Spitting and Sputtering Airbrush

[TimM63]

I went out to the garage this morning to spray the X-Wing with Surfacer 1500 and my AB was just spitting and sputtering.
Obviously time for a deep cleaning. I should put a deep clean of the AB on a regular schedule.
Question for y'all: How often do you deep clean your AB?

 

[kevin]

Only once so far, but I've only had it for a year and a half.
Funny, I just set it down , and went to check new posts on here and this came up.

 

[Pantherman]

I went out to the garage this morning to spray the X-Wing with Surfacer 1500 and my AB was just spitting and sputtering.
Obviously time for a deep cleaning. I should put a deep clean of the AB on a regular schedule.
Question for y'all: How often do you deep clean your AB?

View attachment 149242

View attachment 149243

I clean thoroughly after every use, wipe down and pollish the chrome. I then completely strip down every part,clean and reassemble every month. Well, it's me so what do you expect....... Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

Only once so far, but I've only had it for a year and a half.
Funny, I just set it down , and went to check new posts on here and this came up.
View attachment 149246

I'm shaking just looking at that... Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

I clean thoroughly after every use, wipe down and pollish the chrome. I then completely strip down every part,clean and reassemble every month. Well, it's me so what do you expect....... Pantherman

Both bought nearly 4 years ago for £20 each. Pantherman

 

[Jakko]

When my airbrush sputters too much, refuses to spray entirely or has similar problems, I put it into my ultrasonic cleaner for about ten minutes.

 

[wjbrandel]

I clean thoroughly after every use, wipe down and pollish the chrome. I then completely strip down every part,clean and reassemble every month. Well, it's me so what do you expect....... Pantherman

That's what I do as well.

 

[TimM63]

I also deep cleaned my backup AB. A cheap Master from Amazon.

 

[Edbert]

I went out to the garage this morning to spray the X-Wing with Surfacer 1500 and my AB was just spitting and sputtering.

Splatter is usually the result of paint that is not thinned enough or air pressure too low, or a drying tip. It sounds like you've eliminated that and are focusing on a cleaning. That is wise, particularly because tiny bits and fibers (smaller than hair) can screw up the spray.

Based on the pic of your breakdown you have all the parts that need general cleaning. I soak those parts in acetone, not too long because it does attack brass (I think), and then put them in mild soap solution for an hour or two in an ultrasonic bath. But the nozzle and needle can sustain damage not visible to the eye, I do not know how to test for that in a way other than replacing them.

 

[Edbert]

I clean thoroughly after every use, wipe down and pollish the chrome. I then completely strip down every part,clean and reassemble every month. Well, it's me so what do you expect....... Pantherman

I could agree you might be going too far, but it certainly prevents problem nobody can say otherwise.

My best advice is to pull the needle after every session, prior to starting a new session put a small bit of 90+% Isopropyl in the bowl and test a spray on a bit of scrap cardboard or wood.

The full breakdown...hmmm...I'd guess after every 5-8 hours of use. More frequent if using enamels and lacquers.

 

[Rob]

I'm usually ready for a full breakdown when the model is finished. Sometimes a bit later but I just like starting a new model with a nice clean airbrush. Sometimes you're fittings leak. I use Bow string lube but you can use beeswax and Badger juice works okay

 

[Littlemarten]

I clean thoroughly after every use, wipe down and pollish the chrome. I then completely strip down every part,clean and reassemble every month. Well, it's me so what do you expect....... Pantherman

I do the same. I have a GREX and a T&C Omni. The GREX is the easiest airbrush to clean that I've ever seen.

Note to

I soak those parts in acetone, not too long because it does attack brass (I think), and then put them in mild soap solution for an hour or two in an ultrasonic bath.

Make sure you don't subject any of the seals to acetone. Acetone is very aggressive to many plastics and "rubber-like" materials. You are much better off using 90+% isopropyl alcohol which is generally less aggressive to such materials. If you use Tamiya or Gunze alcohol solvent paints, that is what you should use for cleaning. Of course, one does not put either in an ultrasonic cleaner! Isopropyl alcohol should have no effect on brass or chrome. As for a soap or detergent cleaner, that's fine in an ultrasonic bath. However, check the pH of the soap or detergent. You want it neutral (close to pH 7). Acids (low pH) do etch chrome and brass, though slowly. What will really tear up the chrome and brass are alkaline solutions (high pH, over 7). Remember years ago when lots of people were using ammonia solutions (high pH to clean acrylics out of air brushes? Ruined a lot of airbrushes.

Hope this helps.

 

[TimM63]

This is what I usually use to clean my AB. Works for water or solvent based acrylics. It works great for me.

 

[Jim62]

I have never broken down my airbrush in that manner. I just give it a good basic cleaning with IPA after each use and haven't had an issue. I used to try different kinds of cleaners at first but I use Tamiya acrylics and finally found that IPA cleans it up very nicely and inexpensively.

 

[scottrc78]

I spray so many different types of media so I clean mine after every use and break them down and run the parts through an ultrasonic cleaner if it looks like I won't be using them for a while. A single action Badger 200L and dual action Paasche VL3. I just bought a new airbrush, my first in 33 years because my old Badger had a seal go out on it and thought I'd treat myself to a new Iwata while waiting to get the Badger repaired. Wow, what a dream that Iwata is.

 

[Littlemarten]

@ scottrc78 OT: Who is that in your avatar?

 

[scottrc78]

My cat playing with my phone.

 

[Littlemarten]

My cat playing with my phone.

Just don't let him play with the airbrush! Cats with opposable thumbs …

 

[Dan the Modeler]

I don't think I have ever cleaned my airbrush once in the last 20 years of using it. Granted it takes a very long time to get the paint nice and even. I probably have to use more paint than I should with this particular airbrush, but it is what it is.

I guess I could run some soapy water through it once in a while, but I really don't see the need for it as it has never clogged up and the air pressure has never been an issue, sometimes it low or high pressure, but that is definitely on me. I am still working out a way to maintain consistency throughout my two to four hour paint sessions depending how much surface area I have to paint.

I don't even see a brand listed on my airbrush, I picked it up so long ago that I don't even recall what the label was on the box, but I think it came with 25 of them in the box. Maybe I'm using the wrong one for the job or just haven't mastered the use of the airbrush.

Maybe someone can give me a few pointers and let me know what I'm doing wrong. Here is a picture of me using it years ago.



PS. I hope this lightened someone's day and gave them a smile. Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

On a serious note, also keep an eye on your air line. Condensation or moisture in the line can cause the same symptoms. It's good to have a moisture trap at the air supply source to keep the line clear. I also like to run a small in-line trap before the AB. HTH