Best method of airbrush cleaning between colours
- Thread starter Rincewind
- Start date
MeeshellMP
Goddess Queen of carts
I just use my reducer to clean it between colors...as well as to clean when im done
Squishy
Queen Clown Slayer
As I use Wicked which doesn't play well with water, I dump paint, spray what's left behind, wipe cup with towel, add a little reducer, backflush and dump, then spray a little reducer through til clean - around 20 secs.
If just reducing with water, I know some people do as above, then final step immerse AB in bucket of water and spray.
If just reducing with water, I know some people do as above, then final step immerse AB in bucket of water and spray.
Basstrack238
Mac-Valve Maestro!
Same here, works well.
Leakyvalve
Mac-Valve Maestro!
I'm a huge fan of a clean to the bone airbrush. I've seen pros who almost brag about barely cleaning their's. I think its a reckless "endorsement" of cleaning practices. I personally notice decreased performance with my microns when paint is starting to build up or a clog is making its way to the tip.
Squishy
Queen Clown Slayer
Your gun has to be clean to give best performance. At the same time there is also no need to do a full strip down each time. The more you take it apart the more risk of damaging and wearing parts. The above method is enough to keep needle and nozzle clean if your reduction and air etc are dialled in. Apart from removing the needle to wipe, I didn't take my micron apart for well over a year and it performed 100% - until I had a brain fart and messed up both needle and nozzle 
. There's no cure for stupid.
. There's no cure for stupid.
RebelAir
Air-Valve Autobot!
Big bucket of water with some dishwashing liquid added,assuming ya using a gravity..dump any leftover paint back into the container it goes in, dip the whole brush in the bucket of water, swirl ya finger around the cup to remove any leftover paint whilst activating the brush..With ya spare hand place ya finger over the neddle if it isn't exposed so it backflushes, then remove the brush no doubt still will have some water in it, spray that out rather than tip it out, add your new color and go again, its about a ten second process..maybe 15 LOL Good luck
Rincewind
Double Actioner
Awe ! its getting all confusing now, if only because some are saying use water to clean ,and some are saying don`t . Looks like me forgetting to mention what type of paint I use WAS important after all. Sorry my fault, and I really should explain better up front then I won`t confuse the matter.
E'tac Efx will clean very nicely with water
Createx hates water - use one of the already mentioned fluids- avoid leaving anything soaking unless it's Createx branded cleaner and you are sure you have Teflon seals and always rinse well with water before packing away for the night
Createx hates water - use one of the already mentioned fluids- avoid leaving anything soaking unless it's Createx branded cleaner and you are sure you have Teflon seals and always rinse well with water before packing away for the night
RebelAir
Air-Valve Autobot!
if its a water based paint it will clean fine with water, use lots of it (thus a big bucket) warmer water may also help or a brush or the like to agitate it and help the cleaning aspect, I personally haven't used Wicked illustration but their site states its water based, if water ain't cleaning it well, its not water based LOL..but when using various additives, reducers and the like more aggressive cleaners may be needed like what Squish mentioned but ain't cheap constantly using reducer to clean..But any water based paint shld clean fine with water. if its enamels or uro's you may need thinners to clean. Good luck
Rincewind
Double Actioner
Quote Rebelair,......"cleaners may be needed like what Squish mentioned but ain't cheap constantly using reducer to clean.".
This is why I posted the question . Your right the reducer isn`t cheap when your constantly cleaning or reducing the paint with it and this is why I asked the question looking for someone to give me good alternatives. But I have to admit the use of water ,by some saying use it ,and others saying don`t, has me puzzled being a newcomer to Airbrushing as to carry on using reducer or switch to water . I know reducer works to clean , and I know people are going to say TRY water and see what you think, but now I guess I`m just unsure about it. If reducer was cheap to buy, I`d have no problem carrying on using it .
This is why I posted the question . Your right the reducer isn`t cheap when your constantly cleaning or reducing the paint with it and this is why I asked the question looking for someone to give me good alternatives. But I have to admit the use of water ,by some saying use it ,and others saying don`t, has me puzzled being a newcomer to Airbrushing as to carry on using reducer or switch to water . I know reducer works to clean , and I know people are going to say TRY water and see what you think, but now I guess I`m just unsure about it. If reducer was cheap to buy, I`d have no problem carrying on using it .
Squishy
Queen Clown Slayer
It depends on the paint brand. Some work well cleaning with water, and just need the extra tlc once in a while. Wicked paints and I believe Createx illustration don't as they contain a mild amount of Solvent. Using water with them will make the paint start to gum up,cand any residue left behind will give issues. It is more expensive than using water to clean, so if that's an issue then maybe E'tac or com-art might be better suited. However if you use Wicked you will want the reducer anyway, it has so many great properties apart from just reducing, and you wont need to buy other cleaners or restorers etc. If you buy a larger bottle, it works out cheaper in the long run. When you have you're paint/reduction ratios really dialled in then you will only need to use a few drops of reducer to clean. You will clean the cup with a paper towel or similar, (read my cleaning method above), so all you need is a few drop to backflush and remove paint from the channel to the nozzle, then a few drops to blow through the nozzle to make sure its clean and that's it. If your nozzle is getting really blocked, then play with your reduction some more, it makes cleaning easier.
