DaveG
Airbush Analyst
I purchased a pair of older Iwata HP-B's that were being sold as "for parts" off a couple of Ebay ads. I noticed they were from the same seller, and there was a make an offer option, so asked to bundle them, and purchased both of them. I figured I could probably build one usable brush out of the parts. Besides, if I needed, I do have some extra parts already on hand for these particular brushes.
They came in, and I will say they were actually in better shape than I had expected. One was missing a needle cap, and both had bent needle tips. There was plenty of dried "paint" in all the usual places - I suspect it was actually nail polish, or something similar.
I tore both brushes down to bare bones. All the O-rings were removed from the brush bodies, needle packing removed, air valves stripped, everything. Everybody went for a soak or two in the ultrasonic cleaner, acetone, ultrasonic cleaner, soapy water, ultrasonic cleaner - small interdental brush scrub, repeat until there was not a spec of paint left anywhere - no sign of residue, no nothing, but bright shiny plating.
I re-assembled one of them using a set-up I have been rebuilding Olympos brushes with, in that I went with a Micron .18 nozzle/needle, and smaller air cap vs. the standard on HP-B. I also upgraded the spring retainer, guide, and adjuster with parts from the Micron side of the family. Air valve and needle springs replaced with custom wound units I have been testing, and topped off with a black pre-set handle.
The second brush required the same sort of attention in the cleaning department. This one also needed a replacement nozzle, because it was broken just below the flange, and fell apart while being re-installed. I kept this one as stock, with the exception of replacing the springs with the softer ones I prefer. I repaired one of the bent needle tips using my Sharpenair, and re-installed it into the .2 set up. The .18 uses a Micron needle, so I also repaired the .2 needle that came out of that brush, and put it away for future use.
Both are spraying the way I would expect them too, and feel as if they are new. The dogs turned into a fantastic pair of brushes. Yippie!
They came in, and I will say they were actually in better shape than I had expected. One was missing a needle cap, and both had bent needle tips. There was plenty of dried "paint" in all the usual places - I suspect it was actually nail polish, or something similar.
I tore both brushes down to bare bones. All the O-rings were removed from the brush bodies, needle packing removed, air valves stripped, everything. Everybody went for a soak or two in the ultrasonic cleaner, acetone, ultrasonic cleaner, soapy water, ultrasonic cleaner - small interdental brush scrub, repeat until there was not a spec of paint left anywhere - no sign of residue, no nothing, but bright shiny plating.
I re-assembled one of them using a set-up I have been rebuilding Olympos brushes with, in that I went with a Micron .18 nozzle/needle, and smaller air cap vs. the standard on HP-B. I also upgraded the spring retainer, guide, and adjuster with parts from the Micron side of the family. Air valve and needle springs replaced with custom wound units I have been testing, and topped off with a black pre-set handle.
The second brush required the same sort of attention in the cleaning department. This one also needed a replacement nozzle, because it was broken just below the flange, and fell apart while being re-installed. I kept this one as stock, with the exception of replacing the springs with the softer ones I prefer. I repaired one of the bent needle tips using my Sharpenair, and re-installed it into the .2 set up. The .18 uses a Micron needle, so I also repaired the .2 needle that came out of that brush, and put it away for future use.
Both are spraying the way I would expect them too, and feel as if they are new. The dogs turned into a fantastic pair of brushes. Yippie!
