Bent airbrush tips
Moss back
Posted 6/13/2007 5:10 AM (#260660)
Subject: Bent airbrush tips




Posts: 166


Location: Gurnee, Illinois
Is there anyway to salvage a bent tip? I seem to have a problem holding onto my airbrush, and have bent both my #3 tips. The very tip curled over. Are they junk?

Thanks

Dave
Guest
Posted 6/13/2007 6:42 AM (#260664 - in reply to #260660)
Subject: RE: Bent airbrush tips


Junk them.
The chances that you can get them to fit perfectly are very slim.
fatfingers
Posted 6/13/2007 12:39 PM (#260724 - in reply to #260660)
Subject: RE: Bent airbrush tips




Posts: 351


If you're using an Iwata, there's a chance that the bent tip will damage the nozzle into which it slides.

I know that from experience.
Musky Snax
Posted 6/14/2007 8:15 PM (#260954 - in reply to #260660)
Subject: Re: Bent airbrush tips





Posts: 680


Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
Don't be so hasty to trash them. It's a pretty easy fix if you're careful. First roll the tip on a flat metal surface to help straighten it. Some folks will hold the needle tip between a couple of coins and use finger pressure and the turning to restore the basic point.

Next chuck it into a high speed rotary tool like a Dremel. First drag it across a fine grit sandpaper while it's spinning and be sure to move it at a shallow angle. You just want to restore the bevel.

Then do the same thing but use a piece of leather or a car shammy and put a little metal polish on it. Again drag it through and watch the line that it leaves behind. Once it gets nice and fine install it back into your airbrush and test it. Dont force it into the nozzle. If it doesn't slide in like before repeat your tuning until you get it back to an even point.

The more polished and smooth your needle is the less tip clogging you will get. I'm absolutely fanatical about keeping my airbrushes clean and spraying flawlessly. This should save you from throwing away needles that can be salvaged with a little time and patience.

Edited by Musky Snax 6/14/2007 8:18 PM
muskynightmare
Posted 6/14/2007 9:00 PM (#260960 - in reply to #260660)
Subject: Re: Bent airbrush tips





Posts: 2112


Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water
Metal polish like Brasso? or do you recomend another brand?
Musky Snax
Posted 6/14/2007 9:12 PM (#260963 - in reply to #260960)
Subject: Re: Bent airbrush tips





Posts: 680


Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
I used Brasso and got excellent results. If you do this right you will actually end up being able to spray even finer lines than when it was new. To spray the finest lines remove your crown cap and lower your pressure. Reducing your paint to just the right viscosity helps with detail work too.

With my Iwata Custom Micron I can spray some incredibly detailed paint. Just have to keep those tips clean and the airbrush well lubed.
muskynightmare
Posted 6/14/2007 10:14 PM (#260969 - in reply to #260660)
Subject: Re: Bent airbrush tips





Posts: 2112


Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water
Thanx, man.
Moss back
Posted 6/14/2007 10:24 PM (#260970 - in reply to #260969)
Subject: Re: Bent airbrush tips




Posts: 166


Location: Gurnee, Illinois
Thanks guys for the "tips" I have 2 Paasche needles I will try the Snax's method on. They are only bent at the very tip, and have no issues going in or out of the brush.

Dave

Musky Snax
Posted 6/15/2007 7:55 AM (#260992 - in reply to #260660)
Subject: Re: Bent airbrush tips





Posts: 680


Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
You're very welcome. What I do to test them after tweaking is to remove the handle, loosen the needle chucking nut and fill the airbrush with water. Now I hold down the trigger while carefully sliding the needle forward and back, forward and back to test for tip/nozzle fit and spray pattern. Watch your spray pattern and see if it is a perfect cone. If not, polish it again using the previous methods until you think it is right and repeat this spray test. Be sure that you get a seal when the needle is fully inserted then tighten your needle chucking nut, replace the handle and away you go!

Good spraying gentlemen.