Airbrush question

[Old_Tonto]

I have read through the Q & A for airbrush advice which is all very good advice. I am confident i can clean my brush after a spray session but I was just wondering how you guys clean your air brush between colours?

[AndrewR]

I only use Vallejo water based acrylics, so I usually spray soapy water through it, wipe the cup with tissue and then more water.

If the two colours are quite similar and the cup is empty, I don't bother cleaning, just spray a bit on a test paper until the new colour comes through.

Cheers

Andrew

[fearless frankie]

At the end of a session of spraying (acrylics only) a strip down and wash parts in warm soappy water

[SJPONeill]

I spray through thinner/cleaner until it consistently comes through clear and I also swap cups - I'll clean a cup thoroughly before putting a fresh colour in it...using a pipe cleaner to make sure there is no residue, perhaps partly cured in the stem...

[Jagewa]

For colour changes: spray the colour out, wipe out cup with a cloth, part fill with thinner/cleaner, back flush then tip out, repeat a few times until no colour comes back, and add next colour.

[PaulBradley]

Between acrylic paints, I spray some alcohol through the brush until it comes out clear, then remove the alcohol and spray air through to clear out the alcohol.

[SJPONeill]

Oh...so you're meant to use the alcohol on the brush not the brusher? Bin doing that wrong...

[Old_Tonto]

For colour changes: spray the colour out, wipe out cup with a cloth, part fill with thinner/cleaner, back flush then tip out, repeat a few times until no colour comes back, and add next colour.

Is 'back flush' where you cover the end of the airbrush with your finger & give it a squirt of air?

Where is the best place to get pipe cleaners in the UK?

[AndrewR]

Where is the best place to get pipe cleaners in the UK?

Try Dyno-rod

Seriously, I'd get a set of nylon brushes of different diameters. They are very good at removing crud and can be washed and reused. And they're very cheap.

Search EBay for " airbrush cleaning kit". You should find sets of the brushes for a couple of quid or so.

Cheers

Andrew

[JohnRatzenberger]

Careful with pipe cleaners.
There are some that could substitute for a file -- get 'em soft and small.
Next, before use, run them through your fingers to pull off/out any stray fuzz -- does no good to clean out the paint but leave the fuzz inside.
Highly recommend a set of little plastic micro brushes, they don't shed and do get into smaller places.

I switch between enamel & acrylic. I got into the habit of field stripping my brush after every use and paint/color change. Overkill I know, but I have it down to a few minutes & almost can do it blindfolded ... I have a 2nd airbrush to hook up as soon as I get a new regulator & some pipe pieces, then I'll have a brush each for enamel or acrylic and probably can modify my cleaning process.

[AndrewR]

Careful with pipe cleaners.
There are some that could substitute for a file -- get 'em soft and small.
Next, before use, run them through your fingers to pull off/out any stray fuzz -- does no good to clean out the paint but leave the fuzz inside.
Highly recommend a set of little plastic micro brushes, they don't shed and do get into smaller places.

I switch between enamel & acrylic. I got into the habit of field stripping my brush after every use and paint/color change. Overkill I know, but I have it down to a few minutes & almost can do it blindfolded ... I have a 2nd airbrush to hook up as soon as I get a new regulator & some pipe pieces, then I'll have a brush each for enamel or acrylic and probably can modify my cleaning process.

I have a little ultrasonic bath, so I field strip the airbrush after every session (and if I'm making a radical change of colour) and clean it with distilled water with a little wshing up liquid in it. It takes 5 minutes, 3 minutes of which is the zapping in the bath. Not much different from cleaning brushes properly.

cheers

Andrew

[Jagewa]

For colour changes: spray the colour out, wipe out cup with a cloth, part fill with thinner/cleaner, back flush then tip out, repeat a few times until no colour comes back, and add next colour.

Is 'back flush' where you cover the end of the airbrush with your finger & give it a squirt of air?

Yep that's what I meant.

[Old_Tonto]

Cheers guys. No problems so far.