Airbrush Cleaning Tips (Tamiya Paint)

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Ever curious, I looked up "Solvent R-12. Here's an example for anyone interested: https://monomer.su/en/produkciya/rastvo ... -r-12.html

[Pavel]

To Topicstarter.
This is a matter of experience. I have 5 airbrushes, for different jobs, a powerful compressor and a weak one, for small things....
It doesn’t matter, learn, the main thing is experience....
I use “branded” paints only for spot work, it’s expensive!
Although there is a big discount of 25%.. my son works for this company in Moscow...
Yes, to follow up, ABS glue from this company, not for ABS, but for temporary gluing of unpainted models, for exhibition or for fitting, it can then be easily disassembled, very convenient for trying on parts on site...

[Gillaspy2005]

Hi, some really good advice on here and it's one of those subjects where everyone has a favourite paint.

My own preference are Mr Hobby paints, they're similar to the tamiya paints in that they aren't true acrylics, they have a little bit of lacquer thinner in them. Makes them a little more forgiving, I used the ammo and vallejo model air paints which are true acrylics however they dry so quickly that they end up drying on the airbrush tip. Can be solved but it's hassle! Great colours though.

Mr hobby do the levelling thinners which is great stuff, has a bit of drying retarder in it, which slightly extends the drying time and let's the paint settle a little more and gives a really smooth finish.

They also do Mr hobby mr tool cleaner, this is really good at cleaning the airbrush. A little through the cup and spray, then a touch on a kitchen towel and wipe the needle once it's out. Then rinse with water through the cup. I've had 400ml and it's lasted me 2 tanks and a 1/350 ship so far, got about 150 ml left. Same for the levelling thinners.

Kent models is where I get mine from in the UK. Don't know where you're based though.

Vest advice with airbrushing is to the the consistency right, for me I thin about 50/50, milk like consistency. Then just practice practice!

Hope this helps

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Vallejo sells its "Airbrush Flow Improver" in various sized bottles. I bought the biggest, which will last me for years, making it inexpensive to use. A few drops retards drying and lets me use the airbrush for some time without concern for clogging.
Should the brush clog, I just dip a cotton swab in Windex or a brush cleaner such as I show above, quickly clean off the needle tip and brush head (no need to disassemble in this case) and continue after letting a bit of paint out (to avoid spraying the Windex or cleaner on the model).

[percy1510]

Instead of Tamiya thinners I use car windscreen wash. Dirt cheap and works just as well

[percy1510]

Car windscreen wash. You can get 5 litres for a few pound from Halfords in the uk. I use it to thin the Tamiya acrylic paints and also to clean the airbrush. Really cheap and works well

[Meter rat]

Car windscreen wash. You can get 5 litres for a few pound from Halfords in the uk. I use it to thin the Tamiya acrylic paints and also to clean the airbrush. Really cheap and works well

Very useful information. Thank you for sharing.

[ColemanCollector]

Car windscreen wash. You can get 5 litres for a few pound from Halfords in the uk. I use it to thin the Tamiya acrylic paints and also to clean the airbrush. Really cheap and works well

Me, too! And so far so good. Using cheap dollar store craft acrylics, filtered, and thinned about 60/40 paint/washer fluid. So basically paint, water, methyl hydrate, plus whatever bug remover is in it!

Mike.

[HERMAN BIX]

Well stone the crows!!
Washer fluid
Seems you are taking the spirit of painting a tank with mops, petrol, or any other products to hand quite literally in scale !!
I may do a test with Tamiya acrylic thinned with washer fluid and see what happens

[Pavel]

The basis of glass cleaner is ALCOHOL...
It is also the basis of "branded" solvents
So it is logical for cleaning and diluting acrylic paints