Air brush problems

[Aqua-man]

I have a Badger 150 that started giving me some trouble over the weekend. It's pulsing and giving me an erratic spray and every now and then I get a "splat" of paint. It's hooked up to a little oil less compressor. I cleaned it 5 or 6 times already. I know there was a thread on something like this a while ago, but I can't find it.

[Flaptail]

Pulses are from the compressor not the airbrush. Check your compressor for psi. You may want to get a hold of an old party size helium tank and fill the tank to it's rated max pressure and with the butterfly valve on the tank and a pressure gauge attached ( you can get them cheap at Walmart) use that instead of direct from the compressor. Also, you will get different sets of performance from your compressor at different times of day to electrical demand in your area. If you try metering the outlet you plug the compressor in at suppertime and live in a fairly well populated development you will be surprised at the actual voltage reading. Instead of 120v you might be at 90V when everyones lights, stoves, washing machines etc are running full tilt. I noticed that with my compressor and avoid using it at those times. No pulse, full power = no problem. Just my 02. cents.

[Aqua-man]

Thanks, that makes alot of sense. I noticed that the lights dimmed while I was painting every time my sump pump came on. I'll try my big compressor tonight. Thanks again.
Tom

[thefishingfreak]

try an extra length of hose it will hold a little more reserve air.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

try an extra length of hose it will hold a little more reserve air.

ohhhh get outta here. cool trick

[ProfessorM]

I agree long hose.

[Labrador1]

I'm not disagreeing with any of the above info - all makes sense. Just thought I'd add a couple other thoughts. I have a badger 150 and badger 360. The 360 in particular is prone to pulsating and splatering paint. It is usually because it is dirty. Even when clean those brushes are much more finicky than my others. Shooting some of the thicker createx paints will often cause the brush to fowl up and start splattering and pulsating rather quickly. In my case I am certain that it is not related to the compressor or the varying electrical currents since I have other brushes connected to the same line and can switch to one of those and watch the paint sail out as it should. You may also want to get a magnifying glass out and examine the cone, tip etc. These parts are easily damaged and can cause some of the problems you were describing. One time I was so fed up with my 360 I almost pitched in the garbage. I had cleaned it to death and still found it was splattering paint. Upon closer examination I found a nearly microscopic crack in the cone. New cone - and all was well.

Ryan

[crash]

You may also try a battery backup for a computer, they clean the power.

[Canalman]

Ryan,

I had the same exact problem... I didn't even think of the trash can though.... I alomost pitched mine against the wall

[justplugit]

The tip and needles on the Badger damage real easy. Replace them, add the extra hose like Mike said above, an in line filter, and you'll be in business. Flap may also have a good point as my brushes work better somedays more than others. May also have to do with humidity.