Airbrush Cleaning and Maintenance

This video explains how to clean and maintain an airbrush. It covers how to disassemble an airbrush, as well as tips on cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment. I have additional information on my web page "Airbrush Cleaning and Maintenance" scale-model-workshop.com/lts4...
For more information about airbrushing scale models, visit my web page at: scale-model-workshop.com/lts4...

Пікірлер: 146

  • @terrymiller111
    @terrymiller1113 жыл бұрын

    That soothing PBS voice. Good stuff.

  • @sandmanhh67
    @sandmanhh675 жыл бұрын

    Things I learned today: 1) how to take care of my brush 2) That airbrushes have been around for over a century??? WOW!

  • @Lectwar6
    @Lectwar65 жыл бұрын

    this channel is super underrated. this video was the most informative and thorough one ive seen about airbrushes.

  • @ThomasSielaff
    @ThomasSielaff6 ай бұрын

    No nonsense video. Thank you!

  • @WoWdreamWoW
    @WoWdreamWoW Жыл бұрын

    I just bought my first airbrush and this is the first video I have watched to take care of it. This is the perfect video for a noobie like me.

  • @seasparrow7427
    @seasparrow74272 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Now I can stop tearing mine apart after every use. I do use delicate methods tho. Being an engineer for 10 years did teach me something🤣

  • @jimmbbo
    @jimmbbo5 жыл бұрын

    The airbrush maintenance bible!! Well done!!

  • @eyeanim
    @eyeanim2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the informative and detailed video. I have to share that my user manual (Badger airbrush) suggests to pull the needle out by pushing it through the front. This is to avoid pulling in any residual paint, or dried paint crumbs inside the teflon seal, where it creates problems and damages the seal. I find this a very useful tip!

  • @notisgeorgakopoulos3749
    @notisgeorgakopoulos3749 Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely great and informative tutorial!

  • @1davidpeter
    @1davidpeter2 жыл бұрын

    Many thanks for great tutorial

  • @tomgriffin3800
    @tomgriffin38005 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for re-posting this video Paul. It is very informative. Your method of reinserting the needle until the spray stops should prevent nozzle damage which I have experienced in the past. Your videos have given me a lot of new techniques that I now use. I appreciate it when you explain the theory of operation for airbrushing so I understand it better. It helps shorten the learning curve of using an airbrush properly. Tom

  • @21EpicFail

    @21EpicFail

    Жыл бұрын

    Ditto!

  • @clivecro4971
    @clivecro49715 жыл бұрын

    Great advice Paul and as usual a brilliant tutorial. I see far to many modellers on You Tube messing around with their airbrushes unnecessarily.

  • @vincepugliese911
    @vincepugliese9115 жыл бұрын

    Dr Budzik - Another tour de force that many will reference and find useful! A quick tip if I may: Have a set of stencil brushes, the short stubby ones, at the ready as they are great for getting into the color cup for cleaning. .vp

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    5 жыл бұрын

    Great tip Vince!

  • @frog8220
    @frog82203 жыл бұрын

    So many tips that were things I was doing wrong! And what I love is that you explain what happens when you do something wrong. e.g. "don't slam the needle in the airbrush, it can bend/split the nozzle" I always pushed the needle in thinking a better seal was better! Such a nice informative video! This is great, not clickbaity entertainment but well-presented education on a topic!

  • @joshriver75
    @joshriver754 жыл бұрын

    Most helpful video by far!!! I gained a very thorough and proper understanding of what I was doing wrong and why not to do it. Thank you! Side note .....you could replace the main narrator for Ken Burn's documentaries and no one would ever notice.

  • @marcopreto
    @marcopreto5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for another video with some brilliant advice!

  • @flyboy2610
    @flyboy26105 жыл бұрын

    Great video, Paul! Thanks for taking the time to make and post this!

  • @richardperry21
    @richardperry215 жыл бұрын

    Doc, once again, thanks for the great video!!!

  • @2666loco
    @2666loco5 жыл бұрын

    Very informative as well as the other videos in this series. Thank you. Jim

  • @haroldquill8761
    @haroldquill87614 жыл бұрын

    Another great video, thanks Paul.

  • @usssaratogacv3lefevre978
    @usssaratogacv3lefevre9785 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Paul, lots of good information. I'll use it all.

  • @SwiftSlots
    @SwiftSlots11 ай бұрын

    Perfect, I think you have highlighted all my questions about my Iwata brush and confirmed the pulsing I have with my SBS. I bought new seals today and your video has confirmed I did the right thing 🙂 Thank you.

  • @hughjoiner9816
    @hughjoiner9816 Жыл бұрын

    I truly enjoy ur videos … this old ugly man is just getting started with airbrushing … and no I don’t have the most expensive equipment … in fact I only know how to use one of the 3 brushes that came with the kit without making a big mess! Thanks to u I now know how to properly clean and maintain them …

  • @Nomadcreations
    @Nomadcreations4 жыл бұрын

    Thank You For The Greatly Comprehensive Info Vid.

  • @nickdom3880
    @nickdom38804 жыл бұрын

    that was awesome info, much appreciate your attention to detail, thanks!

  • @tombuck
    @tombuck5 жыл бұрын

    I’m new to airbrushing, this is very helpful. Thank you!

  • @MeasAgun
    @MeasAgun5 жыл бұрын

    I've been watching tons of videos of so called 'Pro tips'... This video is the best ever, annihilating all other goofy BS I've seen, simply because this is real scientific thinking and common sense. Thank you a million times for this Paul!!! Cheers from France :)

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    5 жыл бұрын

    Meas ...Thank you very much!

  • @MeasAgun

    @MeasAgun

    5 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure, really!!! :)

  • @snickdesnick
    @snickdesnick5 жыл бұрын

    Best,most informative maintainance video I've seen, well done!

  • @thomasputko1080
    @thomasputko10803 жыл бұрын

    The best cleaning vid. Thank you.

  • @aavalen1133
    @aavalen11332 жыл бұрын

    This is the best airbrush maintenance video on KZread or anywhere. The trigger on my Iwata HP-CS had been sticking even after careful cleaning and sending it into Iwata to have it professionally cleaned. I use the blue super lube on the trigger assembly after careful cleaning. I bet that is the root cause. Thank you Paul!

  • @danielquinn8669
    @danielquinn86692 жыл бұрын

    Love the film canister!

  • @iryairya2008
    @iryairya20085 жыл бұрын

    This helps a lot for me. Thanks!

  • @stevebrimsvideochannel1235
    @stevebrimsvideochannel12354 жыл бұрын

    Being new to airbrushing, I very much enjoyed you informative and easy to understand video on keeping your airbrush clean. Thanks Paul.

  • @cliffordpearson5322
    @cliffordpearson53223 жыл бұрын

    I love your videos! I'm just getting started with airbrushing and you've been incredibly helpful to me.

  • @grahamkylevulcan4340
    @grahamkylevulcan43405 жыл бұрын

    Always a pleasure watching your videos, Paul! I'm one of the owners of a Badger 200 airbrush, so your explanation really helped; thank you very much!

  • @carpar4571
    @carpar45714 жыл бұрын

    the most perfect tutorial, about airbrush....

  • @cdpgbc-mw2kz
    @cdpgbc-mw2kz5 жыл бұрын

    Very useful and resource rich video. Thanks for producing.

  • @hankvana2149
    @hankvana21493 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Paul! I'm new to airbrushing (haven't even used my HP-CS yet) so this is all excellent advice! Subed, and bookmarked for reference!

  • @Manaritzis88
    @Manaritzis882 жыл бұрын

    Thank you doc for the big afford of work, great teacher, to become a better modeller.

  • @Vormulac1
    @Vormulac13 жыл бұрын

    I am getting more into airbrushes now and have a couple of good ones that I want to look after. This video was excellent, thank you.

  • @timdodd3897
    @timdodd38972 жыл бұрын

    I just bought a Badger Patriot. I love it.

  • @marcelgerou
    @marcelgerou3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this very informative, detailed and well-presented video.

  • @kurk1701a
    @kurk1701a5 жыл бұрын

    ! ! Excellent vid great tips and usefull information.

  • @brucestone7004
    @brucestone70043 жыл бұрын

    "Thanks" so much Paul _ Great Presentation / Great Points _ Very Well Done. Kuddos and Keep it Up _ Your "Craftsmenship" is as evident in your Videos as it is in your Modeling Work. Finally a Dentist I'm not Afraid of ! _ Cheers ~

  • @jaye8872
    @jaye88724 жыл бұрын

    so helpful, I have gone through so many air brushes. And only because I did not understand how to do maintenance. You make it understandable and simple. Thank you

  • @Howie2025
    @Howie20253 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video, I learned a lot. Definitely some things I’ve been doing wrong and explained common problems I’ve experienced. Thank you

  • @someairplanenerd2417
    @someairplanenerd24174 жыл бұрын

    Very nice and instructive video. Thank you !

  • @Georgeolddrones
    @Georgeolddrones5 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video.👍 George in uk

  • @ThomasMoore.1
    @ThomasMoore.1 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent video. Informative and concise

  • @beautifulboards4404
    @beautifulboards44043 жыл бұрын

    Great job on the video. Thx for sharing it.

  • @Shepherdstudio1
    @Shepherdstudio14 жыл бұрын

    great video on point you the man.

  • @ADRIAAN1007
    @ADRIAAN10075 ай бұрын

    When I was looking to buy an airbrush, my number one requirement was that it had to be easy to clean and have replaceable seals. I settled on a H&S Evolution CR Plus It can be broken down fully in less than a minute thanks to the nozzle being clamped down by the aircap which has very large threads compared to other airbrushes. Every seal besides the aircap and air valve oring is made out of teflon which has great chemical resistance.

  • @NeonsStyleHD
    @NeonsStyleHD4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks. Didn't know, this. I've been taking it apart after every job. I won't now, I'll just clean it your way n get more done. :)

  • @militarymodellerpaul5932
    @militarymodellerpaul59325 жыл бұрын

    Paul really usefully, just ordered the tool kit. Just in case lol

  • @tubeflorian
    @tubeflorian3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Paul.

  • @MrCros1970
    @MrCros19704 жыл бұрын

    Thank you really helped me, cheers Brus

  • @cloudhop
    @cloudhop Жыл бұрын

    First class video !!

  • @ethereal.airbrush
    @ethereal.airbrush2 жыл бұрын

    For lubrication, I've used just your ordinary drug store glycerin. It's worked great with no sticking or drying out. Thanks for the video, I love the idea of cleaning an airbrush using another airbrush. Cheers.

  • @bound05
    @bound054 жыл бұрын

    Really useful video. I've killed a nozzle with overtightening before so I'm super keen for good maintenance advice.

  • @wolverinebear5357
    @wolverinebear53572 жыл бұрын

    Holy konoly this thee best, i feel like i owe you some money now, lol, thankyou sir

  • @nokiot9
    @nokiot94 жыл бұрын

    Aresol firearm spray is MY best friend lol. The gun scrubber they sell at Walmart eats paint and gunk for breakfast and then a good firearm oil like hoppes9 is amazing. Eats carbon material and lubes at the same time. The products they use for guns are very well suited for airbrush maintenance.

  • @Will-bh8mu
    @Will-bh8mu4 жыл бұрын

    Very helpful video. Thanks

  • @phayzyre1052
    @phayzyre10525 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video!! 👍👍 If you don't already have one I highly recommend an ultrasonic cleaner. I bought a small ultrasonic cleaner for around $40 on eBay and it was money well spent. I always clean my airbrush the same manner as Paul has done in this video however when I put the parts in the ultrasonic I still see paint oozing from the airbrush parts. After a few minutes in the ultrasonic it's really clean!

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    5 жыл бұрын

    I just use the one in my dental lab for my restoration stuff, but honestly, doing the routine cleaning that I've shown gets everything.

  • @-Markus-
    @-Markus-4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @tonyromano6220
    @tonyromano62204 жыл бұрын

    Good stuff, thanks.

  • @alanmorgan1389
    @alanmorgan13893 жыл бұрын

    Sir, may I congratulate you on such an informative and articulate video - no prattle, just plain useful information delivered precisely. As a newbie to airbrushing, I've learnt more from this single video that all the others on airbrush maintenance. It was a joy to listen to and view and no doubt I'll watch it a good number of times yet.

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Alan

  • @realitylicker
    @realitylicker3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @victoralosi1461
    @victoralosi14613 жыл бұрын

    Great info here

  • @nokiot9
    @nokiot94 жыл бұрын

    I also keep a couple drops of solvent in my cheapo master brushes when I store them. They always spray the first time every time. I worry about it damaging my expensive ones though.

  • @wychkingsarmoury
    @wychkingsarmoury3 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video! Very insightful and will definitely aid me in dissecting my airbrush from time to time. Just a brief question; I use Hoppe's 9 gun oil for lubrication. It works well, but is it too harsh a chemical compared to the other brands you use? Thank you!

  • @Vincent9895
    @Vincent98955 жыл бұрын

    Very helpful, I usually insert the needle from the front to prevent bending the tip What brand is this reducer you used?

  • @Mechanic618
    @Mechanic6184 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Very helpful. One question - what sort of bees wax product are you using for sealing threads? I see all sorts of products on Amazon, from pellets to wood renovation oils to hair products to bars. Thanks.

  • @tcloud2741
    @tcloud27414 жыл бұрын

    Great vid. Very helpful. I don't know if anyone can help. I bought my first airbrush compressor combo from amazon, when attempting to clean it after all that I found a very tiny rubber ring left and can't tell where it goes..

  • @rscott3141
    @rscott31412 жыл бұрын

    Hi Paul. Thanks for all the clear, precise information in this and all your videos. I really like your thinner can with the long spout. Can you please point me to where I could purchase those cans? (No luck so far in my internet search.) Thanks again!

  • @bucknertarsney7674
    @bucknertarsney76745 жыл бұрын

    Wish I would have watched this years ago.

  • @ShorrockPaul
    @ShorrockPaul4 ай бұрын

    great video. which solvent are you using , and what type of paint are you using it on. thank you.

  • @geneavorio1806
    @geneavorio18064 жыл бұрын

    What size dental brushes and paper points are you using for cleaning? Thank you for your video!

  • @mostxtremenoob6384
    @mostxtremenoob63844 жыл бұрын

    Nice video, i've seen that other airbrush operators recomend taking the needel apart from the front and not from the back, is there any reason why it's save to take it apart from the back of the airbrush?

  • @zaccampa4055
    @zaccampa40553 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video. I picked up an airbrush recently and it's pretty intimidating. What do you mean when you say reducer?

  • @madcowrebel4216
    @madcowrebel42165 жыл бұрын

    Any iwata rg3 mini spray gun supplement recommendations? They have tripled in price for some reason. Thanks

  • @matteoreich7539
    @matteoreich75395 жыл бұрын

    excellent guide! I found out that some airbrushes like Harder And Steenbeck are easier to disassemble and mantain rather than others... but maybe it is just my impression!

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    5 жыл бұрын

    Actually their odd-ball way of securing and adjusting the needle chuck and spring assembly is much more complicated and cumbersome than the conventional method.

  • @matteoreich7539

    @matteoreich7539

    5 жыл бұрын

    yes, that's true indeed on some top-quality models like their Infinity and Evolution...I personally never used one of them before, since I'm only 19 and I have little funds for modelmaking I purchased a Ultra for a good price and it is surely more rugged but also very simple.

  • @Zbair99
    @Zbair994 жыл бұрын

    I have an Iwata RG3l spray gun. I watched your airbrush cleaning video and intend to follow similar steps/techniques. The solvent you use- is that simply acetone? I saw some other individual clean their whole spray gun with acetone. Is there reason to be concerned? Thoughts?

  • @haroldgrey
    @haroldgrey5 жыл бұрын

    I'm usually known for my round-about reasoning, but it never occurred to me to turn the needle backwards when checking for blockages.

  • @andreagiordano2689
    @andreagiordano26894 жыл бұрын

    Nice and very well presented 👍! Have some questions here, which I hope you may reply: 1) would silicon-based lubricant - those for personal care, so medical-grade - do well for lubrication? What's the composition of those you suggest? 2) What would happen if one used Teflon tape (white, soft, extendable...) to replace (when needed) those rubber O-rings? Teflon should stand nitrocellulose thinners, so it may be beneficial to some people. What do you think? Cheers? 🙂

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    4 жыл бұрын

    I don't care if it's NASA silicone ... it has no business around anything you are painting with ... for that matter, anything.

  • @vincentfiore2228
    @vincentfiore22284 жыл бұрын

    Doc, what is a good cleaning solution to use in a sonic cleaner for laquer paint. I live in Morocco and I can not buy sonic clearner here.

  • @jetpack5
    @jetpack54 ай бұрын

    I was given a couple airbrushes with the wire like the front of the video. Where can i learn about them?

  • @vasilis8208
    @vasilis8208 Жыл бұрын

    Ha, I always assumed the needle had to be pushed in until it stopped by jamming into the nozzle!

  • @Manaritzis88
    @Manaritzis882 жыл бұрын

    My sister is a dentist too, I can get that pulpa cleaners of paper

  • @005Ash
    @005Ash5 жыл бұрын

    Sir, is there any chance that you will upload your old videos from the other channel you had to here? I am really missing them. A fellow hobbist.

  • @bkk6211
    @bkk62115 жыл бұрын

    Great video! I have an airbrush with a 0.35mm needle what size of absorbent paper points should I get?? Size 15, 20, 25, 35...?? Thank you!

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    5 жыл бұрын

    I would probably start with 25 and see how that works for you.

  • @klink646
    @klink6465 жыл бұрын

    Paul, in the video, you show using Break Free CLP instead of Iwata Super Lube on the threads, but do you use Break Free on the needle also?

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    5 жыл бұрын

    Typically I use white lithium grease for everything. But I wipe the grease off the needle with my fingers so there is only a very thin film.

  • @HouseholdDog
    @HouseholdDog3 жыл бұрын

    Haven't seen a film canister for a while

  • @vasilis8208
    @vasilis8208 Жыл бұрын

    What kind of lube should you use? I usually use silicone grease, is that ok?

  • @TheHelado36
    @TheHelado36 Жыл бұрын

    What type of lube do you use? Will that interfere with having "fish eye" on the finish?

  • @model-man7802
    @model-man78024 жыл бұрын

    I cant get my Iwatas back together. Haven't touched them in over a year,using my pache again.

  • @imrozgill9711
    @imrozgill97112 жыл бұрын

    where do i get the cap that you have on your thinner can ?

  • @willparsons32
    @willparsons324 жыл бұрын

    You mentioned: "if a second airbrush is not available for cleaning out the colour (paint) cup, One could use Carb cleaner.. What if one is painting with or finished painting with Acrylic paint? Would you recommend solvent cleaner or just plain water?

  • @jonz-qg2lo

    @jonz-qg2lo

    4 жыл бұрын

    Dried up Acrylic paint won't come off with water, it becomes water-proof when dried. I will suggest taking it apart (assuming the paint's dried up inside) and soak the main part inside a bowl of Paint Thinner (Mineral Spirit) which takes off dried Acrylic like a breeze. Maybe leave to soak for no more than 7 minutes. (again, if it's dried up inside) ~I do recommend asking your local hardwares about the Thinners, Spirits or any Solvents, if you've no knowledge of them as some could be/are different. ~I don't know about using Carb cleaner but from what I've heard in this video it acts like typical solvent which should remove Acrylic paint. ~Again, Ask around! I may not be right so don't take my words for granted :)

  • @jimbolaiya
    @jimbolaiya4 жыл бұрын

    Do I have to take apart the nozzle and needle after each paint session ? I’ve been doing the flush and back flush cleaning only

  • @hizokuto

    @hizokuto

    4 жыл бұрын

    Going by 2:14 and his experience seeing the wear on the threads during vintage airbrush restoration - no. Also, 3:40 implies that buck flushing to clean isn't necessary because one of the good habits he said to adopt (so you don't have to take it apart often) is to not backflush with paint loaded. Treat it like a one way street down to the nozzle. If you spray thinner/cleaner the same way you spray paint, its touching and dissolving paint in all the places it's been. He has a bias/different perspective than an average hobbyist because of his restoration experience, and I don't know how fast the threads wear. If you want to strip it down more frequently for peace of mind, and don't care about your airbrush being a vintage sold 2080 on eBay, then go ahead.

  • @gerryparker1390
    @gerryparker13905 жыл бұрын

    Really stupid question, but what is reducer? Is it another name for thinner? I loved the video.

  • @scale-model-workshop

    @scale-model-workshop

    5 жыл бұрын

    Reducer is the particular "thinner" for your line of paint. It's a more commercial/professional term as each product has a specific reducer. So if you're using one of those lines of paint that is not compatible with lacquer thinner ... then you want to use their recommended reducer.

  • @KrishnaBheemul
    @KrishnaBheemul11 ай бұрын

    It's Burt Reynolds! 😂