Airbrush Troubleshooting

Sometimes airbrushes may have problems. Do you know what to do if liquid is bubbling-up in your cup? Or maybe your airbrush isn’t spraying at all?

Symptom Problem Solution
Bubbles in colour cup or Bottle  
Loose nozzle cap or air cap (Eclipse series) Make sure nozzle cap is finger tight and/ or tighten air cap with wrench (Eclipse series only)
  Improper nozzle to body connection Remove and reinsert nozzle. For older airbrushes, try applying some beeswax to the nozzle threads if there are scratches where the nozzle meets the body
  Cracked or damaged nozzle Replace nozzle
Skipping Dried paint on needle tip Clean needle with cotton swab dipped in appropriate cleaner
  Paint too thick Thin or strain paint to skim milk consistency
  Dirty airbrush Perform a deep clean 
  Cracked or damaged nozzle Replace nozzle
Not spraying Loose needle chucking nut Make sure needle chucking nut is finger tight then look to see if the needle is moving when trigger is pulled
  Bottle vent hole is plugged (bottom feed models only) Use pushpin to unclog vent hole
  Improper air pressure See specific compressor instructions to raise or lower air pressure
  Paint too thick Thin or strain paint to skim milk or light cream consistency
  Clogged nozzle Clean the nozzle
  Cracked or damaged nozzle Replace nozzle
Broken nozzle/ nozzle threads stuck Nozzle threads are stuck inside of the airbrush Use Nozzle Removal tool to remove broken nozzle
Spattering Dried paint on needle tip Clean needle with cotton swab dipped in appropriate cleaner
  Paint build up in needle cap Clean needle with cotton swab dipped in appropriate cleaner
  Air pressure too low See specific compressor instructions to raise air pressure, also check that nozzle cap is clean and finger tight
  Paint too thick Thin or strain paint to skim milk consistency
  Dirty airbrush Preform a deep clean
Fluid Cup Discoloured Fluid cup is showing discoloration Don’t worry, this is normal. Depending on the kind of materials you spray and how often, this patina-like effect could show up right away, in a few years or never at all. Either way, what’s important to know is that these changes have no impact on the performance of your airbrush.