Iwata airbrush question

[mumtaz]

After a very frustrating day trying to paint, I've come to the conclusion that my airbrush needle is probably to blame for my troubles. I have an Iwata HP-C, and I'm not able to get any smooth colors all of a sudden. All I'm getting is fine splatter (and some big splatter) no matter how I thin the paint or adjust the pressure or clean my brush. Are these symptoms of needing to replace the needle? I've had it for almost a year now.

[colfaxbulldog]

After a very frustrating day trying to paint, I've come to the conclusion that my airbrush needle is probably to blame for my troubles. I have an Iwata HP-C, and I'm not able to get any smooth colors all of a sudden. All I'm getting is fine splatter (and some big splatter) no matter how I thin the paint or adjust the pressure or clean my brush. Are these symptoms of needing to replace the needle? I've had it for almost a year now.

What you described is the FUN of airbrushing. As long as your needle isn't bent, it should be fine. I have two Iwata Eclipses and one Iwata HP-C, and have had needles in there forever (as long as the tip isn't bent). With the Iwata HP-C, sometimes you can roll out a bent tip by rolling it on a flat surface, with your finger over it.

Now, it could be that your paint is too thin. I have had that happen where it splats and splutters and thinned it and it got worse, so then I add paint! I know that with my HP-C, I have taken every possible thing apart and then soaked the parts for like half an hour in thinner. And some of those parts are very notorious about hiding built up paint. I KNOW.

If I can think of anything else, I will PM you. I love my airbrush but there are times I could gleefully chuck mine out the window! And you know, sometimes the best thing to do is just to stop because the karma is bad with the airbrush gods!
:goodluck

[mumtaz]

My airbrush and I reached an accord yesterday evening that allowed me to finish painting the critters I was working on. (It helped that the humidity dropped considerably.) None of them ended up as the color I intended, but that happens sometimes. In this case, it seems to have been for the better. :D

I do think the very tip of the airbrush needle is slightly bent, so I'm going to try rolling it like you suggested. A very good idea. :yes

[triplebdesigns]

I have 5 Iwata HP-C airbrushes and all of them are doing exactly what you are describing.....and all are now in the "parts" drawer. I have found that when this happens, which is usually after about 6-8 months (my airbrushes get LOTS of use) that the interior parts of the brush become worn and there is a small washer inside the gun that can be ripped out on accident when cleaning it (in fact - I pulled it out once with the cleaning tools and thought it was a booger of paint only to find out I just broke my gun!).

I send in my guns once a year to Iwata and they overhaul them. But this is time intensive and can get expensive. So now I just budget to purchase a new gun every 6 months. Less headaches!!!

I just bought an Iwata Eclipse....I believe it is the step down from the HP-C, and I have to say, I like it better! I was at D'Arry Frank's all weekend working on horses and it was first time I had used it. I had to buy it because the store was out of the HP-Cs and I needed an airbrush now and couldn't wait for one to come in the mail if I ordered it. So I bought it. I can't see buying an HP-C anytime soon.....I may get my 5 trashed ones refurbished, but for now, I'm liking my new one.

Good luck! Airbrushes are touchy!!! It helps to get a paint strainer too. You may think you are mixing your paint up so that it is thin, but one tiny clump of paint can gum the whole thing up too.

[Appy38]

All so try getting a new nozzle. Sometimes that will help.
I to have 2 Iwatas and have to get a new nozzle about every 3 to 4 months.

[mumtaz]

I just bought an Iwata Eclipse....I believe it is the step down from the HP-C, and I have to say, I like it better!

What kind of line control can you get with an Eclipse? Fine enough to do dappling? I might look into getting one---I just can't afford to buy a new airbrush every few months though. I had to budget just to get the Iwata HP-C so I could chuck my Aztek (fun while it works, but hellspawn when it doesn't...).

Have you used any of the high-end Iwatas? If so, how do they compare with the Eclipses and HP-Cs?

[mumtaz]

All so try getting a new nozzle. Sometimes that will help.
I to have 2 Iwatas and have to get a new nozzle about every 3 to 4 months.

I do have an extra one. It can't hurt to try. Thanks! :)