I searched the "How To" but didn't find anything. It's been about 2 years plus since I used my Pache H airbrush. I used Polly-S paints but there are parts of the brush that have red paint caked on them. I also have several bottles that have the remnants of various colors in them. I found a bottle of DioSol and tried to clean the brush, but it didn't work. Should I get some real paint thinner from Home Depot and give that a try? Thanks, Bruce
Good point. I will check add something appropriate. Your old airbrush probably needs to soak in something for a more in-depth cleaning. Also try dis-assembly for a more thorough cleaning.
I've got a double action internal mix Chandler & Thayer. It's almost 15 years old, and still looks new. Here's what I do to clean it. 1) I don't wait to clean it. The minute I'm done with a color, I run a jar of soapy water, and or thinner through until it sprays clear, then move onto the next color. When I'm done with a color, I do it again. 2) Take the whole thing apart, and clean it with warm soapy water and/or thinner. I have a Tupperware that I also put the parts in to let soak overnight if necessary. 3) Put it back together ASAP, so you don't lose the parts. :tb-wink: Basically, I clean as soon as I'm done with it, because it makes it so much easier in the long run. And it's ready to use the next time, without any fuss.
Bruce if it was Polly S, the I would get baby food type jar with a good lid. Undo the set screw pull it apart. Place the 2 "parts" (needle and the other part) in the jar and cover with nail polish remover. Check back every 30 minutes until it's clean. You can also dip a Q tip in the nail polish remover and clean the nozzle as needed too. I hope this helps ratled
You can buy Acetone from places like Home Depot or Lowes. Much purer than nail polish remover. Some nail polish remover have oil/moisturizer added to them.
Just a thought but have not done it myself. Logic says it will work. We are talking about long ago dried out paint. How about ELO or Chameleon paint stripper. It takes the paint right off factory painted box cars. It should work on the brush. The Chameleon can also be reused. Just pour it through a strainer back into the bottle. I have done the straining but not with ELO.
If all else fails MEK will clean the old dried paint off your airbrush. It will clean enamel, laquer and acrylic based paints. Just be sure to use it in a well ventilated area. I use it a lot for clean up and as long as you respect the chemical and take proper precautions it's safe to use. Heck, I even use straight MEK and plastic cement.
According to the MSDS it is a Polyester Polyol Urethane. It is insoluble in water, therefore, alcohol is not a solvent. If you can, take it apart and remove all the non-metallic parts (ie: plastic handle), put the metal parts into a glass jar. Soak in MEK (found in many, but not all, paint removers). Cover the jar with a metal top. Follow the directions on the paint remover container for clean-up. Usually it is water and soap clean-up. Re-soak as needed.
