Fine lines fluttering flow...

B

Barabbas_hole

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See attached photo

I'm new to airbrushing. Loving learning. Using an HandS evolution silverline. Seems like a nice bit of kit. I'm having trouble with very fine lines though: I can get them very fine, but even with highly reduced paint I get a very high frequency fluttering in paint flow, such that the lines become dashed (see photo). I'm running from a tank, so no diaphragm. No bubbles in cup. Example is with thinned ink, so I do not think it is viscosity. Is this a normal appearance, or is there a problem, such as an air leak at the nozzle? Thanks in advance for any input! B
 

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Hi,
welcome to the forum, how about popping over to the introduction section and let us know where on the globe you call home, what you like to paint, what got you into airbrushing. etc. It helps us get to know you and suggest local suppliers if needed.

as for your issue above.......
have you ever sprayed anything other than ink through the brush ? it may be as simple as dried paint in the nozzle that is intermittently blocking it. or even dried ink for that matter.
Many newcomers have similar issues, it normally comes back to blockage of some sort. Even though you've cleaned it, I'd suggest soaking it overnight (the nozzle and air cap, not the whole brush) then use a long bristle artist brush to clean out inside the nozzle. We've all been there, screamed 'but its clean' but when you use a jewellers Loupe you can see just how NOT clean it is LOL
It could also be a physical issue with the nozzle / needle if its made contact with the substrate or the floor !!
 
Hi, and welcome!

I see this problem also, and most of the time, increasing my air pressure will remedy the problem. I think the skipping is generally caused by a flow issue, that for some reason the paint just does not want to let go of the needle :) I get it out of brand new brushes, as well as some older ones, so while it is possible that a dirty bit can cause it, it certainly is not the only cause.
 
Thanks jackEB. Will introduce. Have sprayed createx wicked and detail. Cleaned with cleaner, restorer, nozzle reaming tool and ultrasound, to no avail. On close inspection with mag glass I suspect PTFE gasket on rear of nozzle may be squashed (metal collar protrudes beyond it). Overtightened? Heat damage from ultrasound bath? I'll try replacing.
 
Thanks DaveG. Agree: seems best at high pressure with thinned paint. That is why I tried ink with flow enhancer: to see if it is just water tension at nozzle. Problem is that high-pressure makes low-opacity fine lines impossible for me at the moment. Same happening with my other nozzle and needle set (making PTFE idea above less likely), so I wonder if this just normal too?
 
Thanks DaveG. Agree: seems best at high pressure with thinned paint. That is why I tried ink with flow enhancer: to see if it is just water tension at nozzle. Problem is that high-pressure makes low-opacity fine lines impossible for me at the moment. Same happening with my other nozzle and needle set (making PTFE idea above less likely), so I wonder if this just normal too?

I personally think you are onto something with "surface tension" and the possible "grabbiness" of the medium you are using. If you have any needle lube, you might try that. I am not a big fan of the stuff, with the exception of Foxy Studio Airbrush Balm, but something may be worth a try...

I have several import brushes that use needles that feel like they have tiny rings around the circumference - you can not see them, but feel them when dragging a finger nail down the needle - these needle hamper smooth flow, and will produce a stutter step unless pressure is higher...
 
Hmmm needle reeming tool? Personally I don't advise using these in general. It is quite agressive and there is a risk of damaging the inside of the nozzle and also flaring it. Not sure which brush you have, but some have softer metals especially the cheaper ones.

Is the brush behaving the same painting thicker lines, or is it just fine lines? Is the skipping consistent throughout different strokes and pressures?
 
Hmmm needle reeming tool? Personally I don't advise using these in general. It is quite agressive and there is a risk of damaging the inside of the nozzle and also flaring it. Not sure which brush you have, but some have softer metals especially the cheaper ones.

Is the brush behaving the same painting thicker lines, or is it just fine lines? Is the skipping consistent throughout different strokes and pressures?

Thanks. Will go easy with tool. Harder and Steenbeck evolution silverline, .2 tip/needle. Fine lines only, lower airbrush pressures. Worse with thicker paint.
 
I have been working on a solution for this problem since I read your original post yesterday. I got the brush you are using, I also have a H&S .2 set up to play with, but when you say ink, may I ask what brand ink? And, what are you reducing with?

I have tried a few things on another brush that have shown improvement in this condition, but I hesitate to suggest anything till I work it out further. In my case I worked on the condition of the needle - something I would not recommend to someone without the knowledge to do so without damaging the needle. I polished a few needles using progressively finer compounds, and tested each as I went along. The smoother the finish on
the needle, the less chance surface tension will keep the medium stuck to the needle.

When I started I could get fine lines, that appeared gray or transparent (using createx illustration black and 4012 reducer at @50/50). As the lines started getting real fine, I got the skipping or dotted line effect. After polishing I got lines that were not only solid, but appeared much blacker. I am certain it is due to a reduction in surface tension created between needle and paint. Next is to switch to Acrylics and work with a flow enhancer(s)...

I'll post picts as I get some conclusive results - for the time being, I am sticking with my recommendation to up your air pressure. You should be able to reduce the amount of reduction to try to keep the paint where you want it. You may also consider using a regular paint brush to do your thinnest lines - A liner brush is capable f pulling some VERY thin lines. To soften or blend them, you can go back over them with the airbrush...
 
You're an absolute diamond! Very keen to see pictures and grateful for all these tips. Your suggestion also made me wonder whether I may have contaminated the needle or nozzle with lube... pretty confident the issues only started after first airbrush clean. Will try removing and washing with some solvent and reassembly without lubing anterior part of the needle. Thanks for all for help. This is a great forum. Ps: spraying Winsor and Newton Black Indian Drawing Ink. Reducing with deionised water and tried with and without acrylic flow enhancer. No more or less stuttering/fluttering/dashing than with wicked detail though. B
 
You're an absolute diamond! Very keen to see pictures and grateful for all these tips. Your suggestion also made me wonder whether I may have contaminated the needle or nozzle with lube... pretty confident the issues only started after first airbrush clean. Will try removing and washing with some solvent and reassembly without lubing anterior part of the needle. Thanks for all for help. This is a great forum. Ps: spraying Winsor and Newton Black Indian Drawing Ink. Reducing with deionised water and tried with and without acrylic flow enhancer. No more or less stuttering/fluttering/dashing than with wicked detail though. B


Well it's no better for another deep clean, without lubing needle or by replacing the PTFE gasket....
 
See attached photo

I'm new to airbrushing. Loving learning. Using an HandS evolution silverline. Seems like a nice bit of kit. I'm having trouble with very fine lines though: I can get them very fine, but even with highly reduced paint I get a very high frequency fluttering in paint flow, such that the lines become dashed (see photo). I'm running from a tank, so no diaphragm. No bubbles in cup. Example is with thinned ink, so I do not think it is viscosity. Is this a normal appearance, or is there a problem, such as an air leak at the nozzle? Thanks in advance for any input! B
I used the same airbrush, H&S silverline evolution, with kit 0.2 and 0.4.
I have the same problem,now i change color and use hansa, it work better, but some time i have this problem.

Inviato dal mio SM-G930F utilizzando Tapatalk
 
I used the same airbrush, H&S silverline evolution, with kit 0.2 and 0.4.
I have the same problem,now i change color and use hansa, it work better, but some time i have this problem.

Inviato dal mio SM-G930F utilizzando Tapatalk

Thanks. I find with newly cleaned nozzle and after a bit of needle polishing, the effect goes and I can get hairline strokes even with my 0.4set. as soon as the nozzle is contaminated (after first few dry tips) it persists until.next strip clean. Irrelevant unless doing very fine lines, so I am tolerating for now as I learn (endless airbrushtutor drills!). Need to try filtering paint as recommended above. Thanks all for tips/help. B
 
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