Newbie to airbrushing

[Pyro]

Just found a badger patriot, 150 & an 80-2 compressor at a great price. Always wanted to try my hand at this since it's the only media I haven't really tried. The brushes work fine, only problem is that when I press down for air, paint is coming out before I pull the trigger. I've tried paint straight from the bottle, thinner, & a few other things, but I can't seem to control the paint flow. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[otpowell]

Dirty nozzle perhaps. The needle is tapered and when the needle is seated in the nozzle, no paint comes through unless something like dried paint or damaged needle is inhibiting the needle from fully closing or seating in the nozzle. Try cleaning the inside of your nozzle with a toothpick cut in half or soak it in some createx restorer or then cleaning with toothpick. A jewelers loupe works good to examine your needle and nozzle for defects. Jewelers loupes on amazon for like 5 bucks.

 

[Mr.Micron]

Dirty nozzle perhaps. The needle is tapered and when the needle is seated in the nozzle, no paint comes through unless something like dried paint or damaged needle is inhibiting the needle from fully closing or seating in the nozzle. Try cleaning the inside of your nozzle with a toothpick cut in half or soak it in some createx restorer or then cleaning with toothpick. A jewelers loupe works good to examine your needle and nozzle for defects. Jewelers loupes on amazon for like 5 bucks.

First I am happy to say Otpowell has learn well . The nozzle is either clogged or cracked ,
Being I am not sure what type of paint you are using I suggest if water based paint soak it in denatured Alcohol or by some restorer made by Createx.
If it is urethane use the reducer made for the paint and let it soak.
Soak only the nozzle either product can harm rubber o-rings.

 

[Pyro]

Thanks to both of you- got the nozzle cleaned, but it's still giving paint without pulling back. The 150 came with 3 different tips & needles, but none of them are clearly marked. I did just make my first stencil (Autobot logo, go me) & it performed well, other than the paint issue. Between the 150 & the Patriot, which is better for finer lines? I don't know much about the compressor, either, but I'm looking into a regulator, if it will be compatible. Thanks again for the info. I'm really getting into this. BTW- using spectra tex for now.

 

[otpowell]

First I am happy to say Otpowell has learn well . The nozzle is either clogged or cracked ,
Being I am not sure what type of paint you are using I suggest if water based paint soak it in denatured Alcohol or by some restorer made by Createx.
If it is urethane use the reducer made for the paint and let it soak.
Soak only the nozzle either product can harm rubber o-rings.

Thanks Herb! Once you get into this airbrushing a little, and have a chance to step back and think about it, the physics and chemistry of everything starts to take shape and make sense. It's amazing to me that I didn't understand these concepts at first because its just elementary physics and chemistry. Guess just about everyone is like that. There is a lot of info to learn for a newbie kinda.

 

[otpowell]

Thanks to both of you- got the nozzle cleaned, but it's still giving paint without pulling back. The 150 came with 3 different tips & needles, but none of them are clearly marked. I did just make my first stencil (Autobot logo, go me) & it performed well, other than the paint issue. Between the 150 & the Patriot, which is better for finer lines? I don't know much about the compressor, either, but I'm looking into a regulator, if it will be compatible. Thanks again for the info. I'm really getting into this. BTW- using spectra tex for now.

I have the 150, I like my iwata hp-cs much better. It could be your needle bent a little or something.. Or a defect in the nozzle. Seat your needle in the nozzle all the way and have a look at it with a magnifying glass or something.. Try to have visibility of what is happening then you can fix it.