mscott3916 Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Hi, I am buying an Iwata eclipse cs and I guess I will use the createx paints to start. I read somewhere that you shouldn't clean the gun with thinner when using water based paints. So what exactly should I use? One of the createx cleaners or Iwata cleaners or acetone. Some input would be appreciated because I am just diving into this. Thanks, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximusgunn Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Windex works good just shoot it through the gun and off ya go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kribman Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 If not that, then createx makes a brush cleaner that you dilute with two parts water and it works like a charm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 One of the most important things you should have to properly clean an airbrush is the proper set of brushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJ Smith Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Mike, Between colors I use the Createx cleaner diluted with two parts water.... At the end of the session, I use the following solution... 1/4 Windex; 1/4 Simple Green; 1/2 water. I got this recipe off this site and it works great........ BJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mscott3916 Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Brushes? I thought you just blast some solution through the gun and thats it...I'll try what you guys recommend...I just want to do it right and maintain the gun properly....Thanks for your replies!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whittler Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 My Iwata HP-C came with instructions to use a 20% amonia/ distilled water mix for cleaning, been using it for years with no problem. I always finish rinse with pure water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Here's a link to a "must have" set of brushes for cleaning your airbrush. Over time stuff builds up inside any airbrush and eventually, you'll start cursing the thing unless you clean it thoroughly. The set in the link below has about all the brushes you need to properly clean your Iwata, or most other brushes for that matter. Best $7 you ever spent for this crazy hobby. Mini Brush Set - TP Tools & Equipment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mscott3916 Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks for the link fatfingers...Lol is that pic your real hand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I have that set of brushes but the smallest brush is still too large to fit into the barrel of an Iwata HP. Don't know about an Eclipse. They do a great job on most brushes. Mike, you don't have to avoid solvents with many airbrushes nowadays because they are built with Teflon packing that is not affected by solvent. Check the specs on an Eclipse to see if it isn't one (I'd bet it is). I shoot acetone through my HP with no problem. But less volatile cleaners work about as well. I have specially formulated non solvent airbrush cleaner that works OK. However, 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol with a squirt of dish soap works just as well for less money. What you clean it with is less important than disassembling it and cleaning it thoroughly EVERY TIME before you put it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Bob, didn't you get a really tiny brush with your set? I actually have two from that set that fit the barrel of my HP. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks for the link fatfingers...Lol is that pic your real hand? mscott, they're bad, lol, but they're not that bad. The name is a joke about the struggle I have to get my hands to do what I want them to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Nah, all I got with my HP+ was the wrench to remove the tiny nozzle (.2mm). Shooting cleaner through the brush and running water through the trigger slot seems to get the job done. I'm not fond of taking off the tiny but very expensive nozzle. If it ever rolls off the bench, I'll have a heart attack. But so far, so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Me too Bob, just the wrench and some lube. I don't disassemble but maybe once in ten uses. I use distilled water in squirt bottles rather than tap to avoid lime build-up, plus windex for cleaner for my between color changes cleaning. Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I use tap water in a tupper ware container next to where I paint, and then run Createx airbrush cleaner through last thing, to remove the water and coat the innards of the brush. I use a small, throw away artist's brush to clean the nozzle by holding the bristles in my hand and twisting the brush around in the tip. Not scientific, but it seems to work. About every week or so I take it apart and wash the parts with acetone, but I've never removed the nozzle. Chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjbass Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Here are a couple of videos that might help you. Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Bob, I understand what you're saying and your fear of losing the nozzle. However, for what its worth, the brush kit I posted does have brushes for every orifice of the Iwata, including the channel in which the needle passes. If you wish to periodically thoroughly clean the brush, (and periodically is a relative term depending on how much you paint), removing the nozzle allows access to the entire interior of the airbrush. The kit for $7 provides a brush for cleaning from both ends of the brush when it is disassembled. There is also a tiny channel beneath the needle channel that can occasionally get paint in it from "back flushing" the airbrush by putting your finger over the nozzle cap and blowing air back into the paint chamber. The kit has a very tiny brush that facilitates occasional cleaning of that channel also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I like the windex/water mix at 50/50 for all cleaning. I take my brush apart about every two months to clean with a brush. But I do go thru a lot of windex to make sure I'm not getting any build up. Make sure you back wash the tip by holding your finger over the nozzle and shooting a little air. That will blow out any left over paint. This works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Hey, I got gypped! fatfingers gets brushes and Dean gets lube. All I got was this lousy airbrush! Fatfingers, are we talking about the same brush? The HP series with .2mm tip? Even the smallest brush in my set (it looks just like your ref set) won't come close to fitting in my HP's barrel with the nozzle removed. And this is the first I've heard about a "tiny channel under the needle". I'm getting paranoid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I like the windex/water mix at 50/50 for all cleaning. I take my brush apart about every two months to clean with a brush. But I do go thru a lot of windex to make sure I'm not getting any build up. Make sure you back wash the tip by holding your finger over the nozzle and shooting a little air. That will blow out any left over paint. This works for me. Same here, except I don't dilute my windex--I tried it, and went back to full strength--I always backflush between colors. Bob, sorry about your luck...it is a cruel world! Actually mine is an Eclipse, so that may make a difference... Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Bob, I have an older HP-C with a channel beneath the needle channel. It is the air channel. Our brushes are probably built a bit differently since mine is an older Iwata. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mscott3916 Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Thanks for all these replies!!! Keep replying because once I get my airbrush I am sure I'll come back and use this thread as a good reference. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 I use denatured alcohol exclusively, no bubbles, hates w/b acrylics and is cheap, mixes with water, so you can shoot straight after cleaning. great for cleaning the brush body too, although you would not know it, just looking at all the paint runs on mine. pete Methylated Spirits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baitmaker2 Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Windex or alcohol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
