Iwata cleaning tips

[Paolo_F1]

I'm going to got my new iwata HP-C Plus, and I'm wondering if someone out there has a definitive how to guide for cleaning it. I already searched in the forum and get some useful tips, but the things I'd like to know more clearly are the following:

- Is it reccomended to disassemble the whole airbrush after each painting session? With my Badger 150 this is the way I do, but I noticed that Iwata nozzles have a not so strong thread. Really the Plus version nozzle features a bigger thread, but I'm wondering if it's enought to stand multiple disassembling/reassembling processes.

-Is it enough to clean the jar, and spray some thinner to hit the goal?

-Is it raccomended to pull out the needle at least for a better cleaning and never disassemble the nozzle, or do it only occasionaly?

thanks a lot.

[Zurbert82]

I hope I can help, but I have an HP-BCS. I usually spray 3-4 airbrush cup fulls of lacquer thinner through the airbrush at the very highest PSI. After that I clean the needle, the head assembly, and the paint cup with paper towels and lacquer thinner. When this is done, I soak the airbrush in a jar of lacquer thinner or just leave it in my cabinet until the next spraying session. Only after spraying Tamiya acrylics will I use 91% rubbing alcohol, which is loads safer than lacquer thinner.

[Paolo_F1]

Originally Posted by Zurbert82

I hope I can help, but I have an HP-BCS. I usually spray 3-4 airbrush cup fulls of lacquer thinner through the airbrush at the very highest PSI. After that I clean the needle, the head assembly, and the paint cup with paper towels and lacquer thinner. When this is done, I soak the airbrush in a jar of lacquer thinner or just leave it in my cabinet until the next spraying session. Only after spraying Tamiya acrylics will I use 91% rubbing alcohol, which is loads safer than lacquer thinner.

So if I well understand, you never disassemble the airbrush, isn't it? However do you perform a partial disassembling to clean the needle and the head assembly at least, and leave the nozzle on or not?

[Zurbert82]

Originally Posted by Paolo_F1

So if I well understand, you never disassemble the airbrush, isn't it? However do you perform a partial disassembling to clean the needle and the head assembly at least, and leave the nozzle on or not?

I just unscrew the nozzle and head assembly from the main body and clean it separately. Here's an exploded diagram - http://www.merriartist.com/v/vspfile...epartchart.jpg

I remove parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the needle.

[klutz_100]

There are some very handy cleaning videos and guides on YouTube - just search Iwata cleaning tips etc.

HTH

[willster127]

I've been using the HP-C plus for a few months and it is a beautiful brush. First couple of times I used it I just sprayed laquer thinner through it and this is perfect between cups of different colour paints, however, next time I came to use it the needle was stuck in the brush and wouldn't move. So, every time now it's out with the needle and a wipe down with thinner and drop the nozzle assembly into a jar of thinner until next time.

This works great for me, hope it helps.

[Paolo_F1]

Originally Posted by willster127

I've been using the HP-C plus for a few months and it is a beautiful brush. First couple of times I used it I just sprayed laquer thinner through it and this is perfect between cups of different colour paints, however, next time I came to use it the needle was stuck in the brush and wouldn't move. So, every time now it's out with the needle and a wipe down with thinner and drop the nozzle assembly into a jar of thinner until next time.

This works great for me, hope it helps.

And what about nozzle's thread? Is it fragile or strong enough to stand regular disassembly and reassembly? With my Badger 150 I do that for cleaning after every painting session without any problem, but I'd like to know if with Iwata nozzle such a cleaning process is safe for nozzle's life.

[Zurbert82]

Originally Posted by Paolo_F1

And what about nozzle's thread? Is it fragile or strong enough to stand regular disassembly and reassembly? With my Badger 150 I do that for cleaning after every painting session without any problem, but I'd like to know if with Iwata nozzle such a cleaning process is safe for nozzle's life.

I don't foresee any issue with disassembling and reassembling the nozzle, thats what it's designed for As long as you unscrew and screw it back in safely it should be fine.

[freakray]

Originally Posted by Zurbert82

I don't foresee any issue with disassembling and reassembling the nozzle, thats what it's designed for As long as you unscrew and screw it back in safely it should be fine.

Agreed, just be careful not to tighten too much - I only tighten mine by hand until it's snug.

[Joe Blyth]

Just to confirm what the other guys said, I take my HPCS apart almost every time I spray and the threads are still fine.

[Paolo_F1]

Many thanks for your replays guys! Now I'm confident that there isn't any issue in disassembly my incoming Iwata. I asked that because in another post I saw an Iwata broken nozzle thread, so I was a little worried about, but perhaps he was only an unlucky guy.