I am wondering what cleans an airbrush best after using Tamiya acrylic paints.

I have seen that they are alcohol based and not water based like most acrylic paint.

Thanks for any advice given.

Mark

I use Tamiya Thinners, white spirit and sometimes just water. They all seem to do the job, but every now and then i take the airbrush apart and soak everything in Tamiya thinners, especially if i have used clear coats.
Andy (++)

Hi Mark
I just blow water throgh mine, 1/4 of a jar,remove the jar/cup and with the trigger on GO! a quick blast of airbrush cleaner up the feed pipe!!.
Then I pull out the needle and wipe it on a soft cloth or kitchen roll
HTH
Andy

My thanks to both Andy's for answering my post.

Regards

Mark

I use either Aztec or Vallejo airbrush cleaner and a cleaning station, but if I have been using any form of varnish I use Badger Instant Spray Airbrush cleaner. I find that this containing solvents cleans any and all materials that need a bit more oomph. However ventilation is very important.

John

Just water for me give a little soak while cleaning something else come back to it a quick wipe over and your done

you watch it block up on me now :-)

redleg

Thanks to John and Redleg for their input too.

Just want to ask John if he could let me know where he purchases the products that he mentioned in his reply.

In addition to this, if spraying enamel paint such as Humbrol or Xtracolour etc, what is the best product(s) to use for cleaning the airbrush during and after a session.

Sorry to ask all these questions, I am new to airbrushing and want to keep it in the best possible condition.

Thanks again for any help offered.

Regards to all

Mark

With acrylic I go for Vallejo Airbrush cleaner. Also, leave the parts overnight to soak and pay particular attention to the nozzle.

With enamels use white spirit.

Between colours I will mop out as much of the previous colour as I can with tissue then put in either white spirit or alcohol depending on whether its enamel or acrylic and scrub about with a brush, empty into a jar then put more solvent in and swirl around and spray through.

I've also found that Rustins Cellulose Thinners available in Dyers will clean any kind of paint out of an airbrush. Some say that Acetone (nail varnish remover) will do the same.

Ross

Hi Mark

As Ross says, you can clean up Tamiya acrylics with cellulose thinners - and that's actually what I thin them with too, to give them a bit of extra "bite" when airbrushing (obviously, don't try hand-painting with cellulose on plastic...).

I hope this helps

Rowan

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all for your help with this.

I am just wondering about cellulose thinners as i've heard it can be pretty verocious stuff. Is there anything particular I should know about it when using or handling it.

Thanks again to everyone for their advice.

Mark

Hi Mark

Cellulose thinners is quite aggressive when it comes into contact with polystyrene - that's both its strength and its weakness. It's good when airbrushed, because it gives an extra "bite" and it dries before it has a chance to attack the plastic. Hand-brushing is another story; you'll almost certainly damage the surface of the kit with cellulose thinners - and the more you "work" the finish , the worse the damage will be.

So - it's for airbrushing only. It's great stuff and speeds up drying times, but work with plenty of ventillation (and a mask if possible) and wash your hands thoroughly at the end of the session. Those guidelines hold true for most types of spraying, whatever the paint.

Take care and have fun

Rowan

Use Tamiya thinners......it works just fine

Hi again

Tamiya thinners is basically Isopropyl Alcohol - available at any chemists and much cheaper. It's wonderful stuff for a multitude of tasks, from thinning acrylic paints, to cleaning off grease and release-agents prior to painting (it's non-aggressive, so it doesn't harm the parts). Isopropyl Alcohol is a near-essential part of my modelling tool-kit, so I always keep a litre-bottle by the workbench.

All the best

Rowan

I use badger airbrush cleaner strips any sort of paint off instantly stinks to high heaven though, i do it in the garden. You can get from hobbycraft for £3.25 a can.

I avoid acrylics and use enamels, I clean up with cellulose thinner.
Mal

Hi Everyone,

Thanks again to all of those who have helped me out with this. I will have a bash at experimenting with all of your suggestions.

Mark

My thanks to James for his input on this too.

Mark