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Airbrush issues

Discussion in 'Deer and Gameheads' started by KB, Mar 20, 2016.

  1. Mar 20, 2016 #1
    KB

    KB New Member

    233
    1
    Virginia
    After searching some old posts I think I may know potential causes of my headaches, but still would like some opinions to see if I'm pinpointing all problems. Here is the deal: badger velocity, wildlife colors (all paint 10yrs old now, only doing a couple deer a year), been setting PSI to about 20-25. Only used this brush on 3 deer so far, first 2 did great, 3rd a few issues. I had a little build up on needle and it was sticking at first, and had lots of spattering. Cleaned needle and thinned paint with retarder helped. But still spattering and still seemed to dry up and cause needle to stick. I squirt windex down the trigger opening, and paint cup and cleaned needle again... helped but still had some spattering issues. I have always had some issues like this it seemed with my other airbrush, it was a BEAR AIR and a paasche. I think my issue may be the old paint where some pigment has solidified and causing some build up, and I may need to bump up the psi a bit? Is it necessary to add retarder to these paints? thanks.
     
  3. Mar 20, 2016 #2
    Dannynewman

    Dannynewman Well-Known Member

    347
    470
    Lakeland, Florida
    I add thinner/retardant my paint even though it says airbrush ready and use about 30 to 35 psi, from whathe I understand the paint is supposed to be the consistency of whole milk. This usually works well for me, hope this helps
     

  5. Mar 21, 2016 #3
    jason.fairbanks

    jason.fairbanks Member

    77
    0
    I only do 6-8 deer per year so I feel your pain with paint settling in the bottles and not working well in the airbrush. Are you using water based or lacquer based paints? I have less issues with lacquer based paint. There will be no way around frequently cleaning the air brush for best results but I can usually run 15-20psi with a clean air brush with no issues.
     
  6. Mar 21, 2016 #4
    3bears

    3bears Well-Known Member

    6,679
    2,949
    MN
    Shake the bottles every now and then between uses, will help keep pigment from settling, also the thinner will evaporate out of the bottle even when closed, I add a little as needed and mix it up. There isn't really anything else you can do.
     
  7. Mar 23, 2016 #5
    Dangitboy

    Dangitboy Member

    387
    0
    Texas
    Use Danny's advice.
     
  8. Mar 24, 2016 #6
    AZ~Rich

    AZ~Rich " Africa" never fails to satisfy

    691
    352
    Tucson, AZ
    Are you also cleaning it with a fine set of pipe brushes? It helps.
     
  9. Mar 24, 2016 #7
    Duckslayr

    Duckslayr Active Member

    1,111
    2
    Bend, OR
    Since your cleaning with windex, I'm assuming water based. I run some WD40 through my brush after cleaning. Helps a lot. Also, use isopropyl alcohol to give your brush a good cleaning once in a while.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  10. Mar 24, 2016 #8
    Jerry Huffaker

    Jerry Huffaker Well-Known Member

    2,500
    310
    Simply the spattering is caused from the brush being dirty. It can be hard sometimes but you have to scrub it clean
     
  11. Jan 27, 2023 #9
    Luke McKay

    Luke McKay Active Member

    56
    154
    Bismarck, North Dakota
    I fins that putting you airbrush paints in a tub of hot water for about 15-20 minutes prior to painting helps. anything that has settles seems to mix better when you shake them up.