HOW TO CLEAN YOUR AIRBRUSH
*Cleaning the airbrush in 4-steps (color changes and after use)
Cleaning your Airbrush is the most important aspect of Airbrushing, even more so than actually painting with it!
Here is a step-by-step, that shows you how to clean your Airbrush. This 4-step technique is great for cleaning between uses and ultimately maintaining the performance of your Airbrush.
Step 1: After spraying your project and your ready to clean the paint from the Airbrush, or you are just ready for a color change, discard the paint from the color cup with a squeeze bottle and use a cleaning brush to clean the color cup immediately. Remember to never let any paint dry or sit in the Airbrush as this will cause a world of problems for you.
Step 2: Now, using a bucket of fresh water (the bucket is to minimize over-spray in the air), submerge the Airbrush underwater and perform the “flush and back-flush” steps. This is where you allow clean water to run through the Airbrush and then allowing water to back-flush any pigment inside of it. This is achieved by “plugging” and “un-plugging” the tip (needle cap) of the brush with your finger. Do this 10-20 times underwater or until clean.
Step 3: Note: Although the color cup and airbrush visibly appear to be clean, there may still be pigment inside the body of the brush AND on the needle. Remove the needle by loosening the needle chuck and wipe the needle clean. While the needle is out, you can flush and back-flush the Airbrush through fresh water to insure it is 100% clean. Now you can gently replace the needle. (be very soft handed and be careful replacing the needle as to avoid damaging the fluid nozzle.)
Step 4: Airbrush cleaner can now be added to the brush to eat away any stubborn paint still inside the brush. (If you are using auto paint, use reducer as your cleaner). Flush and back-flush a few times and spray out the cleaner to get a visual spray test. If a sputtering or spitting pattern comes out, your brush is still dirty and you will need to repeat steps 1-4.
Congratulations! Your Airbrush is now clean!
If you can perform these cleaning 4-steps thoroughly every time, you may never have any problems with it or have to disassemble the Airbrush often.
Note: If there is dried paint in the brush, allow the cleaner to sit in the cup, jar or bottle over night to loosen any paint. Never soak the entire airbrush into cleaner over night.
Wipe away any visible paint in the color cup using a clean paper towel. Do not scratch, scrub or pick at any dried paint with anything sharp or abrasive. This will damage the airbrush.
Here is a demo video on How to clean your airbrush
Cleaning Video
