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Im having an issue with my airbrush, (the Iwata neo) as im fairly new to airbrushing i just bought it help with basecoats etc till i get better then will look at upgrading, but at the moment after say only a few seconds of spraying it cloggs completely with paint but i can still feel air following.

I am using vallejo model air, but i havent added any thinner.

ive stripped it down and cleaned it twice now, but on my second clean down i noticed the small O ring is cracked (i have ordered a new one) at the Air piston valve. could this be causing a problem with paint flow and clogging.

thanks in advance

Well, could be a few things, realistically. Trying upping the PSI of the compressor your using(I'm assuming you are using one at all.). Also, try thinning down your paint, and adding a retarder to keep it from drying in the cup. I use Liqutex Slow-dri or whatever they call it. Works wonders, just takes a little bit of practice to see what your airbrush likes/can handle versus what it doesn't. The O-ring being damaged shouldn't cause it to stop feeding, though it might cause erratic spraying or lack there of. Definitely try thinning your paint a little more(I thin mine to a near water consistency with retarder like I said). Try running just water through it, and see what your results are. If it does the same thing with water(which it shouldn't), then you have a more serious issue than the ones I just noted.

thanks, i am using a compressor but its a fixed contast flow one (around 15 psi), i have been using it a bit but this is the first time i have had this issue.

ive got some tamyia thinner i will try a 2:1 mix and see what happens. need to purchase some retarder now as well.

you don't HAVE to have retarder, but I like to have it if i'm working for a long period of time. I just don't want to have it clog up, and make it any more of a pain to clean than it already is. I'm still learning too, so don't feel to bad if my techniques don't work for you.

The paint and air come out of different parts, thats why you can still feel the air flowing (in most airbrush designs).

Try spraying water, just plain water. See how well and how long it sprays. If that works well, then either your paint is too thick, or your pressure too low.

See if you have a buddy in your area that has an airbrush, and can lend a hand.

I don't know the neo inner workings, but if there is a tiny needle cap, and its dirty, it can clog very quickly.

best of luck!