Hey guys - instructions say no using of thinners, solvents etc in the heated ultrasonic cleaner I have.

Whats the best cleaner for getting the old dried crud ?

My needle keeps catching on my tamiya spray works .2mm super fine

You could try Castol Super Clean. I've used it on old tools in mine

I’d recommend soaking just the front end of the brush up to the needle seal in Createx Restorer. This will soften any paint in the brush which is causing the needle drag and allow it’s removal. This is not to go into the ultrasonic cleaner! Once it has soaked for 30 mins or so, rinse the airbrush and place in the ultrasonic cleaner with some jewelry cleaner or other mild detergent water mix.

Createx Restorer is made to break down paints up to lacquers and enamels Don’t let it get into the air valve as the seal will be degraded, and don’t spray it through the brush as it is very bad to breath.

I’ve use this stuff to restore airbrushes for my collection that have paint dried in them for 50 years.

The Tamiya Superfine has a removable needle seal like an Iwata, so if needed, it can be replaced.

Paul H

I use a tablespoon of PBW in water. Works great.

Brian,

I've used a mixture of water, Green cleaner, and Windex for years and have never had a problem.

Every now and then, I disassemble my airbrush and throw it in, run a couple of cycles if necessary, and out comes a squeaky clean airbrush.

Recommend you use the Iwata Lube on the needle each time you clean it.

Rich

Great info guys - what is PBW?

I used Iwata lube on the needle and in the hole for trigger when I just cleaned it - I think the Vallejo Model Air tends to clog a bit


Can I use 50% distilled water and 50% of my Vallejo Airbrush Cleaner? Is that a no no? I saw somewhere on here that someone used 50/50 water and medea/iwata cleaner ….

The only thing I use in my ultrasonic cleaner is Medea airbrush cleaner, straight. The Vallejo airbrush cleaner should be safe, too.
If you're getting clogging problems with the Model Air, It's because of paint tip drying. Get some retarder, such as Liquitex Slo-Dri, and add it to the paint in increments until your clogging problems go away.

https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/powdered-brewery-wash

Home brewers use this to clean equipment. It also loosens and removes dried acrylic paint from my airbrushes. A win all around

I put a glass jar in my ultrasonic and use lacquer in it.

Cheers Rob.

Old dried crud. Sort of depends on what it was. If it was acrylic paint. Soak in 90% alcohol for a few hours. Then use a toothbrush or some other small brush, (I have an Iwata cleaning kit) then finish within an ultrasound with simple green or windex.

If it is enamel or lacquer then you will need something stronger. Maybe soak in acetone for a couple hours then ultrasound with windex or simple green. Finish up with distilled water and a lube before assembling.

You really do need a super small brush that gets into the nozzle and other passages. Sometimes the paint doesn't dissolve into nothingness. Sometimes it stays together but just turns loose from the metal. The brush forces it out.