I have seen the light!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeeves Also-- I am in need of a proper airbrush cleaning container and am open to suggestions... thanks!

QUOTE: Originally posted by roosterfish I suppose I am the only one that twirls the needle as it goes into the airbrush until it seats in the nozzle.

QUOTE: If you run out of exotically priced airbrush lubricant then a cooking oil in the kitchen works just as well.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeeves Sorry...just one more thing here for clarification's sake....when you say comes in contact with-- you mean basically, the needle must come through and fill the space at the nozzle end, right? That was dumb of me...of course it would- because otherwise when you depress the trigger, paint would come out if the needle wasn't all the way in, right? I imagine after a few uses. all this timidness on my part will disappear, right?

QUOTE: Originally posted by 1337 Oh mike, i was always wondering if you could put a sidefeed cup or a custom one to the 360 and use it as that...

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV Originally posted by Jeeves With the head on the airbrush, push the needle in from the rear being careful not to damage the tip of the needle when inserting it. Push it forward slowly until it comes in contact with the tip (nozzle) and then tighten the needle chuck. If you want you can put your finger against the back of the needle and apply slight forward pressure as you tighten the needle chuck with the other hand. The nozzle can split but you would have to force the needle into it fairly hard to do that. Just be firm, yet gentle. Sorry...just one more thing here for clarification's sake....when you say comes in contact with-- you mean basically, the needle must come through and fill the space at the nozzle end, right? That was dumb of me...of course it would- because otherwise when you depress the trigger, paint would come out if the needle wasn't all the way in, right? I imagine after a few uses. all this timidness on my part will disappear, right? Mike Reply Swanny Member since February 2003 From: Sandusky Ohio, USA Posted by Swanny on Thursday, May 20, 2004 7:25 AM Jeeves, welcome to the wonderful world of quality airbrushes. Mike has got you covered with the care tips. I use straight Windex in my 360 and have never experienced a problem with tarnishing. For enamels and lacquers I use Lacquer thinner to clean the brush. Swanny's Models Reply Jeeves Member since February 2003 From: Saratoga Springs, NY Posted by Jeeves on Thursday, May 20, 2004 7:25 AM Thanks Mike! I was actually using the bottom feed jar as the cup didn't seem like it would hold enough paint...but I am liking it a lot. I will print out your advice so I have it to refer to later-- thanks again!! Mike Reply MikeV Member since April 2003 From: Hayward, CA Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:48 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeeves 1. Is Windex OK to use to clean up Tamiya acrylics with?? I was using the Tamiya thinner, but it seemed to go pretty quickly. Yes it is but some say that straight Windex over time can tarnish the chrome of the airbrush because of the ammonia in Windex. I like to mix 2 parts distilled water, 1 part Windex and 1 part Simple Green cleaner. This makes a good airbrush cleaner and it is cheap. Put it in a plastic squeeze bottle as they work great for that. QUOTE: 2. Do I have to completely dissemble the brush everytime I finish using it to get it clean?? There are just so many small parts and I have such clumsy fingers...but I want this brush to last, so that's why I ask?? Using it tonight, I did completely take it apart and clean the paint tip (nozzle?), spray regulator, and head, and needle. No you do not! Wipe the cup out with a paper towel or rag and then spray your cleaner through it several times. Then fill the bowl with cleaner again and hold a rag over the front of the airbrush and while pushing down on the trigger, pull back slightly on it and backflush it. After that then spray some more cleaner through it followed by distilled water. I take mine apart when it feels like it needs it or I don't think it is as clean as I would like inside. That is usually about every 4th or 5th time I use it. QUOTE: 3. In replacing the needle, how far back in should it go?? It seems if I push it all the way in, I may split the nozzle?? However, if it's not all the way in, it is protrusing through the regulator slightly. There is a protective cap to put over it, but it is unclear in the manual how far the needle should seat back in. With the head on the airbrush, push the needle in from the rear being careful not to damage the tip of the needle when inserting it. Push it forward slowly until it comes in contact with the tip (nozzle) and then tighten the needle chuck. If you want you can put your finger against the back of the needle and apply slight forward pressure as you tighten the needle chuck with the other hand. The nozzle can split but you would have to force the needle into it fairly hard to do that. Just be firm, yet gentle. QUOTE: 4. I was using the March 2002 FSM issue on pg. 31 as a reference for cleaning it after...step 7 says to remove and oil the needle. I am unsure what to use for oil? Nothing came in the cool wooden box other than the airbrush, jars, and spare needle and nozzle. Pick up some Badger Needle Juice and use that as it was designed specifically for that purpose. You put it on the front half of the needle and it lubricates the airbrush as well as helping eliminate paint drying to the needle too much. It is great stuff and your airbrush will feel much smoother after using it. QUOTE: Any other cleaning and maintenance tips would be extremely helpful! Please-- don't make me go back to the Aztek brush-- I want my Badger to last! I'm glad you like it and if I can be of any more help then please let me know. 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 Reply Jeeves Member since February 2003 From: Saratoga Springs, NY I have seen the light!!! Posted by Jeeves on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:33 PM Finally got around to using my Badger 360 that I got for Christmas today! I stepped away from the bottom of the line Aztek A2200 series brush that I had had and broke out the new brush. Why wait so long, you ask? Mainly because my wife bought it for me and I didn't want to ruin it by not cleaning it properly. I used it with some Tamiya Neutral Gray on the bottom of my Tuskegee P-39Q...and I have never seen a smoother coat of paint! The control I had...precise amounts of paint going onto exactly where I wanted it instead of clouds of color going everywhere!! I am hooked! A couple questions though: 1. Is Windex OK to use to clean up Tamiya acrylics with?? I was using the Tamiya thinner, but it seemed to go pretty quickly. 2. Do I have to completely dissemble the brush everytime I finish using it to get it clean?? There are just so many small parts and I have such clumsy fingers...but I want this brush to last, so that's why I ask?? Using it tonight, I did completely take it apart and clean the paint tip (nozzle?), spray regulator, and head, and needle. 3. In replacing the needle, how far back in should it go?? It seems if I push it all the way in, I may split the nozzle?? However, if it's not all the way in, it is protrusing through the regulator slightly. There is a protective cap to put over it, but it is unclear in the manual how far the needle should seat back in. 4. I was using the March 2002 FSM issue on pg. 31 as a reference for cleaning it after...step 7 says to remove and oil the needle. I am unsure what to use for oil? Nothing came in the cool wooden box other than the airbrush, jars, and spare needle and nozzle. Any other cleaning and maintenance tips would be extremely helpful! Please-- don't make me go back to the Aztek brush-- I want my Badger to last! Mike Reply JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login Register SEARCH FORUMS FREE NEWSLETTER SIGN UP By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy. FORUMS PRODUCT REVIEWS READER GALLERY HOW TO VIDEOS SHOP ABOUT US FREE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER SIGN UP By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy. 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