What's with my a/b

[Robert1968]

hi


Was doing some spraying the other afternoon on my 1/72 spit, got the Vallejo paints so no thinning, spray pattern was ok then I got spotting of paint drops coming from a/b which hashed the paint up. Cleaned a/b and tried again, half way through it starts again splurging out spots of paint in the spray!!


What's going on


Using iwata neo but think I need another ( or maybe a new compressor ( ouch I think it may be lots of money )


Can anyone help


Robert

[Guest]

hi
Was doing some spraying the other afternoon on my 1/72 spit, got the Vallejo paints so no thinning, spray pattern was ok then I got spotting of paint drops coming from a/b which hashed the paint up. Cleaned a/b and tried again, half way through it starts again splurging out spots of paint in the spray!!


What's going on


Using iwata neo but think I need another ( or maybe a new compressor ( ouch I think it may be lots of money )


Can anyone help


Robert

Perhaps the thinner and the paint has not been mixed properly. If that happens, it sprays out spotty, exactly how you described it. This used to happen to me for ages, and I used to think I had a cracked nozzle on my Iwata Eclipse and High performance. Only just recently, I realised it was not mixed properly. This could be the problem


John

[Guest]

Hmm using crappy acrylic paint would be my diagnosis Robert! Switch to enamels immediately!!


I don't know what pressure you're spraying at, but try a higher setting - sounds to me like a lack of atomization, which can sometimes happen at low PSI

[Guest]

Hmm using crappy acrylic paint would be my diagnosis Robert! Switch to enamels immediately!!
I don't know what pressure you're spraying at, but try a higher setting - sounds to me like a lack of atomization, which can sometimes happen at low PSI

Ha! Enamels.... Hmmmm lacquers for me!


John

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Can I suggest a simple solution, the tip of your airbrush is getting clogged, use a Q-tip between spraying to wipe away the excess that's been sprayed onto your work.


Adrian

[flyjoe180]

Most likely the paint and thinner isn't completely mixed as John said. Enamels aren't the solution to all issues, I had this exact same problem yesterday with Humbrol enamel. Remixed, stirred every few minutes in between runs and all was well.

[Robert1968]

Thanks guys I'll try the remix solution although I was mixing with the agreed thinners. I will remix every so often. Concerning enamel I only use on small areas and mainly by brush by hand. I have found Vallejo are a good all round paint but tamiya has shades I don't yet have in Vallejo hence the mixing process of thinned down paints.


To clean I use a Vallejo a/b cleaner and q tips on the nozzle but I cannot always recheck this


Psi on the compressor is set about 15 but I could up that to about 20 ( iwata did suggest a lower psi


I also have thought of getting a few eBay cheap a/b from China, yes I know they won't last long and may clog more but I have heard some great things on here about Chinese cheapies.


I am also thinking about the eclipse or the revelution but convincing the banker ( wife ) is another matter


Thanks again chaps for your input


Kind regards


Robert

[Guest]

Had this the other day with Vallejo. Higher pressure sorted it but I thinned very very slightly just in case - due to only having a 0.2 needle and priming a large surface. I wouldn't agree the acrylics are crappy, just different and will require a different setup. The finish on most of the primer turned out great and smooth.


Also shake the he'll out of the bottle, very liable to settling

[tanktrack]

your original post stated no thinning vallejo , this may be a typing error I use Vallejo as my main paint and add thinner to it all and a few drops of flow improver , I also mix the paint/thinner externally then add to brush with no problems .

[Robert1968]

Hi there thanks fir your input. I was under impression Vallejo paints went strait to a/b but I have got some Vallejo thinners but think I may need flow improver from john


Regards


Robert

[Guest]

Vallejo Model Air is formulated for direct AB use Robert, although many people thin it slightly.


Model Colour needs mucho thinning!


Sure I can't tempt you with lovely enamels? never get any of these problems with them!


ps 15 PSI is very low, try a blast on some card at 30-35 & see how that goes.

[Guest]

Yes dubster is right about pressure, I'm just starting out and I find they need the higher pressure straight out the bottle. probably slightly thicker and bigger pigment particles. I haven't tried enamel spraying, I'm sure they are superior given their properties but I'm more conscious of safety, smells and having to use stronger chemicals.


What size of needle are you using

[Guest]

Thanks guys I'll try the remix solution although I was mixing with the agreed thinners. I will remix every so often. Concerning enamel I only use on small areas and mainly by brush by hand. I have found Vallejo are a good all round paint but tamiya has shades I don't yet have in Vallejo hence the mixing process of thinned down paints.
To clean I use a Vallejo a/b cleaner and q tips on the nozzle but I cannot always recheck this


Psi on the compressor is set about 15 but I could up that to about 20 ( iwata did suggest a lower psi


I also have thought of getting a few eBay cheap a/b from China, yes I know they won't last long and may clog more but I have heard some great things on here about Chinese cheapies.


I am also thinking about the eclipse or the revelution but convincing the banker ( wife ) is another matter


Thanks again chaps for your input


Kind regards


Robert

Try getting an Iwata Revolution as a minimum if you can if you are thinking of another AB.


John

[PhilJ]

Hi Robert as you know I am new to airbrushing I'm using a h&s eco silverline a Vallejo model air, I shake them vigorously before use and add a few drops of daler rowney flow enhancer too every 20 drops of paint and then sprayed just over 20 psi, about 22 23psi I suppose and so far so good. Also clean nozel after every spay session.

[Guest]

Hi Robert as you know I am new to airbrushing I'm using a h&s eco silverline a Vallejo model air, I shake them vigorously before use and add a few drops of daler rowney flow enhancer too every 20 drops of paint and then sprayed just over 20 psi, about 22 23psi I suppose and so far so good. Also clean nozel after every spay session.

fully agree mate. Although I use an iwata, I spray around that pressure range


John