Having an issue with my Paasche VL today and I cannot figure out what it is. When I connect the brush to the air source the air flows from the brush just like the trigger is being engaged, but there is no contact with the trigger. When I do engage the trigger, there is no change in the air flow. I have stripped the brish down and cannot find any issues. Checked the components that are part of the trigger but everything seems to work well. Any thoughts or solutions?

Have you checked the needle valve inside the trigger mechanism? I have a Paasche Millennium, and sometimes a little paint will back flow down the needle and lodge in the base of the trigger, where it meets the top of the plunger. after awhile, this paint builds up around the needle and spring inside the valve body, and will cause the valve to stick. You can remove the valve body from the airbrush with a pair of pliers if need be, and soak the body with lacquer thinner for a few minutes. Then use a stiff brush or pipe cleaner to clean the needle. Every few months or so, my Badger will do the same thing as my Paasche, so it's not a unique problem for airbrushes. If this does not work, you have a broken spring.

Hi Damon

It sounds like a trigger valve problem. Maybe the spring is stressed or the seal is damnaged.

hey guys, when the brush is not "on" the trigger action seems to be "normal" or good, depending on what you call it. I was having some sticking issues last week with the whole trigger sticking when it was pulled back, but I stripped the whole thing, ran it through the sonic cleaner and lubed it up and reassembled and that is when I encountered the air flow issue.

If I re-strip it and try cleaning it again, where should be focusing my efforts Russ?

Mauro, what should I be looking for in a stressed spring or seal issue? How could I tell either one of these?

It's been a long time since I looked in my old Paasche... But I think it had an air valve rather like that of a tire- a pin-valve which has a shaft and a spring and a small rubber seal or seat which it snugs up to when released.

IF this is what you have, treat it like a leaky valve on your bike or car inner-tube - usually the valve return spring is good, but either that pin hangs up "down" or open -gets jammed by a bit of grit blown into the valve from the air-feed end (your hose or fitting had dirt in it), or the little rubber seal on that valve pin - a tiny o-ring - has split or deformed (needs replacement). About the only other possibility is that the valve bar-nut (that top piece which holds the pin and spring and threads down into the valve-body) is loose. That's what most commonly causes tire air-valves to "fail" - the bar-nut has loosened and the valve no longer seats correctly. That is fixed by properly snugging it in with a tiny screw-driver, pliers, or one of those nifty "valve wrenches" the gas-station tire guys have (and you get at the auto parts store).

IF you check your AB valve and that valve is stuck in the down position - the pin is jammed - probably by grit, OR the spring is broken. IF you can push the valve pin down and it springs back up when released, and air still flows, the spring is GOOD, but either the valve seat o-ring has failed or there is something lodged on it to prevent the valve from fitting into its seat and closing.

So - take it apart and re-assemble it. While it is apart, look thru the barrel and remove any dirt or grit seen. Check the rubber seal on the pin. All clear and rubber looks good? Put it back together snugly. The properly-operating valve will of course spring back up and push the trigger button up when you release it. A failed spring or a jammed pin will not return when released. A broken rubber seal will need to be replaced.

Hope this, or someone else's post, helps you get her workin' right fast!

Cheers!

Bob

Bob;
thanks. I will try this tonight and see whats what. I know that the trigger moves up and down, i.e. springs back but it seems that the valve is being forced open somehow. I stripped it down last night but will do it all again and see. I do not remember seeing an "o ring" or gasket of any kind in the assembly so I will check the manual as see if maybe thats what is causing all of this, a missing seal. Cheers.

Hope this helps.


The circled area is your air valve. Remove your air-hose, and you should see a screw that unscrews to remove the air valve. After you clean it put a drop of needle juice on it, it will help lube the valve, and won't affect your paint.


Make sure your air passage from nozzle to air valve is clean while you have air-valve removed, and that the inside of the air-valve is totally spotless before reinstalling it.
also if the O Ring looks damaged replace it. I suggest picking up the 6 pack of them.

As I said, hope the photos and notes help.

So I pulled up the same PDF on my computer today and went ahead and ordered the O rings. When I got home I disassembled the air valve and trigger mechanism and viola the o ring was not there. Looked in the sonic cleaner and still no luck. Then I started trying to remember if I had ever seen it and to be honest I couldn't. Then I looked at the group next to my desk and what do you think I found sitting there? Yes, the o ring and now I feel quite stupid and at the same time much relieved. Thank you all for the input. Cheers.

Yes that was it! It depended on the O ring which wasn't there!...Reading your last comment I've remembered that a I had the same problem about two years ago with my Paasche V...I cleaned my AB and when I reassembled it didn't work because (I really don't know why) me too I'd lost the O ring
I'm really sorry, If I'd remembered I could have helped you in a better way
Anyaway, i'm happy that you've solved your problem

Cheers