2009 Iwata Hi-Line Manual

IWATA HI-LINE HP-AH, BH, CH

Hi-Control of Hi-Precision Work

Obtain ultimate air control at your nozzle tip with Iwata's Micro Air Control (MAC) Valve Technology.  The Hi-Line Series doesn't just change air pressure instantly - it changes the way you airbrush.

Designed for artists who need extremely controlled detailed spray, this series uses larger diameter threads on the nozzle than the High Performance Series. This makes the nozzle much stronger when tightening it onto the airbrush and ensures better centering of the nozzle when it screws onto the airbrush body.

• Teflon needle packing
• Dual-purpose cutaway, pre-set handle
• One-piece auxiliary lever/needle chucking guide
• Micro Air Control Valve for instantaneous air flow adjustments
• Gravity-feed configuration allows the ability to spray on just one drop of paint
• Strengthened large diameter threads for better nozzle tip centering in the air stream.

HP-AH

• 0.2mm nozzle
• 1/32 oz. (0.9 ml) fluid cavity

HP-BH

• 0.2-mm nozzle
• 1/16 oz (1.8 ml) fluid cup
• Funneled cup provides quick, easy clean ups

HP-CH

• 0.3-mm nozzle
• 1/3 oz. (9 ml) fluid cup
• Funneled fluid cup provides quick, easy clean ups
• Ideal airbrush for spraying various paints from watercolors to solvent-based automotive paints

GETTING STARTED

Compressor

Though Hi-Line and High Performance Plus airbrushes can function on minimal amounts of air their full versatility requires an adjustable or regulated air source.  Other compressor considerations include the length of use while spraying and the environment, or amount of space, you spray in.

These Iwata Studio Series models come equipped with an air regulator for precise air adjustment.

• Smart Jet Pro: Good for small studios and normal use.
• Power Jet Lite: Good for normal studios and extended use.
• Power Jet: Good for normal studios and great for extended use.
• Power Jet Pro: Good for small studios and great for extended use. (Two regulators allow two airbrushes on same unit)

Assembly

1. Screw the airhose onto the compressor.
2. Screw the airhose onto the airbrush.
3. If using a Power Jet, Power Jet Lite, or Power Jet Pro compressor, adjust the pressure to between 10 and 15 psi.
4. Check for any air leaks in the compressor or airhoses
5. Place a few drops of cleaning solution, water into the airbrush’s bowl.
6. Point the airbrush away from you.
7. Press down on the main lever (#7) to start airflow through the airbrush.
8. Pull the main lever back opening the airbrush’s nozzle.
9. Spray water through the airbrush to rinse the airbrush out.

GENERAL OPERATION

Fine-Line Spray

1. Depress the main lever (#7) to start airflow.
2. Position the airbrush close to the surface, between 1/16 and ½ inch.
3. Pull the main lever back slightly to start paint flow.

• A longer distance to the paint surface produces wider lines.
• A shorter distance to the paint surface produces narrower lines.
• Increased air pressure increases spray width.
• Decreased air pressure decreases spray width.
• The smallest lines are determined by skill and practice.

CAUTION: The needle and nozzle are very delicate. Even a slight bend on the needle’s tip adversely effects the spray pattern.

Wide-Lines and Blending

1. Depress the main lever (#7)
2. Position the airbrush from ½ to 6 inches away from the surface
3. Pull the main lever back much further to release more paint to cover the bigger area.

• A longer distance to the paint surface produces wider lines.
• A shorter distance to the paint surface produces narrower lines.
• Increased air pressure increases spray width.
• Decreased air pressure decreases spray width.
• The Hi-Line’s maximum usable line width is approximately 2 inches.

Pre-Set Handle (#17)

A threaded micron adjusting screw mounted behind the handle limits the distance the main lever can be pulled back. This provides accurate paint volume control and is especially useful for repetitive, precision work.

Cutaway Handle

The cutaway handle allows quick paint clog removal without removing the handle or needle.

1. Grip the exposed needle chuckling nut (#16) with your fingers.
2. Pull it back while simultaneously depressing the main lever (#7)
3. Repeat this process several times until the airbrush is clog free and spraying normally.

• The increased paint flow past needle and nozzle tip removes many clogs.
• Don’t let the needle “snap” back into place.  This could damage the nozzle.

Micro Air Control (MAC) Valve

The MAC Valve (#29) enables infinite airflow control at the airbrush’s head providing control between stipple, fine detail, and background spray effects.

• Spray coarse stippling effects to full atomization in a quick turn
• Fine tuned airflow
• Maximized paint atomization control.
• Open the valve fully during cleaning.  The higher pressure pulls more paint through the airbrush.

Stippling

Iwata airbrushes are designed to produce a wide range of stippling textures.

1. Unscrew the needle cap (#1)
2. Unscrew the nozzle cap (#2)
3. Adjust the air pressure between 8 and 60 psi.

• Low air pressure creates coarse stipples
• High air pressure provides fine stipple effects.
• Paint viscosity also effects stippling texture.

Air Pressure

Working pressures generally vary between 8 and 60 psi, depending on the type of surface, the desired spray texture, and the paint’s viscosity.

Start spraying with 15 psi.  If the spray is too grainy adjust the pressure up until the desired spray consistency is reached. 

• Different colors will behave differently
• Different paint lines will behave differently
• Spray thick paint with greater pressure
• Spray thin paint with less pressure
• Spray large paint amounts with greater pressure
• Spray small paint amounts with less pressure

WARNING: Do not exceed 98psi

Paint Preparation

For non-specific airbrush paints proper preparation, including filtering the paint through a nylon mesh, is critical for best performance. Prepare paint thin, with its proper solvent, and make repeated passes across the work to build up the color. This improves your work’s quality and decreases your airbrush’s cleaning time.

• Airbrushes spray very thin paint easiest.
• Thin paint with it’s proper solvent
• Filter paint through paint filters or mesh

Safety Tips

• Always spray in well ventilated areas.
• Do not spray solvent based (flammable) paints around open flames.
• Use the appropriate respirator to safely filter out paint vapors particular to your specific paint type.
• Wear eye protection to prevent paint contact with eyes. 
• Never exceed the airbrush’s pressure limit. (98 psi)

MAINTENANCE

Cleaning the Airbrush between Colors

1. Dump out the color cup’s excess paint.
2. Rinse the cup with the appropriate cleaning solution.
3. Use a paper towel to wipe out any left over paint.
4. Fill the bottom of the cup with cleaner.
5. Spray cleaner until the spray is clear.
6. Add the next color to the color cup.
7. Repeat cleaning procedure when finished.

Cleaning the Needle (#4)

1. Unscrew the handle (#17) from the airbrush body.
2. Loosen the needle chucking nut (#16).
3. Gently pull the needle (#4) straight out.
4. Fold a soft cloth damp with cleaner over the needle.
5. Rotate the needle to gently wipe the residual paint off.
6. Carefully insert the needle into the airbrush until it seats fully against the nozzle (#3).
• CAUTION: The most probable time to damage the needle is when the needle passes through the main lever (#7) and through the needle packing screw (#5).
• If the needle stops abruptly, retract and examine the trigger mechanism for proper assembly and re-insert the needle.
7. Tighten the needle chucking nut finger tight.
• Pull the main lever back and forth to visually confirm the needle’s ability to move.
8. Screw the handle back onto the airbrush body.

Before Each Session

Spray water or the appropriate paint solvent through the airbrush to make sure the airbrush is working properly.

After Each Session

Or any time the airbrush becomes clogged.

1. Increase the air pressure.
2. Spray cleaning solution for a short time.
3. Clean the needle if necessary

This cleaning method helps clean the paint passage, the nozzle, and the needle thoroughly. 

Lubricating the Needle (#4)

To ensure smooth main lever (#7) action lubricate the needle when the trigger won’t respond properly.

1. Unscrew the handle (#17).
2. Loosen the needle chucking nut (#16).
3. Remove the needle.
4. Dab the needle about ½ to 1 inch behind the tip lightly with a high-quality lubricant, like Medea Super Lube.
5. Wipe the needle with a soft, clean cloth, leaving a light coat of lube behind.
6. Re-insert the needle gently into the airbrush.
7. Tighten the needle chucking nut.
8. Screw the handle onto the airbrush body.

DO NOT over-lube the needle; transferring excess lube into the nozzle may cause severe paint flow problems.

DO NOT use light machine oil or WD-40 for lubrication. These lubes cause the needle to stick when it moves through the needle packing o-ring.

CAUTION: If it becomes absolutely necessary to dismantle the airbrush remember that most situations do not require tools.  DO NOT use pliers.

Lubricating the Air Piston (#12)

To ensure smooth main lever (#7) action lubricate the air piston when the trigger won’t respond properly.

1.      Unscrew the handle (#17)

2.      Unscrew the needle chucking nut (#16)

3.      Remove the needle (#4)

4.      Unscrew the spring guide (#11)

5.      Remove the needle spring (#10)

6.      Remove the needle chucking guide (#9)

7.      Pull the main lever up and out

8.      Use tweezers to pull out the air valve piston

9.      Clean the air piston with a cotton swab

10.  Clean the hole at the bottom of the trigger housing with a cotton swab

a.       Clean until a Cotton Swab comes back clean

11.  Dab a very small drop of Super Lube on the air piston shaft.

12.  Insert the air piston back into the hole at the bottom of the trigger housing

13.  Place the main lever back into the trigger housing

14.  Press the main lever up and down a few times

a.       It should spring back up smoothly when depressed

15.  Place the needle chucking guide into the airbrush body

a.       Check the parts guide for proper orientation

b.      Pull the small tab forward

c.       Angle the needle chucking guide’s tail end slightly up

d.      Insert the needle chucking guide into the airbrush body

e.       The small tab should stick up slightly behind the main lever

16.  Place the needle spring over the needle chucking guide

17.  Screw the spring guide into the airbrush body

18.  Push down on the main lever at least once

19.  Carefully insert the needle

a.       Warning: This is the most probable time to bend the needle point

20.  Screw the needle chucking nut onto the needle chucking guide

21.  Screw the handle back into the airbrush body

DO NOT over-lube the air piston; transferring excess lube into the air system may cause severe paint flow problems.

DO NOT use light machine oil or WD-40 for lubrication. These lubes cause the needle to stick when it moves through the needle packing o-ring.

CAUTION: If it becomes absolutely necessary to dismantle the airbrush remember that most situations, unless otherwise directed, do not require tools.

PARTS GUIDE

• 2009 Hi-line Parts Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

• 2009 Hi-Line Troubleshooting Guide

REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

Nozzle (#3)

In time, the nozzle may wear or be damaged and may need to be replaced.

1. Unscrew the handle (#17).
2. Loosen the needle chucking nut (#16).
3. Gently pull the needle (#4) part way back.  It doesn’t need to be fully pulled out.
4. Unscrew the nozzle cap (#2)
5. Unscrew the nozzle counter-clockwise with the provided wrench.
6. Screw the new nozzle into the airbrush body with your fingers.
7. Slightly tighten the nozzle with wrench.
• DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!
8. Screw the nozzle cap onto the airbrush body.
9. Push the needle all the way forward until it seats with the new nozzle.
10. Tighten the needle chucking nut.
11. Screw the handle onto the airbrush body.

TIP: Keep a spare nozzle on hand for unforeseen accidents.

Needle (#4)

Iwata needles are precision ground, hardened stainless-steel capable of withstanding prolonged use. They are, however, easily physically damaged because of the long, tapered, extremely fine tip. If the needle point becomes severely bent, it must be straightened before pulling it back through the nozzle. If not, the bent needle might damage the nozzle as it’s pulled through.

TIP: Keep a spare needle on hand for unforeseen accidents.

• Needles are sharp.
• Needle tips are bent easily.

Changing the Tip Size

To fully and completely change the airbrush’s tip size and maintain performance switch out the needle, nozzle, and nozzle cap according to this chart.

Model	Tip Size	Setup	Needle	Nozzle	Nozzle Cap	Teflon O-Ring
HP-AH	.2mm	Standard	I 075 1	I 080 7	I 140 7	I 125 7
HP-AH	.3mm	Optional	I 075 3	I 080 8	I 140 3	I 725 1
HP-BH	.2mm	Standard	I 075 1	I 080 7	I 140 7	I 125 7
HP-BH	.3mm	Optional	I 075 3	I 080 8	I 140 3	I 725 1
HP-CH	.2mm	Optional	I 075 1	I 080 7	I 140 7	I 125 7
HP-CH	.3mm	Standard	I 075 3	I 080 8	I 140 3	I 725 1

Crown Cap (Optional Accessory)

The crown cap physically protects the needle while spraying very fine lines. It also adds to pigment build-up and spattering when spraying large backgrounds.

• Protects the needle
• Replaces the needle cap (#1)
• Adds to pigment build-up and spattering effects over large areas

Quick Disconnect (Optional Accessory)

A quick disconnect joint is screwed onto the airhose and a quick disconnect adapter is screwed onto each airbrush. When using multiple airbrushes the quick disconnect joint facilitates changing airbrushes on the same airhose quickly.

Pistol Grip Moisture Filter

The Iwata-Medea Pistol Grip Moisture Filter delivers clean, dry air to your airbrush.  Miniature in size, the super-fine, 5-micron filter element performs like a full-size filter separator.

The clear filter bowl allows visual inspection of built up moisture.  Release the water by pulling the spring-loaded release valve.

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.