Air brush problem question

[The Modeling Hermit]

I know you get tons of these, but I'm having issues with my Aztek airbrush. I've actually never used it. I got it about 15 years ago and had one of my children that used it. She recently sent it back to me, but it has issues. Air goes through it fine, but it will not pick up from the cup or jar. It will push air through the nozzels but not fluids, and there seems to be plenty of air coming through. What are my steps to trouble shoot this?

[Old Buckaroo]

Have you tried any of the other tips ? Sounds like the tip may be plugged or your paint is to thick. Try using straight alcohol or thinner if you already haven't. Still no flow - tip needs to be cleaned.

Tips are easily cleaned by unscrewing them, soaking in a choice of thinner, disassemble - clean the needle, spring, twist a small piece of paper towel like viva (does not fall apart) clean out the needle & spring barrel use a thinner saturated q-tip to clean the barrel housing and inside of a/b.

The Aztek is my favorite a/b I grab for more then my real high dollar ones.

[vypurr59]

Also, try cleaning the pickup tube, and air hole on the cap.

[The Modeling Hermit]

I haven't tried anything so far except to try running some water through it. I wanted to first see if it worked, and if it didn't, come here first to get sugestions before I do something stupid and ruin it. I've also searched the web for instructions and diagrams for it, With what I now have, I feel a little more secure in checking it out further. You've been a big help and I appreciate it.

[Bill J]

I actually have 3 of those airbrushes and initially I liked them because of their light weight and ease of changing tips and cleaning of the tips. Then one by one, they started to spit paint all over and I stopped using them. I had tried new tips, new bottle adapters and such, nothing solved the problems.

A week ago I took all three out to the painting room and tried them. I had one do exactly as you describe, the tip worked in the other 2, as did the bottle of enamel thinner I was trying to spray. I tried water, other tips, nothing worked on that one black Aztec. The 2 grey ones I own appeared to spray ok but I did not try paint through them. I was just seeing how they would be after years of sitting in a box.

I recall that when I stopped using them, that the problems were caused by me using lacquer thinner to clean them. Since you cannot get into anything on the body of the airbrush I am not sure what gets messed up. I assume it is some gasket/packing/washer that is not compatible with strong solvents like lacquer thinners. I do not recall the directions stating any limitations but there sure appear to be some limits and all three brushes I own all went bad after a short time.

Compared to my old Badger 200 or my Paasche VL, the Aztec scores about zero. I still use the Badger and the Passche regularly, never have any problems and all I have to do is keep them clean and replace a Teflon washer on the Badger from time to time.

So, good luck with the Aztec, you may be able to get it going but from my experience, it won't be easy, if it can be done at all. For the money, they are a serious disappointment to me.

[The Modeling Hermit]

Thanks to everybody for your help. I was able to get it going. I brought up the Google images for it and was able to find some people who have had it apart and posted photos and information on disassembly, trouble shooting, cleaning, and most important, reassembly. The unit itself checked out alright. The problem was where I expected; in the nozzels. I used the information I found and disassembled them, which because of extremely poor maintainence, was a huge amount of work. Some were literally glued solid with paint. I spent all day cleaning this thing, but now it works beautifully. I've still only run clear water through it, but I'm going to wait until I'm fresher and can find some actual operating and cleaning instructions before I proceed any farther with it. Once again, thanks for your assisstance.