Help!!! Airbrush Problem

[dimsh2000]

I was trying to clean my airbrush by putting a napkin soaked in alccohol wrapper around a needle in the tip of my airbrush. I'm using an Omni 4000 airbrush. However, I think I stuck the paper in too hard and now its stuck in there. The tip is very small and I cant use even the smallest needle to get in there and yank the paper out. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can unclog my airbrush? Thanks

[Grant in West Oz]

Toss it in a glass of water. Paper will soften.

I clean the inside of my airbrush cone with an artists oils brush.

Luck.

G

[dimsh2000]

I already soaked the airbrush in water for a couple of hours but can't get the paper out.

[model_madness]

Funny, i had same problem recently. Something very small clogged up the tip of my a/b too. I tried everything, soaking in thinners, over cleaner, hot water - nada

I wasn't keen on having to buy a new tip for £15. My wife suggested i get some very thin florist wire.

Instead of trying to scrape out from the rear, it is so thin you can push it through from the front.

I gave up eventually, but my wife through dogged perseverance eventually managed to extricate it!!

Needless to say, I was very indebted to her! :D

So try and get some very thin wire and give it a bash. Patience tho, and dont split the tip trying too hard.

[The Loggie]

G'Day Dmitriy. Try these two. 1) strip the AB, place the tip in your mouth and blow hard. or 2) (and this is a drastic measure) strip the AB, allow it to dry (overnight?) then hold the clogged part (tip?) over a candle flame (tip upper-most, opening down). The flame might burn-up the paper.

Good luck. George, out..................

[Chuck1945]

I already soaked the airbrush in water for a couple of hours but can't get the paper out.

a couple of hours is not enough, try at least overnight

[smithery]

Yes, you're going to have to soak it for quite a while to get the napkin to soften up, especially considering you wedged it in there.

Worst case scenario, you're going to need to buy a new tip. T8141 is the part number.

I have an Omni 4000 as well, and all I've ever done to clean the tip is soak it in thinner, and then push some air through it to remove the residue. I NEVER stick anything in there.

[The Keeper]

As mentioned above, the thin florist wire usually works well. You can also get thin copper wire from most electrical cords, assuming you rewire things on occasion.

Also, as above, if you blow through it and it doesn't come out, take it to anywhere they've got compressed air (mechanic, etc.) and use their air gun to blow it out.

hth

[dimsh2000]

smithery: if i buy a new tip, how can i install it?

[smithery]

You'll need your wrench that came with the airbrush to remove the air cap body assembly (just forward of the color cup).

The tip will either be sitting in the main body of the airbrush, or inside the air cap assembly. With luck, it will simply fall out without issue. If it has become stuck due to paint buildup, or just over time, you'll need to roll up your sleeves to free it.

If in the main body of the airbursh, pull the needle back to prevent damage, and rock the tip back and forth until it pops free of the main body.

If it's stuck inside the air cap assembly, remove the air cap and air cap guard from this assembly to expose the front of the tip.

You can then push the tip out from the back of the air cap assembly. It might come out easily, or if its been in there for a while (or you don't maintain it properly), you may have to push real hard to break the seal of paint that inevitably forms. Place the front of the tip on a hard surface, and push down. Once the seal breaks, the tip will pop out. Don't worry about damaging the tip, since you're replacing it anyway.

Pay close attention to your needle at this time, since you have airbrush apart anyway. Now is a perfect time to consider replacing the needle as well, not to mention the air cap and air cap guard. All new parts at the front end equal perfect spraying conditions.

But because a picture is worth a thousand words......

Drop me an email or PM if you need more help. Worst case, if you can't find parts, I have a spare needle, tip, air cap, and air cap guard that I can sell you.