Question about needle/nozzle sizes.

[Jack Fields]

I use an iwata hp-cs. Normally I work with a .35 mm nozzle and needle. I have real trouble with spraying clear coat, though. Comes out in tiny amounts, even thinned. I was thinking of switching up to .5 for the clear coat. To do that, I just need to get a .5 nozzle and needle, right? Or is my gun's chamber just for .35?

[Jack Fields]

It seems like the CS fits .5 nozzles. Would I just use a .35 needle with a .5 nozzle?

[Shane Haddy]

I have started to spray taking out the nozzle, seems to work but I do get clogging at times.

[Dead Presidents]

You will need to replace #4 & #17 to a .5 needle . Hope this helps

[Jack Fields]

That's exactly what I wanted to know, thanks.

[D-LuX]

i have used .3 and .2 in my iwata HP-C PLUSand haven't had issues... I just bump my compressor to 60 psi, and back the needle out slightly... Also when switching out parts, make sure nozzles etc will fit the body of your airbrush... I tried switching totally on a spare HP-C Plus, and only certain parts will transfer over... Your best bet is to buy a less expensive purpose built trigger operated larger capacity sprayer... they make ones that are small but can spray thicker paints, at higher volumes. That's what I'm doing... spraying 4 oz at a time on 20 toys gets irritating and painful to the finger

[Jack Fields]

My crappy, leaky compressor has trouble staying over 40. That's probably my main issue, but I can't afford any new equipment at this point. I never considered backing out the needle; I'll try that.

[D-LuX]

backing out the needle works good, but remember it's like holding the trigger back all the time, so it will spray out immediately. Pressure is probably a big factor too... if money is tight, you can always use a 40% off coupon for a badger compressor at Michaels... thats what I did... saved $100 bucks

 

[Dead Presidents]

Jack, since you are working outside you may be able to get a small pancake compressor from a home center for around $70 that would be perfect for you. The downside is that they can be noisy.

[Paperdaniel]

this was all extremely helpful. i dont have too much of an issue with the clearcoat....sort of. i have found if i tear my gun down beforehand and clean it immaculately freaky clean and tool up the psi - that everything goes easy peasy...till i get to about 30 mins in or 8 sculpts into the process. then i can see the process slowing down. going for a spare gun last week, i got such a sicksweet deal on a new hi-line that i was considering applying the well-saved green towards a gun just for clearcoat. what would you reccomend matt? i am an iwata fan. love their guns and compressors and have had nothing but good experiences with their gear. i am open to other manufacturers as long as the quality is similar. i have yet to burn one of their compressors out and the only issue i have had with an airtool of theirs they glady just replaced the whole gun instead. awesome company. any hints matt?

 

[Dead Presidents]

For my bigger spraying I use SATA from Germany. Here is a picture of one my mini jets.

1.0 tip . You need a large compressor to power these things at 30psi

 

Most of my airbrushes are Iwata because of there resistance to solvents.

 

I will use this gun for my larger projects at the shop applying colors flakes, etc. This is good for you guys if  clear coating a bunch of figures at once. I myself use a full size gun for clear coating. I clear coat anywhere from 50 - 350 figures at once though ;0

 

[Jack Fields]

If I found myself clearcoating 50 figures at once, I'd say that my life has reached a new level.

[D-LuX]

I'd like a larger gun like that for when i'm doing 20 to 30 at a time