My stepdad just gave me his old Paasche VL set and the #1 needle is toast. The #3 and #5 are there and in good shape. I figure the #3 should be fine for detail work with the acrylics and the #5 good for bigger areas right?

I already know about feathering the trigger back to control paint flow, but is there a trick to controlling air pressure without monkeying with the reg? Maybe I've got the pressure set too high already at 20#? I tried it out on some paper with black createx and I had a problem with the paint spidering off from the line I was putting down. I know I wasn't pulling too much paint because the coverage was really light when it would happen, it just seems like the air was blowing the paint around too much.

Maybe I was trying to get too fine of a line with the #3 set and should get a new #1 needle and use that? If anyone knows some tricks to these I would love to know. I haven't used a dual action in about 15 years and have forgotten more than I thought.

On a positive, where it didn't spider the paint out it paints nice fine lines and dots! If I can figure this out my paintjobs will really improve!

Try less presssure. :jump1:

not exactly sure what you mean by spidering. more distance, less paint, or a finer needle might help too.

dont know why you're having that problem. I've got the same airbrush (i think) the max pressure is 75 psi i run it around 30-40. not sure which needle i'm using with it.

what paint are you using?

first of all i would like to say hi to everybody. I have been a lurker for awhile now and have to say you guys are very talented plug makers. I live in jersey and got into plug building a couple of months ago and someday hope to produce the same caliber of lures as you guys.


I use a #3 for just about everything. I run my brush anywhere between 20# and 35# psi. when my paint spiders it's usually a combo of too much air, too close to my work and thin paint.

i use a drier and a 1/4 brass shutoff valve right behing the drier. this way i can change the volume of air with the valve. so between the compressor pressure reg and the shutoff valve and the air control on the vl i make out pretty good.

not sure if any of this will help you but thought i would throw out a couple of idea's.