Is it me, or my airbrush?

N

Neural

Guest
I'm trying to find the source of a problem I run into all the time.

I can't get consistent flow of paint from my airbrush.

Before I go into details, here's the basics:

Airbrush: Paasche TG-3F with .63mm head/needle
Paint: Auto-Air Candy2O with proper mix of 4030
Environment: garage with temps between 50 and 70.
Air: California Air Tools 15020C compressor, with regulator at around 30 to 35psi

Details: I simply cannot get even flow. It's not having sudden changes, but it just comes and goes. Sometimes I have to pull all the way back, sometimes only a little. Fortunately I haven't had any bursts yet (like a jam clearing and causing a paint explosion), but the flow changes over 10 to 20 seconds of use in which I constantly have to spray off to the side and rapily move the trigger from 0 to full and back several times.
I can't tell if this is an issue of the way the paint is mixed, the way I clean between colors, or just a problem with the airbrush itself.

I've been very tempted to hook up a second regulator at the airbrush, and then put my air blaster at 90psi on another hose and then just blast alcohol through the thing, but I'm guessing that will only cause more trouble.

I have some restorer, and am going to try and let that do it's job.

If anyone has any suggestions on how I can figure out where I'm going wrong here, I'd love to know. If I can't get this flow problem fixed, I'm not going to be able to do more than gradients.
 
I'm trying to find the source of a problem I run into all the time.

I can't get consistent flow of paint from my airbrush.

Before I go into details, here's the basics:

Airbrush: Paasche TG-3F with .63mm head/needle
Paint: Auto-Air Candy2O with proper mix of 4030
Environment: garage with temps between 50 and 70.
Air: California Air Tools 15020C compressor, with regulator at around 30 to 35psi

Details: I simply cannot get even flow. It's not having sudden changes, but it just comes and goes. Sometimes I have to pull all the way back, sometimes only a little. Fortunately I haven't had any bursts yet (like a jam clearing and causing a paint explosion), but the flow changes over 10 to 20 seconds of use in which I constantly have to spray off to the side and rapily move the trigger from 0 to full and back several times.
I can't tell if this is an issue of the way the paint is mixed, the way I clean between colors, or just a problem with the airbrush itself.

I've been very tempted to hook up a second regulator at the airbrush, and then put my air blaster at 90psi on another hose and then just blast alcohol through the thing, but I'm guessing that will only cause more trouble.

I have some restorer, and am going to try and let that do it's job.

If anyone has any suggestions on how I can figure out where I'm going wrong here, I'd love to know. If I can't get this flow problem fixed, I'm not going to be able to do more than gradients.
It sounds like it could be a fair bit of tip dry. Are you adding any reducer to the Candy / 4030 mix?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
While releasing air, put some mild soapy water around the seam at the base of the head assembly - if it bubbles up, there is enough of an air leak to cause potential issues. Chapstick on the threads may fix you up. Also, while looking right at the head, check to make sure the nozzle looks centered in the opening of the air cap. On my Talon many of the nozzles are off center, and it causes problems while spraying. Paint can build on one side of the cap, then occasionally spit a bugger on the work surface. You can see it spray off to one side all the time...
 
I figured out your problem the minute I saw the word "Paasche" :whistling:

Seriously, it could be a lot of things. Listen to what Dave says is the best advice I could give you.
 
I figured out your problem the minute I saw the word "Paasche" :whistling:

Seriously, it could be a lot of things. Listen to what Dave says is the best advice I could give you.
hehehe, I just got a "paasche" that will keep up with most anything I have tried, and I think we may have been born the same year ;). For sure, they do not build them like this anymore.
 
:eek: what did you get now Dave? I have been eyeing some AB turbos but I'm afraid of getting burned!
 
Make sure your candy2o, 4030 and reducer are fully mixed. they probably need mixing/stirring for a few minutes at least. Then i would strain the mixture before it goes in the airbrush. It could be inconsistency in the viscosity, some a of the mixture is little thicker than the rest causing the issue.
 
:eek: what did you get now Dave? I have been eyeing some AB turbos but I'm afraid of getting burned!
Yeah, there has been some very nice AB Turbo's popping up - but, I am not ready for that commitment yet. I had one once before, and they do require some patience. I will have more on the one I did pick up in week or so. I'll stick it in the AB section
 
I have a talon, and a lot of the caps will not be centered to the tip. You need to just tighten the cap until it centers. I do not tighten all the way and it works great. The Candy20 does cause a lot of tip dry and just need to wipe off. I also find that when I mix the candy, I only use about 25-30% of the 4030 and 10% 4012. The #3 set up is like a fire hose, so maybe lower your psi a little ......
 
I had a similar problem using the candy20. What are you using for a moisture trap? I found that any moisture from the compressor affects that paint. I found even to much humidity in the air makes it not play fair. I use a moisture trap and a desiccant filter off my 5 gallon compressor for every day painting but when I use the candys I replace the desiccant in the one filter as well as put on a final filter at the airbrush. And even with all that I have to watch the desiccant filter for cuz I need to change it after about a day of airbrushing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
@Power581: yep, I have a moisture trap in line. Humidity isn't likely an issue, as I live in Las Vegas, but I'll look into that.

@jord001 An suggestions on what type of mesh to filter it with? I've wondered if that might be part of the issue.

Regarding the cap: I'll check on that, but it appears to be pretty straight.

I wasn't going to blame it on the airbrush just yet. The Talon was better price-wise and my experience with Paasche in the past has been good. Unfortunately, times change, and the Paasche VL I used was used in the late 80's.

For now, I'm stuck with it, so need to make it work.

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy custom caps for the Talon? The three prong "crown" style one is a bit odd, and makes it difficult to just put your finger over to create backflow for cleaning
 
Actually.. that gives me an idea. Might be able to take some proper size aluminum tube (thick wall) and tap it with the right thread and make a cap. Guess that depends on how important the inner surface of the cap is.
 
Don't know if they were the cheapest, i picked the first one i found.

Lee
I figured I was happy with the price and took a lazy option lol. I’ll do some more looking next time, but £2.50 delivered was fine for now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Problem "paasche". Sounds as though the nozle tip isn't sealing properly. Common problem with paasche guns. Do the bubble test first to see
 
Back
Top