iwata High Performance HP-C Plus Gravity Feed Dual Action Airbrush Instruction Manual

: June 4, 2024
: iwata

Table of Contents

HIGH PERFORMANCE PLUS AIRBRUSH SERIES
GETTING STARTED
GENERAL OPERATION
MAINTENANCE
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES
Exploded Parts
REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
WARRANTY
NEED ASSISTANCE
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

iwata High Performance HP-C Plus Gravity Feed Dual Action Airbrush Instruction Manual

Offering total control for fine detail spraying, Iwata’s Hi-Line and High Performance Plus Series airbrushes are designed around the legendary Iwata HP Series which established the Iwata name in the creative community over 50 years ago.
The Hi-Line Series, with its Micro Air Control Valve, enables incremental control of airflow for a fine to medium spray and creating stipple effects.

HIGH PERFORMANCE PLUS AIRBRUSH SERIES

Solvent-proof PTFE needle packing
Cutaway, preset handle
Gravity feed configuration allows the ability to spray on just one drop of paint.

HP-B PLUS

H2 head system
1/16 oz. (1.8ml) gravity feed fluid cup
The gravity feed cup allows on-the-spot custom color mixing.

HP-BC PLUS

Siphon feed configuration allows quick color changes with user-defined, stock colors
A practical choice for most airbrush uses
An airbrush that does it all – from fine hairlines to finely atomized background spray, along with an entire range of stippling effects
H3 head system
Configurable with bottles from 1oz up to 4 oz in size

HP-C PLUS

Generous 1/3 oz. (9 ml) gravity feed cup
H3 head system
An airbrush that does it all – from fine hairlines to finely atomized background spray, along with an entire range of stippling effects
The gravity feed cup allows on-the-spot custom color mixing.

HP-A PLUS

H2 head system
1/32 oz (0.9 ml) fluid cavity

HP-SB PLUS

H2 head system.
1/8 oz (3.5 ml) side feed color cup.
Optional 1/4 oz. side-cup, 1/2 oz. gravity cup or a 1 oz siphon bottle add to the versatility of this airbrush.
Side feed cup configurable for right or left-handed use.
Side feed cup allows a better view of the work surface.

GETTING STARTED

Compressor

Though the High Pereformance Plus Airbrush Series can function on minimal amounts of air, their full versatility requires an adjustable or regulated air source with an air storage tank. 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: Great for normal studios and great for extended use.
Power Jet Pro: Great for normal studios and great for extended use. (Two regulators allow two airbrushes on same unit.)

Assembly

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

GENERAL OPERATION

Wide-Lines and Blending

Depress the main lever (#7).
Position the airbrush from 1/2 to 6 inches away from the surface.
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 maximum usable line width is approximately 2 inches.

Preset Handle (#17)
A threaded 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.

Grip the exposed needle chucking nut (#16) with your fingers.
Pull it back while simultaneously depressing the main lever (#7).
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.

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

Unscrew the needle cap (#1).
Unscrew the nozzle cap (#2).
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. Thin paint 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 its 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

REFER TO MASTER PARTS LIST

Cleaning the Airbrush Between Colors (A+, B+, C+, SB+ Only)

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

Cleaning the Airbrush Between Colors (BC+ Only)

Remove the paint bottle.
Attach a bottle containing the appropriate cleaning solution.
Spray until the solution sprays clear.
Remove the bottle of cleaning solution.
Spray air until the airbrush sprays dry.
Attach a bottle containing the next color.
Repeat cleaning procedure when finished.

Cleaning the Needle (#4)

Unscrew the handle (#17) from the airbrush body.
Loosen the needle chucking nut (#16).
Gently pull the needle (#4) straight out.
Fold a soft cloth damp with cleaner over the needle.
Rotate the needle to gently wipe the residual paint off.
Carefully insert the needle into the airbrush until it seats fully against the nozzle (#3). You should feel a positive stop. If you feel a spongey stop, you still have debris in your nozzle.
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.
Tighten the needle chucking nut finger tight.
- Pull the main lever back and forth to visually confirm the needle’s ability to move.
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.

Increase the air pressure.
Spray cleaning solution for a short time.
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.

Unscrew the handle (#17).
Loosen the needle chucking nut (#16).
Remove the needle.
Coat the needle slightly with Medea Super Lube starting 1 inch behind the tip.
Wipe the needle with a soft, clean cloth, leaving a light coat of lube behind.
Re-insert the needle gently into the airbrush until you feel a positive stop.
Tighten the needle chucking nut.
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 and can also get into the air system.

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) (A+, B+, C+, SB+ Only)

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

Unscrew the handle (#17).
Unscrew the needle chucking nut (#16).
Remove the needle (#4).
Unscrew the spring guide (#11).
Remove the needle spring (#10).
Remove the needle chucking guide (#9).
Pull the main lever up and out.
Use tweezers to pull out the air valve piston.
Clean the air piston with a cotton swab.
Clean the hole at the bottom of the trigger housing with a cotton swab.
a. Clean until a Cotton Swab comes back clean.
Dab a very small drop of Super Lube on the air piston shaft.
Insert the air piston back into the hole at the bottom of the trigger housing.
Place the main lever back into the trigger housing.
Press the main lever up and down a few times.
a. It should spring back up smoothly when depressed.
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.
Place the needle spring over the needle chucking guide.
Screw the spring guide into the airbrush body.
Push down on the main lever at least once.
Carefully insert the needle. Warning: This is the most probable time to bend the needle point.
Screw the needle chucking nut onto the needle chucking guide.
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.

Lubricating the Air Piston (#12) (BC+ Only)

Unscrew the handle (#17).
Unscrew the needle chucking nut (#16).
Remove the needle (#4).
Unscrew the spring guide (#11).
Remove the needle spring (#10).
Remove the needle chucking guide (#9).
Pull the main lever up and out.
Clean the air piston, the main lever’s dangly piece with a cotton swab.
Clean the hole at the bottom of the trigger housing with a cotton swab.
a. Clean until a cotton swab comes back clean.
Dab a very small drop of Super Lube on the air piston shaft.
Straighten the air piston and the main lever out.
Insert the air piston back into the hole at the bottom of the trigger housing.
Place the main lever back into the trigger housing.
Press the main lever up and down a few times.
a. It should spring back up smoothly when depressed.
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.
Place the needle spring over the needle chucking guide.
Screw the spring guide into the airbrush body.
Push down on the main lever at least once.
Carefully insert the needle. Warning: This is the most probable time to bend the needle point.
Screw the needle chucking nut onto the needle chucking guide.
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.

TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES

SYMPTOM

| PROBLEM|

SOLUTION

---|---|---
Bubbles in Color Cup or Bottle| Loose nozzle cap| Tighten nozzle cap (#1B) finger tight
Improper nozzle to head nozzle base connection| See head system (#1) to reseat the nozzle
Cracked or damaged nozzle| See head system (#1) to replace the head system
Double Line| Dried paint on needle tip (tip-dry)| See Cleaning the Needle
Dirty airbrush| See Cleaning the Airbrush Between Colors See Cleaning the Needle
Debris on nozzle tip| See head system (#1) and clean the nozzle (#1C)
Bent needle| See needle (#10) to replace needle
Cracked or damaged nozzle| See head system (#1) to replace the head system
Not Spraying| Loose needle chucking nut| Finger tighten
Needle stuck| Pull out / break free the needle
Improper air pressure| See specific compressor instructions to raise or lower the air pressure
Paint too thick| See Paint Preparation
Clogged nozzle| See head system (#1) and clean the nozzle (#1C)
Cracked or damaged nozzle| See head system (#1) to replace the head system
Skipping| Dried paint on needle tip (tip-dry)| See Cleaning the Needle (page <?>)
Paint too thick| See Paint Preparation (page <?>)
Improper nozzle to head nozzle base connection| See head system (#1) to reseat the nozzle
Dirty airbrush| See Cleaning the Airbrush Between Colors (page <?>) See Cleaning the Needle (page <?>)
Cracked or damaged nozzle| See head system (#1) to replace the head system
Spattering| Dried paint on needle tip (tip-dry)| See Cleaning the Needle
Paint build-up in crown cap| Unscrew (#1A) and clean
Air pressure too low| See specific compressor instructions to raise the air pressure
Paint too thick| See Paint Preparation
Dirty airbrush| See Cleaning the Airbrush Between Colors See Cleaning the Needle
Main Lever Sticks (Back and Forth)| Dirty airbrush| See Cleaning the Airbrush Between Colors See Cleaning the Needle
Main Lever Sticks (Up and Down)| Paint on air valve packing o-ring (#14B)| See Lubricating the Air Valve O-Ring

CAUTION

The most likely time to damage the nozzle (#1C) is upon removal from the airbrush. Because the head system can be removed entirely, the nozzle does not need to be removed at all. If the nozzle is never removed, you do not have to worry about “improper nozzle to head nozzle base connections”.
Nozzle contains Nickel.

Exploded Parts

#| ITEM DESCRIPTION| PRICE CODE| ITEM #| HP-A+| HP-B+| HP- SB+| HP-C+| HP-BC+
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---

1

| ****

Needle Cap

| H2| B| I1101| ■| ■| ■| x| x
H3| B| I1102| x| x| x| ■| ■

2

| ****

Nozzle Cap

| H2| D| I1401| ■| ■| ■| x| x
H3| D| I1403| x| x| x| ■| ■

3

| ****

Nozzle

| H2| G| I0807| ■| ■| ■| x| x
H3| G| I0808| x| x| x| ■| ■

4

| ****

Needle

| H2| C| I0751| ■| ■| ■| x| x
H3| C| I0753| x| x| x| ■| ■

5

| ****

Needle Packing Screw Set (PTFE)

| B| I1257| ■| ■| ■| x| x
B| I7251| x| x| x| ■| ■

7A

| ****

Main Lever

| D| I1001| ■| ■| ■| x| x
D| I1002| x| x| x| ■| x
7B| Main Lever| G| I1003| x| x| x| x| ■

9

| Needle Chucking Guide with Auxiliary Lever| C| I1157| ■| ■| ■| x| x
C| I7151| x| x| x| ■| ■

10

| ****

Needle Spring

| A| I1352| ■| ■| ■| x| x
A| I1353| x| x| x| ■| ■

11

| ****

Spring Guide

| C| I1706| ■| ■| ■| x| x
A| I7701| x| x| x| ■| ■
12| Valve Piston| A| I1751| ■| ■| ■| ■| x
13A| HP-A Plus Body| –| –| ■| x| x| x| x
13B| HP-B Plus Body| –| –| x| ■| x| x| x
13C| HP-SB Plus Body| –| –| x| x| ■| x| x
13D| HP-C Plus Body| –| –| x| x| x| ■| x
13E| HP-BC Plus Body*| –| –| x| x| x| x| ■
14| Air Valve O-ring| A| I1451| ■| ■| ■| ■| ■

15

|

Air Valve Set

| G| I0301| ■| ■| ■| x| x
| | G| I0304| x| x| x| ■| ■
15A| Air Valve Guide| A| I0251| ■| ■| ■| ■| ■
15B| Air Valve Body| D| I0201| ■| ■| ■| ■| ■

15C

|

Air Valve

| B| I0151| ■| ■| ■| x| x
| | B| I0153| x| x| x| ■| ■
15D| Air Valve Spring| A| I0351| ■| ■| ■| ■| ■
16| Needle Chucking Nut| A| I1201| ■| ■| ■| ■| ■

17

|

Preset Handle Set

| G| I1555| ■| ■| ■| x| x
| | G| I1556| x| x| x| ■| ■
18| Cup (Side)| 0.05 oz / 1.50 ml| G| I0703| x| x| ■| x| x
19| Cup Packing Lower Lid| A| I1505| x| x| ■| x| x
20| Cup Lower Lid| 0.05 oz / 1.50 ml| B| I0956| x| x| ■| x| x
22| Blanking Cover| A| I0452| x| x| ■| x| x
23| Glass Bottle Set| 0.75 oz / 20 ml| G| I4052| x| x| x| x| ■
25| Fluid Cup Lid| C| I6181| x| x| x| ■| x
26| Blanking Screw| B| I0451| x| x| x| x| ■
27| Packing Handle (O-ring)| A| I6051| ■| ■| ■| ■| ■
28| Spanner| A| I1651| ■| ■| ■| ■| ■
| Needle Cap (Crown)| D| I1050| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT
| QuickFit Quick Disconnect Set| H| I1603| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT
| QuickFit Quick Disconnect Airbrush Adaptor| C| I1604| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT
| Airbrush Adapter for Paasche Air Hose| –| J001| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT
| Airbrush Adapter for T&C/Badger Air Hoses| –| J002| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT| OPT

■ = yes x = no OPT = optional
*Replacement parts not available

REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

Nozzle (#3)
In time, the nozzle may wear or be damaged and may need to be replaced.

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

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 (Optional Accessory)
The Iwata Pisto-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 date of purchase. This warranty does not cover needles, nozzles, o-rings and internal packings since these parts need to be replaced occasionally due to normal wear. Any other parts or materials that are or become 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 which have been altered or abused in any way.