Cleaning Airbrushes

[Tellmyre]

Well, I did an experiment this evening that worked great. I had some old Aztek nozzles that had dried caked acrylic paint on it, as well as a Badger stainless steel cup. I pondered on how to get them clean, as the ultrasonic cleaner just did not clean them. Then it occurred to me, how is this any different than stripping a kit. So I experimented with one nozzle and the cup. I soaked them in Easy Off Oven Cleaner for about an hour or so.

Guess what - worked like a charm with no apparent damage to the airbrush parts of concern. I should mention that I dismantled the Aztek nozzle (3 pieces). Now I know how to rescue air brush parts I did not clean as well as I should have.

Pete

[endsongjen]

i always figured that would work but was afraid to try it.. lol!

[moon_knight1971]

I like to either shoot Acetone through my brush after 4 hours of use or soak the head unit in acetone for 5 - 10 minutes. Works everytime.

[invaderkat]

Hum. Well.... for my airbrush i use alcohol for the most part. I take a little cup and take apart the whole airbrush and soak all the parts in there as i get the rest clean. I use alot of q-tips for most of it, sometimes ill take most of the soft stuff from the end if i need it to be a little less volumous pending what part i'm cleaning. The trick then comes to the smaller parts. I usually find a really really skinny wire to clean, guitar strings if you strip them can do pretty well, and i clean, always checking the insides against the light. My only recomendation ist be really careful with nozzle. When i put it back together i put lube at the tip of the needle, and on the spring. It seems to work better after that. Smoother.

Hope that helps!

[Banshee]

Every once in a while I will drop the tip into a jar of water and drop a Denture cleaning tablet into the jar and let it sit for an hour or two, afterwards I rinse the parts off.