Ive read a lot of posts about mineral spirits and subing it for brush cleaner. I have a badger v2000 and wanted to know if i use it would it harm my airbrush in any way because ive found out that you cant take the easy way out in modeling just wondering cause thinner is so coltly to but a of thinner that will last about a 4 days with me cause i sometimes spill it.[:(]
Pretty bad hu that i spill it
M. K.,
Use laquer thinner for cleaning. I’ve found LT will cut through anything - laquer, enamel, water color, gouache (sp?), etc.
BTW - don’t use mineral spirits for a wash. I totally hosed ([;)]) a T-55 paint job trying that.
Careful with that lacquer thinner though, spraying it makes really bad fumes
You already have some good answers there modelkid.
I would add that you should never soak the entire airbrush in lacquer thinner because of any rubber gaskets that may be in the air valve, etc. As cnstrwkr mentioned be sure to ventilate where you are spraying as lacquer thinner produces a very flammable vapor if left in an area that is not ventilated.
Mike
Sorry to be a little different…
Mineral spirits paint thinners are excellent for cleaning air brushes. Their costs compared to other, hotter thinners also makes them quite attractive. These thinners should be used with oil and enamel-based paints. Acrylics should be cleaned with soap and water, isopropyl alcohol, or the paint manufacturer’s recommended thinner. You can even use mineral spirits to clean your brush after spraying lacquers. For example, Testors Metallizer is supposed to be laquer-based, but can be cleaned exceptionally well with mineral spirits. If you are having problems with spillage, cleaning up mineral spirits is better than cleaning up laquer thinner, especially from a toxicological standpoint. Mineral spirits is a great thinner to use for washes, provided the base coat is enamel and has thoroughly dried; I use it all the time with consistently good results. Because mineral spirits is a petroleum distillate, it wll also leave a slight coating on your airbrush that will act as a lubricant of sorts; it won’t harm your airbrush. I would stay away from lacquer thinners unless you are really into spraying automotive finishes on your models. They have a higher volatility, and are certainly more potentially toxic than mineral spirit thinners. Hope this helps.
Gip Winecoff
Hey thanks a lot i have another air brush that i spray aoutomotive paints.
I use the “recommended” cleaner for whatever paint I have used… then a little lacquer thinner to get any remnants… then EZ-Air cleaner and conditioner…
It takes a few seconds more but leaves things very clean.
BUT… lacquer thinner does REQUIRE very good ventilation!