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AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Matthew Toms
Cleaning Your Airbrush
j76lr
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: September 22, 2006
KitMaker: 1,081 posts
Armorama: 1,066 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 06, 2016 - 10:33 PM UTC
I also use a jeweler cleaner . it tiny microscopic bubbles created by sonic waves . works great in between breakdowns .their pretty cheap about 25-30 usd on amazon
j76lr
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: September 22, 2006
KitMaker: 1,081 posts
Armorama: 1,066 posts
Posted: Monday, August 08, 2016 - 12:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Be careful with ultrasonic cleaners, it took the plating off my H$S nozzles! They still work, but the chrome protection was taken off them.

what do you
use Scot ? I usually only use acrylics and use windex so far no problem !
chakie
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Turku ja Pori, Finland
Joined: September 27, 2016
KitMaker: 18 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 23, 2016 - 03:45 PM UTC
I've used my AB for two months now with Tamiya colors and had no real issues that weren't caused by me not knowing what I did. I always strip the brush and clean with some normal hardware store thinner and sometimes with Tamiya's AB cleaner. No issues so far.

However, if I want to use some Vallejo colors, what should I clean with? I used their gray base coat the other day and when cleaning with thinner it just turned into gunk and I had to strip the AB down and thoroughly clean with paper and those pointy thingies with cotton at the end. What should be used to clean Vallejo colors from my AB? Distilled water? Or does Vallejo have some own solution? Based on some googling there doesn't seem to be any clear answer and people use all kinds of thinners, spirits and whatnot. But there ought to be something that can be used that I can get in a basic hardware store which does not cost an arm and a leg for 10 ml.
Armored76
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: September 30, 2013
KitMaker: 1,615 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 23, 2016 - 04:54 PM UTC
I'm using plain tap water to clean the airbrush after Vallejo and Revell Aqua paints. Using IPA seems to turn the Vallejo paints into the goo you mentioned.
alewar
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Canelones, Uruguay
Joined: December 27, 2006
KitMaker: 773 posts
Armorama: 765 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 23, 2016 - 06:13 PM UTC
Hi, my ultrasonic cleaner have cicles of 3 min each. I really have not seen very best results, so which the best session time?

I use tap water and detergent, I can use windex instead?.(I use acrylics)

Regards from the south

Alvaro
M4A1Sherman
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New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 23, 2016 - 06:43 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hello all! I have been modeling for 30 or so years and have been using an airbrush for about 20 of those years. After every use I totally take apart my trusty Badger 200 singe action airbrush and give it a total clean up. 75% of the time I use acrylics. I have been told by some modelers that Im nuts especially with acrylics, and that theres no need to do this EVERY time but rather every 5th or so time. Many opinions are to just shoot my cleaner of choice through and then clean H2o and be done with it, unless there is a clogging issue. What do you think or do? Thanks guys!


I personally use petroleum-based enamels and lacquers in ALL of my airbrushing. I adhere strictly to breaking down my airbrushes and cleaning them in a four-step process after EACH color, thereby saving myself headaches, later on. Some of you may think this un-necessary, but it works for ME, and that's the way I'm going to keep on working...

1) Break down and clean the parts in fresh airbrush thinner, using "pipe-cleaners" to help the process

2) Soak the parts in fresh airbrush thinner for about 10 minutes, as added "insurance" against cross-contamination

3) Dry and soak the parts in Isopropyl Alcohol for another 10 minutes to remove any residue of the airbrush thinners, let dry thoroughly

4) Re-assemble the airbrush for the next airbrushing/color-session

Works every time... Again, this is just my personal preference...

I own and regularly use my four airbrushes, one of which (PAASCHE H-1 fine-tip single-action) is STRICTLY for metallic and "metalizer" paints and lacquers. The other three are for my conventional enamel and lacquer paints; a second PAASCHE H-1 fine-tip single-action and BADGER 200 fine-tip single-action for general airbrushing, and lastly, my BADGER 200G with ultra-fine tip and top-mounted integral color receptacle, which I use for detail work, "corrections", and the finer-types of "mottled" camouflages, as seen on my 1/48 WWII "Axis" Fighters, (German, Italian, and Japanese)...
SEDimmick
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 15, 2002
KitMaker: 1,745 posts
Armorama: 1,483 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 23, 2016 - 06:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Be careful with ultrasonic cleaners, it took the plating off my H$S nozzles! They still work, but the chrome protection was taken off them.

what do you
use Scot ? I usually only use acrylics and use windex so far no problem !


Its been a while, but I think I was using Simple Green in it.
Vicious
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Queensland, Australia
Joined: September 04, 2015
KitMaker: 1,517 posts
Armorama: 1,109 posts
Posted: Monday, October 24, 2016 - 12:53 AM UTC

Quoted Text


1) Break down and clean the parts in fresh airbrush thinner, using "pipe-cleaners" to help the process

2) Soak the parts in fresh airbrush thinner for about 10 minutes, as added "insurance" against cross-contamination

3) Dry and soak the parts in Isopropyl Alcohol for another 10 minutes to remove any residue of the airbrush thinners, let dry thoroughly

4) Re-assemble the airbrush for the next airbrushing/color-session

Works every time... Again, this is just my personal preference...


When you say "fresh airbrush thinner" what thinner you talk about?...
wedgetail53
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Queensland, Australia
Joined: October 02, 2008
KitMaker: 658 posts
Armorama: 629 posts
Posted: Monday, October 24, 2016 - 02:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text


However, if I want to use some Vallejo colors, what should I clean with?


G'day Jan

Vallejo have their own thinner and airbrush cleaner. Do not use other thinners with Vallejo paints - they turn into something the consistency of chewing gum.

The proprietary cleaner does a good job.

Regards

Rob
Barrikadyzavod
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Barcelona, Spain / España
Joined: May 15, 2015
KitMaker: 21 posts
Armorama: 21 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 13, 2016 - 04:51 PM UTC
Maybe this can be useful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yjCpkmyOGk&feature=youtu.be
SSGToms
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Friday, June 30, 2017 - 06:45 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


However, if I want to use some Vallejo colors, what should I clean with?


G'day Jan

Vallejo have their own thinner and airbrush cleaner. Do not use other thinners with Vallejo paints - they turn into something the consistency of chewing gum.

The proprietary cleaner does a good job.

Regards

Rob

Iwata Medea airbrush cleaner also works excellently on Vallejo paints.
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