STICKY Airbrush Trigger? My FAVORITE way to get the SMOOTHEST trigger EVER

[@charlesnunya2347]

The amazement at your discovery of how good dawn dish soap is was funny. They use it to clean up wildlife that get caught in oil spills, it so good. You should try it on your dishes too!

[@theartworkshop]

hahaha! After using cheapo dish soap for years, dawn opened my eyes as to why I should probably spend a bit more on soap 🤣

[@rockweiler777]

Your channel is incredibly informative because you're generous! Skill and generosity are a rare combination, and we are richer in life for your contributions. Cheers!

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so much for your very kind words. that means a lot! greatly appreciate it.

[@landwand]

Thank you! I've had this issue before but never found a comprehensive guide on how to remedy it. I lacked the specialized tool to open the air valve assembly at the time, so I used a pair of sharp tweezers.

[@theartworkshop]

I've used tweezers many times too! Get yourself one of those valve screw drivers for the future. Makes it much easier to do.

[@duanemarshall9486]

Mark, your instructional videos are so good I know everything your saying and have for years and still watch them to the end . Priceless information given clear and concise. 20 K subs holy moly that's awesome ! I feel like a ole timer here ha-ha.

[@theartworkshop]

Duane!! Thanks so much! You've been with the channel since the start and your comments and insights to airbrushing have been invaluable. I've got something for you! I have an extra airbrush that was sent to me. I'd like to send it out to you to hear your opinion on it- to keep of course. I'm working on my review of it now and would like to hear what you think as well. If you'd like me to send it to you, send me an email at [e-mail] As a fellow airbrush junkie I thought you'd appreciate it!!

[@rbadilloart8496]

You are a great teacher!

[@theartworkshop]

thanks man! I try my best

[@scottyboy6269]

I use ultrasonic cleaner for the nozzles only now, ammonia or acetone in a glass jar and then do that, it does pretty good on the nozzles. Had similar issue, it just destroyed 2 grex airbrushes. Best tip is to NOT let things like windex cleaners etc sit in your AB cup etc. I tested with the removable cup on a neo eco(cause hey it was cheap) and it pitted it.

[@theartworkshop]

good tip about the windex! i 100% agree with that

[@BuzzkillZone]

many airbrush nozzles have ptfe seals or o-rings, and ammonia and acetone is generally bad for either. If you're going to use solvents, make sure that you are only dealing with bare metal.

[@jeffsimon3114]

Great and informative video, thanks. Great tip on using Dawn as a cleaner. Another thing that causes a sticky trigger is if you pull the needle out when there is still some paint in the cup. Some paint typically stays on the needle and can get caught up in the trigger area and end up in the air valve area. I always clean and flush my cup first before pulling out the needle.

[@theartworkshop]

for sure! I agree, best to get that cup as clean as possible before retracting the needle out the back. Can cause a real mess if its not cleaned out. Thanks Jeff!

[@henry3397]

Excellent video my man! I love how you showed so many different models of airbrush, and compared and contrasted the slight differences in design. Speaks to your experience on the topic as well!

[@theartworkshop]

So glad to hear that. Thanks!

[@AstroBoyBen]

Thank you so much, yet again you prove to be one of the best airbrush information resources on the internet! :-)

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so very much! glad to hear it 🙂

[@juliebrown9543]

Thanks again for great information

[@jsreynoldsart]

Thank you so much for this information. Your videos are the best ! 🙏

[@carlh8731]

This was such a useful video, thanks. My H7S Infinity came with a sticky trigger so will give this method a go and see if that solves the issue.

[@dormaettu302]

the quality of your videos is impressive. Thanks.

[@theartworkshop]

I appreciate that- thanks!

[@tumadsvids]

Hi. Your work is obviously very good. I'm commenting on this video as it's your most recent. My question is: can you do or do you have a full color portrait with all the nuances of color shading? I would love to see your process on that. Regards

[@imagineairbrushbillsnegon]

Thanks, Mark... very helpful visual information! 🙂🎨

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks so much Bill! I'm actually curious to know if you use any airbrush lubrication within your airbrushes. I found badger needle juice to be great (for needle packing) but I haven't had great luck with the others. If you get the chance, I'd love to know your thoughts on this as well. Thanks!

[@imagineairbrushbillsnegon]

You're welcome, Mark! I did use iwata super lube in the past, but I stopped after hearing that it attracts unwanted dirt. Your video really helped me out for sure. I still have to take it apart and clean it thoroughly as per your video. Having said that, I did just use it this week to help me out temporarily.

[@theartworkshop]

@@imagineairbrushbillsnegon I appreciate you letting me know. Have a great week, Bill!

[@imagineairbrushbillsnegon]

@@theartworkshop You're welcome! Have a good one too!

[@ReadyMack-g]

Such solid info, please follow this fine artist

[@jc2200]

I also lubed everything with the Iwata brand and like you mentioned here everything was really sticky. After that I only lube the front part needle and nothing else! I have used that badger with no problem as well or Graco lubricant 206994 for the airless paint sprayers. Also minimizes paint sticking to the needle! Mark thanks on another great tutorial!

[@theartworkshop]

thanks JC- I'll need to pick up some of that Graco lubricant. those airless paint sprayers are awesome

[@jc2200]

Yes big orange box has them!! Or Sherwin even Amazon, 👍

[@theartworkshop]

I'm always at the Depot! Will pick up a bottle next time I'm there. Thank again@@jc2200

[@jc2200]

@@theartworkshopyou are most welcome 🙏

[@andyb7754]

Very nice and informative video, thank you.

[@ShorrockPaul]

i agree on the lube, i was lubing the brush movig parts and it felt great but as you said, it started to feel a bit sticky quicker than with out it, like you i only lube the needle now. i am a bit OCD so i do break my Eclipse CS down quite regularly as it is sooo easy to do.

[@theartworkshop]

Nothing wrong with cleaning your eclipse often as long as you're careful. It's easy to damage or drop those small parts though. I agree, the eclipse is one of my favorites to break down and clean. It's such an awesome airbrush!

[@sangusk45]

I haven't touched my airbrushes for like 7 years after marriage and just took them out today to "pet" them. And it turned out lots of them are sticky and was going to clean them and lube them with that blue Superlube I still have. Thanks, now I am not gonna touch that with a 100 foot needle. lol

[@PsiBurr]

Excellent and informative video, cheers!

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks psiBur-Cheers!!

[@blaketatar1239]

I love your videos, you are a wonderful artist. I have heard you say that the trigger response on the H&S brushes isn’t that great. I saw a video on KZbin where Dred FX Customer paint fixes the problem quite easily. You may want to check it out. The title is “Making your infinity more responsive in the trigger”. It makes sense. I hope it helps you out.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks so much! Yes, I'm well aware of it and it can help pick up some of the slack. He has an awesome youtube channel- nothing but respect to Dred FX!

[@Indyjeeplover]

Nice video. I had problems with the trigger sticking on my Neo. I hadn’t seen your video and assumed the air valve assembly needed replacing. It was over 1/3rd the cost of a new Neo. If I’d seen this video I may have saved almost $30. The Neo assembly appeared to be a unit and I didn’t try to disassemble it. I was discouraged enough with the Neo that I got an Eclipse, which has been fantastic. Question….i see guys clean their airbrush by holding their finger over the needle end, then blowing air backwards through the paint cup. I saw a video that claims this can blow paint or cleaner back through the internals of the airbrush. I never do it. Thoughts? As always your video is quite informative. Thanks for your professional presentation

[@theartworkshop]

thanks man. Yeah your neo was probably fine, just needed a good cleaning. My neo is well over a decade old and works perfectly. The eclipse is quite the upgrade though- my favorite! That is called backflushing (I'm actually planning a video on this). Everyone had different opinions on it, all valid in my opinion. For me I actually backflush cleaner in my airbrush often, at the end of every session. I make sure every bit of paint is fully flushed and cleaned out of the cup & nozzle. 100% cleaned out. Then I'll backflush some cleaner and dump it just to clean up any paint I may have missed. Not necessary but it's something I like to do. Need to make sure the needle packing screw is set right so nothing goes past the cup. What I don't like to do is backflush paint to mix it- doesn't hurt anything but makes such a mess! Lots of people love this though and there is nothing wrong with doing it. Not for me though. Hope this helps you out!

[@loliconsenpai9276]

Your video literally save me❤

[@mifabrec]

Great video Mark! Lots of good information. To add to your comments I saw a Dru Blair interview where he talks about not using any lube in his airbrush. He has used the same airbrush an Iwata Custom Micron for 30 years and has never applied lube to it for the same reasons you mention in the video. By any chance do you have a video on taking an apart the front of the Iwata Micron Takumi?

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks so much! I think a fair amount of people use that no lubrication trick because it's always an added mess the next time you need to clean it. I do not have a video on removing the takumi head assembly yet. But with my microns, I almost never remove it. I might have taken it off once or twice to add some wax to the cap threads, but I never unscrewed the nozzle from that assembly. Iwata seems to do such a good job assembling and matching the head system that adjustments are rarely needed. Hope this helps!

[@simonfieldhouse]

Great video.

[@bobbond8232]

This is a fantastic instructional video. I have an Iwata Custom Micron CM-B airbrush that is unusable due to bubbling in the cup when I add paint. How do you recommend I clean the head assembly to figure out what is causing the bubbling?

[@theartworkshop]

thanks! check to see if both the nozzle head and nozzle are fully screwed in. But be VERY careful not to over tighten them. hand tight only! Also check that nozzle under a magnifying glass or a microscope to see if there is any damage. Let me know if you have any luck

[@DirtyBob2001]

Thanks. My Eclipse has this going on.

[@kenbarton3136]

Hi Mark. Good information. Ever had a problem like my sotar slim. It sprays like a machine gun... spray stop spray stop spray stop. Very fast. Get some bubbles in the slot. Can seem to fix it even after a dismantle and clean.

[@theartworkshop]

Ken- does it ever spray normally or is it always doing that? To me that sounds like a nozzle problem- most likely something damaged. I've had a bad air cap on my badger patriot 105 extreme (threads didn't form a seal). Bubbles in the cup, but it wasn't able to spray any paint until I replaced it. My main problem was ordering the part- it was never in stock or available! Took me like a year to get. Another thing, could there be a small clog in the nozzle?

[@kenbarton3136]

It has worked normally but has always been one of those brushes that suddenly goes out of wack. But this is a new one on me. When it works well, it's a fantastic airbrush. I replaced the nozzle a while ago.... I think I'll send it off to Barwell (our badger dealer ) to give it a once over. It's not like I'm short of airbrushes😂

[@freddysoto1166]

Important Nice cleaning tips I ❤it thank you again by the way I want to see a short about the dry Blair spring …….if you don’t mind ….if helpful or not thank again bro God continue blessing you always

[@theartworkshop]

Thank you Freddie! I greatly prefer the stock spring that comes with the airbrush over modification options.

[@freddysoto1166]

@@theartworkshop great bro thanks again

[@kenandbarbie-b6c]

Thank you for doing this video. The link you provided for the spring guide removal tool has reviews that say it does not fit Iwata airbrushes. Is this true? Does the tool (a type of spanner wrench) have to be ground to make it usable on Iwata? I have an eclipse.

[@theartworkshop]

I have a bunch of those cheap valve screw tools and they work on all my iwatas. No need to grind them to fit. If you want to be safe and get a higher quality one, Iwata sells tools for their airbrushes. I've heard they are well made.

[@kenandbarbie-b6c]

@@theartworkshopThank you sir!

[@panthernz]

good vid question after cleaning my iwata ecplts ch I noticed now it has air going through it just wonder what it might be could it be the o ring as I cleaned out the AIR VALVE FOR IWATA area to

[@TheAIRspace]

Hah the old blue lube.. Yeah it was horrible. If and when i lube any airbrush (which I really dont anymore) its regdab or spraygun lube. The air valve and maybe the needle like you show here is the only parts my airbrushes ever see lube.. and usually not even that.

[@theartworkshop]

right? i'm a big fan of regdab needle juice too. It always was my go to!

[@TheAIRspace]

I will say i got my first Iwata eclipse.. it came with blue lube and man what a dirt and grit magnet. Its was the only iwata product i really told people avoid at all cost! @@theartworkshop

[@Pinkys-one-offs]

I have a question about the trigger on a Iwata eclipse if it's not connected to the compressor does the trigger still pop up or does it stay down when you push it down. Thank you.

[@theartworkshop]

A good question! The trigger on the iwata eclipse returns to the up position whether or not it is connected to a compressor. There is a small spring in the air value below the tigger that always pops the trigger back up to its normal position.

[@Pinkys-one-offs]

@theartworkshop thank you 👍🏻

[@Chulpichochos]

Hey friend, Im new to airbrushing. I have an Iwata Sprint Jet Compressor thats always on and if I don’t press the trigger, gets up to 80psi. So when airbrushing I keep the trigger down and just move the needle so I can keep 20psi consistently. My wrist starts hurting after a couple minutes - am I just holding it wrong/pressing too much? Its pretty annoying and I’m not sure if its user error if I need to get a pistol trigger airbrush for better ergonomics.

[@BlondeResin]

You mentioned only needing to do this once a year. But I just bought a new Eclipse about a month ago and have been experiencing the trigger sticking and needle chucking guide lever staying at the back after releasing the trigger. Do you have any ideas what I could be doing wrong to be already having this issue?

[@theartworkshop]

My guess would be the needle has some dried paint on it causing it to get stuck within the needle packing screw. I would try to clean everything out in the trigger assembly and needle!

[@BlondeResin]

@@theartworkshop thank you!

[@MrMeepzor]

I don't think Dawn sells its Ultra Complete formula anymore.

[@theartworkshop]

the ultra version is what i use. any dish soap is good

[@CFster]

The best way to the smoothest trigger action is to replace the PTFE packing seal with an older style nitrile o-ring.

[@Automag51]

Clean with Isopropyl. It's much better.

[@doofwop]

I still use an ultrasonic cleaner for everything except the airbrush body. I think what happened to you was a fluke.

[@theartworkshop]

Yeah maybe it was because I had a fair amount of success with them before that happened. It just scared me away from ultrasonic cleaners after that happened

[@tumadsvids]

Hi. Your work is obviously very good. I'm commenting on this video as it's your most recent. My question is: can you do or do you have a full color portrait with all the nuances of color shading? I would love to see your process on that. Regards

[@theartworkshop]

Great suggestion! I do not yet (mainly work with a limited palette), but it's something I will def consider for the future. Thanks!