Airbrush maintenance is something we see discussed on this site pretty regularly. Precision made tools, with moving parts, subjected to various fluids and continual dismantling and reassembly, they are always expected to perform perfectly. The Airbrush Company in the UK have sent us details of Iwata’s solution to this area of concern, with the launch of their Professional Airbrush Maintenance Tool Kit.

The Professional Airbrush Maintenance Tool Kit (item IWCL-500) comprises of the following items:

• Two-sided Iwata Air Valve Guide Wrench
  
• Soft Jaw Pliers
  
• Needle Packing Screwdrivers for 1.2mm and 1.4mm diameter needles
  
• Nozzle Wrench
  
• Needle Tube
  
• Instructions

This all comes in a soft-sided zippered case, with the case having extra room to carry up to three airbrushes.

Iwata say the Needle Packing Screwdrivers will fit most of the standard Iwata brushes (barring the Eclipse G series - there is a list of models included in the photos here). The intention of these screwdrivers is to make the task of removing or replacing needle packing much easier. The diameter of the screwdriver shafts is the same as that of the needles, and this apparently helps feel with precision the tightness of the packing screw as you turn it, allowing the screw to be given the correct amount of torque: enough to prevent paint from flowing back into the airbrush body, while still allowing the needle to move freely.

The Air Valve Guide Wrench is designed to access the air valve parts for cleaning, adjustment or replacement. Again, the wrench is double ended, so two different size tools, in order to fit most Iwata models.

The Soft Jaw Pliers are intended to provide a firm grip to assemble or, probably more importantly, to disassemble, airbrush nozzle caps, needle caps and handles, without ever having to resort to metal faced pliers which would damage the surface of the airbrush.

The Nozzle Wrench: rather than the open spanner type wrench that is normally supplied with airbrushes, this is more like a socket wrench. The nozzle will seat within the wrench and is held while you screw it into or out of the airbrush. Using your fingers to place such a tiny threaded component can be a bit of a challenge, and the usual wrench only allows you to tighten or loosen the nozzle while it is on the thread, so this tool does look like a nice idea.

The needle tube is I suppose for the safe storage of spare needles, or for somewhere to put them while you’re doing maintenance on the rest of the airbrush.

From the photos provided to us, this looks like a well-designed and high quality set, though not particularly cheap. I suspect some might look at them and wonder if they are really necessary, while there are others who just love to own quality tools. The UK retail price is said to be £69.95.

The Airbrush Company say that they will be accepting pre-orders at first, but expect to have these in stock by mid-March.