My Iwata eclipse is spraying paint as soon as I press the air switch/valve. Generally I can press the air valve and paint won't start to flow until I start bringing the valve back. Anyone have an idea as to why this might be happening? Please don't tell me the tip is damaged! I have only used the brush for an hour since repairing it last time! Great brush but thus far has not proven in the least bit reliable.
Thx. RM
Sounds like the metering needle isn't fully seated. I'm assuming it's like my Iwata BC. Unscrew the cover on the rear part of the handle. This should reveal the back end of the needle and a knurled chuck to hold it. Loosen the chuck, push the needle all the way in (gently!), and tighten the chuck. Screw the cover back on and you should be all set.
Regards, Dave Ambrose
my passche will also do this if it is not absolutely squeaky clean.
Clean it.
Hey thanks guys! I will try seating the needle better and making sure it's clean! Not sure what more I can do to clean it tho than I already am. I take the front nozzle piece off, the cone behind it, then the back cover, loosen the chuck, pull out the needle. Gently clean the needle, reinstall it. I run hot water through everything (using acrylics) then put it all back together. I looks flawlessly clean, is there anything else I should be doing?
Thx again.
RM
just the seating. you got the clean knocked.
in article agTMe.275801$ snipped-for-privacy@fe01.news.easynews.com, e at snipped-for-privacy@some.domain wrote on 8/17/05 10:29 PM:
If acrylic paint dried in the nozzle, hot water wouldn't necessarily get it all out. Try using lacquer thinner -- it cuts basically anything. I dip the needle in thinner and then insert it in the nozzle and (gently) use it as a swab. Pip Moss
. i sometime immerse my airbrush in oil if they are acting funny\and or simply get used to it, I use all kinds, badger ,pash, binks, and easily spend more time cleanig than spraying.
I have an Iwata eclipse, internal mix single action brush, and have found cleaning to be very easy. I have a box filled with shredded flannel sheets, that has a small hole in the front and a large hole in the back. I put that box against the vacuum of my spray booth, and shoot paint cup after paint cup of lacquer thinner into the box at very high pressure. Those of you with CO2 systems wouldn't like that; I use a compressor.
After 3 or 4 cups, depending on the color I'd just used, it's shooting clear thinner. The brush is clean enough to use for another color right away, but if I don't plan to use it for a while (couple days) I will disassemble the brush and clean the components separately.
Also, go to this link and click on Ted Holowchuk's modeling tips.
I don't shoot acrylic, but my friend who does, uses a 50-50 mix of denatured alcohol and windex to clean her airbrush. It should even remove dried paint.
I run a bunch of solvent through the brush, then remove the needle and gently wipe it off. I also run q-tips into hole where you insert the cup. You can also run a pipe cleaner into the brush from the back.
Cheers, Dave
My Iwata was giving me fits on the air control side of things. A drop of WD-40 flowing down into the air valve spring mechanism (an enclosed part you cannot dissasemble; where that plunger thingy plunges and where the hose connects to the airbrush) did wonders.
It took me months to figure this out, including a side strategy of trying out one of those plastic brushes.
I don't know if this is the same problem as yours.
But I am back to the Iwata, hopefully forever.
..../V
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