Paasche vinyl tube alternative (11-16-24 revision)

[Brian Conn]

  I shoot a Paasche VL airbrush w/the 1 oz. glass jar.  After my last session, I went to clean the air brush and discovered cracks in the vinyl pick up tube that is in the glass jar.

 
 1/8" I.D X 1/4" O.D micro fuel line (Red) One foot of fuel line cost me $2.00...enough to last me a long time.

 
  As it turns out,the inside dia. of micro fuel line (gas powered weed eaters as an example) is a perfect fit over the fitting on the glass jar lid.  Instead of trying to clean the pick up tube every time I use the air brush,I will just simply replace the used pick up tube with a new, clean one.   

[jh63fan]

Good source for tubing. Would work good with the taller jars some paint vendors are using

[Brian Conn]

...Yes, it's pretty simple, simply cut to the length needed....clean it out or throw it away after your done using  it.   I wasn't sure about the other brands out there...Iwata,Badger,etc. etc. as far what they use, perhaps someone else knows for sure.

[Brian Conn]

  A couple days ago I got some new Paasche bottles and lids w/tubes.  I noticed that the tube fitting on the 1oz. bottle lid was different than the lid that came with the air brush originally.  Not a problem,except that this tip/how to would not work with this new style? lid w/tube...so I came up with a working solution.

   
Newer style lid w/ tube on the Left, the original VL air brush lid w/tube on the Right

 
  With the newer style lid (Left) the vinyl tube fits inside the fitting.  With the original VL air brush lid w/tube (Right) the vinyl tube fits over a barbed fitting. 

 
 Newer style lid w/ vinyl tube removed


  This old CA glue bottle nozzle will become an adapter that goes between the lid fitting and the vinyl micro fuel line.  Be sure and clean any glue remnants from the nozzle...I used a drill bit and blew it out w/compressed air.

   
  Remove the threaded portion of the nozzle...avoid cutting into the inner flange of the nozzle, this is what will end up fitting over the lid fitting.

 

  Remove the grooved ridges from the base of the nozzle...remove enough so that the nozzle will fit up into the lid and the lid can be screwed to a bottle.  Taper the tip enough so that the vinyl micro fuel line will fit over the tip. 

 
  Slide the vinyl tube over the nozzle

 
  Firmly press the nozzle over the fitting.


  1 oz. lid with tube adapter on a former clear coat bottle that has been re purposed for spray painting.   

[racecar dave]

Thank you for the tips.