Help diagnosing issue with eclipse airbrush please.

E

Elltrain

Guest
Hey folks,

I have an Iwata Eclipse HP CS. I'm having an issue where, when I spray, it intermittently and rhythmically pulsates air. When I push the trigger with no paint, I get little air bubbles in the water in the tank. The brush is clean and I'm experiencing the issue with just water.

Now, in researching this issue, it turns out I've been making a mistake. I've been soaking my whole (disassembled) airbrush in Medea airbrush cleaner in my ultrasonic cleaner. Apparently this can damage the O-rings which can lead to the issue.

I want to take a look at the O-ring labelled #7 (packing valve piston oring) in the attached picture, as the O-ring labelled 5 (packing head oring) looks completely fine and airtight (but maybe looks are deceiving). But I can't figure out how to open up that part of the brush.

My head cap is screwed on as tight as I can reasonably twist it -- I've read that cap being loose can cause this issue as well.

What should I do? What else could cause this issue if it's not the O-ring? What other steps can I take to debug this issue? I'm really at my wits end here. Thank you.

airbrush.png
 
Hi Elltrain,
firstly how about popping across to the intro section of the forum and say Hi , let us know where you call home and what (apart from the troublesome toy above) gear you have. You'll find it here http://www.airbrushforum.org/introductions/
The #7 o-ring will only need changing if your trigger is stiff.
If you are getting bubbles in the cup its normally a sign of a dirty nozzle of the head/air cap not on tightly enough. as you have stated, finger tightened only.
Maybe remove them both again, give the threads a good clean up and give the threads a light smear of chapstick / lipbalm to help seal.

If you are still getting bubbles then you either have a dirty brush or a damaged nozzle.

What paint are you using and how are you cleaning it.... are you using a brush to clean the threads etc after the ultrasound. The more detail you can provide the better we can help you

@AndreZA has instructions on his website on how to change the airvalve oring
https://avwairbrushworks.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/airvalve-removal/

.................
 
Air bubbles in the cup will never come from O-ring 7 on the Eclipse. This O-ring will cause the trigger to become sticky, or stay on when depressed, if it is either damaged, or swollen. The tutorial in Andre's blog post will get you close, but on the Eclipse there is also a brass insert in the air valve that needs to come out - part #8. You can use the back of the needle to help get it out the bottom of the brush by pking down through the trigger slot, and pressing down on the O-ring itself. Once the brass piece starts out the bottom of the air valve, simply pull it out with your fingers - the O-ring #7 will be free to come out...
24796260_1749733428402457_997078972847518310_n.jpg


With that out of the way, the real issue is going to be associated with the head or nozzle. Sometimes debris gets trapped between the nozzle, and the tape rit fits into inthe brush body. This can can and will allow air to leak back into the paint path. If that is not it, then sometimes either the nozzle or the seat can get scratched from overzealous cleaning - air leak, In both cases, a light coat of chapstick around the taper of the nozzle, and then inserting it into the tapar of the brush - make sure to remove any excess that squeezes out. Snug the nozzle cap back on, and use the wrench to give it one more little nudge, but don't over do it!

If you are still getting bubbles in the cup, you will need a magnifying glass to examine the very edge of the nozzle - you will be looking for a crack. The crack will allow air to enter the paint path... This will need to be replaced.

The pulsing you are experiencing will also be due to an air leak of some sort, associated usually with the nozzle cap.

Whie is is generally a good idea to keep fluids and such out of the air valve, I will mention that the Medea cleaner is a mild enough solution that it really should not cause issue with any of the internal bits on this brush.
 
Okay. Do you think replacing the nozzle is the first thing I should do? My nozzle at one point did get stuck, and it took a pretty severe amount of force to get it out. I would not be surprised if it was damaged in the ordeal.

I'll definitely give the chapstick a try as well.
 
Okay. Do you think replacing the nozzle is the first thing I should do? My nozzle at one point did get stuck, and it took a pretty severe amount of force to get it out. I would not be surprised if it was damaged in the ordeal.

I'll definitely give the chapstick a try as well.
It is easy enough to remove the nozzle cap, and nozzle - clean everything reasonably well, and then apply chapstick to the lower taper on the nozzle cone. Might as well also try a little around the threads on the nozzle cap - I use a toothpick to apply it where I want it with at least a little feeling of control. Test spray again - if you still have a problem, then yes, I would look at replacing the nozzle.

chapstick around the base of the nozzle where the LEFT arrow is (ignore the right one, this pict was from another post I made. On the Eclipse, the brass and silver nozzle pieces are considered one unit, and should not be taken apart) - not very much is really needed, and make sure not to get any in the nozzle.
19420698_1162307327208187_250398786281430254_n.jpg
 
On the Eclipse the nozzle isn’t supposed to be separated from the brass bit :)
It’s treated as one bit as seen as #4 on the diagram
 
It is easy enough to remove the nozzle cap, and nozzle - clean everything reasonably well, and then apply chapstick to the lower taper on the nozzle cone. Might as well also try a little around the threads on the nozzle cap - I use a toothpick to apply it where I want it with at least a little feeling of control. Test spray again - if you still have a problem, then yes, I would look at replacing the nozzle.

chapstick around the base of the nozzle where the left arrow is - not very much is really needed, and make sure not to get any in the nozzle.

This is insanely helpful. I'll give it a shot and report back. I'll bet my nozzle is damaged, though. I keep my airbrush pretty meticulously clean.
 
This is insanely helpful. I'll give it a shot and report back. I'll bet my nozzle is damaged, though. I keep my airbrush pretty meticulously clean.
Even when you think it’s clean there is often a microscopic bit in hiding just to irritate you :)
 
On the Eclipse the nozzle isn’t supposed to be separated from the brass bit :)
It’s treated as one bit as seen as #4 on the diagram

On mine it definitely comes apart, just like the picture DaveG posted. It even came with a wrench to twist it apart. Here's the replacement part from the manual:
https://www.merriartist.com/Iwata_airbrush_part_I_604_2_p/i-604-2.htm

The i-604-1 is a single piece and is unique to the HP-BCS.

Anyway, scrubbing the nozzle and using the chapstick completely fixed my problem. I'm so relieved. I spent the better part of a week stressing out about this. I'm not sure if I have an imperfection that the chapstick hides or I just wasn't anal enough previously (I did find a tiny little black speck in there), but it's shooting steady again!

Thanks so much guys.
 
On mine it definitely comes apart, just like the picture DaveG posted. It even came with a wrench to twist it apart. Here's the replacement part from the manual:
https://www.merriartist.com/Iwata_airbrush_part_I_604_2_p/i-604-2.htm

The i-604-1 is a single piece and is unique to the HP-BCS.

Anyway, scrubbing the nozzle and using the chapstick completely fixed my problem. I'm so relieved. I spent the better part of a week stressing out about this.
Yes, the nozzle and brass piece of the Eclipse are considered one piece. The brass piece separates from the airbrush easily. On other Iwata models that teeny tiny tip is supposed to be able to be separated. You need your wits about you when you clean something the size of a grain of rice

Now your issue has been resolved how about heading across to do that intro I suggested ?

And I’ve moved this to troubleshooting.
 
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Looks like JackEb and Dave G have got you covered. I’m glad you can stop stressing now. In fact, stick around and you’ll learn what a huge stress reliever this forum can be! [emoji3]. Wether that’s solving problems, offering ideas and help or just plain ball busting lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yes, the nozzle and brass piece of the Eclipse are considered one piece. The brass piece separates from the airbrush easily. On other Iwata models that teeny tiny tip is supposed to be able to be separated. You need your wits about you when you clean something the size of a grain of rice

Now your issue has been resolved how about heading across to do that intro I suggested ?

And I’ve moved this to troubleshooting.

I'm telling ya, mine has a teeny tiny tip that separates from the brass piece too :) It came with a wrench with a tiny little socket in it to twist it off.

I went ahead and posted an intro. Thanks again folks.
 
You may have succeeded in separating the brass and nozzle tip but it is not designed to be separated. When I got my hp-can I got a large wrench to separate #3 from #6 no nozzle wrench or cut out on the large wrench. Maybe they are now supplying wrench’s with the tiny cut out to also work on non floating nozzles and avoid having more bits in the tool box.
I also found this on Dons Airbrush site.....
This is talking about the Eclipse HP-CS
07B70A0A-019A-4250-83F5-7E23C89CED6C.jpeg
 
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