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Backflushing continued

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Backflushing continued
Posted by MikeV on Friday, March 19, 2004 7:43 AM
Since there was a poll in the General Modeling forum on this practice I thought I would post what I was told about backflushing here.
As I said in another post, I was told not to do it by Dave at Coast Airbrush and my friend Scooter agreed with Dave and didn't recommend it either.
I also asked Ken Schlotfeldt at Badger and he thinks backflushing is a good thing to do.
Here is his response and it makes good sense:

"If the airbrush is manufactured properly backflushing does not cause material to get into the mechanical parts.

To realize the benefit of backflushing try this -- spray pure cleaner through your just used airbrush until it appears clear/clean, making sure the cleaner is still pure then backflush it and see if any color comes back into the pure cleaner. If there is color, then backflushing has indeed cleaned more material out of the airbrush -- usually there is. Without backflushing that material would remain in and set up in the airbrush. Initially this small amount of residual matter would not affect the performance of the airbrush, but over time the residual build up could eventually have an adverse effect on how well your airbrush sprays, and lead to the need to take the airbrush apart to thoroughly clean each and every part of the airbrush that comes in contact with paint. In my clinics I preach to not disassemble your airbrush unless you are going to put it in storage. Take the time to spray cleaner through and backflush your airbrush, and you'll never have need or reason to take it apart. For a high percentage of airbrush users, especially novices this is where problems can start due to confusion and incorrect re-assembly.

I backflush an airbrush anytime I am going to leave it sit for an extended time without use. Backflushing can loosen up residual material that, if simply spraying cleaner, may remain in the airbrush because it is "attached" to the needle or paint chamber. Back flushing can also minimize the need to disassemble your airbrush for more thorough cleaning, because it often times loosens the residual material that you would otherwise need to take the airbrush apart to get at.

The key to fully benefiting from and properly backflushing your airbrush is to spray pure cleaner through the airbrush again after you have backflushed."

So there you have it. Take all the information that you have learned and decide for yourself if you think this practice is how you want to clean your airbrush. Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: USA
Posted by MusicCity on Saturday, March 20, 2004 6:42 AM
Mike, you ARE the definitive source for information. I don't know where you dig up some of this great information, but keep it coming! Thumbs Up [tup]
Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 20, 2004 9:36 AM
I agree. Backflushing works well for all "quality" airbrushes. I have not yet dismantled my Badger or Iwata. Backflushing keeps them clean.

IMHO it is, however, a waste of time on Azteks! The nozzle/needle assembly needs to be removed and soaked to get all the paint out. Backflushing won't remove all the paint.

Cheers
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Saturday, March 20, 2004 9:49 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by MusicCity

Mike, you ARE the definitive source for information. I don't know where you dig up some of this great information, but keep it coming! Thumbs Up [tup]


Thanks Scott.
I too have learned some new things from this.
It wasn't hard to dig this up, I just emailed Ken at Badger. Laugh [(-D] Big Smile [:D] Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 21, 2004 7:11 AM
You shouldn't even backflush the Aztek as it may do irreparible harm to it. Backflushing an Aztek could get solvent into the body and damage the internal seal.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 22, 2004 1:11 AM
Well Mike, I have to say that in the directions that came with my Omni 5000, it says to backflush after spraying, and I have followed their directions to the T. I haven't had any problems thus far, and I have to admit that it seems to clean it out much better. If it ever fails, I'll kick myself and let everyone know immediately!!!
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Monday, March 22, 2004 9:04 AM
As mentioned in the other thread, I've always backflushed, per Tamiya's instructions for cleaning (I use a Tamiya HG Trigger). No problems, and it's clean as a whistle.

Thanks for all the research, Mike!
~Brian
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Monday, March 22, 2004 9:09 AM
Thanks for all the responses guys.
One thing to remember about backflushing, especially with a gravity-feed, is to be careful when using lacquer thinner and kicking the pressure up as some do when cleaning. If you put the pressure up to 40 psi and hold your finger over the nozzle and pull the trigger back too far, that lacquer can spit up out of the cup and into your face if you are not careful. [:0]
Just something to keep in mind as lacquer and the eyes are not compatible together. Big Smile [:D]Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 22, 2004 5:58 PM
i dont bother following instructions.......

i still back flush, but i only use water and it get so ****** clean... too bad the spray sucks
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