Airbrush Cleaning Tips (Tamiya Paint)

[jfulls94]

Hi guys im a total beginner to art of airbrushing ... so i went down to my local hobby shop and got myself some Tamiya XF Acrylic paints. I know that im to thin the paint with the Tamiya X-20 Thinner but my question is -
What do i use to clean my airbrush and not destroy it?
Water? Thinners? Alcohol?

Thanks all!

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[Herr Dr. Professor]

I am quite fussy about cleaning my airbrush. For acrylics, such a Tamiya, I immediately put the nose of the brush in Windex, which I buy in gallon jugs at "big box" home improvement stores such as Home Depot or Menards. Then I disassemble the needle and cone to clean them in a small amount of windex, carefully using cotton swabs and pipe cleaners. I then wash everything in warm water, inspect it, and reassemble it. I can be even fussier, so my air brushes last a long time (I have one age 52). There are also commercially-produced airbrush cleaners. I often use one sparingly on the disassembled brush. I clean with this care even when changing colors in a given painting session.

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[ColemanCollector]

I've used lacquer thinner backflushed to clean the innards and cup, followed by windex. Like HDP, lots of gentle cleaning of the disassembled airbrush in window cleaner.

Mike.

[jarndice]

First things first DON'T spend your hard earned on Yamiyas Thinners, It is a lot cheaper in bulk from other sources.

[jfulls94]

Thanks for the help guys! It's very daunting to a new guy!

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[jfulls94]

I have white spirits would that also work for cleaning my airbrush or would it cause damage? Thanks

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[Son of a gun-ner]

I have white spirits would that also work for cleaning my airbrush or would it cause damage? Thanks

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It shouldn't damage your airbrush, but it's for cleaning up oil based paint, not for acrylic/water based paint.

[jfulls94]

Gotcha! Forgot myself that its for oil based paints

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[Pavel]

I have been painting for over 40 years.....
Now I use acrylic paints for cars.
Like Tamiya paints, solvent R-12 cleans everything without problems; ask the auto repair shop what solvent they use for the “base”; it’s very cheap and effective.
In principle, if you have an airbrush with a rubber sealing ring on the needle, then no solvent will harm it during washing, I installed fluoroplastic rings for myself, they last forever!

[jfulls94]

I have been painting for over 40 years.....
Now I use acrylic paints for cars.
Like Tamiya paints, solvent R-12 cleans everything without problems; ask the auto repair shop what solvent they use for the “base”; it’s very cheap and effective.
In principle, if you have an airbrush with a rubber sealing ring on the needle, then no solvent will harm it during washing, I installed fluoroplastic rings for myself, they last forever!

Thanks for the advice i just had my first try at the airbrush and gave it a very good clean just using the thinners until i get something more inexpensive like the Solvent R-12 your talking about ... i found it quite difficult not to pool the paint, but im going to need to practice alot more on my technique im only used to rattle cans.

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