I am having trouble getting my air brush to work properly. I do not have a lot of experience with an air brush. I am just starting basicly. I read the directions that came with it, but they are not very clear on some things. What should the air pressure on the compressor be set to? I can't get the brush to spray a fine line. When I adjust the dial on the brush like the directions say, it sprays a fine line, but just for second. Then nothing comes out. I am really frustrated with the thing. I have messed around with it for hours and I can't get it to work right. I have tried changing the tips and I have gone up and down with the air pressure, but I can't get it to work right. If anyone could suggest something I could try, I would appreciate it. Thank you
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What should the air pressure on the compressor be set to?
A/P should be 35 at the airbrush, rubber hose will expand and cause a drop in airpressure at the gun/Air-brush For about 15 bucks you can get a small air guage to use at the hose to air-brush hose connection, you may wish to add a $6.00 disposable filter too.
I can't get the brush to spray a fine line. When I adjust the dial on the brush like the directions say, it sprays a fine line, but just for second.
You need to add retarder for the paints you are using, your paints are drying at the tip, and if you are using a bottle for the paint, make sure the air hole is open, you may even need to drill it out a bit. Just look at the lid of the bottle it is a very small hole.
Use up to 20% retarder, this slows the drying down and allows the paint to flow off the tip.
Thinners will speed up the drying time and cause you more problems.
Give these things a try and get back, they should fix any problems.
I have mine set at almost 60.When I spray it drops to around forty.I think most probably spray between 30 and 35, but this works best for me. You might want to thin your paints, that helps. Some strain the paint but I have never had to do that. Make sure your tips are clean. Do you have a moisture trap on the compressor? That helps also. If you want to read more i'm sure it's in the archives. Good luck.
he didn't want a smart *** answer......lol You were to fast for me.
You didn't state which airbrush you are using, nore the size of the tip. It is possible you are using the wrong airbrush for the job. Tip size is EVERYTHING when it comes to detail work.
Duck bills are not any different than fish painting.
Anyhow I know the problem has been covered a bunch, there are just the same basic steps to geting the airbrush to work.
I never use thinner unless I have left the lid off the paint and it has thickened up. Then I still use retarder, it gives you a better flow of paint.
The drop in Air pressure is another huge problem. I am going to use High pressure PVC pipe and plumb the shop to different locations. Then a single 25' hose will do most of the work. Or even several 25' hoses on reels.
In Auto Painting class is where I found out about the drop in pressure at the terminal end.
For clean, dry air several things can be done. I use a moisture trap at the compressor after the regulator, then the disposable cartridge.
Once I plumb the shop, I will install pressure regulators and additional filters/moisture traps at each terminal point.
For painting applications I will still use the disposable cartridge and small regualtor at the gun or just infront of the air brush.
Also a point to remember is the rubber hoses do stretch and flake rubber off in the air line.
Yes it has and not to long ago. I see a great change in your disposition by answering anyway......LMAO My shop is set up pretty much like that except I used copper and not PVC and above the table where I paint I have mutiple quick connects which allows me to keep main colors connected attached to the brush instead of having to switch bottles all the time.
I never use to thin the paint but started thinning mostle the black and white with a few additional colors. I still use water base paint and have no problem with it.
Forgive me for I have lied! It appears that my drop in the pressure was fixed. When? Don't know, so I have been spraying at almost 60. I lowered but am still spraying at 45. Another fine example of me doing things differantly.