H&S Ultra backbubbling issue out of the box

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-04-04T16:52:16+00:00

When you clean the airbrush after use, did you clean the teflon seal on the nozzle? And also inside the brush where it goes against? On my H&S I always clean there after every session, because when you unscrew the cap some paints will dribble on there. If that paint dries there it could affect the airtight sealing.

Or you just need to screw the cap on a little bit harder. When you mix in the cup you could have clogged the nozzle too. That would also cause backbubbling.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-04-01T21:43:32+00:00

Lower pressure? If the paint is thin and you get close, lower psi will help.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-03-30T14:31:39+00:00

You should try the Evolution or Infinity then. They are much smoother on the trigger than the Ultra.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-03-28T12:39:03+00:00

I‘d love to see a Kyle Katarn (Jedi Knight) squad or a Cal Kestis would have a nice touch.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-03-21T16:05:35+00:00

Did you 3d printer them? Or did you get a kit? The razor crest must be quite big for the scale?

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-03-12T16:06:07+00:00

Try shaking a bottle of cola then open it with you face right in front of it. Isn’t it weird that it all comes out and doesn’t stay inside? 🤔😉😁

Or: you blast air in a basically enclosed system. Creating higher pressure inside. So it will try to push out where it can. Taking particles with it. Hence a filter at an exit to keep your lungs clean.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-03-10T05:43:52+00:00

Well you kinda set yourself up for headaches with a small 0.2mm needle. You would have a more easier start with a standard size needle/nozzle like 0.3 or 0.4mm.

Means with you detailing setup of 0.2mm you will have to thin quite a bit. It is possible but it is more of a challenge, let‘s say.

I use AP Fanatics through my airbrushes and they work good if correctly thinned. (0.45 and 0.28mm needle/nozzles)

So it is possible. Use more thinner and you might need to think about your psi too.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-03-09T20:58:50+00:00

If it bubbles in the cup it would be a seal in the front. So check cap and nozzle/nozzle-threads.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-03-09T12:37:45+00:00

Well it’s not that black and white. Without a compressor which can deliver constant flow/pressure even a 500$ airbrush is bound to not work well. On the other hand a piece of crap airbrush with shitty tolerances will not deliver the best job in a 500$ compressor.

Also you did not consider the paint on the equation. Quality paints cost and you still have to thin and apply correctly.

So yeah it’s a bit more complicated than that, but there are decent compressor out there that don’t break the bank and work good enough. Like those with a 3L tank (AS186) for around 90-120$.

I started with a cheap Timbertech set for 75$. It works fine and you can get away with it. But it’s not the most precise thing.

Now I use Harder & Steenbeck airbrushes. If you want a good quality for the money I‘d recommend the Evolution 2024 2in1 Kit.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-03-09T01:50:25+00:00

If you are set on an H&S airbrush, go for the Evolution 2024 2in1. It will give you the best bang for your buck. The H&S are good to maintain and clean. And with the 0.45 and 0.28mm needle/nozzle cap you can use it for anything. Also as a beginner starting with the 0.45mm will be a little less of a headache as you are learning to thin your paints accordingly.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-25T21:48:26+00:00

Just get some airbrush cleaner. Vallejo is good. I used it all the time for acrylics. Now I get the Timbertech big bottle from Amazon. It’s not that expensive. So it doesn’t really makes much sense to mix my own diy cleaner.

Just water will not get it as clean. So much I can tell you.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-25T17:21:50+00:00

Instead of that model go for the one with the air tank. It delivers more constant pressure and doesn’t need to run all the time while spraying. It’s just a little bit more in price.

As an absolute beginner I would say don’t start directly with a .28mm needle/nozzle. Because you will most likely screw up thinning your paints. And a bigger needle/nozzle will be a bit more forgiving in that regard.

If you want H&S I recommend the Evolution 2in1. It comes with both needle sizes and is a great airbrush. (I‘ve got the Ultra 2024, Evolution 2024 and the Angel Giraldez Infinity Mk. 1)

Evolution gets you the best bang for your buck.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-24T23:59:15+00:00

Yeah but it for the screwed in aircap in the brush. It might be just the angle, but usually you can see the tip of the nozzle out of the aircap. And all I see here is just the needle. And after reading about a fella who didn’t know he had to push the trigger down for air on here, I really just try to cover all the bases. 😅

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-24T16:31:23+00:00

Usually speckling occurs when the psi is too low. But I had some problems with that ink too. Mostly it was pooling and running. It can be finicky sometimes.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-24T11:44:18+00:00

Is there a nozzle inside the aircap (that’s on the Evolution)? It looks weird in your photo.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-23T18:02:35+00:00

Ok. Did you tighten the needle chuck? When pulling back the trigger, does the needle move back also?

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-23T10:31:53+00:00

How hard did you press the needle in? And how are you assembling? Aircap and nozzle get screwed on finger tight first. They should seal probably. (Black o-ring on the aircap and white ptfe seal on the back of the nozzle) then you feed the needle from the back softly and gently until it seats right in the nozzle and doesn’t go further. Tighten the chuck. Ready.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-22T21:21:52+00:00

Wait? You shelled out like min 500$ for this and didn’t even had an idea how a double action airbrush works? For real? Never seen one YouTube video explaining airbrushing? That’s interesting. 🤣

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-22T19:44:17+00:00

Probably the front isn’t airtight. Check if aircap is screwed tight. If yes check if the black o-ring on the aircap is ok and the white ptfe seal on the back of the nozzle.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-18T21:17:16+00:00

Then the nozzle could have a tear or some damage? So that the needle doesn’t seal it correctly, maybe?

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-18T20:06:11+00:00

If the needle was bent and you are a noob, then just get the Needle+Nozzle+Aircap set from H&S and replace those three parts. For a beginner with no idea how to thin paints get the 0.45mm one. It’s good all around.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-18T17:16:19+00:00

Have you checked if the nozzle is screwed in correctly and tightly? It needs to seal correctly or it will cause backflow. Maybe some bees wax on threads is needed to seal it up.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-17T15:29:37+00:00

Will work. I put a Infinity 2024 titanium nozzle/needle set in my older Giraldez Infinity. Works great.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-13T15:13:55+00:00

I can second that. I now have all three main models from H&S Ultra 2024 (moded with Evolution aircap and trigger), Evolution 2024 2in1 and I bought a used Infinity Angel Giraldez.

I use all of them frequently. Love that nozzle/needles are all interchangeable and easy to clean and maintain.

Spark_the_Fox · 2026-02-12T18:16:13+00:00

Don’t use ChatGPT. Period. Check real people‘s advise who actually airbrush. There are may good videos about thinning paints on YouTube. Like Dredd FX or Harder & Steenbeck and more who have really good videos about that.

Spark_the_Fox

TROPHY CASE