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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | I'm thinking about buying another airbrush and wondered what experience others might have with the gravity feed versions. All of the brushes I have had in the past are siphon versions. Is it difficult to clean the paint reservoir out between colors? What do you do with unused paint in the reservoir?
thx.
RM |
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Posts: 179
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | Riverman,
With your experience and painting skills, you should have an Iwata. Try an eclipse, hi-line or Micron. These models all have gravity flow, easy to clean, simple to use, great adustments and unmatched quality. Look them up on the Iwata Site and check out the specs. I switched a couple of years ago and never looked back.
Rod |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I personally recommend the Iwata Hi-Line HP-CH. It has the Micro Air Control valve that allows you to fine tune your air pressure right on the brush. This lets you get maximum control. It also has a fair sized reservoir which is very easy to clean between colors.
Here's a link to the item at Spraykings.com which has exceptional service.
http://www.spraykings.com/product.php?category=116&id=1208 |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | Thanks Rod and Snax, can either of you tell me what the advantage of the Hi-line is over the Eclipse gravity feed versions like this one?
http://www.spraykings.com/product.php?category=119&id=1211
Is the air valve on the bottom of the Hi-Line that much of an advantage?
To clean between colors are you just running water through the brush...assuming you are using acrylics of course.
thx.
Edited by RiverMan 4/1/2007 5:30 PM
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Hi Jed, in short yes the valve really does make a huge difference in controling both regular paint flow and the ability to stipple. I was amazed at how much I adjust that valve when I'm painting. Different paints require different pressures to maximize control of spraying and how close to the work you can get without spidering.
The Eclipse model you linked to is a high flow with a larger needle and valve than the one I suggested. It's a great brush but is not able to do the really small lines and dots like the High-Line.
you can't go wrong with either but I use the High-Line more than my Custom Micron!
I spray water based paints and clean up with water as well as Airbrush cleaner when needed. Soaking the brush in Airbrush restorer every now and then keeps the internal O-rings soft and functioning at peak performance.
Hope this helps.
Edited by Musky Snax 4/1/2007 5:58 PM
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| I'm actually going to have to make some lures so I can buy one of those.
I can't see it being difficult to clean/change, anymore than my Pasche.
I have to empty the cup, siphon some thinner in the cup and blow it through the brush and then blow it back and use some big-azz cotton swabs to clean it out.
I like the looks of it, especially the extra fine tuning air valve. Going to make fine lines so much easier to make.......all of this from a guy who has managed to make about 20 lures this year....half of them for me.
My back is getting better with the warmer weather. Been walking the dog almost every day for the last 2 weeks. We'll see how sitting in the garage goes.
Beav |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Glad to hear you're feeling a little better Beav. Let me know if you do decide to get the brush. |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | thank you. |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | I just bought a gravity feed myself and do not like it. It is harder to clean than the siphon feed. I bought the Iwata revolution and some of the parts rust if it is not dried real good and left apart. I think it is the needle that causes the rust (must not be stainless, sucks when you use waterbased paint). Like my badger 155 for most things but does not do fine lines well though, will have to get something else for that.
For the air presure thing I have a small regulator attached where I paint and I turn it up and down as I need. Seems with autoair paint I have to change the presure with some colors. |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | See that's what I was worried about Roger.....I am literally changing colors every few minutes. If the reservoir is hard to clean that's really going to slow me down. Using the bottles with the siphon feed can be a hassle tho too and all the bottle stems must be cleaned after each use which is time consuming in itself.
Suprised you are getting rust on the needle...never had this problem with any of my brushes...VL, Eclipse or Peak. Try wiping the needle down with a light grade oil after each use...I used to use Pam cooking spray on mine and it worked fine.
RM
Edited by RiverMan 4/1/2007 11:48 PM
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Roger, what is the specific model that you have? I am going to pass your post along to my friends at Iwata and see if they can pinpoint the cause of your rust. It won't be the needle as it is stainless. I'm surprised that anyone would find it hard to clean a gravity fed airbrush. I simply use an old stiff bristled paint brush to swirl around in the reservoir to help break up the paint and spray water through it. Sometimes I'll spray airbrush cleaner or a solvent through it just to make sure the nozzle stays clean inside.
With Iwata brushes use their "Super Lube" to lubricate it. This can be used on the trigger as well as the needle. Lubricating the needle is actually lubricating a tiny "o" ring inside the brush. I will get back to you as soon as I hear from Iwata concerning the rust. |
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Posts: 179
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | I agree with Snax, all of my Iwatas are so easy to clean. I change colors continuously and never a problem. Much, much easier than bottles.... The rust problem doesn't sound like anything I have ever heard of before with the quality of brush that we are talking about. Jed, once you get the hang of it, you will be able to change colors faster and easier.
Rod |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I've sent the Iwata tech guys your issue with rust and should have an answer for you soon. I've never heard of that before either not even on airbrushing forums. I'm curious to see what they say. I suggest also that you buy or make a cleaning station to spray your left over paint and solvent into so that it's not getting into the air. I also use a Q-Tip to gently clean out the nozzle from time to time with solvent. Be careful to retract the needle first or you may bend the tip. |
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Posts: 910
Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | as others have said it help tremendously to have some q tips and some small needle brushes to get things loosened up to clean out.
i had trouble at first, was used to just having an extra bottle with water or cleaner to shoot thru when changing colors. the gravity feed seemed likea pain when i first got it, but every day changes get faster and faster.
another tip is to not overload the paint cup with paint...over time you'll learn to better judge how much paint is needed for what your doing. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I also bought some cheap spray bottles that I have clean water and solvent in. Makes cleanups a snap. |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | Snax - The brush is a MAC tools version ( am sure Iwata makes it for them) of the TR 1 it has a trigger on it like a big gun. It does not say Iwata on it but Iwata is the only one that makes it and the parts fit. The MAC tool guy said today that he would replace it. It spayed good when I first used it, but now that the needle has some marks on it I do not think it is sealing real well on the seal. If I keep it I will have to get a new needle. I only used 3 or 4 times
Riverman - I have a rubber tipped blow gun plumbed in where I paint and when I change colors I just blow the adapter clean ( once on outside and once down the tube). I little air past the brush and it sucks most of the paint out the brush also. I can change colors in less than 30 seconds as long as I paint from light colors to dark. Some colors I still have to clean out the brush though, candy reds and transparent dark greens are a couple. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Hey guys, here's the info regarding the airbrush problems from the Iwata Tech Dept...
"Hey Mike,
If it doesn't say Iwata it isn't one of ours. The factory doesn't rebrand for other companies either. There are a plethora of clones out there though. Most of them come from China and Taiwan."
Adam Rice
Iwata-Medea
Technical Service
503.253.7308
mailto:[email protected]
http://www.iwata-medea.com |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | I just ordered a gravity feed Iwata........can't wait to give it a try!! Thanks guys.
jed v. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Congrats Jed. Let me know if you have any questions at all. What specific model did you go with? Also, if you don't mind could you PM me with where you bought it. Thanks. |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | Snax - considering the clone thing. I find it interesting that the TR 1 is a brand new model and there are clones out already. I will check into this one a little more. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Roger, I suggest contacting Adam Rice if you have any unanswered questions. His contact info is in one of my above posts.
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | I went with a gravity feed model in the eclipse line and ordered from Spraykings because they are located about 3 hours from me here in Oregon Snax. Thanks for the info.
jed v. |
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Posts: 62
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin | i was also looking at getting a gravity feed air but i have to choose between the iwata custom micron and this other brand that i dont know anything to about. i was wondering if anyone could tell me if the infinity brand made by harder steenbeck out of germany works nice or what they think or heard of about this brand or if anyone have had a chance to use one heres a link. http://www.infinityairbrush.com/
mic
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | If your choices include the Iwata Custom Micron look no further my friend! Actually, the Iwata Hi-Line HP-CH is also an incredible brush and is the one I use the most. |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | I tried my gravity feed brush for the first time last night and have to say it is the nicest brush I have ever used. I have owned a Paasche single action, Paasche double action, Iwata Eclipse, and Peak II before this brush and this one is my fav. The reservoir is very easy to clean...takes but a second and I love how I don't have to fool with the bottles after each use. The only down side of the brush is the super tiny nozzle that goes on the front of the cone...my Peak II has this same set-up and it's proven problematic. The opening is so small that the tiniest of particles will clog it and it's extremely easy to damage it with the needle if one is not continually vigilant. A replacement for this piece is 18 dollars plus postage on the Peak, I'm guessing the cost would be similar on the Iwata. Overall though I am very happy with the brush thus far.
Jed V. |
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Posts: 179
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | Jed,
Try some of this. When I started using this I had very little problems with clogging at the tip.
http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_product.cfm?classId=1720&subclas...
Rod |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | Funny you mentioned that Rod, used it for the first time last night...a sample was included with the airbrush.
thanks.
jed v. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | The Super Lube works great for keeping the airbrush performing at peak level. It does help with tip clogging too and doesn't affect paint. |
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Posts: 11
| Anyone using a Grex Genysis XT airbrush? I have several Paasche brushes (which work great for me), but I really love my Grex. |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | I haven't Hook but I have heard good things about them.
RM |
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