Compressor psi to high (don't worry it's not about paint thinning)

[Jedwardson]

A friend and I are just getting g into air brushing. I've watched all the you tube videos twice. He bought a Iwata neo with a Sparmax ac27 compressor. I read it's better for free hand to have a tank I am using a grex xsi and 6 gallon bostitch 6 gallon pan cake compressor.with When I started using I set it to 40 like suggested. it seemed more than 40 as the gauge read. As I was spraying the force would literally blow pieces off the table. (Pickup box sides door panels)and everything smaller. Tried adjusting pressure down the paint would show caricaturists of not enough. After trial and error of thinning I have yet to get a good setting without being sagar ed for air. I havež also tried a new regulatorer. I also Several different paints. Only fluid I can get work properly is water. We have not had them side by side to compare the two. I'm just curios if the compressor is to large for the job isn't 40 lbs of air 40 lbss regaurdless. Any info would be helpfull I'm completely mind boggled.

[ScaleDale]

Where did you get a setting of 40 psi for airbrushing models? My table top compressor and Iwata Revolution set at no higher than 12 psi unless I'm cleaning it. I spray decanted paint, so it's already thinned.

EDIT Your friends compressor is for airbrushing and has a working pressure of 10-18 psi. Your Bostich is a nail gun compressor. Probably around 125 or higher psi working pressure. You can get it to work but you need to put a regulator and gauge on the hose end of the tank and keep it way down. Check to see if your compressor is oil free or not. An oiled compressor will not always work well with an airbrush.

EDIT 2 Amazon has complaints on the regulator for your compressor not working well. It's oil free, so that's good.

Dale

Edited April 20, 2014 by ScaleDale

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've started running my airbrush (just getting into it too) off of my big shop compressor, with inline filters and water traps, and a large regulator feeding into a small regulator just before the airbrush. So far, no pressure or contamination problems.

40psi is what you use for an old siphon-feed REAL spraygun, for real cars.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[fatkidd]

40 psi IS NOT too much to airbrush with...I spray at 35-40 on a daily basis and sometimes I use a higher psi. It all depends on what I am shooting.
However, with that being said, be sure that you are adjusting the pressure with the button/trigger pushed down/pulled back while you are adjusting the pressure. I have seen several people set the pressure and then try to use the airbrush/spray gun. I would suggest thinning your paints 1:1 and set your pressure at 25-30 psi as a starting point. Once you get the paint flow to where you are happy and comfortable with it, adjust the pressure "on the fly" little by little until you find a pressure that YOU are happy with. There isn't an absolute pressure that you have to spray at...it is personal preference.

I know that some people are going to argue and tell me that I am wrong...I have been airbrushing for over 25 years and have learned through trial and error over those years and I personally know of some well know airbrush artists that spray at 60-70 psi.

Remember, the whole model building aspect of your life is supposed to be fun and a break from the everyday life.

[scalenut]

pressure and thinness are only 2 legs of the stool... you also have to take into account needle/tip size.

if you have the wrong needle/tip size for the job to begin with ...it's an uphill battle

[Jedwardson]

What differance would a stage one vs stage two compressor have in this matter? I have been trying different brands of paint. I'm currently using createx wicked. The bottle I had at the time recommended 40-50 psi for a .5 nozzle with no thinning. My tip is .3 I reduced slightly and started trying different pressures. In conclusion I came up with in order for my bostitch to perform like the Sparmax the pressure needed to be turned down to 12 psi cpaired to 40 on his. I know the regulator is good on my compressor. I have a direct line from the tank from there inline filter 1/4 inch npt butt connector to regulator 10ft airbrush hose direct to brush (no quick or Mac) shouldn't be losing any anywhere.