28ZComeback Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Hi, about three weeks ago I experienced a problem with my Badger Sotar 20/20; Air is spraying out but no paint. I cleaned the brush inside and out; cleaned the needle and let the tip set in acetone. After all this, still no air came out. I called Badger and the tech help desk suggested a new tip. I subsequently bought a new tip, installed it, and still paint will not spray. By the way I am testing with thinner so there is no question as to the thickness of the paint. Can anyone suggest a solution? All was well with this airbrush until now, in fact, it’s the best I’ve owned so far. Thank you again for any advice or suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 See if the Troubleshooting page on Don's Airbrush Tips helps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Is the trigger pulling the needle back, if you press the trigger for air and pull the needle back by hand does anything come out from the nozzle. Also your discription of the fault, you say air coming out but no paint, you cleaned it and still no air coming out ?. So is it no air or not spraying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 (edited) The air is coming out; just no paint. Sorry. I will check again to make sure the needle is actually moving. Edited March 3, 2019 by 28ZComeback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 If air is coming out from the nozzel, then it can't really be a blocked nozzel, something is preventing the paint, or thinner as thats what you are tyring to spray, from getting to the nozzel. Take the neddle out and pour some thinner in the paint cup and see if it drips through to the tip. If it doesn't you may have a blockage from the paint cup feed to the nozzel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 Thanks—I took out the needle and thinner drips to the tip. The needle looks clean but I will clean it again. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwh548 Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Did you check the nozzle cap properly? It might be partly clogged up which means that some air will spray but not enough to draw anything from the cup. Use a wooden toothpick/cocktail stick to clean the hole on the nozzle cap. Are you getting air bubbles in the paint cup? 1 hour ago, colin said: If air is coming out from the nozzel, then it can't really be a blocked nozzel, something is preventing the paint, or thinner as thats what you are tyring to spray, from getting to the nozzel. The nozzle can be blocked solid and air will still come out as the paint and air "channels" are completely different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 The OP first post mentioned no air coming out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwh548 Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 19 hours ago, 28ZComeback said: Air is spraying out but no paint. From the first post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 19 hours ago, 28ZComeback said: After all this, still no air came out. I called Badger and the tech help desk suggested a new tip. I subsequently bought a new tip, installed it, and still paint will not spray. See post 3 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 2 hours ago, 28ZComeback said: Thanks—I took out the needle and thinner drips to the tip. The needle looks clean but I will clean it again. Thank you. Check the ptfe nozzel washer is still on the nozzel head,if it is check it's not split/damaged, did the problem occur after you had cleaned it, or during using it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 It occurred one day three weeks ago after use. Trying to locate the nozzle washer. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 Had you disassembled the airbrush after use to give it a clean and then it started not to spray next time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 Colin no unfortunately the problems started with no spray. One day it was fine, next day nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nheather Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 (edited) I had a similar problem with my old badger 150 and it turned out to be a tiny piece of Teflon tubing that I had lost during a previous clean up. If you look here https://airbrushinformation.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/sotar-instructions.pdf Part 7 is a Teflon washer but to the right of it is a piece of Teflon tubing marked with an ‘*’ - it’s the needle seal and looks like it is a free replacment on request. On my brush, that was missing which meant that the nozzle head/cap tightened up too much and blocked the air holes. Once I had bought a replacment from Barwell Body Works, the brush started to work as expected. Cheers, Nigel Edited March 4, 2019 by nheather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 Nigel I do not have the part 7 or * tubing -that may be the problem. Here is what I think happened- I get a clog. Dismantle the brush. Clean the clog but lose the washer. That must be it. Thank you for all you help and precise diagram of the wonderful Sotar 20/20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nheather Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 5 hours ago, 28ZComeback said: Nigel I do not have the part 7 or * tubing -that may be the problem. Here is what I think happened- I get a clog. Dismantle the brush. Clean the clog but lose the washer. That must be it. Thank you for all you help and precise diagram of the wonderful Sotar 20/20. Problem solved, you need both of those. The needle sleeve (part *) is really easy to lose because it is tiny and when you withdraw the needle backwards it can fall out without you noticing. So get those parts and you should be back working. I use Barwell Body Works - think they are the main UK distributed for Badger. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 Actually I live in the States, but thanks for the info. The Badger tech rep said it, “couldn’t be the *” and suggested it was really the missing Teflon washer. Anyway, it looks somewhat sleeveless to me when I look inside the head. We will see. Washer has been Ordered. Three weeks without the airbrush has taught me a lesson. 1) Never take apart the airbrush; 2) If the airbrush is dismantled, put a tray beneath it. Thank you again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nheather Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 1 hour ago, 28ZComeback said: Actually I live in the States, but thanks for the info. The Badger tech rep said it, “couldn’t be the *” and suggested it was really the missing Teflon washer. Anyway, it looks somewhat sleeveless to me when I look inside the head. We will see. Washer has been Ordered. Three weeks without the airbrush has taught me a lesson. 1) Never take apart the airbrush; 2) If the airbrush is dismantled, put a tray beneath it. Thank you again. Okay, bad assumption. But from my experience, if the needle sleeve is missing then you need to replace it. On my 150 (okay, different brush) I had the washer but the needle sleeve was missing. I was getting similar symptoms to you. There was airflow but it wasn't enough to draw paint from the cup/bottle but as soon as I added the needle sleeve it burst into life. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graylok Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 I have a similar issue to this. I foolishly removed the nozzle and nozzle head on my Sotar 20/20 when cleaning. The PTFE nozzle washer is present. When I reassembled it it I get air but no paint out of the nozzle and anything in the cup bubbles up. I haven't seen the part 7 or * tubing. Checking Barwell I don't see the ability to order that part any dissassembly videos that show it either. Badger mention you can return your airbrush to them for free replacement of that part but from the UK to US and back isn't free with shipping, brexit, and customs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 14 hours ago, Graylok said: I have a similar issue to this. I foolishly removed the nozzle and nozzle head on my Sotar 20/20 when cleaning. The PTFE nozzle washer is present. When I reassembled it it I get air but no paint out of the nozzle and anything in the cup bubbles up. I haven't seen the part 7 or * tubing. Checking Barwell I don't see the ability to order that part any dissassembly videos that show it either. Badger mention you can return your airbrush to them for free replacement of that part but from the UK to US and back isn't free with shipping, brexit, and customs. Sometimes the washer gets worn out and you have to replace the washer. As you get the nozzle head on and off during cleaning it can wear out the nozzle head washer because you press it between the two parts …the washer is part 20-110. I had it once and since then I bought a bunch of these washers to be sure not being dependent on a two dollar washer delivery and being out of order for weeks… By the way check wich Sotar you have as those being produced now are without a seperate nozzle head …. Like this one https://www.badgerairbrush.com/PDF/Sotar Instructions.pdf The part with the * is the needle bearing which sits deep inside the body just behind the paint cavity. If this part is defect you have to replace it which is possible with the complaint you have . You will have to send to someone who can repair it or buy a repair kit. These bearings are tiny so choose wisely…. https://usaairbrushsupply.com/products/needle-bearing-replacement-tool-kit cheers, Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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