Hi Guys,

I usually paint figures and wish to get more use from my Aztec in this regard.

A few issues however are causing me some frustration.

I have found it difficult if not impossible to obtain the fine lines promised by using the tan coloured tip. even using a low pressure i have had poor results and it seems I need to use quite a high pressure to get a spray - not helped I admit by the clogging even with well thinned acylics.

This clogging seems to always require the disassembly of the tip with associated cursing.

What tips can you guys offer with the use of this model - top one - with compressor and would I be better embezzeling money from the house money to buy an Iwata?

Regards, callum.

Hello Callum

There are people who swear by Aztec, and more power to them, when I started using an airbrush about 10 years ago I tried a couple of different versions of the Aztec and was about to give it up as I couldn't do anything but general coverage with it and the clogging problems were terrible, no matter how much or well I cleaned it..

I managed to get my first Badger double action, and it worked so much better than the Aztecs that they went straight to the dust bins.

My advice to happiness is if your have a lot of trouble, then go with something else.

Delbert

@Callum
While I wouldn't call for embezzling money from the house fund for an Iwata, I would agree with Delbert and look at replacing the Aztek. I had the 4709 (I think) and it never sprayed good. I went with a Badger double action, then an Iwata HP-CS and finally I have the Grex TG.2 airbrush. Love all of them, and each is good for it's own purposes. Spend the money on a solid double action Iwata, and you'll never need another brush for many years. It is bulletproof. Mine's lasted for close to 8 years with no problems. I just wanted to try the Grex for it's pistol grip, which is nice, but it's tough to give up the HP-CS.

Hope that helps.

Hi Callum, Russell here. I have an Aztek 4709, been using it for about 15 years. I've been happy with the results, although painting figures may not be one of the airbrushes strong points. I agree with the other, you might want to try another airbrush.

The only thing I can recommend is using the red nozzle or tan nozzle for fine spraying, turn your pressure down and get close to your subject. That may or may not help you though. Good luck. Russell

Callum,
I had 3 Aztecs, including the top-of-the-line metal one, and all the nozzles. Cool concept, but in the end, never consistent, imprecise, and not worth the effort.
Get a good gravity feed, double action Iwata or Grex. It's like going from a Yugo to a Porsche and you'll find out that airbrushing is actually fun, enjoyable, and troublefree if you do it right.

Callum, If you don't want to go for a double action, gravity feed air gun, there is always the Paasche H1 single action gun. I've been using them for 40 years without any problems or issues. Simple to use, easy to clean, and with the three different tips/cones, you can go from fine line to a very board coverage.

Joel

Thanks for the advice guys - given the chance I'll try the aztek again this weekend and go from there.

Regards, Callum.