Oh no, an airbrush question

Yes and no
Yes you do have to clean it and no it is not enough just to run thinners/solvent through it.

Just what Oggy said. It is necessary to take apart when you are done painting for the day. For just color changes, running thinner through it will suffice. If by some chance you do leave it together and the paint dries out and the needle sticks, DON"T YANK ON IT !! Take the nozzle off and pour some lacquer thinner down the needle and let it do it's job. Paasche needles bend really easy and they're kind of useless when that happens. The few minutes it takes to clean out is worth it to avoid the aggravation that comes with not cleaning it well. I love my VL, had it over 20 years.

nsclcctl,

I have to agree that you need to clean out your airbrush after every session. When you do take it apart, you will see a little film left over from just running fluid through it. That film can build up over time and mess everything up. I know it sounds like a pain to break it down, but ater the first few times, it shouldn't be a big deal.

Good luck!

I had a Paashe VL for a while, but got rid of it because cleaning became too much of a chore. Newer design DA, internal mix AB's such as the Iwata & Badger models are much easier to disassemble & clean.

Regards, Rick

QUOTE: Originally posted by eagle334 Just what Oggy said. It is necessary to take apart when you are done painting for the day.

Sorry to disagree but that is simply not true and it is not recommended by Badger either.
I take my airbrushes apart about every 4th or 5th painting session or when I feel it needs it along with some more needle lube.
I would also recommend you not pour lacquer thinner down the end as was suggested either unless you absolutely have to.
If you get lacquer down into the air valve then you are going to have to replace the O ring in the valve as well.

Mike

Mike is right for Badgers but I still pull my needle out of my 155 and clean it at the end of the session. This takes all of 10 seconds.

Dean

The reason that it is not recommended is because it causes unnecessary wear and tear on the airbrush and increases the chance of bending the needle tip or damaging the needle bearing each time you reinsert the needle.
You can do it if you want and many do, I just don't feel it is needed.

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by f-4phantom Mike is right for Badgers but I still pull my needle out of my 155 and clean it at the end of the session. This takes all of 10 seconds. Dean

I do the same thing and it keeps my airbrush running smooth each time.

Remember: take care of your airbrush and your airbrush will take care of YOU.
Paul