Badger Air-Brush RK-1 Troubleshooting Manual

GENERAL / BASIC AIRBRUSH TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
1) Bubbling in color reservoir (color cup or jar)
Cause: Damaged nozzle seal
Correction: If drop in tip, make certain it is properly seated in the angled recess of the airbrush body, and that the surfaces between the tip and body are cleared of any debris and
are not marred or scratched. If threaded tip, make sure threads are properly sealed – using beeswax or chapstick if necessary.
Cause: Paint/Nozzle tip obstruction
Correction: Remove any dried paint from the paint tip by picking it off, wetting the dried paint with a wet paint brush, and/or spraying cleaner through the airbrush.
Cause: Incorrect spray regulator alignment
Correction: Tighten or loosen your spray regulator in ¼ turn or lesser increments to determine if that is the cause of the problem. If it is, your airbrush will stop bubbling and
resume spraying once you hit the spray regulator's "sweet spot".
Cause: Micro-fractured or split paint tip
2) Excessive nozzle (thread) connection air leakage:
Cause: Nozzle parts not securely tightened
Correction: Using nozzle wrench, small, padded plier, or by hand firmly grasp threaded connecting nozzle parts and tighten. Never use excessive force when tightening airbrush
components. NOTE: On finger tight nozzle assemblies slight air leakage will occur and is OK as it will not affect airbrush spray performance.
Cause: Air improperly seeping through threaded connections
3) Media/color seeping to rear of airbrush
Cause: Damaged or incorrectly adjusted PTFE inner seal
Correction: If seal is not adjustable, it needs to be replaced. Check manufacturer suggestion for seal replacement. If seal is adjustable, tighten it by inserting a small eye glass
screw driver through the rear of the airbrush body, and into the PTFE seal adjusting screw, turning the adjusting screw clock-wise in ¼ turn increments.
4) Air not passing through nozzle to vacuum media from nozzle
Cause: Mismatched nozzle parts - finer spray regulator than paint tip
Correction: Correctly match nozzle parts – Fine Spray Regulator w/ Fine Paint Tip (and needle), Medium w/ Medium, Large w/Large
5) Spray pattern pulsation:
Cause: Damaged inner seal / Hose or compressor connection air leakage
Correction: a. If the airbrush's inner seal is not sealing properly, see correction of foregoing troubleshooting item 4. b. Check air hose connection. If there is air leakage at this
connection, seal it by wrapping of PTFE "plumber's" tape around the male threaded part.
Cause: Inconsistent media viscosity
Correction: Adjust paint/media to proper spraying viscosity. The rule of thumb for preparing media for airbrushing is to thin it to the equivalent viscosity of milk.
Cause: Inconsistently adequate air supply
6) Spray will not shut off and/or occurs without sliding the trigger back
Cause: Improper seated needle in the paint tip
Correction: Re-seat the needle by loosening the needle chuck/lock nut, sliding the needle forward until it stops in the nozzle tip, and re-tightening the needle chuck/lock nut. DO
NOT USE FORCE when seating the needle in the nozzle tip, when it stops it should be seated properly.
Cause: "Flared" paint tip
Cause: Paint/Nozzle tip obstruction
Correction: Remove any dried paint from the paint tip by picking it off, wetting the dried paint with a wet paint brush, and/or spraying cleaner through the airbrush.
7) Air on not going to airbrush when depressing trigger
Cause: Swollen or damaged air valve O-ring
Correction: If air valve or-ring is swollen due to soaking airbrush allow it to dry out. If O-ring does not return to its correct size or is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
8) Off-center spray
Cause: Bent needle tip
Correction: Carefully straighten the needle tip with a grooved sharpening stone or a firm thumb nail and an emery board or replace the needle.
9) Grainy spray/finish:
Cause: Inconsistent media viscosity
Correction: Adjust paint/media to proper spraying viscosity. The rule of thumb for preparing media for airbrushing is to thin it to the equivalent viscosity of milk.
Cause: Inadequate air pressure
Correction: Make sure air pressure is adequate - Gravity feed airbrush 10-20psi (.7-1.3 bar) / Bottom feed airbrush 18-28psi (1.2-2 bar)
Cause: Some amounts of paint drying before hitting surface
Correction: Move airbrush closer to surface being sprayed.
10) Centipede/spider spray patterns or buckling surface:
Cause: Media too thin
Correction: Remix media or start with fresh media that is proper spray viscosity (equivalence of milk).
Cause: Too much media released while spraying close to the surface
Correction: Reduce pull back on trigger when working close to surface being sprayed.
Cause: Media applied too heavily
11) "Barbell" spray patterns, flared spray pattern ends, and/or curved spray pattern:
Cause: Improper spray technique and/or arcing airbrush stroke
Correction: Practice proper triggering technique and airbrush stroke. Maintain consistent airbrush distance from surface being sprayed.
Correction: Replace the paint tip.
Correction: Seal nozzle threads with bee's wax or chapstick.
Correction: Increase air pressure or, if necessary, replace air supply.
Correction: Replace the paint tip.
Correction: Apply media in lighter coats – allowing one coat to dry before applying another.