#Airbrush - Speckled paint after cleaning with Isopropyl alcohol

4 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

wanton finch
#

Decided to take the big brain action of using Iso Alchohol instead of Airbrush cleaner, ever since I can't get my Ultra 2024 to spray smoothly. (tried multiple types of paints, this is a Citadel Air paint which had no problem previously, this is with abit of thinner too!).

Things I've tried:

  • Checking for any blockages
  • Checked Oring (I think its ok, but no frame of reference)
  • Re-seat needle/nozzle check tightness
  • Re-applied lube to trigger and needle (all)
  • Cleaned again with airbrush cleaner then repeated the above.
  • 20-25 PSI - This wasnt changed and worked fine previously.
    Have a bricked the needle/nozzle in the process? trying to avoid spending £40 just to find out... :/
WhatsApp_Image_2025-12-09_at_19.16.13_f2045c47.jpg
violet flax
# wanton finch Decided to take the big brain action of using Iso Alchohol instead of Airbrush c...

Well lets start with cleaning it just once more. I'd try taking some airbrush cleaner and back flushing it a 25 PSI, make sure you put the cap halfway on so you dont get bubbles in your face. Then test it again. If that doesn't work loosen the chucking nut and slowly and very carefully move it back and forth if you see dry or wet paint coming out you have a blockage in your nozzle. If that doesn't work pull back on your needle and pay very close attention to see if the needle smoothly retracts back and forth with no hiccups, if it doesn't you might have paint in your packing screw, or you might've adjusted the packing screw and made it to tight which is causing the needle to retract erratically. Now if none of that works try disasembling the entire front section of the airbrush, nozzle, cap, ect. Get reference photos of brand new parts that your cleaning and if you see any blockages or something cracked, or slightly warped then you found your issue. If that doesnt work then look at your O rings compared to a brand new O ring if the old O ring is warped, or looks off then you probably need a new one. Another way to tell if your O rings are toast is if the airbrush cleaner in question has over time corroded the O rings, Basic cleaners for acrylics dont melt O rings, but stronger cleaners will melt O rings, this also includes white spirits, mineral spirits, ect.

#

You could also have damaged a part or two without knowing it so ask yourself this. Have I forced or put anything metal or hard other than paper tips, or the factory needle in the nozzle? If the answer is yes chances are the inside of the nozzle is damaged and causing this awful spray, you could also have damaged it if you need to twist the nozzle on with a tool you could have cracked it using a tool for putting it in, these tools are used for taking apart never putting it back together. Also ask yourself this, did I recently force the needle into the airbrush, or nick it on something inside or outside the airbrush? If the answer is yes take a camera to the needle zoom in as far as possible and check for any slight bends, if there's a bend you have to drop 40 bucks. And the last one I asked an AI for, it could be that since you're using ISO which dry's faster you could've stripped the grease you're applying onto it, maybe run some water through it this time. That last factor seems a bit out there and i dont know if i belive it. I hope this helped and fixes your airbrush. Im also sorry for dumping all this information onto you lmao.

wanton finch