use a pipette to remove the excess paint/thinner mix. I do this until the thinner is fairly clear. Then I spray the lacquer through the brush, backflushing ever few seconds. After that, I remove the needle, wipe it down with thinner, and use a Q-tip to clean the inside of the cup. For acrylics, I do the same, except I thin with Tamiya’s thinner and clean with Windex.
Paasche VL: Again, both enamel and acrylic go through this bad boy. To clean, I remove the color cup, clean it well, then I use a Q-tip soaked in the appropriate thinner and clean the area where the cup meets the body of the brush. Once that is clean, I attach the cup and run thinner through the brush, backflushing every few seconds. Then I’ll take the needle out and wipe it with the appropriate thinner.
OK. Are you removing the needle from the Omni 4000 at any time when paint is still in the color cup? If so that is the culprit. I have used the Omni 4000 many times over the years and have never had the problem you are describing so I am curious as to what is happening to cause this.
Has the airbrush been used many times over the years and may possibly need the needle bearing replaced? Maybe you should contact Ken at Badger about this as he would know more than I about what may be going on.
I don’t think the Omni’s have needle bearings like the other Badger brushes. Those brushes have a needle packing with a set screw as does the VL. You can take a small flat head screw driver and tighten the needle packing so that it does not leak.
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