Question for anyone w/ a Paasche VL

[Adam Baker]

Was trying to work on some free-hand camo this weekend, and pulled my VL out and stuck the #1 needle in it to hopefully get some tight lines. I ended up getting kind of a spray pattern out of it instead of tight lines.

My question is what kind of air pressure do you guys normally use w/ the #1 needle? I think I was at about 10 PSI, and I think that might be the problem I was having b/c the pressure was too low, but want to get a few opinions on it.

 

[kryptosdaddy]

No Idea, but I'm tagging this because I'm interested in the answers...

 

[jknaus]

It depends on the paint your using , the consistency, the brand. I find valejo paints spray better at a lower pressure and thinned down, while Tamiya need a bit higher pressure and not as thinned. The best way to do this is to take a trashed kit and before you paint your kit try the pressure thinning out on the trash kit. Then tweak, maybe more pressure, maybe more thinner. There are pitfalls to be aware of like too thin and it runs or too much pressure and it drys before hitting the model. Really all you can do is practice with the brush and eventually you get comfortable. Each time I change brushes I have to learn them and how they work and even now before every job I try the brush out on something else before aiming it at my model.
Hope that is some help.
James

 

[Adam Baker]

I was using Humbrol, which tends to run on the thick side, but its thinned about 60:40, so its fairly thin.

I guess I should have thought about trying it out on some sheet stock, just didnt occur to me for what ever reason.

I'll go back and try it tonight, I'm also going to try my Iwata too, and see what I can pull off w/ that. This camo scheme is really driving me crazy, haha.

 

[Adam]

You said you stuck the #1 needle in. Did you also change the tip? The smaller diameter opening of the #1 tip will be what will give you fine tight lines. Also, how close are spraying to the actual model?

I normally spray at about 12PSI so I don't think air pressure is your issue.

Also, check the tip of the needle to make sure it is not bent. If it is bent even slightly it will skew the paint pattern.

Is there any paint gumming up on the needle? That is also a problem with the Paasche and some paints.

Without knowing more that is about all I can help with.

I love my Paasche!

 

[Adam Baker]

Yea, I made sure to have the correct tip on the airbrush.

I looked before assembling the airbrush, and from what I could see, the needle looked really good. I rubbed my fingernail across the end, and it wasnt hooking my nail, so the needle is fine.

I dont think it was gumming up, the paint is fairly thin, it was just giving me a spray pattern that I wasnt expecting, versus a tight line. I think I had the needle about 1.5-2 inches from the model. I wanted to be close, but not too close.

 

[paddy]

Sorry but i think its the needle, I use a VL and it needs a new needle anyway every 6-7 times i use it, they are hyper critical !!!!!!! Even the fact that you checked for hooks by touching it is bad news TBH if i wanted to do a tight line. say 1-2 mm wide i would be less than an inch away

 

[Adam]

Sorry but i think its the needle, I use a VL and it needs a new needle anyway every 6-7 times i use it, they are hyper critical !!!!!!! Even the fact that you checked for hooks by touching it is bad news TBH if i wanted to do a tight line. say 1-2 mm wide i would be less than an inch away

Yes Paddy is right about the closeness. You gotta be super close to get that tight of a line. For tight lines and mottling i'm usually no less than a few mm from the surface. I do have to buy needles regularly also. Not every 6 or 7 times but more often than I think I should. Of course I don't know how often users of other brushes replace their needles either...

 

[iambrb]

I have a Paasche VL and I use an ancient Badger that has a Chinese Harbor-Freight pressure gauge on it, and I think I run approx. 12 PSI, give r take, because trust me, that gauge is NOT accurate!

 

[moon puppy]

Yea, I made sure to have the correct tip on the airbrush.

I looked before assembling the airbrush, and from what I could see, the needle looked really good. I rubbed my fingernail across the end, and it wasnt hooking my nail, so the needle is fine.

I dont think it was gumming up, the paint is fairly thin, it was just giving me a spray pattern that I wasnt expecting, versus a tight line. I think I had the needle about 1.5-2 inches from the model. I wanted to be close, but not too close.

I don't think you're going to get a fine line with any airbrush from that far away.

 

[Adam Baker]

Sounds like its the working distance then. I'll definitely give it a shot.

Fwiw, I've had this VL for about 12 or 13 years, and unfortunately didnt take good care of it early in its life, so it doesnt work the greatest. The whole time the only thing I've ever used was the #3 needle, I've never used the #1 for anything. The needle & its tip have both been in the little plastic cylinders that they came in when I got it new.

 

[Adam Baker]

Well, I went back and played w/ it, and the working distance was definitely a lot of the issue I was having, but I think I'm having other issues w/ my VL.

I pulled my Iwata HP-CS out, and played w/ it, and got almost exactly what I'm looking for, but I can tell I have a long way to go, before Im going to get the nice consistent tight lines I want, but at least now I know I can do it, just have to practice on it.

I think for awhile Im just gonna work at wasting some paint, practicing the trigger control, before I try painting the camo on this tank model.