AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Matthew Toms
Ultrasonic cleaner
wildbill426
Joined: December 08, 2006
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 375 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 21, 2010 - 01:56 PM UTC
I've wanted to get one of these for some time and just saw one at a Brookstone for just under $50. However, the liquid in the cleaner is just water. Also the cleaner does not look like you could put any solvent based cleaner in it without, well, melting it. Does anyone have any idea if this would actually knock the paint out of my airbrush? Also, if not, can anyone suggest a source for an inexpensive ultrasonic unit? I think this is going to be my self Xmas present this year.
viper29_ca
Joined: October 18, 2002
KitMaker: 2,247 posts
Armorama: 1,138 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 21, 2010 - 04:36 PM UTC
I bought one at a discount place for about $20. The tub in it was some sort of chromed metal, mind you the basket that goes in it was plastic.
For the most part, all you need is tap water to clean jewelry and such. And depending on what paint you put through your airbrush, you could put windex in the machine and let it run with that. Between the Windex and the vibration it will knock out pretty much anything.
While I haven't used mine to clean my airbrush yet, I have used Windex to strip the chrome off of plate parts from a kit, and it works awesome!
For the most part, all you need is tap water to clean jewelry and such. And depending on what paint you put through your airbrush, you could put windex in the machine and let it run with that. Between the Windex and the vibration it will knock out pretty much anything.
While I haven't used mine to clean my airbrush yet, I have used Windex to strip the chrome off of plate parts from a kit, and it works awesome!
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 21, 2010 - 05:30 PM UTC
Hi Bill,
They're even cheaper at Harbor Freight Tools. They have 2 stores in Connecticut. There is one on sale right now for $24.99 that is the perfect size for airbrushes. That's the one I have. I use Medea airbrush cleaner and distilled water in mine all the time and it works fantastic.
Ultrasonic cleaners are not designed for use with any kind of solvents. I would not put Windex or even alcohol in one (I did actually melt one once with 90% isopropyl alcohol!) but Medea airbrush cleaner is safe. There are also several products made specifically as ultrasonic cleaner solutions.
Don't hesitate to buy one, though. It will pull out little chunks of gunk from even the cleanest airbrush, and it's not a chore when you just drop it in the machine and let it do the work.
They're even cheaper at Harbor Freight Tools. They have 2 stores in Connecticut. There is one on sale right now for $24.99 that is the perfect size for airbrushes. That's the one I have. I use Medea airbrush cleaner and distilled water in mine all the time and it works fantastic.
Ultrasonic cleaners are not designed for use with any kind of solvents. I would not put Windex or even alcohol in one (I did actually melt one once with 90% isopropyl alcohol!) but Medea airbrush cleaner is safe. There are also several products made specifically as ultrasonic cleaner solutions.
Don't hesitate to buy one, though. It will pull out little chunks of gunk from even the cleanest airbrush, and it's not a chore when you just drop it in the machine and let it do the work.
JimF
Joined: July 05, 2002
KitMaker: 717 posts
Armorama: 621 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 21, 2010 - 06:15 PM UTC
I bought a professional ultrasonic cleaner for my wife, who decided she didn't want to use it after all. It is really good at cleaning my airbrushes, and I would add my recommendation to get one. I used to work at a hobby shop that had a cleaner from Harbor Freight, and it did a pretty good job of cleaning the shop's Iwata Revolution, although it would sometimes take two or three cycles to clean out the gunk when some users had left paint in the brush overnight. My personal cleaner has longer cycles and more powerful motor, so when I put in an airbrush to be cleaned, I know its going to come out clean. I will use distilled water for light cleaning, or the Medea airbrush cleaner if I feel it is needed. I only shoot acrylics, so I'm not sure how well one would handle enamels or lacquers.
thomokiwi
Joined: January 11, 2006
KitMaker: 438 posts
Armorama: 359 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 21, 2010 - 06:30 PM UTC
I have recently purchaser one of these and its excellent. You can get non solvent based agents to get a good clean, here we have "simple green" a eco friendly cleaning agent and it does the job very well.
viper29_ca
Joined: October 18, 2002
KitMaker: 2,247 posts
Armorama: 1,138 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 05:21 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Bill,
They're even cheaper at Harbor Freight Tools. They have 2 stores in Connecticut. There is one on sale right now for $24.99 that is the perfect size for airbrushes. That's the one I have. I use Medea airbrush cleaner and distilled water in mine all the time and it works fantastic.
Ultrasonic cleaners are not designed for use with any kind of solvents. I would not put Windex or even alcohol in one (I did actually melt one once with 90% isopropyl alcohol!) but Medea airbrush cleaner is safe. There are also several products made specifically as ultrasonic cleaner solutions.
Don't hesitate to buy one, though. It will pull out little chunks of gunk from even the cleanest airbrush, and it's not a chore when you just drop it in the machine and let it do the work.
Not sure what there is to melt, mine has a chrome metal bucket inside it....really don't think Windex is going to do any harm to it at all.
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 09:04 AM UTC
Mine had a stainless steel bucket in it, too. The isopropyl alcohol partially melted the rubbery plastic above the steel tank, the inside of the lid, and the clear window in the lid. It was all intact, but a gooey mess.
gaborka
Joined: October 09, 2005
KitMaker: 626 posts
Armorama: 250 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 09:28 AM UTC
Hello,
I have bought a cleaner for about 55 USD a few weeks ago. The tub is stainless steel, the only thing you can adjust is time (so no frequency or temperature). I ordered the cleaning liquid from the same source for about 4 USD a bottle (1 Litre). This solution is isobutanol, not a solvent. Water alone won't be enough to clean the airbrush, however you need only a cup or two into one tub of water. This liquid is the same for cleaning electronics jewelry or even fuel injectors. I can only recommend this for AB cleaning, it has worked well for me.
One thing to add, ultrasonic cleaning makes your life easier but won't save you from disassembling and assembling your airbrush and cleaning the parts one by one, particularly if you want to have it really clean.
I have bought a cleaner for about 55 USD a few weeks ago. The tub is stainless steel, the only thing you can adjust is time (so no frequency or temperature). I ordered the cleaning liquid from the same source for about 4 USD a bottle (1 Litre). This solution is isobutanol, not a solvent. Water alone won't be enough to clean the airbrush, however you need only a cup or two into one tub of water. This liquid is the same for cleaning electronics jewelry or even fuel injectors. I can only recommend this for AB cleaning, it has worked well for me.
One thing to add, ultrasonic cleaning makes your life easier but won't save you from disassembling and assembling your airbrush and cleaning the parts one by one, particularly if you want to have it really clean.
wildbill426
Joined: December 08, 2006
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 375 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 12:04 PM UTC
Mathew, THANKS! I stopped at the HF on the Berlin Turnpike on the way home, found the cleaner you spoke of, and to make it even better the checkout girl was this SMOKIN' hot brunette who looked like a model. I have my first cycle running as we speak.
One last question....where do you find Medea airbrush cleaner? Art supply store (like Jerry's)? I can't recall seeing it.
Thanks.
One last question....where do you find Medea airbrush cleaner? Art supply store (like Jerry's)? I can't recall seeing it.
Thanks.
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 03:58 PM UTC
Hi Bill,
Yeah, the Berlin HF is the one I go to and I swear the manager hires the checkout girls for their hotness factor! Those girls in there are perfect!
You can get the Medea airbrush cleaner at Jerry's Art-O-Rama or Dick Blick. Get the big 32 oz. bottles, they're a much better deal.
Yeah, the Berlin HF is the one I go to and I swear the manager hires the checkout girls for their hotness factor! Those girls in there are perfect!
You can get the Medea airbrush cleaner at Jerry's Art-O-Rama or Dick Blick. Get the big 32 oz. bottles, they're a much better deal.
elph
Joined: November 13, 2005
KitMaker: 319 posts
Armorama: 266 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 04:10 PM UTC
If you have the money, it's a good idea to go for a bigger size, one that a whole tank can sit in. Before spraying, I clean the model in my cleaner and it is spotless ready for spraying. You're guaranteed a real smooth flat finish.
nitescotsman
Joined: August 21, 2010
KitMaker: 42 posts
Armorama: 24 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 04:10 PM UTC
Next time I travel to that neck of the woods, I'm going to have to stop and see these checkout girls for myself. Nothing like good ol' fashioned hot girls to pull the male demographic into the store. One question - I recently bought a ultrasonic cleaner, but haven't used it yet, mainly because I've been unsure which parts go in the tank, and which don't. Anyone care to enlighten me?
Thanks!
Russ
Thanks!
Russ
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 04:20 PM UTC
All the parts that touch paint go in the tank. The forward body, nozzle, needle, nozzle cup and needle cap all go in. Rear body, trigger, and air valve can stay out.
nitescotsman
Joined: August 21, 2010
KitMaker: 42 posts
Armorama: 24 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 04:47 PM UTC
Just to clarify, I assume, since it touches paint, that the forward body refers to the piece with the paint cup attached to it? (I'm using an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS.) Also, do you have a preferred ratio of AB cleaner to distilled water? 50/50?
Thanks!
Russ
Thanks!
Russ
Rockfall
#202
Joined: December 19, 2004
KitMaker: 884 posts
Armorama: 602 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 05:13 PM UTC
Ultrasonic Review
This is a geat review on this site about this very thing. I followed what keith did it and it works great.
Jeff
This is a geat review on this site about this very thing. I followed what keith did it and it works great.
Jeff
Sandy
Joined: June 24, 2002
KitMaker: 628 posts
Armorama: 405 posts
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 - 11:36 PM UTC
Hi all here in the UK we can buy them at Pound Stretcher for £4-95 , they
are battery opperated .
My advice at this price buy two, one for the model workshop and the other for the wife , If she see it first you will not get it back , cheers ian
are battery opperated .
My advice at this price buy two, one for the model workshop and the other for the wife , If she see it first you will not get it back , cheers ian
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - 06:25 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Just to clarify, I assume, since it touches paint, that the forward body refers to the piece with the paint cup attached to it? (I'm using an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS.) Also, do you have a preferred ratio of AB cleaner to distilled water? 50/50?
Thanks!
Russ
Yep, the part with the paint cup attached to it. I use 50/50 Medea to distilled water in the ultrasonic cleaner.
wildbill426
Joined: December 08, 2006
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 375 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - 07:16 AM UTC
Matt, I am simply going to have to buy more tools. Or at the very least browse there more often.
Where is Dick Blick's?
Where is Dick Blick's?
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - 10:11 AM UTC
Yeah, there are two blondes at the Berlin Harbor Freight that sometimes work the same shift - they both deserve their own spread in Maxim - I can spend hours there! I even buy stuff sometimes!
Dick Blick has everything, prepare to get lost in there for awhile...
Blick Art Materials
341 Cooke Street
Plainville, CT 06062
(860) 747-5551
Dick Blick has everything, prepare to get lost in there for awhile...
Blick Art Materials
341 Cooke Street
Plainville, CT 06062
(860) 747-5551
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