Aerograph Super 63 airbrush

 Ever since I bought my slot-head Aerograph I've been keeping half an eye out for another with a larger paint reservoir. Eventually I won a boxed Super 63 for £21 on eBay;

I'm unsure of the age, but condition is generally good although the chrome is faded.

There's a cam inside, controlled by a ring behind the lever, which allows you to set the lever position and therefore the spray pattern, something that I can't see me using;

My first job, after fitting a quick release coupling, was to remove the tip and needle for inpection, both had what looked like ink residue on them. Next I filled it with neat screenwash and tried it out. I used screenwash as that's what I use to clean my 'brushes after use. This allowed me to check the spray pattern, which looked ok (my Super 93 had a worn tip which showed up at this stage). My only concern was the air valve which seemed a bit stiff and lacked sensitivity.

Nozzle and needle are interchangeable with my Super 93. The innards however are very different;

As can be seen I stripped mine down for a clean and just to see how it goes together. I'm not going into any detail about this, simply because it's a pain to put back together again so I wouldn't recommend doing it! All I will say is make sure the lever is pulled back on re-assembly and dig out your self-closing tweezers.

Once it was back in one piece I mixed up some Vallejo black and had a play;

I think my mix was a bit too thick, and I need to have a play with air pressure. This 'brush has a very fine tip (nozzle), about .18mm I think, so it will I feel be less tolerant than my other 'brushes where paint and pressure are concerned.

So far I'm pleased with it. Stripping it down might have been a pain but to me it was worth the effort as I have adjusted the air valve which now has a nicer feel. If I ever need to strip it again I'll probably leave the cam assembly off.

Paul.