Micron Frustration !!!

[QB Dude]

I own an Iwata Custom Micron SB and I have finally got to the point here I need some advice. I have cleaned and cleaned and cleaned it. I have reduced the hell out of my paint. I have adjusted the psi constantly. I have gone to just spraying Createx Illustration paint. And the brush performs poorly. I can't get control of it. It doesn't spray a continuous line but sprays in blotches etc. It acts like the paint isn't reduced enough or that there is a clog in the nozzle. Everyone that owns one these loves it and a lot of people say that they are very temperamental but I need to figure this out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[huskystafford]

Bear in mind I am noob. You gonna get better suggestions from others. But mean while you are waiting I am gonna be your company

When I got my micron I made bunch of tests and I did write them down so I know what is happening. Here are pictures. I made test with different PSI and wicked paint and reducer





So I do wonder how much you reduced your paint exactly and how much PSI did you use. I know what I tried. Don't mind those notes of mine, they are in Slovenian language.

 

[markjthomson]

Are you straining the paint before use?

 

[QB Dude]

Are you straining the paint before use?

I am straining the create wicked paint but not the illustration

 

[QB Dude]

Bear in mind I am noob. You gonna get better suggestions from others. But mean while you are waiting I am gonna be your company

When I got my micron I made bunch of tests and I did write them down so I know what is happening. Here are pictures. I made test with different PSI and wicked paint and reducer


View attachment 65575 View attachment 65576 View attachment 65577


So I do wonder how much you reduced your paint exactly and how much PSI did you use. I know what I tried. Don't mind those notes of mine, they are in Slovenian language.

Up to 8-10 parts reducer to 3 parts paint and as low as 4-5 psi

 

[markjthomson]

I am straining the create wicked paint but not the illustration

and are you getting any different results between the strained and unstrained? Also what colour are you spraying or a range of colours?

 

[huskystafford]

Up to 8-10 parts reducer to 3 parts paint and as low as 4-5 psi

4 psi was to low for me for wicked. I am on 10 psi. Even 6 was bad. For 4 psi I needed 4 color 6 reducer and it was like skate park when trying to make dots.

 

[QB Dude]

and are you getting any different results between the strained and unstrained? Also what colour are you spraying or a range of colours?

Have not noticed a diff between strained and unstrained. I'm using a lot of black, white, paynes grey, red, yellow, sepia and old bone

 

[JackEb]

4 psi is too low, there’s not enough pressure to atomise the paint properly. 10 is as low as I’d go.
Keep it at 10 and then play with reduction. Let the paint/reducer sit for 10-15 min, mix then test spray. Always strain if you can.
At 20psi I can run straight from the bottle with fresh new paint, but some older bottles thicken up and need a drop or two of reducer to get the right viscosity.
The other way is to get the consistency of the paint right (with reducer) and then adjust your psi until you’re getting good atomisation.

 

[JackEb]

And if you don’t yet has a bottle of Createx reducer get some. Soak the nozzle overnight then use a long bristled artist brush to poke out any paint residue. These nozzles are minuscule so t tiny bit of crud is going to cause issue.

 

[twood]

And if you don’t yet has a bottle of Createx reducer get some. Soak the nozzle overnight then use a long bristled artist brush to poke out any paint residue. These nozzles are minuscule so t tiny bit of crud is going to cause issue.

She meant to say 'restorer'...do not spray this stuff

 

[JackEb]

She meant to say 'restorer'...do not spray this stuff

Good pick up Tony, I did mean restorer ! I can’t even blame spell check

 

[twood]

I knew that......I use that and it is great stuff. Just when you think everything is clean, soak it in this stuff for a couple of hours and it amazing how much crap comes out.

 

[DaveG]

I'm gona make a suggestion that is gonna sound really crazy, but I think you should try it anyway . Try adding just the illustration color to the color cup - no thinning, no reducing. Yes, I know it looks thick as mud; do it anyway. Set your compressor at like 20 -25psi (maybe even 30), and try spraying. If you feel you need to reduce, just for this test, use just clean water, and only a couple of drops.

I use Createx products a lot and enjoy the end result they do produce - but, to be honest I find them to be the biggest pain in the "arse", at times. I was really quite surprised at how easily Illustration colors tend to spray right fro the bottle for much of my application purposes. Once I start having to add reducer, I fight "tip dry" from the moment I start spraying.

 

[Mr.Micron]

While I do not own a SB I do own a Micron CM-C+ with the .18 set up .
As DaveG said for the C.I. I do not reduce it at all except the white. Then it is 3 drops paint to 1 drop reducer.
But I usually shoot at about 15 to 20 PSI .

 

[AndreZA]

I very seldom spray below 10psi with my E'tac and that stuff spray easily. I would not go anything less than 15psi with a lot of reducer. Also which reducer are you using? 4012 reducer can go bad and take the paint with it gumming it up.

 

[QB Dude]

I very seldom spray below 10psi with my E'tac and that stuff spray easily. I would not go anything less than 15psi with a lot of reducer. Also which reducer are you using? 4012 reducer can go bad and take the paint with it gumming it up.

Using 4011 reducer always. Does the soft spring trigger have any effect on the performance ?

 

[AndreZA]

It does nothing with the paint. It's purely personal preference.

 

[QB Dude]

It does nothing with the paint. It's purely personal preference.

Correct. Just wondering - I'm really throwing all possibilities out there. Appreciate the responses