The last couple of time i have tried to use my aribrush (either my Badger 175 or my 155) using either MM Acryl or Tamiya Acrylics, I have had major problems with the paint drying and clogging inside the brush. And I mean immediately, like after 4-5 seconds of spraying, nothing is coming out of the brush. I am spraying both types of paint with the manufacturer's thinner, to recommended consistancy, but still clogging. I have my compressor set at about 22 psi. This is the second time this has happened, anyone have any ideas what i could be doing wrong? I'm ready to give up and start needlepoint!

When I use Tamiya paints, I always thin with alcohol. I have never had a problem with it drying to quickly. I mix it 70:30 and have no problems.

Patrick

We'll have to walk through a few steps here in order figure out what exactly is wrong.
First, are you able to spray water through it? May seem like a dumb question but, follow along...

Yes, I can spray water thru the brush, and try to be very careful about cleaning. I've never had this problem before, although I've only been using an airbrush for a short time.

It's very strange that the paint dries so fast. As an after thought... if you brush the paint on a piece of plastic, how fast does it dry? I almost want to say that something could be wrong with the paint.
Lets find out more.

I will give that a try, but it may be tommorrow. I might try to pick up a new bottle of the Acryl also. I needed to step back from the brush for a couple days, but I'll be up to try again tomorrow. Thanks for the help, and I'll let you know how it goes.

This is an odd situation Bribo.

It seems like the air is drying the paint before it leaves the AB. Hmmm...keep me informed of any other relevent info you may have.

A friend of mine here at work suggested that maybe there are clumps in my paint, and that's clogging the brush. He suggests getting a screen or filter for the pickup tube on the paint jar. I may try that and see if it helps....

Sprayed some MM enamel through the same brush last night, everything worked just as it should. Perhaps its just some bad paint. I'll buy some more Acryl and try again later.

Glad to hear it.

Paint can seperate and become old, just like most other things in our hobby. As paint (especially enamels) age, it becomes harder and harder to get the pigment to suspend in the medium correctly.

I don't like using the "strainer screens" in my AB, but do recommend getting a long "paint blender" tip for your dremel... it mixes the paint perfectly without adding in air bubbles... you can find a tip like this or a paint bottle stirrer (battery operated) at MicroMark.com.

I mainly do acrylic paints, and use either water, alcholol or windex as the thinning agent, depending on the brand.