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Airbrush Moisture Issue

I've long had a problem with my Iwata Eclipse HP-BCS airbrush in that on cool days where the humidity is a bit up, I get water build-up inside the front end of the airbrush in the fluid nozzle and nozzle cap which then spatters out the nozzle while I'm painting as clear water drops at just the wrong times while I'm spraying. On a dry warm day, this almost never happens. Doesn't matter if it's indoor or outdoor. Doesn't matter what kind of paint or consistancy it is. I usually use acrylic paint thinned with either 90% alcohol or acrylic thinner. I keep the airbrush very clean and it almost never clogs.

Is there something either on the compressor (Badger 180-1) or the airbush I can use to eliminate this problem? Should I consider switching one or both tools?

T.B.

Reply to
TB
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I think the problem is with the alcohol. The spraying of alcohol thru the venturi of the airbrush nozzle creates a low pressure and rapid cooling, thus creating a medium for moisture condensation. I once saw an alcohol burning dragster engine that would get rhime ice to form around the carbs on a humid day. Alcohol is a water attractant. Try using some glycol or a form of, to thin your paints. That is one of the ingredients that make up commerical acrylic thinners. A friend of mine uses windshield washer fluid, the extreme cold temperature type. He airbrushes in a screened in patio which gives great ventilation and he has great results.

Reply to
bluumule

There are moisture traps which can be inserted between the air pump and the air brush. For instance,

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Cheers and all,

Reply to
Bill Shatzer

Thanks for the replies, guys. FWIW, in response to the one person who mentioned alcohol, yes, it is worse using alcolhol as a thinner for acrylic paints but I still have the problem to a lesser degree using more traditional acrylic thinners like those made by Tamiya. I'm going to look into getting a moistire trap on the line.

T.B.

Reply to
TB

Reply to
Bruce Apple

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