Airbrush help please?

[kaelynn]

So I'm having some extreme airbrush frustration lately...I cannot seem to get any pearlescent/iridescent paint to flow through my airbrush no matter what I try.  I thin the paint down to almost water, I try using larger needle sizes (I have .2, .3 and .5) and although water and Spectra airbrush paint flow through no problem I can't seem to get the Createx iridescent paint to work or the pearlescent airbrush paint additive from Dick Blick or the color change paint from Spaz Stix to spray without splattering.  I've completely taken my airbrush apart so there aren't any specks of dried paint clogging the flow anywhere and I was able to spray the dress on my Marilyn Monroe WIP with white SpectraTex with no problem.

Those of you who use the iridescent/pearlescent paints...help please?  What am I doing wrong?  Is a .5 needle still not big enough?   

[MikeysGrrrl]

I'm having this exact same problem, so I'm going to park my butt here and wait for the experts to come along

[kaelynn]

*passes the popcorn and chocolate*

[Colorscapesart]

Iridescent paints are tricky.  While the binding agent in them is already pretty watered down (they seem thin to me) the particles are at times just a tiny bit big for the brush.  I have a Paasche gravity feed airbrush and the colors go through fine for me, I have to watch for drips myself.  What sort of airbrush are you using?  You mentioned the different needle sizes, are you changing the tips for each size as well?

[Darkhorse]

Could be the compressor also?  What pressure are you running at?

[kaelynn]

Iridescent paints are tricky.  While the binding agent in them is already pretty watered down (they seem thin to me) the particles are at times just a tiny bit big for the brush.  I have a Paasche gravity feed airbrush and the colors go through fine for me, I have to watch for drips myself.  What sort of airbrush are you using?  You mentioned the different needle sizes, are you changing the tips for each size as well?

Yep, changing the tips too.  I bought my airbrush off Ebay - it just says Model PZ-270XS on the box.  I looked at reviews before buying it and the consensus was that it was a great beginner airbrush for someone who isn't sure they want to spring for a Paasche or Iawata as of yet.  I have no problem with colors, just paints with particles in them.

Could be the compressor also?  What pressure are you running at?

Hmm...I'll have to check.  I'm using an Iawata Neo Air mini compressor that has 3 speeds.  Not sure what the psi goes up to off the top of my head but I'm thinking you might be on to something there...