Dry tip

[dartman]

I have been using lacquer for painting models with my airbrush for quite a long time (4-5 ) years now.I have noticed lately that when I stop painting for a few seconds (Ok,10 to 20 maybe more) the paint in the nozzle

is dry.I  now keep a small amount of thinner handy to dip the tip in so I can continue spraying.I never had an issue until a few months ago.Anyone have an answer or ideas? Its making me almost dread getting

the AB out.     

[Art Anderson]

Not sure what style of airbrush you are using, but I still use an external-mix airbrush (mine is a Paasche H, but Badger 350 & Binks Wren use the very same design concept), and if I have to stop painting for more than a few seconds, I simply close the material control (the cone-shaped sleeve that threads on the "needle".  Another possible cause for the problem you describe could be not thinning the lacquer enough.  

Lacquers can stand being thinned a good bit more than enamels--I use the "consistency" of 2% milk as my standard, by eyeball--see how it "sheets" down the inside of my glass color jar. Another little trick I use is to lower the air pressure used just a little bit, and opening up my material control, which allows a bit more paint flow while the lower air pressure allows me to move in a good bit closer to the work.  It's sort of getting a wet paint surface but without blotting the paint on so heavily that it quickly runs or sags.

Just a few thoughts on this.

 

Art

[fseva]

I have been using lacquer for painting models with my airbrush for quite a long time (4-5 ) years now.I have noticed lately that when I stop painting for a few seconds (Ok,10 to 20 maybe more) the paint in the nozzle is dry.I  now keep a small amount of thinner handy to dip the tip in so I can continue spraying.I never had an issue until a few months ago.Anyone have an answer or ideas? Its making me almost dread getting the AB out.     

Tip-dry is a common problem with airbrushing, and it gets worse with the manufacturer push for smaller and smaller needle/nozzles (which give better detail, but does not help hobbyists who want only good coverage).

In your case , it could imply that your paint is thinned too much so that it dries super-fast, and if it happens when you're no longer spraying, the tip will collect and dry the paint so that you now have a plugged nozzle. It could also imply that you are using a very "hot" thinner - one that dries the paint faster than a recommended thinner.

You might consider one of the synthetic lubricants that are applied to a cleaned needle. Make sure you use the one recommended by the airbrush manufacturer, and wipe the excess off before reinserting the needle. Regdab (Badger spelled backwards) is (obviously) for Badger airbrushes. Super-Lube is for Iwata. Airbrush Lube is for Paasche.

Edited July 27, 2015 by fseva

[dartman]

I did leave that bit of information out dident I. I have been using a Badger 150 and 200 with the same issues.I had not thought about over

thinning of the paint but now i can try adjusting the ratio and see where it takes me. It has been so humid here it may be a few days before

get to do any painting but i will post what the outcome is.Thanks for the ideas.