Iwata G6 - in a Class unto Itself

The Iwata G6 is classified as a large format airbrush despite its spray gun appearance. It is designed to satisfy such demanding users as illustrators and fine artists. Capable of producing an oval fan spray pattern, it is adept at producing background patterns with speed comparable to HVLP guns. But HVLP guns can't go where the G6 can. With fan air turned off, the G6 can produce accurate spray patterns down to as little as 1/16 of an inch. The long tapered needle on the G6 is unique. It enables a precise, smooth transition between fine and wider spray patterns. This is truly a remarkable gun. Unfortunately, it is an expensive gun. But The Tanning Store offers it at the lowest price on the web.

The G6 supports both a gravity-feed cup and a convenient airbrush bottle configuration. The standard configuration sold by The Tanning Store uses the airbrush adapter. The angled inlet of the airbrush adapter allows airbrush bottles to be quickly exchanged. You can quickly exchange solutions or colors without clean-up. Routine clean-up is also faster, since you can just pop out a solution bottle and replace it with a bottle containing cleaning solution. The wing nut on the adapter allows the airbrush bottle or gravity feed cup to be repositioned for non-conventional spray positions without requiring the solution container to leave a vertical position. This is another G6 bonus.

Warning: The Iwata G6 needle is very sharp and protrudes significantly from the front of the spray gun. Be careful to avoid punctures and damage to the needle.

To attach the airbrush bottle to the bottle adapter on the G6, you may find it helpful to hold the bottle upright with the stem of the bottle pointing away from you. Then bring the G6 in at an angle an attach. Rotating the bottle will bring the gun to an upright position and secure the bottle. Reverse this procedure to remove the bottle.

Air Inlet Regulator Knob

The gun should be set to allow nearly all the air flow from the compressor unit to pass through.

Suggested Setting:
Turn the air regulator knob (located near the hose fitting of the gun) all the way out, by rotating counterclockwise. Then rotate it clockwise one full turn back in.

Fluid Adjustment Control Knob

The more you pull the trigger back, the more fluid is allowed to flow through the gun. The fluid control knob, located on the rear of the gun determines how far back the trigger can be pulled, and so sets the maximum fluid flow.

Suggested Setting:
While pulling back on the trigger, turn the fluid control knob "out" by rotating counter-clockwise. At some point, you will feel the trigger reach its maximum position. Continuing to rotate the knob will then have no effect on the trigger. Turn the knob back "in" by rotating clockwise, until you feel pressure from the adjustment on the trigger. Stop turning. This is the maximum trigger position. As you spray and determine a desirable atomization and associated trigger position, you may want to turn the knob in and "lock in" the setting. Doing so, will enable you to produce repeatable spray strokes.

Fan Pattern

With the fan air control knob, located on the side of the gun, is turned all the way in clockwise (the off position), you get a circular spray pattern. If fan air is turned on, air passes through the two holes in the “prongs” on the spray gun air cap. This air flattens the spray pattern and produces a wider, elongated oval or fan pattern. The more fan air, the wider the pattern.

Suggested Fan Air Setting:
Turn the fan air control knob clockwise until it no longer turns. Then rotate the knob counter-clockwise 1 1/2 turns.

Fan Orientation

If the “prongs” are horizontal, you get a vertical spray pattern. Only move the spray gun side to side with this setting -- moving vertically is incorrect and produces a heavy line pattern. If the prongs are vertical, you get a horizontal spray pattern. Only move the gun up and down with this setting -- moving the gun horizontally produces a heavy line and is an incorrect pattern. If the prongs are diagonal, you get the opposing diagonal spray pattern. You should only use the horizontal and vertical patterns.

Suggested Orientation Rule of Thumb:
A line through the prongs should line up with the direction you are spraying. For example, if you are spraying across the body, the prongs should “point” that way. If you are spraying up and down the body, the prongs should “point” that way.

Suggested Distance and Trigger Control

Hold the gun about 8-12 inches from the body when spraying. When you begin to pull back the trigger, only air will come out. After the trigger passes a certain position, fluid begins to flow and a spray pattern is produced. You should begin and end each stroke with air, allowing the fluid flow to begin as you approach the body and ceasing fluid flow as your stroke moves away from the body.

Adjustment Demonstrations

The following segments are contained in the video, showing the impact of spray gun settings:

• Fan Air Off - Only a circular pattern is produced. Note that increasing the distance from the subject produces a bigger circle.



• G6 Flexibility - The handwriting demo illustrates the level of control available on a G6. With the air regulator knob turned almost off and using a circular pattern, a light line pattern can be produced.

• How to Begin and End Spray Strokes - (The curved lines in the video represent the contour of the body).
  As you pull the trigger to begin a spray stroke, pent up pressure will produce a heavier stroke.
  
  There is also a tendendcy to pause at the begining of a stroke. As you release the trigger at the end of a stroke, less solution is coming out. This can produce a heavy band at the beginning of the stroke and a lighter band at the end of a stroke.
  
  Always begin and end your stroke away from the body for a consistent result.