Spectre711 Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 So I'm tryin to understand where this clog is or whats causing a clog symptom. If I depress the trigger the air will come through the tip. If I pull the trigger back the needle will pull back. If I pull back and depress the trigger I get bubbles in the cup. If I work the needle back and forth a few time and then only apply the air I will get a short blast of thinner. Needle is clean and the tip and nozzle looks clean. Whats the prognoses? I use it sparingly so its not worn out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 (edited) I think the key here is that you say the nozzle "looks clean"..but I'll bet it isn't. Hold it up to the light...can you clearly see the opening at the tip? And is it round with no gunk around it? Take the needle and nozzle out and carefully insert the needle...does it come out the tip? Does it feel spongy? I would soak the tip in lacquer thinner, then use pipe cleaners, interdental brushes etc to really clean it out. It can be really difficult to get dried paint out of the tip. Just keep at it. Try working the bristle from a brush (like the ones plumbers use to apply thread dope) or a very fine wire from the back to get it to come out at the tip. You can CAREFULLY use the needle as well. And an ultrasonic cleaner might help. An added thought...do you use a cap on the color cup? If so, the hole in it must be kept open for "make up" air to enter. Let us know what happens. Bob Edited March 24, 2017 by Bob Beary added info Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 I can see light through the nozzle and it looks round. Shouldn't I get at least some liquid spraying through there? Nozzle is soaking as I type. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 One thing to remember is that the AIR does not come through the nozzle....only paint does. The air enters through the body of the A/B, and through one or more internal channels, flows out the front AROUND the nozzle and "pulls" the paint paint with it..venturi effect. So you can have a fully clogged A/B and still get normal airflow. Under normal operating conditions, if you pinch off the tip with you fingers, you will get bubbles in the cup. It's how you back flush the brush to help clean it. You are creating an artificial "clog". To my knowledge, the only thing that will create bubbles in the color cup is a clog of some kind. Try this....put some water the the cup and see what happens. Try filling the cup with lacquer thinner and jack up the pressure to 30-40 psi and manually pull the needle back and forth from closed to wide open and see if that will blast anything out of the A/B. I'm going to send you a link in a minute...gotta find it first! Keep at it...you will eventually win. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Under normal operating conditions, if you pinch off the tip with you fingers, you will get bubbles in the cup. It's how you back flush the brush to help clean it. You are creating an artificial "clog". To my knowledge, the only thing that will create bubbles in the color cup is a clog of some kind. Try this....put some water the the cup and see what happens. Try filling the cup with lacquer thinner and jack up the pressure to 30-40 psi and manually pull the needle back and forth from closed to wide open and see if that will blast anything out of the A/B. I'm going to send you a link in a minute...gotta find it first! Awkward way to link on my part, but hope it shows up. Keep at it...you will eventually win. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 One more thing...do NOT use the stretched sprue thing if you are using lacquer!!! Or you will really have a clog!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 Yeah, Ive been getting the bubble in the thinner as if I was back flushing. Seams kind off odd that I can move the needle in and out while no fluid at all sprays out but the air will come back through into the cup. I might as well start looking for a new tip at that rate. I never had an issue like this with my Badger 200 and I've had it for over 35 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 If the nozzle is clear, have you run some sort of brush or pipe cleaner through the passage back to the bottom of the cup? I can't imagine a clog anywhere else. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 Anyone know if Hobby Lobby usually carries the nozzles for this AB? It's where I bought it but I don't see parts on the web site. N0801 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 kind of stupid that you enter the part number and cant find it but if you search "Iwata nozzle" and it pulls up. Looks like I'm taking a rid in the morning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris L Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 This has happened to me before. You need some XXF absorbent paper points and some lacquer thinner . The point are used for cleaning out root canals. Work one into the nozzle with some thinner. Repeat till the point comes out clean . You'll be done in a minute . You can find the points on Ebay . Much cheaper than parts. Regards, Christian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 That is a great idea!! They are the perfect size and shape to do the job. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 (edited) Those look good. Notice there are there different sizes so I should just get the smallest (0.040)? Probably wouldn't matter much. Edited March 25, 2017 by Spectre711 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris L Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Size XXF is the size you need > Forget the others. Cheers, Christian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 Didn't make it to Hobby Lobby before they closed due to a series events so I'll have to hit it on the way home from work on Monday. Notice that the nozzle has a split at the end after soaking it so that wont work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris L Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Nope , nothing fixes a split nozzle . I would still consider my previous suggestion . They will come in handy eventually. Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Make Don's Airbrush Tips a first stop in all things airbrush, especially troubleshooting... Bubbles are something loose/leaky up front--easy and cheap to fix--or a split nozzle--easy but not cheap. I've learned to have spare needles and nozzles for my airbrushes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 Had Don book marked at one point but couldn't find it. I'll be saving it again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 On 3/24/2017 at 8:05 PM, Chris L said: You need some XXF absorbent paper points and some lacquer thinner Thanks! They look like a good tool. Just order some off ebay... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris L Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I believe Paul has all the necessary answers here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stinger16 Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I had this happen before as well, talking with an iwata rep, he recommended putting bees wax,or chap stick around the seals, unscrew the tip and nozzle area and put chap stick around the threads, screw it back together and u will be as good as new, let me know if this helps, it fixed my problem, and I shared this with a few other people as well, and it worked for them to jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris L Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I do the chap stick on the threads and I have had times when I forgot and got bubbles . I still recommend the paper points as I usually don't have any issues unless there is some paint in the nozzle . It just seems to build up over a period of time . Always best to be prepared for all occasions . I shoot a lot of different products through mine and that my be the reason for the build up. Cheers, Christian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 Here are the XXF Paper Points mentioned above. It's just over an inch long. Will be very nice for cleaning an airbrush nozzle without fear of damage... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted March 29, 2017 Author Share Posted March 29, 2017 I have the paper points ordered. With the split in the nozzle I was able to get a new nozzle on Monday and the gun is back to normal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ljmorrow92 Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Also keep in mind that the airbrush in the green packaging at Hobby Lobby is a Neo FOR Iwata and the Iwata needles don't actually fit the airbrush. I ran into that one... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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