Airbrush gives a blob. Why?

Thanks everyone for the different avenues of attack. I tore down my airbrush, looked for damage (found none), found some crusty deposits (took care of them with a good soaking and some q-tips), reassembled and went at a blank page of paper with some qualified airbrush paint (Golden High Flow Acrylics). And I'll be damned if I'm not still getting the same issue! Grrrr! I even flushed with a really hot / soap cleaning solution. No luck. Check out the pic below. It illustrates what I'm up against. While travelling, as I snap the paint off, BAM! I get an extra dot of paint. Gives me a nice fat tail off which is really not useful. With light colours, it's not so devastating, but with the dark ones, it's total crap. Can anyone recommend a cleaning solution? Preferably one I can make from household items? Maybe I'm still not as clean as I think I am. And if you recommend Masengil, I'll give you a slap ;) It may be metaphorical, but you'll feel it all the same.

Rockin! Thanks for your help ladies and gents.

Airbrush-Blobs.jpg
 
So what paint were you originally using. Knowing that will help with cleaner suggestions. It sounds like it's dried in the nozzle- it needs soaking in the correct fluid.

Your 'blob' looks like technique ... like you stop moving the brush before you stop pulling the trigger
 
So what paint were you originally using. Knowing that will help with cleaner suggestions. It sounds like it's dried in the nozzle- it needs soaking in the correct fluid.

Your 'blob' looks like technique ... like you stop moving the brush before you stop pulling the trigger

Trust me. I'm still moving when the blob attacks. I think either the needle is worn or the nozzle is worn at this point. As I snap the paint off, the paint on the end of the needle is what is causing my blob. The continuous air flow blows it off and onto my work. Something is out of alignment.

I have an appointment to pick up two new parts tomorrow with my local supplier.

To answer your question, I'm using Galleria acrylics with Golden Airbrush Medium and water to get the right consistency. What would you recommend as a cleaner?
 
Some of the lines continiue after the blob, so you are moving. This is a very severe case of blob. Hopefully you figure out what causes it and let us know. I think it's definitely airbrush issue, maybe both: needle return and needle/nozzle seating issue. I've triggered all kinds of ways and have never had that issue. Did you check with water that you don't have freeflow?
 
Some of the lines continiue after the blob, so you are moving. This is a very severe case of blob. Hopefully you figure out what causes it and let us know. I think it's definitely airbrush issue, maybe both: needle return and needle/nozzle seating issue. I've triggered all kinds of ways and have never had that issue. Did you check with water that you don't have freeflow?

How do you mean 'free flow'? I've been flushing with water continuously. There isn't a restriction on paint moving through the airbrush.
 
What happens if you just point at the board, push down the air and stay still? IE Introduce air but no ink? Does paint still flow? Think thats what Hamaf is trying to say by free flow..Does it bleed ink. Have you tried taking out the spring, stretching it a bit and returning the spring and seeing if more spring tension helps, have you tried increasing the tension of the spring with the spring tensioning nut also to increase pressure on the seating of the needle? Does seem like it may be a non seating issue or possibly even a flared nozzle. you could try gently reaming the nozzle with the needle, you'll be amazed how much crud it can get out other vigourous cleaning doesn't.. Don't think its a paint or reduction issue but what PSI are you painting at?
 
Also try this (after confirming none of the above), slow your movement right down, doesn't really matter how thick it is but try not to let it spider too much, do it on absorbent paper if ya want, just on that edge with 35 or there abouts PSI..So adjust your distance to suit your speed, but the idea is to be an exaggerated slow movement so you can really concentrate on the air on air of movement and the trigger action, slow that down a bit too..You mentioning "snapping" the trigger..May be a silly question but don't know your experience but I assume you don't mean letting it go and snapping back into position? Kinda why a video helps more than pics because it actually allows us to see the action better. if you do that thickerline, slow down but using a more deliberate action and it doesn't blob you can then experiment with lower pressures, bit closer and a bit more speed.
 
Sounds like you still have some junk in the nozzle, probably near the tip.
Created Airbrush Restorer works good for getting that old, harder junk loose. I'd recommended soaking the nozzle, then using dental brace brushes or wood toothpicks that what been soaked in water, give it the best cleaning you can. You can whittle down the toothpicks a bit to get through the tip.
The other possibility is that the nozzle tip is cracked or out-of-round. In that case, you'll need a new nozzle, which for Eclipses aren't too pricey.
 
I hadn't heard of galleria paint so looked it up, and it doesn't seem to be airbrush specific? Airbrush paint has a much finer pigment, if it isn't it makes it much more likely to block. That plus the likelihood of some gumming up from the reducer/water mix, and its seems more and more likely that the nozzle needs soaking or has become flared (which cant always be seen). If the needle seems to be sticking out more than it should, then its probably flared, if its not far enough then its blocked. (maybe find a good photo to compare??). If paint does not come out right away but you have to pull back farther, then that's another indication of dirty/blocked nozzle. If water or reducer alone spray fine after cleaning, but does it again with paint, then the paint/reduction is an issue.

A new nozzle (and needle depending on how old the other one is, they are usually replaced together though because of wear) is seeming like the best way to start from scratch knowing the parts are in top shape. Then I would make sure the paint is ab specific, and use the recommended reducer to give the best scenario for proper performance.
 
Try an experiment just for the heck of it. Load up the airbrush make sure you breather hole is open on the paint bottle. Then paint a line don't worry about start point or stop point. Air on start moving hand and shoulder and as you'll move left to right or right to left stop the paint but make sure you keep that hand and shoulder moving. Also make sure your not moving the wrist. Keep your wrist locked. With no fixed start or stop point you will be able to tell if it is your mechanics or it is the brush.

When you focus on a fixed stop point you can have the tendency to stop everything at once. Also don't snap the trigger closed but close it softly and naturally. Give it a try and see what happens.

One other suggestion is if you don't mind sending the airbrush to someone else to test it you can send it to me or any other to give it a test. I would be glad to test it for you.


Paint on
 
Last edited:
Try an experiment just for the heck of it. Load up the airbrush make sure you breather hole is open on the paint bottle. Then paint a line don't worry about start point or stop point. Air on start moving hand and shoulder and as you'll move left to right or right to left stop the paint but make sure you keep that hand and shoulder moving. Also make sure your not moving the wrist. Keep your wrist locked. With no fixed start or stop point you will be able to tell if it is your mechanics or it is the brush.

When you focus on a fixed stop point you can have the tendency to stop everything at once. Also don't snap the trigger closed but close it softly and naturally. Give it a try and see what happens.

One other suggestion is if you don't mind sending the airbrush to someone else to test it you can send it to me or any other to give it a test. I would be glad to test it for you.


Paint on


That is a great idea....I live real close to you @Sean Chappell . I am in Glen Morris, 10 km south of Cambridge. I would be happy to help. Bring your airbrush and hose and we will try a few things....
Cheers
 
I dont know if it helps, but i vave a issue with blue paint diluited from tube by myself. The weird thing is that only happened with blue and with my iwatas and not with my sotar. I gave up and assume was an issue of my homemade paints.


Enviado desde mi iPad utilizando Tapatalk
 
That is a great idea....I live real close to you @Sean Chappell . I am in Glen Morris, 10 km south of Cambridge. I would be happy to help. Bring your airbrush and hose and we will try a few things....
Cheers
Hey twood, Sorry I haven't been on here in a while. Life has been crazy hectic. I'd love to take you up on your offer. Will you be available this Saturday night? I work, work and then work some more but this Saturday night (November 19th) I should be able to swing by. Let me know. I'd love to know what's going on. Drop me an email at art@seanchappell.com . We'll organize :)

My wife took a video for me. I swear, I keep moving but the damn airbrush gives me a blob anyway. Jerk! It's being challenging, that's for sure.

Rockin! Thanks for the offer :) I'll be there if you're free.

Sean
 
Hey twood, Sorry I haven't been on here in a while. Life has been crazy hectic. I'd love to take you up on your offer. Will you be available this Saturday night? I work, work and then work some more but this Saturday night (November 19th) I should be able to swing by. Let me know. I'd love to know what's going on. Drop me an email at art@seanchappell.com . We'll organize :)

My wife took a video for me. I swear, I keep moving but the damn airbrush gives me a blob anyway. Jerk! It's being challenging, that's for sure.

Rockin! Thanks for the offer :) I'll be there if you're free.

Sean

Email sent with my contact info.....
 
I think I got it! My wife has used rubbing alcohol for years to take acrylics out of fabrics. Well, after soaking my nozzle in rubbing alcohol, a whole bunch of old paint blew out in flecks. Dot eliminated! Looks like it was a question of cleanliness. I guess I'll be using a solution of rubbing alcohol from now on to clean my airbrush at the end of my painting sessions. Does anyone else do this? Can you recommend this as a course of action?
 
lol If you look through the troubleshooting section you'll find quite a few threads (including one from me) about dirty nozzle/bad paint flow issues. It's normal so don't feel bad :)

As for the isopropyl the answer is yes, I use it at the end of a session and then rinse thoroughly with water, just to make sure there will be no damage to non solvent proof seals/o-rings
Createx restorer is also a brilliant product, I find it better than the alcohol, and its reusable so it's economical.
Interdental brushes are a great addition to your cleaning kit too. There are no worries about the metal of the traditional micro bushes scratch the brush internals.
 
lol If you look through the troubleshooting section you'll find quite a few threads (including one from me) about dirty nozzle/bad paint flow issues. It's normal so don't feel bad :)

As for the isopropyl the answer is yes, I use it at the end of a session and then rinse thoroughly with water, just to make sure there will be no damage to non solvent proof seals/o-rings
Createx restorer is also a brilliant product, I find it better than the alcohol, and its reusable so it's economical.
Interdental brushes are a great addition to your cleaning kit too. There are no worries about the metal of the traditional micro bushes scratch the brush internals.
Where would I find interdental brushes? Are they fine enough to fit through the nozzle of an airbrush?
 
Back
Top