HELP
I have been using enamels in my Badger Cresendo Model 175 airbrush with moderate success and I’m trying to convert to acrylics for easier clean up. So I put some FolkArt #410 Lavender Acylic in my airbrush and set the compressor at 40 psi (which is what the handbook recommends) BUT all that comes out is spurts of paint. I disassembled and cleaned the airbrush and still it did help. WHAT IS GOING ON?
Are you adding thinner to the paint? Sounds like the paint is too thick??
M.
swapping from enamel to acrylic should be no problem if your airbrush is properly cleaned. Sounds like you are not thinning the paint correctly, but also could be dirty nozzle on the airbrush, or even cloged paint cup. MEK or laquer thinners will remove any paint residue.
I agree, it sounds like the paint is too thick, or there is an obstruction at the nozzle. But if the paint is pulsing out of the air brush it is too thick. The paint should be a milk like consistency.
Also, 40 p.s.i. is too high. I have a Badger and spent many frustrating days at 35-40 p.s.i. until a friend recommended backing off to somewhere between 15-20 p.s.i. I go as low as 10 p.s.i. depending on the paint thickness.
Remember the best results, especially with acrylics, will be acheived with several light coats.
Thanks a lot guys. I’m fairly new to modeling and brand new to this site and your reply means a lot.
I have the same brush, and have never used it close to that high of pressure, 20 psi is the most I have ever used, Also ckeck the tip of your needel with a magnifying glass or by gently rolling across the tip of one of your fingers.
Good Luck Bob
You already have some good suggestions there so I can’t add much except that you may have a clump of paint in your airbrush or it was not cleaned good enough. In regards to 40 psi, that is not too high if you are spraying one color such as a car paint job.
Us T-shirt artists spray at between 60-80 psi on hard materials such as license plates and helmets without any problems.
Spraying at higher pressures does cause overspray to be a problem with more precise paint jobs like camo patterns, but paint does atomize better at higher pressures.
If you are getting spatter at 40 psi then cutting down the pressure won’t help. You either have to thin the paint and lower the pressure or find the obstruction. Did you strain the paint first?
Are you using the #1 needle and tip or the #3?
Mike