Sooper noob

[Small_Fry]

Ok i paint cars but just decided to do airbrushing, i bought an HP-CH and decided to start practicing with regular acrylic hobby paint that u find at wal-mart. my gun stops spraying after a bit and the paint cakes on the needle tip, first making spotty lines and then it stops altogether now it won't even throw water even after i'm pretty sure i cleaned it. Any help?

[redneck]

small fry,hook the airbrush to the airline, turn compressor on , fill the airbrush paint cup full of water ,pull the needle back by using the trigger then place your finger tip over the nozzle being careful not to stick your finger then press down on the trigger to force the air backward into the paint cup, it should bubble, if it refuse to form bubbles the airbrush may need more cleaning

[Small_Fry]

Originally Posted by redneck

small fry,hook the airbrush to the airline, turn compressor on , fill the airbrush paint cup full of water ,pull the needle back by using the trigger then place your finger tip over the nozzle being careful not to stick your finger then press down on the trigger to force the air backward into the paint cup, it should bubble, if it refuse to form bubbles the airbrush may need more cleaning

yup it bubbles and it throws ppaint again but for a little while, i've got it at 40 something psi, now when i say the paint cakes up on the needle and it starts getting spotty i mean its like 5 min into spraying that this happens

[KwitcherBitchin]

sounds like your getting real bad "Tip Dry", do a search up top for the words tip dry. I'm not familiar with the paints you're using but are you reducing them any? ..........................Kwit

[redneck]

when you set the psi are that set with the airbrush trigger press down, 20 psi should be fine for your gravity-feed brush , you may need to stain your paint to remove the clogs

[Small_Fry]

the paint is folk art paint just the regular acrylic line, what can i dilute it with? is water ok?

[KDSilverBrush]

craft paint is a lot more pigmented than ab paint, Small, yur getting tip dry fast from it, and there's no cure except to stop every time and clean your tip.
You could try to use an acrylic reducer/retarder, but I think you would be better off just getting some com art paint. BTW, Welcome to the forum.

[chucktx]

tip dry is part of airbrushing. cleaning the tip on a regular basis will become second nature. for practicing and such i would get some dr martins airbush paint....already thinned. it is great for practicing and actual painting. useing a quallity paint to practice with will keep you wanting to paint......trying to paint with hisolids type paints in an airbrush will just want to make you throw the gun across the room. once your confident with the tool, then move on to the medium of your choice.......dont make it more difficult than it already is by using the wrong paints in the beginning.
have fun........