Cleaning Airbrush after Lacquer use??

Hey guys

this is for the people that use airbrushes.

I plan on using Mr. Color and Tamiya Lacquers through my airbrush. I was wondering how you guys go abouts cleaning the airbrush after? I have a Iwata Revolution with the Teflon O-rings, so i was thinking of just dunking it into some Generic Lacquer thinner i bought. Is this ok? should i recuse the lacquer thinner or dispose of it after?

Also, does lacquer thinner eat through like alluminum foil or anything? i was thinking of putting some into a little tray or something..

Thanks, hope to hear your replies.

I just shoot straight lacquer thinner through the airbrush at a high PSI (25-30). You'll need to shoot a couple of cupfuls for metallics, though, as the little metallic dust tends to stick around after the color is gone.

I do the same thing with my automotive lacquers I use. I clean out my cup with lacquer thinner then a cupfull of clean thinner through the airbrush will clean it. Be carefull that the lacquer doesn't get on any plastic as it will melt it. :crying:

Scott

maybe i should invest in one of those airbrush cleaning stations??

I use generic lacquer thinner from the hardware store to clean my airbrush, no matter what kind of paint I'm shooting -- lacquer, enamels, acrylics -- it'll clean everything out quickly and easily.

I'd remind you to have plenty of ventilation when you do this, but since you're airbrushing, you have plenty of ventilation already, right?


Matt

so you just shoot it through the airbrush?
i'm planning on maybe shooting it into a jar or something and then have a rag over the top so it doesn't all come out...

anyone ever just dunk their airbrush into the thinner? i was wondering what i could use to hold the thinner so it doesn't melt..

Lacquer thinner won't melt in glass, maybe not polyethylene (but test for yourself). It melts polystyrene because the benzene rings become attracted to each other in the polystyrene chains and the toulene/xylene combo..

daggerlee, you are great!

maybe i should invest in one of those airbrush cleaning stations??

What kind of airbrush cleaning stations are available?

Originally posted by jaykit21


What kind of airbrush cleaning stations are available?

Testors, but i heard these have the opening designed for use with the AZTEC airbrushes, so it might not seal well with other airbrushes..

and then Gunze Sangyo has one, but i don't know anything about it..