One more quick question before order. I know cleaning is vital to keeping the airbrush working well, but what about those cleaning stations (cleaning pot) and cleaning kits. Are they really necessary? or is it just as good to soak the parts in a thinner and flush the gun by hand?
Ed
Cleaning kits are IMHO overkill. You can buy better supplies separately if you shop carefully, and many of the tools they come with will only live in a drawer.
Cleaning stations are nice, but I replicated one with a old cooking oil jug and a cheap furnace filter, which I cannibalized for the mesh filter.
Be careful soaking airbrushes in thinners, many have a rubber o-ring in the air valve that harsher thinners will dissolve.
I personally don’t soak my airbrushes in thinner. I find doing a good job flushing them out immediately after using does the trick for me. I use Tamiya Acrylics exclusively, and use an ammonia based window cleaner for the cleaning, and then flush with distilled water to remove any left over ammonia, which can discolor the chrome finish. Enamels and lacquers require their own solvents for cleaning.
If you get the “right” airbrush, cleaning is easy. Cleaning pot are nice to have, but not necessary. Cleaning kit is not needed since you can find similar cleaning brushes in drug store for a lot cheaper.
I learned this technique from a cosmetician lady, Sheila McKenna. The Kett Cosmetic video on YouTube is very professional and practical. It got down to the essence of backflushing and left nothing to imagination.
This video has been around for awhile and I have not seen any one better. You can also find a higher resolution version at their web site.
You need to soak the airbrush parts in thinner only if cleaning was neglected or not properly done in previous uses. Keep it clean and it will serve you well for a long time.
I clean my airbrush with a little amonia water backflush by placing tip of brush in a wad of paper towels it forces air back through the cup then spray untill cleaner is gone then rinse with water. I break down my brush and clean well before I paint the exterior of my model. Hope that helps [:D]
Ive decided to go with the G23/TC-20 kit. its a little more expensive, but should be easier to get parts for if I need them.
Does anyone see a difference between these two kits? both look like they come with the G23 and TC-20, but the one with extra needles is $5 bucks cheaper?
TCPGlobal usually sell the same item the cheapest on Ebay. Don’t ask me why.
The Amazon deal is not bad if you want the mupltiple nozzles and needles.
Let us know how you like it after you use it for a few models.