I just got my A470, and I'm curious how those of you who have them, clean them. I watched the video, and read the directions, it seems they recommend just spraying clean thinner through them and that's it. Does that do the trick? Seems like I should be doing more...

Yes, do more.

Definitly spray cleaner through the AB first.

Take the nozzle out and soak it in a small bottle of cleaner for a few minuets. (I use the manufacture's, in a small paint bottle)
Take over to the sink and wash it under warm water with an ole toothbrush. Pay attention to the nozzle's tip. Paint can build up there. As you are rinsing it, take note of the little white nylon needle rod at the back of the nozzle. Gently push this in to make the needle come out of the tip. Do this under a little running water to clean this area out too. Be sure to use a drain screen. You don't want to let it flush away down the drain.

With your AB, you should have a funky red thingie. Use that, while under running water to clean the AB's intake and inside nozzle area. I also use an old paint brush to help out a little more in the tight areas.

The way I do it, is when I finish ABing, I take the nozzle out and put it in the bottle of cleaner and start cleaning the AB housing while the nozzle is soaking.

I go this 1 step further and I take the tip apart and clean all 3 pieces of it and then store it that way in rubbing alcohol.....I've had mine for years now and have never had to buy a new tip yet....many who follow the directions for cleaning have to buy new tips now and again.....which is probably why they tell you to do it that way......they aren't making much $$$ off of me!!!!

I forgot to mention "back-flushing".

There's a technique called "back-flushing" that is very effective, which can be used while ABing for extended periods or when changing colors. To back-flush, attach a bottle of thinner or cleaner to the AB, and gently place a soft cloth (your personal painting rag) to the tip and press the airbrush trigger so that air starts to flow. Since the air can't escape through the tip it pushes paint into the thinner bottle.
This is quite effective for pre-cleaning too.

10-4! I knew there had to be more to it than that! Sprayed with the 470 for the first time tonight, and i really like it! thanks again for the help.

Bribo

Grant,
I'm curious, I see how to get the "white part" put of the nozzle, but how does the "white part" and the needle come apart? Just dont want to break it by random pushing and pulling....

Bribo,

be very careful when you do this. The white insert houses the needle and the needlespring. The spring is quite delicate, to remove the needle and spring assembly gently pull the needle out by the nylon rod at the back. You will notice then even when having soaked the entire tip in cleaner and flushing it with water or thinner, there will still be paint left behind in the coils of the spring. I clean the spring every 5 times or so. Be gentle taking it out or you will overstretch the spring. To put it back, insert it, then use a toothpick to push it until you see the needle come out the hole in the white inner house and you hear a 'click', which is the spring 'snapping' back into place.
Also, I use a pipe-cleaner to clean the white inner needle housing. You can also clean the entire thing in lacquer thinner (the body is made of acetal, which is not affected by it), which I do every 10 times or so. Good luck with your A470, I really love it! :-)

I've never been too worried about stretching the spring....never really have to pull that hard.....just worry about the tip of the needle...this is the part that if you bend it....you need to get a new tip.