Spraying dyes and sealers

[PappysLeather]

I am wanting to spay leather dyes and sealers. I started with just sealers using air brushes but they quit spraying. I had someone tell me they use big spray guns. I was wondering what others are using. What is the best?

[Dwight]

Pappy, . . . I don't mean to sound like an ogre, . . . but the 99% cause of sprayers not spraying is simple:  not properly cleaned.

Little air sprayers work like a champ, . . . but are a pain to clean and keep clean, . . . at least that has been my experience.

That is why mine are all on the shelf and I use brushes.

May God bless,

Dwight

[PappysLeather]

I have cleaned them but I still cannot get them to work

[garypl]

I use a cheap air brush from Harbor Freight to spray acrylic finishes as well as oil dyes.  Works great, simple to keep clean, and if I need to replace it I only have to spend @$10.

Gary

[Halitech]

I've been using cheap air brushes for years. If I spray 2oz of finish or dye, I spray 4-5 oz through of clean water  immediately when I'm done. If yours won't spray, there is a block somewhere, or the pressure of the air compressor is too low.

[wizard of tragacanth]

Wouldn't denatured alcohol be the best cleaner for an airbrush? I don't know, just asking.

nick

[robs456]

16 hours ago, PappysLeather said:

I am wanting to spay leather dyes and sealers. I started with just sealers using air brushes but they quit spraying. I had someone tell me they use big spray guns. I was wondering what others are using. What is the best?

It's most likely nothing wrong with your airbrush.
Number one thing to do when using sealers in an AB is to reduce properly. Sealers are usually very thick and 1. won't work at all or 2. will clog your nozzle very quickly if not reduced. Clean thoroughly, reduce the sealer and try again.
Even reduced they will cause tip dry and clog up quickly so spray some cleaner through periodically while working.

Unless you're making huge pieces of leather like bike seats etc, there's no need for an HVLP gun.

 

[Handstitched]

G'Day, 

 I have  done some spraying with dyes & sealers . 

Here is my little  set up for spraying . I have two ' touch up guns' like the blue  one in the pic. One for dye , one for sealer .  I always take them apart after  each use give them a good clean and soak parts in acetone or thinner etc.   The compressor is self explanatory, .....that brand is no longer made ha !!      But it still works fine, touchwood  

I have never put sealer through my air brush , only dye,  most of which are water based with a little bit of alcohol for drying purposes. 

The simple  little bag was  just a test piece. I used the air brush for the contrasting colour around the edge, and the other spray gun for the sealer. I also thinned out the sealer with water. 

HS   

 

 

[Halitech]

8 hours ago, wizard of tragacanth said:

Wouldn't denatured alcohol be the best cleaner for an airbrush? I don't know, just asking.

nick

if it's water based dye or topcoat, water is fine

[fredk]

19 hours ago, PappysLeather said:

I am wanting to spay leather dyes and sealers. I started with just sealers using air brushes but they quit spraying. I had someone tell me they use big spray guns. I was wondering what others are using. What is the best?

No one has mentioned two things

1. gravity feed versus suction feed airbrushes. I use gravity feed, it needs less air pressure and a less powerful compressor

2. the capacity of the compressor - its rated free air delivery, it FAD rating. The greater the FAD the longer you can work at any air pressure

Edited November 15, 2019 by fredk