Need help with an airbrush compressor

[clean88]

Let me start by saying i have never airbrushed before... I have an old wr brown speedy air compressor and it doesn't want to start if i have the hose tightened. If i take the hose off or just loosen it, it starts right up and runs fine. Also,once it's going i can tighten the hose and it seems to run the way it should.
Am i doing something wrong? Maybe it's just old and doesn't like to work anymore,a sentiment i share...

 

[Nhrafan26]

Are you running it directly plugged into the outlet or an extension cord?
What it sounds like is the motor doesn't quite have the power to overcome the air pressure in the line. Once you release the pressure the motor spins freely and up to speed so it can continue to pump. I had 2 or 3 of these little ones when I first started airbrushing. They were good to mess around with but then I realized if I tried to spray anything thicker than water it would struggle.
I ended up buying a used air nailer compressor and that worked awesome, not to mention the long lengths of quiet time between runs that I was able to paint during.
Oh the reason I ask about the cord is maybe it doesn't quite have enough power to start up because of voltage drop, if it's getting the full voltage then it's probably just age and trying to start under a load. This is why you'll see large compressors with an unloader/pressure release that you'll hear blow off when the compressor stops, it's so when it goes to start up again it isn't fighting the pressure in the line.
To get it going just press the air button on the airbrush and release pressure, it should start right up and run.

 

[clean88]

I'm plugging it directly into the wall. I did try pulling the trigger on the brush before plugging it in but it was the same. Guess it's just old.
I am mixing 2 rattle can paints to try and match something and the paint seems to be very thin but again i've never air brushed so maybe it's not thin enough for the brush,although once the compressor is running it seems to spray it just fine.
I have a big compressor,just trying to give this little one a go first. What pressure should i set the regulator?

Thanks

 

[Nhrafan26]

I'm plugging it directly into the wall. I did try pulling the trigger on the brush before plugging it in but it was the same. Guess it's just old.
I am mixing 2 rattle can paints to try and match something and the paint seems to be very thin but again i've never air brushed so maybe it's not thin enough for the brush,although once the compressor is running it seems to spray it just fine.
I have a big compressor,just trying to give this little one a go first. What pressure should i set the regulator?

Thanks

Yeah that paint should definitely be thin enough to spray directly.
Those little compressors only put out like 15 psi I think max so even if you bump up to 25 it should spray just about anything you put through it as long as the small air hose going to the gun can take the pressure.
When using mine the small compressor would run and I could spray fairly good for about 20 seconds until the pressure would drop again. But on mine if I would stop it would shut off and then when I would pull the trigger the compressor would start back up. Sometimes if I would unplug it and plug it back in I would have to release pressure to get it to start that's the only reason i mentioned that.

 

[G_P]

I doubt that its a capacitor start motor but you never know. It may have a weak start cap if it is a capacitor start motor.
Electric motors dont really get weak. They either work or they dont. It might be worth digging into the unit to see if you can spot something obvious.

 

[clean88]

Sorry so late getting back,been working on my hoard in the basement...

Thanks,i'll keep it around 20 then.

Yeah i don't think there's a cap in this thing. I haven't taken it apart yet but i'll bet there's a rubber diagram in there that's not as soft as it used to be.

Thanks for the help guys...

 

[G_P]

It may have some kind of unloader valve that allows it to get up to speed before it starts pumping air. If you say it has rubber diaphragms that are stiff, that could be the problem.

 

[MarkG]

I have a WhisperJet (Medea) airbush compressor, but once I got a regular contractor's air compressor for nail guns, etc. that's all I use. Just seems to work better all around. It won't need to run near as much either if you use something---ANYthing-----with a tank on it.

 

[shortykorte]

I brought an airbrush/paint gun kit with a compressor like that 35 yrs ago. First like the others have said, it doesn't push much air. On tankless compressors you need to drill a little bleed hole in the fitting connecting hose to compressor. I would suggest getting a compressor with a tank or made for air brushing.
I've tried air brushing with cheap equipment and didn't enjoy it. Buying a $100 gun, compressor w/tank and taking a class really made a difference. Air brush paint is set around 25-40 psi but depends on type and your abilities.