Why does my airbrush spit?

johndon · Post by **johndon** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:23 am

My airbrush (single action Badger) has suddenly started spitting when airbrushing and I can't find the reason.

1. Air flow from the compressor is fine - with the airbrush attached but no paint bottle, the flow of air is steady.
2. The airbrush has, so far as I can tell, been thouroughly cleaned by soaking all parts in thinners and then cleaning afterwards.
3. Even if I just fill the paint bottle with water and spray that, the airbrush spits so it's not the paint causing the problem.

Any ideas gratefully received...

John

GlennCauley · Post by **GlennCauley** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:25 am

Hi John,

Some things you may want to check...

* paint is proper thinness (is that a word?)
* you are using a moisture trap... and it is emptied and clean
* there are no splits in your airline (esp. near the end fittings)
* compressor air intake (filter) is clean and unobstructed
* compressor pressure is not too high

These are just off the top of my head...

HTH,
Glenn

johndon · Post by **johndon** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:17 am

Thanks Glenn,

Don't think it's the paint as the problem occurs with plain water as well but I'll check out the moisture trap and air filter.

Cheers

John

Post by **Timmy C** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 1:03 pm

Is the needle tip bent in any way?

johndon · Post by **johndon** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:13 pm

No, it's straight so far as I can tell - if i run it over my finger tip, it doesn't catch at all.

John

les · Post by **les** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:06 pm

You might try cleaning the opening where the bottle connects to the air brush. You might have a plug up in there. Try running a pipe cleaner up there with thinner on it. I also use lacquer thinner when cleaning my Badger.

Jason M. · Post by **Jason M.** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:30 pm

I think I had this same problem, if by spitting..you mean pulsating?

When this happens, its because the head is loose, or the tip is not seated correctly and when stuff is shot thru, it causes this effect. Try making sure the head is as tight as you can make it by hand. That is all I had to do, and the problem was fixed.

The other thing it could be is the needle bearing is worn down or has fallen out for some reason. I know that the Badger I have has a lifetime warranty on the needle bearing, I'm sure yours does too.

Hope this helps!