Airbrush Help pleeease!

[kevr]

Hi all,
This is probably a total noob question, but here goes

I could use some help with my airbrush. It's a Badger 155 Anthem. Its performance has been deteriorating over time to the point where it nearly won't spray at all anymore. I need to be at about 55 psi before it will spray thinner. IMO this is way too high! My paint is thinned to airbrush consistency (or at least I think it is - about the consistency of water).

I'm very careful to clean it after each use, removing and soaking the parts at the front of the airbrush in thinner or acetone and cleaning the needle. I just disassembled and soaked the entire thing (the hard parts) in acetone for about 24 hours to remove any buildup that might be in there, but it didn't really help.

Any suggestions, or is it time to buy a new one? This one isn't that old, I swear it's been used less than 30 times. I'd hate to have to just replace it, but if this thing is just junk, I'd rather buy a better one. I'm pretty sure the Badger is an entry level brush - is there another brand or model that's better? I used to have a badger back in the day and I remember it doing the same thing. How about Pasche - how do they compare? What are you all using and what are your experiences? I've read that some require less pressure to operate or are better suited for spraying larger surfaces? (like a spaceship hull!...) while others are better for things like automotive pinstriping...

Any input would be appreciated, I'm kinda new to a lot of this stuff, and don't have a ton of experience with airbrushes. If I can't get this one working well buy saturday morning, I'll be buying a new one that day. Is there a price point to stay above in order to get a professional level tool? Any recommendations are welcome.

Thanks

 

[trooper]

sounds like you need new seals.

 

[retiredadguy]

What kind of paint are you using? Acrylic or Enamel?

Acetone is not a recomended cleaner for either. Sounds like your nozzle has paint build up.

I have had similar problems with an Iawata I use to use doing commercial art on illustration board back in the day.

Are you using a compressor or bottled air? Possibly you need a new tip. I used to keep a few spares handy when doing commercial jobs.

Currently I use a REALLY cheap Pasche single action on models. Less internal parts to get gummed up.

 

[astroboy]

The tamaya "airbrush cleaner" is really amazing. Using that and some pipe cleaners can make your airbrush new again

 

[thebeans]

Try cleaning it in an ultrasonic cleaner,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_4XIoH3R1c

 

[Pcoz]

I have the exact same airbrush with no issues. I don't believe you are supposed to soak any parts if I remember correctly. I use a cheap point zero compressor with a tank (amazon) and I set my pressure at 20-30 psi depending on what I'm doing. I've only used airbrush paint so far but I have acrylic with an airbrush medium I will be trying on my next project. Need more info to help you....

 

[kevr]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm beginning to see that my problems might be self inflicted!

I know acetone isn't an approved cleaner but that stuff will eat anything - and as I'm reading - it'll probably also eat the brass surfaces on the internal parts. I figured since it was so powerful it would be the best stuff to use but probably not! I'm probably going overkill with cleaning and that may have ruined the airbrush. There is no paint buildup that I can see anywhere on close inspection with a flashlight. One other thing I noticed and forgot to mention is that air would bubble up through the siphon cup when it's not working.

I thought the only seals were the oring under the carb head and in the air valve, both of which I remove before soaking. If there are internal seals then I'm sure they're shot from overcleaning in acetone. My mistake. I have a lot to learn.

I'm using it for spraying acrylic, enamel and lacquer and cleaning it thoroughly between. I'm using a medium size piston compressor with I think a 2 gallon tank. Its one of those meant to run small nail guns and power staplers. It does the job quite well. I am using water and oil seperators.

well all of this doesn't really matter anymore except that this is stuff that's good to know. After doing some research, I ordered an Iwata eclipse hp-sbs side feed, it'll be here tomorrow. I wanted the G6 but it's too far over my budget. I don't think this badger is worth fixing, it was pretty cheap anyway. I'll be sure to do some more reading on how to properly clean and care for an airbrush so I don't mess this one up.

Is it really only necessary to spray some cleaner through it and wipe off the needle after spraying? It doesn't seem like enough. What do you guys find works best, how do you clean yours?

 

[GF]

probably a seal, my badger had separated were you screw in hose, its actually soldered in that area, I sent it to Badger and they replaced it at no charge , great customer service BTW my badger was over 7 years old

 

[kamandi]

One of the easiest ways to clean an airbrush after use is have a bucket with an inch or two of simple green, wrap a rubber band around your airbrush trigger and drop it in the bucket. Let the airbrush circulate simple green for a few minutes.

 

[jake88]

Try filtering your already thinned paint through a mesh coffee filter. This solved my clogging spitting problem with acrylics.

 

[robn1]

...air would bubble up through the siphon cup when it's not working...

This could be caused by a blockage, a loose cap or a bad seal. Check the tip to be sure it's clean, also check for damage on the needle.

 

[retiredadguy]

I highly recommend getting 2 EXTRA needles, 2 extra paint cups, one larger if possible.

Your air sound like a good set up,..do you have a psi guage? If not I would recommend one. Makes a difference.

I used to use a 4 oz. squeeze bottle with a few drops of dish soap and just spray it thru airbrush cup out the brush in to a metal trash can with paper towels in the bottom, to clean it between colors. then flush it for about 5 min. the same why a the end of the day. Do the same thing with enamel or lacquer, only use enamel thinner / brush cleaner instead of water.