Bubbles

Johnny

Double Actioner
I've cleaned, re-cleaned, used Teflon tape behind the nozzle cap and am still getting a stream of bubbles at the bottom of the cup. Where the heck e-can this blockage or air leak be coming from?
 
since no one else has chimed in. I'm pretty sure those have an oring on the nozzle itself. Oringed nozzles SUCK. See if it's on their crooked or not on there at all. Most airbrushers use beeswax or softwax to seal threads where the nozzle and caps are concerned.
 
since no one else has chimed in. I'm pretty sure those have an oring on the nozzle itself. Oringed nozzles SUCK. See if it's on their crooked or not on there at all. Most airbrushers use beeswax or softwax to seal threads where the nozzle and caps are concerned.
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I checked that and I even used a bunch of Teflon tape to no avail.
 
using teflon tape should not be needed, it can in fact cause problems by stretching the threads (brass is a soft metal) if you've got a bit of tape blocking one of the air channels you will have spray problems.

I know you 'cleaned it' ... but.... have a read through here.
https://www.airbrushforum.org/threa...er-to-show-what-was-still-in-the-brush.14250/

any part of your airbrush that 'screws' should only be finger tight, a little chapstick/beeswax can help to seal the threads but I certainly wouldn't be using more than a human hair worth of teflon tape.
 
I think Jackie has it. If you are talking about bubbles inside the paint cup and not externally through one of the joints on the airbrush, something is blocked internally. The most common cause is dried paint that wasn't cleaned out thoroughly. Over application of any sealing tape could also cause a problem. There are a lot of small holes and channels in an airbrush. Plugging any of them is going to cause an issue.
 
I tried a brand new nozzle and needle to no avail.....Even let the everything soak in Windex and alcohol for a couple of hours.

Eclipse HP CS is on the way.

I would like to salvage this G233 though.
 
I tried a brand new nozzle and needle to no avail.....Even let the everything soak in Windex and alcohol for a couple of hours.

Eclipse HP CS is on the way.

I would like to salvage this G233 though.

if you changed the nozzle and needle then to me that would suggest one of the air channels may be blocked ?
@DaveG what are your thoughts on this one - have I got it wrong ? Be careful soaking parts, the alcohol (isopropyl I assume) may have damaged o-rings or seals.

You won't regret the Eclipse. One piece self centring nozzle is very nice. (the minuscule nozzle right at the end isn't designed to come off so don't try ! )
 
Looking down into the cup, with brush pointing forward, the bubbles are coming from the right side of the needle hole.

Another question: The cleaning brushes that came with this kit are extremely abrasive. I can't see how the most narrow one won't damage the passage behind the nozzle.
 
The air passage and paint path never cross within the brush, so a blockage in either would remain isolated. Air can only be introduced to the paint path, and as a result back into the cup, at the front of the brush. It is usually the base of the nozzle where air finds it's way in. So, it is usually either the nozzle, or nozzle cap. The nozzle must protrude from the nozzle, as least a small amount. If not, air will find it's way in to the nozzle - rather than over it. There must be a gap between the nozzle cap opening, and the nozzle. It is not a large gap, in fact the smaller the better - but, it has to be there. It should also appear to be an even gap all the way around. No gap, and instead of the air rushing out the front, it will be forced into the base of the nozzle, as it has to go someplace. A crack in the wall of the nozzle tip will cause an uneven distribution of pressure around the nozzle, and force air back into the paint path/cup. On a rare occasion, a dirty nozzle will also cause an uneven distribution of paint exiting the nozzle, causing high pressure air to be drawn back into the nozzle - bubbles in the cup, many people will swear they resolved it by cleaning the nozzle, but the actual occurrence of this situation is uncommon. It is usually one of the other areas that were resolved in getting to the nozzle to clean it ;);).

Teflon tape is not a good choice for trying to seal any of these areas. On a brush that may have wider tolerances in spec, teflon tape may be thick enough to throw things out of wack. Use bee's wax, or chapstick for the easiest and most efficient seal.
 
Another question: The cleaning brushes that came with this kit are extremely abrasive. I can't see how the most narrow one won't damage the passage behind the nozzle.
if they are the ones with the metal twisted handle then pop them in your tool box and buy a pack of interdental brushes , so much gentler on the poor airbrush. I only ever use long bristle hairy brushes for cleaning inside the nozzle. so much safer.
 
since no one else has chimed in. I'm pretty sure those have an oring on the nozzle itself. Oringed nozzles SUCK. See if it's on their crooked or not on there at all. Most airbrushers use beeswax or softwax to seal threads where the nozzle and caps are concerned.

My NEOs have orings on nozzles. So I can use beeswax to seal the thing? Do you have an example of what to buy and where ? The nozzle is really really small so it won't be easy to apply it correctly.
 
There are many methods, but this is one. You can use a lighter instead of a soldering iron as long as you are careful not to heat the metal too much.

That works well for beeswax, but generally I just use chapstick and a cocktail stick. Put a little chapstick on the stick and wipe it into the threads. Put on the cap/nozzle to finger tight
 
That works well for beeswax, but generally I just use chapstick and a cocktail stick. Put a little chapstick on the stick and wipe it into the threads. Put on the cap/nozzle to finger tight
Do you remove completely the nozzle?
 
Removing the ring ensures that the nozzle is further in the airbrush.
The Teflon tape around the air cap ensures that it is not fully tightened.
Think the nozzle protrudes too little from the air cap. What causes bubbles.

For those who spray with the needle protection cap you can also do a backflush through loosen the air cap slightly.
 
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