Cleaning and maintenance for my Iwata hp-cs ?

In this case, an ultrasonic cleaner is a machine with a stainless steel container where you put a liquid medium ( I merely use tap water and a little amount of dish washing solution ) and the things you want to clean. There is an ultrasonic transducer ( in fact, you can find some DIY kits at electronic stores and the transducer is the core of piezo tweeters ) beneath the container which make the liquid medium vibrate and helps the residues ( of paint in this case ) to fall off the soaked parts. You can find one on the Micromark site ( http://www.micromark.com ) but , although I like Micromark a lot, you might find a cheaper ( I don't mean " a cheap ") product elsewhere. I found mine in an electronics store.

I'm not quite sure what you mean there Jeft by "dropping the brush in ultrasonic cleaner" Is ultrsonic cleaner somesort of liquid cleaner or a cleaning brush ?

Jeff what three Iwatas do you own? Which one do you feel performs the best?

I personally own an hp-bcs. proud owner since the nationals. lol.

Here's part of my airbrush ritual...I have 3 Iwatas btw and I absolutely love 'em.

I only spray acrylics because of my wife's asthma, and I was running through quarts of thinner and cleaner.

I went to the local auto-parts and bought 2 gallons of windshield washer fluid, I think I paid about $2 a gallon. I then bought a package of furnace filter elements (another $2) and stuffed one (I think there's 6 to a pack) into a 2 liter soda bottle (the plastic type).

I cut a hole in the top of the bottle and covered it with tape. When it's time to clean the airbrush, I run lots of windshield washer fluid through it, sprayed into the soda bottle. This prevents the stuff from going everywhere and messing up my spray booth.

I've found the windshield washer fluid really works well. Final step is to go to a department store and find a small ultrasonic cleaner...they're usually in the toothbrush area...used to clean dentures. I paid $30 for mine...if I've used the brush heavily, I drop it into the ultrasonic cleaner overnight and let it soak in windsheild washer fluid. Comes out perfectly clean the next day.

Jeff

Remove the trigger and the auxilliary spring which is right behind the trigger. After removing these, I take a damp cotton swab, using Windex, and thoroughly clean the trigger area in the body of the airbrush. I then place a little lube on the trigger before replacing it. Depending upon usage I try to do this on a monthly basis.

Mike M

What do you take apart when you break down the brush? Do you remove the trigger assembly?

I ditto Chris's comments on the needle lube... it really goes a long way to keep paint from adhering to the needle, especially with acrylics!

Thanks for your reply !

Olsen:

No need to take this ab down after every session. Depending on your paint type, run plenty of solvent and cleaner through, until they are clear, and you should be ready for the next session. You won't damage it by using this technique but I would suggest breaking the ab down after 5 sessions or so. Your ab is excellent and you will not hurt it by overly maintaining it.

Mike M

Oh yeah i forgot, and i'm not trying to sound greedy or ungratefull here but does anyone else have any tips or something to add, Thanks again!

Thankyou salty dog for your reply !! I'm really excited about my new airbrush.

you gotta mighty fine airbrush in your possession friend. own one myself. as far as cleaning and maintenance, you've got it down pretty good, just spray the appropriate thinner through until clean. i wouldn't recommend breaking the brush down but every so often, unless you leave paint in the cup and allow it to dry. purchase some needle juice, or lubricant, from any well known airbrush supplier, and coat your needle with it and put a dab in the moving parts around the trigger area and you should be good to go. good luck, and happy airbrushing. later.