Help!!!

[AbJul]

I have an order for 35 shirts to do, and AB was working fine 2 days ago. I worked on it all day yesterday, to no avail. My badger crescendo has a bent needle, I'm sure that's the problem. But I have 2 paasche VL's that I bought used, and neither one will work correctly. Paint will flow great for a few seconds, then nothing at all or wierd, splotchy, uneven paint flow. I have cleaned and cleaned, and still the same. The other VL sprays constantly when it should be just air. The head on this one doesn't screw on all the way like it looks it should, maybe wrong head, I don't know. I am using Createx tshirt paints, ready to use.
I was using the badger with the bent needle and it was fine, and now not, it is spraying all of the time. I got a lot of junk out of it, seems super clean, but still not right. Should I lubricate it or something? I have nothing except createx cleaner, have soaked it, brushed it, etc.
Please any advice you have
Thanks Julie

[Jason]

Spraying all the time sounds like the needle isn't set far enough forward (especially if it is spraying as soon as you depress the trigger [on a dual action] ). As for it flowing fine for a few seconds and then nothing or splotchy flow...that sounds like either psi is too low, paint is too thick, or you have junk (debris) in the paint that is clogging it. I use createx with an anthem and an iwata and have to set my psi to anywhere between 45-65 psi for a good consistant flow. I've also had to thin some colors like white and black to a milk consistancy because they came too thick.

As for the head not screwing on all the way....I've had that problem with one of my anthems...I used a little wax (toilet wax ring...totally cheap and lasts forever) around the threads...making sure not to get into the opening of the body nor nozzle) and it created a good seal. You might actually be able to use teflon pumbers tape too...haven't tried that one. A good way to test if you are losing air through that area is to get some dish soap and put it around the nozzle/head where it screws onto the body while blowing air...if it bubbles...there's a problem.

I'm sure some of the more experienced pros will weigh in soon though.

[AbJul]

Jason, thanks for the help. I figured out that the Paasche needed more air, my compressor isn't big enough for it to use the bottom feed w/paint jar attached, but it has a cup, so I tried that and it worked, didn't need as much air pressure, I guess. It worked okay, but still spitting now and then, larger paint particles mixed in (just not a uniform spray, real grainy looking) so I gave up after a while and ordered myself a new crescendo, as I truly love that brush. Will just have to wait for it to arrive.
Thanks again
Julie

julie
what air pressure are you using?

[redneck]

had you try straining the paint?