Airbrush cleaning - different paint types

[new_bloke]

Hi all,

Having finally identified the source of the alarming smell of solvent in my work room as being from a tin of zero paints airbrush cleaner which was leaking, I was wondering what people recommend for cleaning their airbrushes. I'm using 3 different types of paint:

1. Tamiya acrylics
2. Tamiya lacquers (decanted from aerosol)
3. Zero paints (colour matched for car models)

I'm also using acrylic varnishes, but I'm assuming that they'd be the same as the Tamiya acrylics in terms of clean up.
I had been using the zero paints cleaner for most things after a rinse through with either tamiya acrylic thinners or water (for varnish). I haven't tried spraying the tamiya lacquers yet.
Any advice gratefully received, as always!

[dr_gn]

In my experience, the airbrush cleaning aerosol from Hobbycraft (Spraycraft) rips through any type of paint (and no doubt your lungs if you’re not careful).

[Eric Mc]

Same here. Works well for me too.

[new_bloke]

Thanks both! I’ll give that a try. Do you use it between colours of the same paint, or just for final cleanup?

[Eric Mc]

Personally, I use it between colours. Not caused any problems with my brushes so far. I always flush the brush with some water before putting it away after a session to ensure there is no airbrush cleaner lurking in the works.

[lufbramatt]

Careful using anything containing ammonia as they can damage the chrome plating of the airbrush. I've seen people recommending Windex as a cheap airbrush cleaner but this can contain ammonia so I would avoid it.

[Starfighter]

Tamiya acrylics clean well with water. If you have been doing a lot of painting and have some that has dried in the cup the Isopropyl should shift it.

Valejo paints do not like Isopropyl Valejo and makes the paint go sticky but their air brush cleaner cuts through any of the acrylic based paints I have found.