Sotar spray issues?

[bex]

this is the spray comparison of my brushes - my sotar seems to be doing "fuzzy" lines (not sure on a better way to describe) they aren't as crisp or defined I remember them being much more crisp before, but they are just really blurry now, I can still get small lines I just can't really build up a picture with them,
I can also hear air escaping somewhere and my whole brush set up doesn't feel as it should. to my limited knowledge I feel like there's something not behaving right with the paint air mixing inside the brush.
Anyone had this happen to their solar?
or have an idea what to trouble shoot first?
my current approach is to keep taking it apart and putting it back together and cleaning it in hopes it just miraculously fixes itself.
It's just recently came back from badgers UK repair shop after having the needle baring replaced. It worked fine and painted amazing lines when it initially came back. Picked it up a couple of weeks back and this has been happening ever since.

 

[tatocorvette]

Hello,
One possibility: With the highest possible magnification, check the tip of the needle for any bend. You can also carefully run it thru your fingers to see if it feels like grabbing.
Another reason I can think of is a tiny crack or deformation in the nozzle, which can result from a bent needle.
The SOTAR has 3 air holes in the base. Make sure they are not obstructed. Same with the air holes of the nozzle hold down ring. Lastly, check the nozzle is properly centered in the air cap.
Is the airbrush getting enough air? An obstruction in the QD connector could affect its performance. Sometimes there is an o-ring that can deform and obstruct the airflow.
Those are some of the steps I would take to check on it.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Let us know how it goes to see how to go from there. I'm sure others will have good or better suggestions.

Thanks,
Ismael

 

[tatocorvette]

Is you SOTAR the earlier (separate head) or the later version (head soldered in place) ?

 

[bex]

Is you SOTAR the earlier (separate head) or the later version (head soldered in place) ?

this is my slim so its the later version with soldered head.

I've just found a new needle and nossle so im going to check all the air ways for debris or obstruction and change over the needle and nose see if that helps.

 

[bex]

Hello,
One possibility: With the highest possible magnification, check the tip of the needle for any bend. You can also carefully run it thru your fingers to see if it feels like grabbing.
Another reason I can think of is a tiny crack or deformation in the nozzle, which can result from a bent needle.
The SOTAR has 3 air holes in the base. Make sure they are not obstructed. Same with the air holes of the nozzle hold down ring. Lastly, check the nozzle is properly centered in the air cap.
Is the airbrush getting enough air? An obstruction in the QD connector could affect its performance. Sometimes there is an o-ring that can deform and obstruct the airflow.
Those are some of the steps I would take to check on it.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Let us know how it goes to see how to go from there. I'm sure others will have good or better suggestions.

Thanks,
Ismael

that's fixed it! no idea how - or what was the issue was either needle /nossle - might get a magnifier lens on the old needle and nossle see if there is any micro issues with them... or maybe it was something clogging the airflow as I also cleaned all those up, put back together and its working again now fine lines high detail
. that's been bugging me for weeks!

 

[Kingpin]

Glad You got it sorted Bex