Airbrush Maintenance 101 – Lubrication
Skill Level: Advanced
A smooth-operating airbrush is a joy to use. Parts glide over and through each other with ease. A well-maintained airbrush can last a lifetime with proper and preventive care.
Metal parts slide on each other with ease when using frictionless airbrush lubricant. Seals remain soft and pliable, continuing to operate hassle-free. The airbrush needle slides freely through the airbrush needle packing seal. A lubrication film on brass-on-brass parts prevents metal fusion (sticking together) and permits easy disassembly if required.
Guts of the Matter: Problem areas.
- Brass on brass fusing (compression fitting sticking), is a problem, making disassembly difficult.
- Brass threads are soft and delicate, stretching out of shape by over-tightening, resulting in leaking, ill-fitting parts.
- Threads are prone to stripping.
- Over-tightening dry seals causes premature wear, rotation compression torque and shearing forces shorten service life.
- Mechanical friction, metal on metal wear.
These parts benefit from lubrication and are only finger-tightened to prevent damaging threads by over-tightening.
SOLUTIONS
- Apply a film of airbrush lubrication to pressure-fitting brass parts for easy disassembly.
- Spread airbrush lubricant to all threads and seals.
- Apply airbrush lubricant to all moving mechanical parts such as the trigger assembly.
- Snugly finger-tighten parts for ease of disassembly.
- Airbrush lubricant creates a leak-proof membrane between parts.
- Use the Nozzle Tool to remove the Fluid Nozzle if necessary. Reattach for a snug fit only.
- Snug fit parts only, finger tight.
⚠️ Stretched and deformed precision-milled threads will leak regardless of how much they are tightened. Damage to the threads from the previous overtightening is not reversible. Damaged parts require replacement. A temporary fix is to use IWATA Medea Thread Sealer MTS101.
⚠️ 🚧 When tightening threaded parts using the airbrush manufacturer’s tools, carefully, snugly tighten them. Stop when resistance is felt. Test for a leak and gradually snug tighten where necessary.
🛑 Overtightening stretches threads made of soft brass. Excessive torque will break part(s) requiring replacement or a new airbrush.
Finger-tighten thread-sealed parts for an airtight fit.
Airbrush Needle Lubrication
A drop of airbrush lubricant spread over the needle permits repeated easy movement through the airbrush needle packing located deep inside the airbrush body. After assembly, back-bubble a few drops of paint thinner to remove any airbrush lubricant on the pointed nozzle end and shaft of the needle. Empty the paint channel and paint cup by spraying out the solution. You are now good to go.
An ounce of prevention prevents a pound of cure.
Triple Chrome Plating
Better airbrushes will have jewel-like, triple chrome plated parts manufactured to precision tolerances. Keep the exterior and interior free from paint residue, and your airbrush will look new after years of use. Proper lubrication and care will keep your airbrush operating smoothly and trouble-free for years to come.
James Wooldridge is An enthusiastic scale modeller, researcher, amateur historian, and contributor to scale modelling sites, including Scalemates. He is an active and progressive Facebook Group Expert, Presenter, and Scale Modelling Club Video Host.
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