Question on how to operate Airbrush Trigger

[Warren]

Gentlemen,

I have an Iwata HP-C Plus airbrush (.3mm needle), and I am a novice at airbrushing. I have a question on the proper operation of the trigger. I know you press down to get air, and then pull back to get paint. The further back the trigger is pulled the more paint comes out. This much I know.

My question is should you FIRST press down on the trigger (to get air), and then SLOWLY pull back to get the proper quantity of paint. How quickly should one pull back the trigger?

I have a preset screw. Is it best for a novice airbrush user to restrict the back travel of the trigger to make it easier to control the paint flow?

Would appreciate your opinions and comments.

Warren

[digger303]

AIR first ...the rest is up to you. Test to see what your comfortable with then set accordingly.

[ForbesHutton]

Air first or the paint will build on the needle and spit. And yes, restricting the paint flow with the screw until you have learned to control the paint flow is a good idea, especially for fine lines or detail work, not so much for priming, base coats and clears.

[Stokesy44]

Air first or the paint will build on the needle and spit. And yes, restricting the paint flow with the screw until you have learned to control the paint flow is a good idea, especially for fine lines or detail work, not so much for priming, base coats and clears.

Great reply.

I always have a piece of kitchen roll underneath whatever I'm spraying and I test the flow on that first to see how its coming out. Much better to waste a little paint and see where you're at rather then fluffing your lines on the actual kit.

[RobertK]

Press down for air, pull back trigger for paint, move the trigger forward again to stop the paint and then release the air.
So, down, back, forward and up.

[schweinhund227]

If you pull back then press ?? you get a mess !

practice on a piece of paper towel.... use water if you have to to get comfortable....

enjoy the learning curve... and happy modelling !

[Lysus]

All of the above. Never hurts to practice on a towel or paper or something. You'll get the feel for it quickly enough. I still sometimes have to remind myself "air on, paint on, paint off, air off" during long sessions. I get excited during painting, all that progress makes me want to rush