AB Cleaners, etc

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

I’ve had my airbrush for a year now (Iwata Eclipse)(first AB), and have gotten relatively used to it. I’ve played around with pressures and mixtures and all that , but have a few glitches every now and then. Perhaps the good people from this forum could help me out with these questions:

  1. I clean my AB after each color…nozzle, tip and needle included. From what I’ve read, this may not be necessary. I mainly spray acrylics…is this overkill?

  2. What is best used to clean out the AB? I’ve been using 70% Rubbing Alcohol and seem to have decent results. Is this suffice for acrylics?

  3. I’ve never lubed my needle. Will vasoline work?

THanks in advance for your help on my “beginner” questions.

2

Hi,

  1. Seems to be a litlle overkill :wink: Spraying and backflushing thinner between color changes is quite enough to keep this tool clean
  2. I use acrylics as well. You can use Windex (or any other similar product) to clean airbrush. I prefer IPA cleaner (isoprophyl alcohol). I have never had any problems with uncleaned rests of paint.
    In case of very resistant clogs or similar you may use lacqeur thinner which cuts through almost everything.
  3. I am not sure about vasoline -it may affect paint and in the end the effects of your work. I use Medea SuperLube which is paint friendly and make AB working smooth.

Hope this helps

Macio

3

I Agree with Macio, but it depends on your definition of how you clean your airbrush between colors. It is not necessary to completely disassemble it between colors, or even at the end of every day. Spraying some thinner through it is sufficient and a lot easier. I used to disassemble mine at the end of each day’s use, but I’ve gotten lazy lately and only tear it down every week or two.

4

I’ve used Vasoline to lube my needle and it works just fine. It doesn’t contaminate the paint but you have to put it on in a very thin layer. Just a dab between your thumb and finger and you pull the needle through while rotating it. You should have no problems with it.

5

I also have an Eclipse and use acrylics. I have found a good product called Airbrush Cleaner made by EZ Air. It comes in an 8oz bottle and is highly concentrated so you just mix it with water. It makes up to 1/2 gallon of cleaner and is non toxic. You can buy this product at Michael’s or other such stores that sell airbrush supplies.

Regardless of what cleaner you use, the real secret is to clean your airbrush right after you finish spraying a color. This especially applies to acrylics because of their fast drying properties.

Mike M

6

Guys thanks for all of your help.
I guess the disassembling after each color was overkill after all. I 'm relieved that a good thorough cleaning will be it. I will give Windex a shot. I have thinner on hand as a backup, as well as the usual isopropyl alcohol.
Vasoline has to be somewhere in the house.

THanks again. I can now airbrush with more confidence.