<![CDATA[Latest posts for the thread "Purging an airbrush and compressor"]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/8.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net Purging an airbrush and compressor
I've just recently starting using an airbrush and have starting with something simple - chaos black basecoat on my Necron Destroyers. I mixed it about 40% paint, 60% alcohol thinner. I took another dakkite's advice and just left the purge valve on the compressor's water reservoir open, both to make sure I don't get any water in my line and to keep the PSI much lower than the compressor's capped output is. And it seemed to work for a while. But after a few minutes of use, my brush started to sputter out clear liquid. I couldn't tell if it was poorly mixed alcohol in the paint jar, or water still getting in the line. Any advice? ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1924661.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1924661.page GMT Purging an airbrush and compressor
I doubt it was moisture... but if it was - you can get a second hose, and put it between the compressor and the moisture-trap, and keep the moisture-trap away from the compressor... giving the 'moisture' time in a sense. They also sell small, "pistol-grip" moisture-traps that you attach as a secondary right to the bottom of your airbrush.

As for mixing paints... 60% alcohol is too much. If you have a premixed alcohol mixture (like 7:1 distilled water : alcohol) than 60% is ok... but straight alcohol, that is too much.

I would most definitely mix your paints in separate, clear, paints pots/cups - so you can both see what you type of consistency you are getting and more importantly - get a feel for what works. Then charge the airbrush with paint, but don't expect it to mix properly otherwise.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1924926.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1924926.page GMT Purging an airbrush and compressor http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1924980.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1924980.page GMT Purging an airbrush and compressor http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925128.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925128.page GMT Purging an airbrush and compressor
However, the fluid that was the problem came out in great spurts and would bubble at the tip of the airbrish. I am in a very humid state (south Georgia), but I am indoors and in a place with central air condition (army barracks). There was no actual drops of moisture on the inside of the water reservoir but there was condensation. Plus, as I said, I left the purge valve on the reservoir open constantly as I applied paint.

It looks to me like some water got in the line anyway.

poipo32 wrote:

I use windex to mix my paints for airbrushing, I mix in a 1:1 ratio and it works great.


Yeah... I think you mentioned this to me in another thread. It's just that I have no windex and an abundance of denatured alcohol. Thanks for the tip, though. I'll probably do that if it's cheaper than bulk ethanol.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925179.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925179.page GMT Purging an airbrush and compressor AC it's hard to believe that water is getting into your line.

Did you take the line off and blow through it? ...if water comes out you will need to let it dry before re-attaching and of course you will know that water was getting through.

The 'pistol-grip' traps are nice for that added protection... here is the one with Iwata thread fitting:
http://www.aswexpress.com/art-supply/catalogs/0068947000000




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also if you are running into the situation where your paint is separating from the thinner, than that could cause lots of problems. The paint could still clog your nozzle and have it come out in spurts, likely the thinner liquid will come out. I forgot is your AB gravity feed or suction?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925346.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925346.page GMT Purging an airbrush and compressor
http://www.rctech.net/forum/painting-designs-graphics-photography/393132-central-pneumatic-airbrush-review-first-time-airbrush-impressions.html

I tried blowing through it after your post, and there was no moisture, but it has been sitting out without an airbrush attached to the end for two hours. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925387.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925387.page GMT Purging an airbrush and compressor
I'd try airbrushing some plain water for a while. If that starts to splutter, then you need to look at how the compressor is set up.

I'm not hugely experienced with airbrushing, but I don't understand the idea with leaving the valve open. I'd close that up somewhat and experiment with that a little.

Simon]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925425.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/316784/1925425.page GMT