2009 Eclipse G-Series Manual

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Note: I simply had to change some bad grammar because I couldn't let it pass, otherwise, this is the full text from the official Iwata Manual.

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of an Iwata Eclipse airbrush; a versatile, reliable, high-performance airbrush! The Iwata Eclipse G Series Airbrush-Guns are a breakthrough in large format airbrushes. The ability to control detailed spray and yet finely atomize large swaths of paint highlights the airbrush’s unique spray characteristics. It can also adjust spray pattern shapes from round circles to flattened ovals with everything in between. A stainless steel nozzle, paint passage, and heat-tempered needle, reflects Iwata’s unceasing commitment to long-lasting, peak-performance spray equipment.

The G-Series Airbrush-Guns use reliable, easily serviceable air valve and air valve packing cartridge sets. Should the need arise, cartridges can be serviced outside the airbrush and easily replaced.

Designed for use with the Iwata Studio Series Power Jet, Power Jet Lite, or Power Jet Pro compressors, these low air consumption airbrush-guns provide high atomization while minimizing overspray.

Ideal uses for the G-Series include automotive touch-up, custom automotive painting, motorcycle painting, illustration, background spraying, large studio work, murals, and airbrush tanning.

IWATA ECLIPSE G-SERIES AIRBRUSH-GUNS

These multi-purpose, high paint flow, Eclipse G-Series Airbrush-Guns cover a wide range of uses. Commonly used to spray pre-mixed or heavier paints, they are well suited for use that demand precise control of spray when applying moderate-to-large amounts of paint to a variety of surfaces and to various-sized areas. These Eclipse Series Airbrush-Guns have established a benchmark for excellence in an all-purpose airbrush.

A uniquie "Pistol Grip" airbrush, the Eclipse G-Series Airbrush-Guns look like minature spray guns, but spray and perform like large airbrushes with their 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm stainless-steel nozzles.

Equipped with a long, tapered needle that ensures a smooth, wide background spray
Utilizes a dual-purpose air cap and a fan adjustment valve that lets the airbrush spray a round or oval pattern
The round pattern is useful for painting graphics, while the oval shape creates a smooth background spray
Works well with the Iwata Studio Series Power Jet, Power Jet Pro, and Power Jet Lite compressors.

Note: If you use a G6 with these air sources you can only use the round pattern.

Iwata Eclipse G6

MAC Valve for precise control of air and spray
0.6 mm stainless steel nozzle
Spray width .125 inches to 2.5+ inches
Long tapered needle for smooth transition between fine and wide background spray
Dual purpose air cap and fan adjustment valve to spray round or oval patterns
Interchangeable with airbrush bottles

Optional gravity feed cups available

Iwata Eclipse G5

True center post, gravity feed airbrush
MAC Valve for precise control of air and spray
0.5 mm stainless steel nozzle
Spray width .25 inches to 3 inches
Twilight chrome finish

Iwata Eclipse G3

True center post, gravity feed airbrush
MAC Valve for precise control of air and spray
0.3 mm stainless steel nozzle
Spray width .125 inches to 2 inches
Twilight chrome finish

GETTING STARTED

Pre-Check the Airbrush Settings

Close the pattern adjustment knob (#14) fully by gently twisting it clockwise until it stops. It doesn’t need to be tight.
Open the fluid adjustment knob (#22) fully by gently twisting it counterclockwise.

NOTE: You might unscrew the fluid adjustment knob off of the airbrush. Don’t worry. Screw it back on one or two full turns.
Open the air adjustment knob (#23) fully by twisting it counterclockwise until it stops. It doesn’t need to be tight.
Loosen the air cap cover ring (#3).
Adjust the air cap (#1), specifically the little finger-like projections until they are horizontal to the ground.
Tighten the air cap cover ring (#3).

Assembly

Screw the airhose firmly onto the air source outlet.

NOTE: In many cases the air source is a compressor.
Screw the air hose firmly onto the G-Series' air inlet beneath the handle.

G-6 Spraying

When using the G-6, fill a bottle at least ½ of the way full of properly prepared paint.
Screw the lid (bottle cap set) onto the bottle.
Push the metal nipple of the bottle firmly into the bottle joint adaptor (#6).

NOTE: Twist the bottle slightly while inserting into the adapter ensuring a tight fit.
Adjust the air source pressure to 35 psi and spray away.

G-3 and G-5 Spraying

Screw the metal gravity cup onto the G-3 or G-5 Airbursh-Gun.
Fill cup at least ½ of the way full of properly prepared paint.

Guru's Note: It's a gravity-feed airbrush. You only need a drop of paint to make it work--granted, it won't spray long--but it will spray.
Attach lid to the cup.
Adjust the air source to 35 psi and spray away.

GENERAL OPERATION

Spraying

Pull the trigger back slightly and only the air will come out.
Pull the trigger back more until paint starts to spray in small amounts.
Pulling the trigger back further releases even more paint until the trigger is pulled as far as it can go.

Fine-Line Spray

Pull of the trigger back slightly to start the air.
Position the airbrush close to the surface. About 1 inch or 2.5 cm
Pull the trigger back a little more to start the flow of paint.

Control line thickness by adjusting the distance between the airbrush and the surface and also by adjusting the paint flow amount.

Background Spraying

Position the airbrush further from the surface. 4-6 inches or 10-16 cm is common.
Pull the trigger back a lot to release a large amount of paint.

Control spray width by adjusting the distance between the airbrush and the surface and by opening the pattern adjustment knob. Opening the pattern adjustment knob changes the spray pattern shape from a circle to an oval.

Control spray consistency over large areas by setting the fluid adjustment knob (#22) to limit the amount of paint volume sprayed.

Pull the trigger back to the desired amount of spray.
Screw the fluid adjustment knob in until it pushes the trigger.

Cleaning the Airbrush-Gun between Colors

Replace the color bottle with a bottle containing the appropriate cleaning solution (when using the G-6) Rinse out the gravity cup (when using the G-3 or G-5) and fill with cleaning solution.
Spray until the solution sprays clear and clean.
Remove the bottle of cleaning solution (when using the G-6).
Dump out remaining solution from gravity cup (when using the G-3 and G-5).
Spray air until the airbrush sprays dry.
Fit a color bottle with the new color and spray or add new color to gravity cup.
Repeat the procedure when finished

Before Each Session

Spray water, or appropriate solvent, through the airbrush to ensure the airbrush is in proper working order.

After Each Session

Or any time the airbrush becomes clogged.

Increase the air pressure.
Spray cleaning solution through the airbrush for a short time.
Unscrew the fluid adjustment knob (#22).
Remove the spring (#21).
Pull out the needle (#5).
Wipe down the needle.
Gently reinsert the needle.
NOTE: the needle is delicate and sharp. Be careful not to bend the tip of the needle or hurt yourself while reinserting it.
Place the spring on the needle.
Screw the fluid adjustment knob onto the airbrush.

The higher air pressure will help to thoroughly clean out the paint.

Safety Tips

Always spray in a well ventilated area.
Do not spray solvent based (flammable) paints around open flames.
Use the appropriate respirator to safely filter out the paint vapors particular to the kind of paint you are using.
Wear eye protection to prevent paint contact with eyes.
Never use air pressure that exceeds the airbrush’s limit. (98 psi)

ECLIPSE G-SERIES DESCRIPTION OF FEATURES

Pattern Adjustment Set (#14)

This adjustment creates a circular or oval shaped spray pattern. When the valve is fully closed, twisted fully clockwise, the spray pattern will be a round shape. The round pattern is best for doing graphics in small areas. When the valve is fully opened, twisted fully counter-clockwise, the spray pattern will be an oval shape, also known as a fan pattern. The oval fan pattern provides a smooth background spray.

When using the Power Jet compressor, the pattern adjustment valve should only be opened a maximum of ½ turn. Using a compressor with power greater than 1 HP allows the valve to be fully opened creating the fan pattern shape.

Air Cap (#1)

The air cap produces a round or an oval fan shaped pattern depending on how the pattern adjustment valve is set. Refer to the Pattern Adjustment Set Instructions if necessary.

Orientation of the oval varies based on where the finger-like protrusions are oriented. The finger-like protrusions dictate where the fat part of the oval will be. Spray with the fat part of the oval. If the oval is vertical, spray up and down. If the oval is horizontal, spray side to side.

Change the orientation by simply twisting the aircap. (Remeber to loosen the air cap cover ring first)

Fluid Adjustment Knob (#22)

The fluid adjustment knob limits how much fluid will be sprayed when the trigger is pulled all the way back. After setting the spray pattern (see #14 descriptions) the fluid adjustment knob sets the amount of spray delivered to an object’s surface. This feature proves invaluable each time the trigger is pulled back while spraying large areas that need precise, repeatable spray output. It’s cruise control for the long haul.

Start spraying with the knob fully opened, but don’t screw it entirely off the airbrush!
Find the best trigger position for the best spray.
Screw the knob clockwise until the trigger pull is limited to the desired position.

Don’t forget! Unscrew the knob when you can’t figure out why you don’t get as much spray as you used to.

Air Adjusting Set (#23)

The air adjustment knob sets the amount of air flowing through the airbrush. It’s a convenient way to adjust the pressure on the fly. It functions like a MAC Valve*.

Start with the knob set at the full open position by twisting it counterclockwise until it stops. After you’re familiar with the airbrush, adjust the air pressure to achieve the best spray pattern as necessary.

*The MAC (Micro Air Control) Valve controls airflow to the airbrush-gun.

PARTS GUIDE

Eclipse G-Series Parts Guide

WARRANTY

All Iwata airbrushes are warranted against all manufacturing defects of material and manufacture or workmanship for a period of FIVE years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover fluid needle or fluid nozzles since these parts need to be replaced occasionally due to normal wear. Any other part or material that is or becomes defective so as not to be usable within this period will be repaired or replaced. This warranty does not cover damage caused by negligence or airbrushes that have been altered or abused in any way. Call or email Iwata-Medea before returning an airbrush for the appropriate procedure for warranty repairs.

If you're interested in waht the warranty means you might consider checking out my article on the Iwata Airbrush Warranty.

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