tell me about clogging...

[Digit_Air63]

Hi everyone,
Just wondering how many of us go through the headache of a clogged tip on your airbrush? I thought I was doing something wrong or was missing a "step" in order to keep my Paasche VL clog free.
Interested in feedback on this one!
Thanks to all that reply!
Digit_Air63

[Whit]

I'm not sure that there's an avenue you can travel
that has a clogfree zone,,, about the closest I've
found are the slower drying paints like enamels
and uro's,, but even then there's some tipdry !!!
It's gotten to be a habit here to constantly clean
the tip,,, even if it does'nt need it,, so to speak !!!
With the waterbase paints it's a continual thing
and you soon aquire the habit in order to maintain
a consistent spray session !!! That and backflushing
along with physically pulling the needle back (open)
to blow the occasional clogs out !!!
All lil habits that you aquire the more you paint !!!:partyalone:
Good Luck on it !!!

[josie]

i work with the tip off....helps a lot for me

[Digit_Air63]

i work with the tip off....helps a lot for me
Hi Josie, Thanks for the hint however using a Paasche VL it comes with a short stubby tip however this airbrush does not allow to remove the tip to be removed and yet have the paint to flow. The VL is an internal mix 2x action airbrush.
Thanks kindly for your response. :)

[Digit_Air63]

I'm not sure that there's an avenue you can travel
that has a clogfree zone,,, about the closest I've
found are the slower drying paints like enamels
and uro's,, but even then there's some tipdry !!!
It's gotten to be a habit here to constantly clean
the tip,,, even if it does'nt need it,, so to speak !!!
With the waterbase paints it's a continual thing
and you soon aquire the habit in order to maintain
a consistent spray session !!! That and backflushing
along with physically pulling the needle back (open)
to blow the occasional clogs out !!!
All lil habits that you aquire the more you paint !!!:partyalone:
Good Luck on it !!!
Of all the lessons I am quickly learning by using my airbrush I find that the clogging has become a natural "discomfort" and something I will just have to accept and deal with from time to time. I did find that using india ink mixed with a tiny bit of water kept the tip "clog free" far more than using Acrylics.
But who wants to paint with india ink all the time? (sorry if I steped on someones toes by saying that!):cheeky-smiley-006:

[Whit]

You may find a "Paint Picker" air cap
will do wonders for your tip dry pickin !!!
I've got 4 VLs and have it on all !!!
It just makes for a more careful using
as the needle is exposed and can be
easily snagged and bent,,, but the
benifits far outweigh the negatives !!!
OR,,, with careful sanding,, you can
sand your existing aircap down,, but
be careful NOT to go past air hole !!!

[Digit_Air63]

Hi Whit,
Very interesting idea! I happened to be looking through my accessories kit today when I actually came across an tip for the VL. It is a short little stubby fella that when attached to the tip of the airbrush bares part of the needle. This also allows for fine lines to be painted on what ever surface the paint is applied to.
Rgd's,
Wm

[airarts]

Make sure whenever you paint with water based paints that you ALWAYS do a test shoot with water first for 2 reasons. First, you check the spray pattern. Second, it creates a lubrication for your gun before paints "contaminates" the gun. Also you may get a crown cap. I have seen them for Paaches. Another thing, you want the viscosity to be that of 2% milk by adding H2O or extender. Periodically we all have to take a minute to clean the cap or needle though.