Using Evolution airbrush with Xtracolor enamel paints

[Dom]

Hello,

I an used to paint with Xtracolor enamel paints and Model Master airbrush. It's quite Ok !

I have bought recently a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline 2 in one 0.15 and 0.2mm.

I have many problems when I want to use this airbrush to make fine line (2mm large) !

About 20s, it' Ok but after, the paint does not come out and even if I put the full jet, the paint comes out but when I put back the quickfix memory position (fine line), it's the same problem : 3s after, no paint !

I made different trials with different thinners : humbrol, humbrol + 10-20% synthetic thinner, white spirit, white spirit + 10-20% synthetic thinner. It's the same thing.

My compressor pressure is 1.5bar (21.77 psi), dilution is 60-70%. Trials made with new paint cup.

HELP !!!!

Regards

Dom

[bilkeau]

Dom, that's my set up exactly, only I thin with cellulose (lacquer) thinners, and hardly ever go above 15psi, but your way should be equally effective.

You didn't say whether you get the same results with both needle sizes: paint really doesn't want to go through a 0.15mm hole, the pigment finds it easier to collect in the "funnel" shape of the tip behind the orifice (can I say that here?), resulting in a blockage. Try spraying a fine line with ink to see if the same problem occurs.

Presumably, if you're getting air when the trigger is depressed even when there's no paint coming out, all the air hose connections and brush seals are ok, but it might be worthwhile checking just in case. Also check that you're using the right needle with the correct nozzle - I've heard some dummies can get them mixed up! <_<

Cleaning: backflushing and Liquid reamer/Spray Away are indispensible parts of my obsessive airbrush cleaning regime. At these tolerances, it only takes an almost microscopic flake of dried paint to make things go wrong. (Sorry if you already know this.)

Of course it is possible that you got the brush that slipped through quality control...

Nick