All the words and none of the pictures.  This set of copy doesn't have any links to other portions of the site as of yet.  Think of it as my initial foray into making my airbrush and compressor knowledge more accessible.

Enjoy while I tinker with my website. 

 ECLIPSE SERIES

Congratulations on the purchase of your Iwata Eclipse airbrush, a versatile, reliable, high-performance airbrush. We designed this Eclipse for the exacting needs of the artist who requires a multi-purpose, high paint flow airbrush for spraying fine details and wide backgrounds all with one airbrush, one nozzle, and one needle size. This technology defines the Iwata Eclipse.

Iwata airbrushes are designed for the demanding professional. Modern precision machining and carefully selected materials are used in the manufacturing process to ensure consistent high performance and long life. Each Iwata airbrush is spray tested before shipment to assure maximum performance and adherence to Iwata’s strict quality standards. To maintain your Eclipse at its peak performance, proper care and attention must be observed.

IWATA ECLIPSE HP-BCS, SBS, CS, BS

Iwata Eclipse HP-BCS

Iwata Eclipse HP-SBS

Iwata Eclipse HP-CS

Iwata Eclipse HP-BS

GETTING STARTED

Compressor

Choose an appropriate compressor for your Eclipse airbrush. The Iwata Smart Jet Compressor is a good beginner choice and will provide approximately 20-25 psi of air pressure to the Eclipse. The high powered Iwata Power Jet, Power Jet Lite, and Power Jet Pro compressors can provide up to 50 psi to the Eclipse.  At 35 psi, the ideal air pressure to utilize all of the airbrush’s unique potential, the Eclipse’s versatility provides high paint flow for background spray as well as for controllable fine line detail performance. This unmatched versatility is a unique feature of the Iwata Eclipse airbrush series.

Assembly

(BCS)

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 30 and 45 psi.
4. Check for any air leaks in the compressor or airhoses
5. Fill the bottle with Medea Airbrush Cleaner, or the appropriate solvent for your paint.
6. Attach the bottle to the airbrush by pushing the bottle stem into the bottle joint of the airbrush body
7. Point the airbrush away from you.
8. Press down on the main lever (#12) to start the flow of air through the airbrush.
9. Pull back on the main lever to open the nozzle of the airbrush.
10. Spray cleaning solution through the airbrush to rinse out any residual pre-testing pigment.
    

(BS, CS, SBS)

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 30 and 45 psi.
4. Check for any air leaks in the compressor or airhoses
5. Place a few drops of cleaner into the bowl.
6. Point the airbrush away from you.
7. Press down on the main lever (#12) to start the flow of air through the airbrush.
8. Pull back on the main lever to open the nozzle of the airbrush.
9. Spray cleaning solution through the airbrush to rinse out any residual pre-testing pigment.
   

GENERAL OPERATION

Fine-Line Spray

1. Depress the main lever (#12) to start airflow.
2. Position the airbrush close to the surface, between 1/16 and ½ inch is common.
3. Pull the main lever back slightly to start the flow of paint.
   

Wide-Line and Background Spraying

1. Depress the main lever (#12)
2. Position the airbrush further away from the surface, from ½ to 6 inches is common.
3. Pull the main lever back much further releasing more paint to cover the bigger area.
   

Cutaway Handle

The cutaway handle (#19) is a special feature on the Eclipse. Its purpose is to free up paint clogs that may have formed at the tip of the airbrush without removing the handle and the needle.

1. Grip the exposed needle chuckling nut (#18) with your fingers.
2. Pull back on it while simultaneously depressing the main lever (#12)
   

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 5 and 50 psi.
   

Air Pressure

For the Eclipse, working pressures generally vary between 20 and 60 psi, depending on what type of work is being done and what textures are desired. In general 35 psi or above is desired to take full advantage of the unique, versatile spray characteristics of the Eclipse. The viscosity of the paint and your desired spray characteristics will also effect your ideal pressure. As a general rule, larger amounts of paint, or thicker paints, will be sprayed with higher pressures.

WARNING: Do not exceed 100psi

Paint Preparation

For non-specific airbrush paints proper preparation, including filtering the paint through a nylon mesh, is recommended for best performance. Paint should be thinned with its proper solvent. It is best to prepare paint relatively thin and make repeated passes across the work to achieve the desired shade. This will also improve the quality of your work and decrease the cleaning time of your airbrush.

Safety Tips

MAINTENANCE

Cleaning the Airbrush between Colors

(BCS)

1. Remove the paint bottle.
2. Attach a bottle containing the appropriate cleaning solution.
3. Spray until the solution sprays clear.
4. Remove the bottle of cleaning solution.
5. Spray air until the airbrush sprays dry.
6. Attach a bottle containing the next color.
7. Repeat cleaning procedure when finished.
   

(BS, CS, SBS)

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

1. Unscrew the handle (#19) from the airbrush body.
2. Loosen the needle chucking nut (#18).
3. Gently pull the needle (#17) 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 (#4).
• CAUTION: The most probable time to damage the needle is when the needle passes through the main lever (#12) and through the needle packing screw (#14b).
• 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
   

Cleaning the airbrush this way helps clean the paint passage, the nozzle, and the needle thoroughly.

Periodically

To ensure smooth main lever action lubricate the needle (#17) and the main lever mechanism (#12) regularly.

1. Unscrew the handle (#19).
2. Loosen the needle chucking nut (#18).
3. Remove the needle.
4. Coat the needle 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.
9. Drip 1 drop of lube into the slot directly behind the main lever and as close to the main lever as possible.
   

DO NOT over-lube the needle or the main lever mechanism, since it is possible to transfer excess lube into the nozzle causing severe paint flow problems.
DO NOT use light machine oil or WD-40 for lubrication. These will cause the needle to stick as it moves through the needle packing o-ring.
CAUTION: If it becomes absolutely necessary to dismantle the airbrush remember that in most situations tools are not needed.  DO NOT use pliers. If needed use the provided wrench to unscrew the head cap (#3).

REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

Nozzle (#4)

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

1. Unscrew the handle (#19).
2. Loosen the needle chucking nut (#18).
3. Gently pull the needle (#17) part way back. It doesn’t need to be fully pulled out.
4. Unscrew the head cap (#3).
5. The nozzle should fall out. If it doesn’t push it gently to the side with your thumb.
6. Fit the new nozzle onto the airbrush body.
7. Screw the head cap onto the airbrush body.
• Hand tighten cap or “lightly” tighten it with the provided wrench.
• DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN!
8. Push the needle all the way forward until it seats with the new nozzle.
9. Tighten the needle chucking nut.
10. Screw the handle onto the airbrush body.
    

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

Needle (#17)

Iwata needles are made of precision ground and hardened stainless-steel that will withstand prolonged usage. They are, however, subject to easy physical damage 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.

Crown Cap (Optional Accessory)

A crown cap replaces the needle cap (#1). It physically protects the needle while spraying very fine lines. It also prevents pigment build-up and spattering when spraying large backgrounds.

Pre-Set Handle (Optional Accessory)

The pre-set handle replaces the handle (#19). A threaded adjusting screw mounted behind the handle limits the distance the main lever can be pulled back. This provides accurate control of paint volume and is especially useful when doing repetitive, precision work.

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.

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.