i’d like to know what your cleaning procedure is, like right after your done with one color, but maybe not going to another color for a few hours.
If I’m not going to switch colors but stick with one color for a couple of hours, I’ll put the lid on the color cup and just set the AB down until I’m ready to use it again. I use Acrylics and they won’t dry out that quickly, unless you only have a couple of drops in the cup. Otherwise I’ll spray Windex into the color cup and turn up the compressor to 40-50 psi and blast it thru. then its ready for the next session/color.
I use the Iwata HP-C Plus airbrush which is very similar to your Eclipse. After I’m done painting with one color, I immediately add some thinner to the color cup then clean it with a q-tip dipped in the thinner. I spray the brush until this first addition of thinner is gone then I add some more. Once I have sprayed a second time, the airbrush is clean and ready for the next color. I boost my air pressure to 20 psi when I’m cleaning then lower my pressure back to my normal range of 10 to 15 psi. I don’t remove the needle to clean it until I’m completely finished with the model I’m working on. Paint will accumulate on the needle but it hasn’t affected my painting.
I do the same as billc3207. And I will switch paint types frequently ie: enamels to acrylic and vice versa, depending on what I am doing.
Once every 2 or 3 months, I’ll strip the AB down removing the “o” rings and give it a good bath in acetone. Then oil everything up. I have never had a problem with it and has been a pleasure to use for the last 2 years
Pat I have an HP-CS and call me overly careful, but if I’m not going to be using the AB for a few hours then it gets a full strip down and clean. As far as I’m concerned if you’ve finished spraying for a couple of hours that’s the end of your session.
As to what my cleaning procedures are for a color change, well depending on the paint (enamel or acrylic) I will fill the paint cup with a small amount of White Spirits or Windex and was the paint residue around with a soft brush, I then dispose of the White Spirits or Windex in an old jar. Next I swab out the paint cup with a cotton bud (cue tip) to clear any fluid that’s left over, and then I spray a small amount of the appropriate thinner through the AB to prime it for the next color.
Happy modeling
I do the same thing Darren dose and my ab has not missed a beat[:)]
Thad