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Ok so i had my first go at airbrushing today and when from one problem to another. >.>

So started off with paint coming out when just pushing down the trigger without pulling back which i think was because the needle wasn't all the way in properly which i managed to fix when i took it apart and almost gave up puting it back together.
But right now i can't undo the part of the head that holds the needle tip thing in place which is bad as i think there paint stuck in their from when the needle wasn't seated properly and i need to put the bigger needle in as while it had a nice wide spray pattern when the needle wasn't siting right its a bit to fine for priming tanks now. >.>
Any one got any suggestions for getting it off?

And finaly one of the hose fittings is leaking not sure if i'm going to need a new hose, adaptor or if that plumbing tape will fix it. >.>

At least i got 85% of a vindicator primed though.

For the leak, if its at the fitting, use the tape to help seal it. If that doesn't work, then it might be a bad fitting, and need to replace it. When you take it apart, make sure it isn't stripped or cross threaded.

As for pulling the tip assembly apart, if you got paint in it, try soaking it in isopropyl alcohol and after 10 minutes try to take it apart. You might have to use some pliers to loosen the pieces to clean them better after they are apart.

Just make sure when you put it back together, test it before putting paint it. make sure the needle moves when you pull the trigger back, and forth, and air comes out in the right areas. Then shoot some water thru it first, before adding paint.

Its not an easy tool to use, but will become a good tool to have when you get the hang of it. I'm still learning myself.

Last tip, make sure you thin your paints properly, that is a good way to make sure it works right for you.

Okay.

You're first problem, with paint coming out without pulling the needle back.

The needle was not seated fully forward.

To fix, leave both tips on the airbrush, unscrew and remove the rear casing. Loosen the clamp ring (brass bit that secures the needle). And gently tap the needle forward with your finger until it no longer moves forward, then tighten the clamp, and replace the rear casing.

To remove the needle tip covers, secure the prong guard tip on, and then while holding Both sections of the removable tip, attempt to unscrew it. Repeat as necessary to remove.

(In the future to help reduce this issue, Look into ordering some Needle Lube, I recommend Badgers Regdab needle juice. You can find tutorials on how to use it on YouTube, it's invaluable for your airbrush.)

As for the air leak, the silicone plumbers tape, should help minimize or eliminate the leak.

Seconded for redgab, I also use it as thread lube to stop the needle cap and nozzle from getting stuck. Also acts as a light sealer.

Thanks for the advice guys i do have some regdab.

Will give everything a try tomorrow probaly.

Alright so just a quick update.

Plumbers tape didn't stop the leak but it reduced it enough that the compressor can actually get the tank to its max pressure.

And i managed to get the cap off just used some pliers to get a bit of leveraged on it.

Swapped the needle and ran some water though it and seems to be working fine, will give it another go with paint on Tuesday.

Use the regdab on the threads for the cap when you put it back on, makes a big difference.

Plumbers tape isn't really perfect at stopping leaks, there are better things if you ask at the hardware store.

Don't give up though, airbrushing is amazing. My new brush got here today, wish I had something that needed paint ready to go!

Yeah i put regdab on the threads

Makes a huge difference undoing them, as well as (slightly) stopping leaks without needing to tighten them.

methebest wrote:
Ok so i had my first go at airbrushing today and when from one problem to another. >.>

So started off with paint coming out when just pushing down the trigger without pulling back which i think was because the needle wasn't all the way in properly which i managed to fix when i took it apart and almost gave up puting it back together.
But right now i can't undo the part of the head that holds the needle tip thing in place which is bad as i think there paint stuck in their from when the needle wasn't seated properly and i need to put the bigger needle in as while it had a nice wide spray pattern when the needle wasn't siting right its a bit to fine for priming tanks now. >.>
Any one got any suggestions for getting it off?

And finaly one of the hose fittings is leaking not sure if i'm going to need a new hose, adaptor or if that plumbing tape will fix it. >.>

At least i got 85% of a vindicator primed though.

Tape should fix the leak.

No offense, you shouldnt take anything apart if you have no idea how to put it back together. if you have problems with the brush you should have contacted Badger immediately or posted on their FB page. The owner would have gotten back you most likely the same day.

With regular cleanings these burshes should never have to be fully take apart. Unless its years down the line and maybe you need to replace an o ring or something. So taking it apart apart completely and trying to put it back together was already a wrong doing. Yes I know you still need to take the tip, needle and regular off for regular cleaning so dont everyone jump on me.

I dont understand why you would take the whole thing apart just to adjust the needle on this one, its fairly straight forward and takes seconds.

My suggestion is to email badger or if you have faebook, go to their page and post your problem there.

I totally disagree that airbrushes are magic boxes that should never be taken apart, they all come with exploded diagrams and are built to be completely user serviceable.

kb_lock wrote:
I totally disagree that airbrushes are magic boxes that should never be taken apart, they all come with exploded diagrams and are built to be completely user serviceable.

True, but they are also fairly precise and delicate pieces of kit, so I wouldn't recommend disassembling one and bank on figuring out stuff as you go.

However, even if you have no clue as to how to take one apart or putting it back again, there are plenty of instructions on youtube and other parts of the internet that tell you all you need to know about airbrushes and how to maintain them. So don't be afraid of taking one apart, just get some clue as to what you're doing first. It's easy enough that if maintaining an airbrush is a baffling thing then maybe this is the wrong hobby, because airbrush maintenance is probably the least fiddly part of it all.

Yeah i did it while watching a video of someone doing it, had to watch a second one to get a better angle of the trigger mechanism though.

I had all the same problems when i started too. Then After about a year of trying all sorts of thinners I started using createx wicked airbrush reducer to thin all my vallejo air paints at a 1 to 1 ratio. The reducer is amazing for keeping the paint from sticking to the airbrush. I also pair it with the createx airbrush cleaner. Most of the problems you are having will go away with this combo.

I never spray water through my airbrush, i only use water to wash out the cup then i shoot cleaner through the airbrush. This practice has kept the brush going without having to take it apart for quite some time. Before i started doing this I broke my first airbush from constantly taking it apart to clean it.

Also practice spraying at max psi and learn the feather the trigger on the brush for lower pressure. This allows you to "shoot through" any clogs you may have by pressing trigger all the way down. (Remember to do this off the model )

I hope this helps!

kb_lock wrote:
I totally disagree that airbrushes are magic boxes that should never be taken apart, they all come with exploded diagrams and are built to be completely user serviceable.

Disagree all you want, that came from the mouth of the owner of Badger.

It's not tremendously hard to pull apart an airbrush entirely and put it back together again, but realistically you don't usually need to remove more than the needle, needle/nozzle/air caps and pull the nozzle out.

But occasionally you might have to get in to the rest of it, sometimes the collar at the rear of the brush, the one just forward of the needle chuck, has to be adjusted or tightened, sometimes a seal might need replacing, sometimes you might have accidentally dropped paint in to the trigger mechanism, sometimes the needle packing comes loose and you get paint down the back of it requiring you to pull it apart, clean it and retighten the needle packing.

It's not something you have to do frequently, but I've had to pull both my airbrushes apart a few times over the past couple of years.