Good for you, Eugene - It's surprising how paint residue finds it's way into the tiny little places, then to cause such spray quality. Some years ago a friend gave me his Dad's old Badger 200, it ranged between not spraying at all, to just spattering droplets all over. After dismantling it I found dried paint pretty much everywhere.
Don Wheeler's website, "Don's Airbrush Tips," had plenty of info on cleaning and general maintenance. After hours of soaking in lacquer thinner, (remember to remove the air valve first,) and using the brushes you described, it still took lots of scrubbing and brushing to remove it all. Following the cleaning it sprayed perfectly.
Your VL's will go on to serve you well, nice job.
Patrick