Help! Dirty airbrush?

QuackingPlums · #1 01-12-2010

Only the second time I've used this airbrush on a car shell, and probably the only time I've used black. I had it apart and sitting overnight in airbrush cleaner and was sure that no black was coming out before I started on the other colours, so what is this effect? Did I somehow miss a part in my cleaning?!

I couldn't see that it had done this because I had the outside wrapped in cling film, and the creases were obscuring it... oddly only appears to have happened on one side too!

Also, notice how the black has obviously oversprayed onto the top of the side windows - I was holding the brush perpendicular to the roof at the time, so would I be correct in assuming I had the pressure up too high? What do I need to do next time to avoid this?

Luckily it's only a Mardave shell so I can afford another...

hammerhead · #2 01-12-2010

firstly what paint are you using if its faskolour just run water through when finnished with each colour untill you get a clear spray of water and same with cleaners for the more adhesive paints give the bowl a wipe also with a bit of tissue to give a good clean and if you leave your brush sit for a while i recomend pulling the needle backnot all the way out but just enough so it doesnt clog your nozzle hope this helps

QuackingPlums · #3 01-12-2010

I'm using Createx/AutoAir, which I think is the same as Faskolour?

I found that if I just spray the cleaner/water through it then paint is still visible at the bottom near the needle (it's a gravity direct feed) where I can't get at it with tissue, which is why I ended up dismantling it all and soaking it in cleaner.

I'll certainly leave the needle backed out when not in use from now on, as I noticed when I first got it going again that the needle seemed "sticky" - as if it wasn't going all the way back in when I released the button.

jimmy · #4 01-12-2010

Looks like overspray to me. I tend to get this with createx when using too high a pressure. It's very hard to see until you back it with a bright colour.
I find it worse spraying in a cold environment

If it was paint in the airbrush you'd not get this effect - I clean the airbrush with a quick spray of water for createx type paints. then a couple of quick blasts of the new colour onto a tissue.

hammerhead · #5 01-12-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuackingPlums

I'm using Createx/AutoAir, which I think is the same as Faskolour?

I found that if I just spray the cleaner/water through it then paint is still visible at the bottom near the needle (it's a gravity direct feed) where I can't get at it with tissue, which is why I ended up dismantling it all and soaking it in cleaner.

I'll certainly leave the needle backed out when not in use from now on, as I noticed when I first got it going again that the needle seemed "sticky" - as if it wasn't going all the way back in when I released the button.

sounds like a little blockage in the nozzle give the needle a wipe with a scouring pad gently wipe all acsess paint from it then push it back in th nozzle wipe the tip and try again

DCM · #6 01-12-2010

When you finish with a colour, flush out and back flush (put finger over the nozzle, start air and pull back). Also, with dark colours, may be worth using Createx airbrush cleaner.

What you got there is to high a pressure and flowing to much paint.

telboy · #7 01-12-2010

The paint at the top of the windows is just too high pressure.
The bubbles on the roof is overspray sticking to whatever was on the shell previously. Not sure what you used for masking and not sure how you wash them out, but it looks like bubbles to me. and seeing as you only have it on one side, I would guess that its been cleaned with washing up liquid, but not dried off by hand, and the bubbles have left a residue on the shell which is what the overspray has stuck to.

Without know all the details of the job, then I can't tell you exactly what it is. If it was glue or such from masking then it would be straight lines. Which is whiy I suspect bubble from the washing process.

But generally after you've sprayed black (or any dark colour) for a fade, always wipe it with a clean dry cloth to get rid of any overspray. You can wipe the area before spraying to avoind the paint sticking too.

QuackingPlums · #8 01-12-2010

When I bought my paints I also ordered some cleaner, but it's labelled "Medea" rather than Createx. I was told this is fine and it certainly seems to do the trick as long as I give it time to work.

I have a compressor that is not dissimilar to this:

I notice that the gauge just goes up to about 50-60psi and then the pump switches off. This must be the pressure inside the tank so how do I know what the pressure is coming to the brush? Is it just trial and error or is it possible to get a gauge for the output of the reg?