Can anyone help me with this? My AB is fairly new and when I use it it sprays fine but, I have a lot of leakage around the fitting just forward of the cup. I have hand tightened as much as I can and it still happens all the time. I have looked online and at the schematic provided with the brush and I don’t see and O-rings or what-not that may be missing and or bad. Also before I start spraying, the cup is “bubbling” like air is back flowing through it.
I guess I could contact Badger directley but I was hoping if anyone here could give me a little help.
BTW, I spray Tamiya acrylics as well as MM enamals through it and have the same problems with both. And my operating pressure is around 18-25 PSI.
Jeff, I have the 155 and have had a similar problem. the tip itself is likely not sitting right. The assembly needs to be taken apart and cleaned again ensuring there is no residue of any kind in there or on the tip.
My experience, if you over tighten the tip, you can warp it and that causes the break in the seal. Chances are you will need a new tip. If you have another (large perhaps that came with it?) put it in and give it a try.
When tightening the screw cap, remember it just has to be snug. Not reefed on.
I actually just broke it down and cleaned all the parts 2 days ago because of that problem. I also have a 155 and checked the needle seating against the 360 and it seems that on the 360 I had the needle slightly more forward so I adjusted it. I wasn’t planning on shooting anymore paint for a couple of days but I guess I’ll put some through her tonight and see what happens.
Also, are the tips on the 155 and the 360 interchangeable do you know? They look the same to me. If that is the case maybe I can just swap them out for now. I really like the gravity feed because it is so much easier for me to clean. Thanks again.
While I have no personal experience with the 155/360, the Badger website lists the same optional parts for them, so one could reasonably conclude that they use the same heads.
Do you use the needle as a guide when you assemble it? If no, then try sliding the needle all the way in and slip the tip on the end of the needle. Then center the air cap and slide that assembly back and start the threads on the body of the brush. Then thread the regulator on the cap. Leave both a little loose and slide the needle back a little and then forward and lightly seat it in the tip. Then tighten the air cap and regulator. Then slide the needle back a little and then slide it all the way forward and seat it in the tip. Then tighten the lock collar on the back of the needle. I always fill the cup with a little of whatever thinner I’m using after I reassemble the brush and spray to see if I have a leak. If I do then I just loosen everything and reseat.
If it’s blowing paint behind the cap or bubbles in the cup, the tip isn’t seated. If it’s blowing paint out the nozzle when you press the trigger for air, the needle isn’t seated. If you can’t get it to stop blowing paint behind the cap then take it apart and look at the tip. If there’s a groove in the bevel that seats in the body of the brush then you’ll probably need a new one. If you use the needle as a guide when you assemble it then everything should line up. If you try to tighten the cap and regulator on the tip without the needle to guide it the tip may not be centered and that’s how you end up with a groove in it. Finger tight is all you need. No pliers. [:D]
Thanks for the help everyone. I still haven’t had a chance to fire it up and see if the problem is fixed yet. The weekend Honey-Do list is pretty much taking up all of my spare time[sigh]. Hopefully I will get a chance tonight. Thanks agian.