Airbrush blues, please help

[brianfowler713 3336xp 0]

Several months ago I got a gravity filled airbrush (Neo CN by Iwata) I used it intermittently for priming and it’s worked very well, until today. Today I was priming a batch of models black, and before I could finish them it stopped working.

I used Vallejo air black mixed with AV airbrush thinner and AV flow improver. When I started I also added a drop of AV retarder medium, but I stopped because I didn’t think it was helping the paint go further. Anyways, once I was down to the last five models (between 20-30) the airbrush stopped giving almost any pressure. I used Airbrush cleaner with flow improver and paint thinner for good measure and the stuff didn’t so much spray out as dripped out. And what spray I did get is spraying downward, as in below where the nozzle is pointing.

Please help

[soldado 5903xp 0]

@brianfowler713 whats your compressor set to pressure wise?

Im assuming it was still running when the brush stopped spraying?

The spraying downwards could suggest a buildup of paint in and around the nozzle have you had that apart and cleared it out?

 

[m30wm1x 2318xp 0]

Could be a couple of things, mostly paint build up. Check the nozzle cap, just give it a quick once over with a cue tip dipped in airbrush cleaner. If not could be paint build up inside the nozzle where the needle presses against it.

If the airbrush itself all seems good then it could be the compressor, they don’t always like being run for too long in one go as they heat up and some internal parts can start to wear. Doesn’t seem likely though as a compressor problem wouldn’t affect the direction of the spray.

TL;DR Clean, Clean and clean again.

[brianfowler713 3336xp 0]

@soldado, There is no pressure setting for the compressor that I can see, there is just an on switch. It’s a Testor compressor I bought with my first airbrush. It was still on when the pressure stopped.

@m30wm1x, I’m going to try taking the nozzle apart and cleaning it now, thanks.

[brianfowler713 3336xp 0]

So the airbrush is working again and I finished priming, AND I cleaned it again. Just don’t get it because I was cleaning the airbrush. I was even cleaning it between groups of 4-5 models.

Either way, it seems fine, for now.

[dammitprawn 1809xp 0]

Are you using the Vallejo air black primer? I’ve found that after a while the chemical bond (or whatever?) of the primer breaks down and ends up being very pigment heavy no matter how much I thin it!  This leads to constant pressure loss and clogging! ….or maybe that’s just me? As with most airbrush issue….. clean and clean again…..then clean some more!

[brianfowler713 3336xp 0]

The bottle just says AV Game Air, Black. Nothing about being a primer, although that is what I’ve been using it mostly for.

[soldado 5903xp 0]

Airbrushes are really finnicky things, only way is to clean,clean and clean some more as you are doing.

 

best of luck

[olliep 6011xp 0]

Honestly, I had a Neo for a while and was by far the worst airbrush I have ever known to work with – I spent more time cleaning it and stripping it down trying to get it to work than actually using it. Went back to using a Badger Patriot 105 and it’s the polar opposite – easy to maintain and works wonders

[zoidpinhead 12761xp 0]

When I first started priming with my airbrush I had similar issues with using the Vallejo black paints as primers given that they clog so easily.  I switched to the Stynylrez range of “easy app” surface primers.  I first saw them on John’s tutorial and vlog videos here at BOW.  They run well with minimal thinning through any airbrush.  They are by Badger but available through various specialist suppliers in the UK.   Best decision I made as they provide a really smooth surface that takes other paint well and performs excellently underneath a zenith highlight.  Highly recommended.

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