Badger Krome backflow shooting cup cap into the air.

J

Jake Bradley

Guest
So I cleaned my airbrush (not the parts with gaskets) yesterday, using an ultrasonic cleaner and I'm having problems with it now. First, let me say that I've checked this entire thread

http://www.airbrushforum.org/thread...top-back-flushing-paint-for-some-reason.2374/

...and the problem is not the needle, not the cap, not the nozzles, probably not the hold down ring, and not the thinness of the medium. I only notice the problem when I put either of the regulators on (both the fine spray regulator and the ultra fine spray regulator). After a few times of having the cap blow off, I tried to put some airbrush cleaner inside the cup and immediately noticed dripping around the regulator (fine spray), when I hold the brush at a downward angle. Same with the ultra-fine. Now, I have no idea what to do, short of ordering new regulators and a hold down ring, whilst I can't find anything visually wrong with it, and it worked fine before the ultrasonic bath.

What could I do to isolate the problem further? Thanks in advance!

Josh o_O
 
First clean may not be clean . Even using an ultrasonic cleaner .
A good soak of the nozzle in 5619 restorer if using waterbased paints .
Also check to if the nozzle is not cracked . That too will cause air to into the paint chamber .
 
Not familiar with the set up of this brush as never used one so hopefully someone can put you on the right track. In the mean time, if the cap is blowing off seems like you have some serious back pressure. Make sure all the little holes that the air flows through are clear, as is the hole in the cap. And I agree with Herb, I know you have cleaned it - that doesn't mean it's clean. try gently moving the needle in and out of the nozzle by hand, does it feel spongy, sticky, gritty? Is the needle sticking out as far as usual? If you can get any paint through, what is the pattern like? are dots perfectly round, is it spidering in one place, double line effect, spitting etc? All dirty/damaged nozzle issues.

The leaking seams like a seal issue, if the o rings are good, then maybe something isn't tightening down correctly. As I said not familiar with the brush, but seems odd that happens with both regulators. So is the hold down ring and any seals used by both, or do they have different ones? If different then that is probably not the issue, if they use the same parts, and you are 100% sure the nozzle is clean and good, then it's possible. A sonic cleaner shouldn't damage parts though so if it was working fine before then it should be ok. If it's a threaded part, could you have damaged or cross threaded it? Check seals anyway, it could be that disturbing it has affected it, and its not always easy to see.
 
Thanks Mr. Micron - I soaked it in thinner medium since I didn't have any 5619 and ran it again through the ultrasonic. Nozzles are both not cracked.

Still having the same issue, so I'll hit Squishy's questions:

I know you have cleaned it - that doesn't mean it's clean. try gently moving the needle in and out of the nozzle by hand, does it feel spongy, sticky, gritty?
It feels normal.​
Is the needle sticking out as far as usual?
Yes.​
If you can get any paint through, what is the pattern like?
Not trying paint, as it will blow out of the cup into my face and I'm already awake so I don't need that, lol.​
The leaking seams like a seal issue, if the o rings are good, then maybe something isn't tightening down correctly. As I said not familiar with the brush, but seems odd that happens with both regulators. So is the hold down ring and any seals used by both, or do they have different ones?
Used by both and no visible gaskets around the hold down ring.​
If it's a threaded part, could you have damaged or cross threaded it? Check seals anyway, it could be that disturbing it has affected it, and its not always easy to see.
It's possible, but I can't see any thread damage on the hold down ring (its also very hard to see inside the shell threads)
Only thing I can think to do, at this point, is to order a new hold down ring and if that doesn't work, to order a new shell.
 
I may have solved it. Is it common to have to really seat that cup cover on the cup so that it won't fly off? Because when I really push it on there, it works fine. Should have tried that an hour ago, lol. :laugh:


EDIT: I just tried it with the nozzles on and the cap flew off again, so still having trouble!
 
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The cap should never fly off, even if it is just lightly resting there :). Air pressure should never be introduced to the paint stream, or the reservoir - if the brush is functioning properly.

For me, the key is that you say that cleaner started dripping from around the hold down ring, and regulator when the brush was angled downward. If your needle is seated properly, this should never happen. The fact that it is, leads me to suspect your nozzle. There are a few possibilities involving the nozzle that would/could cause all you have described. The first is that a bugger still exists inside the nozzle, and the needle is not fully seating to seal it off. This will allow air to enter the tip of the nozzle, and enter the paint stream. The second is that the nozzle is actually cracked. This will allow your cleaner to drip when it should not, and will allow air to enter the air stream even if the needle is fully seated. The third is the the nozzle is not completely seated, and sealed in the body of the bush. If air can enter at the base of the nozzle, it will! You may need to add wax to the threads, something like bee's wax, or even chapstick will do the job.
 
I really appreciate the great reply!
I ordered new parts and will soon find out if I have to go the distance and ship it back to Badger.
Something happened either during the ultrasonic cleaning or before that - thanks for the advice.
 
if you are using the appropriate cleaning product for the paint that you are using then you shouldn't need the ultrasonic. even after using the ultrasonic you should give the nozzle a 'scrub' with an artist brush or an interdental brush.
As Dave has noted, your needle isn't seated properly if there are drips, or your nozzle is cracked... its rare you'll see a damaged nozzle with the naked eye unless is badly damaged, so unless you've used a jewellers loupe you could still potentially have a cracked nozzle.

Personally I'm with the 'its a blocked nozzle'' crowd.

without knowing what paint you were using we cant recommend which cleaner to use. Its not just a case of putting it in the ultrasonic cleaner, rinse, install and use.

I find it a little rude that your first posts are asking solutions to a problem that you haven't provided all the relevant info for.

so........ in the spirit of full disclosure......
-What paint were you using when the brush started misbehaving
-What brush are you using
-what cleaner are you using
-what liquid do you have in the ultrasonic cleaner
-did you clean the parts after removing from the cleaner before reassembling if so how?

we can not provide answers when we don't have all the relevant info.

you say you used thinners as you didn't have any 5619 (which is cleaner not restorer @ Mr.Micron)
Thinners would be used with urethanes/enamels whereas the 5619 cleaner or the 4008 restorer is designed for waterbased paint, using the wrong product can cause additional problems,
 
One thing no one has addressed yet is the vent hole on the cap clogged?

Good point !! lol

although if the vent hole is clogged it would just stop the flow of paint, (cause a vacuum) not cause the backpressure described ?

do you get bubbles or violent eruptions without the cap on ??
 
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This is what I would do..
1. take airbrush apart again even the nozzle taken off!!
2. Check everything on the front of the brush ( To make sure your not missing an O-ring or seal)
3. Re-clean Everything with a dental pic (brush)
4 with the nozzle off see if the needle fit's into the nozzle with no pressure needed to get the point of the needle to stick out the nozzle tip. (also look for small pieces of paint being pushed out the tip) if you see paint re-clean the nozzle.
5.If all checks out,Put it all back together putting a small amount of bee's wax on the threads and see if it sprays water with no leaks!
6.If it sprays water with no leaks try spraying so paint thru it Thinned 1 drop paint to 5 drops reducer and go from there!
 
Thanks basepaint and all, looks like including all the relevant information I *could think of* helped. I tried what you said and it works fine now. Thanks all!
 
Oh, I should probably say what the problem was.....looks like a little bit of dried paint in the nozzle that was REALLY stubborn. The dental pick helped immensely.
 
Oh, I should probably say what the problem was.....looks like a little bit of dried paint in the nozzle that was REALLY stubborn. The dental pick helped immensely.
Well, now that we've got you working again, how about being polite and actually introducing yourself ?
Just a little info like where on the globe you call home, what sort of painting you do eg: vehicles/tshirts/art / models
what brush and paint do you use.
All of the info just helps us to help you in the long run.

The welcome wagon starts here

http://www.airbrushforum.org/introductions/


.
 
Oh, I'm sorry - in my haste to solve my problem, I overlooked that but thanks for the link.
 
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