The Ship Model Forum

Hi guys, I just joined and feel the need to put my 2 cents in.

Vallejo is all I use now. I have their Airbrush cleaner and use it in addition to 99% alcohol.

Lacquer thinner about once a week for a tear down clean till I can afford an ultrasonic cleaner.
No more fumes.
-Roger

meths works very well. It is alcohol soluble. Though I seem to remember using IPA not working. So only particular alcohols. Not all of them.

Thanks all...clearly it's time to invest in some proper cleaner (in addition to my gallon of windshield washer juice).

I use the [url=http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/iwa650016.htm]Iwata/Medea Airbrush Cleaner[/url] and it'll take the Vajello primer right out.

Before I do that, though, I clean out the brush and cup with some water (actually, cheap windshield wiper fluid) and get as much of the primer out of the system as possible. The water will thin the primer and move it along. The Iwata cleaner will finish the job in one cup. If it doesn't, run some of the Vallejo airbrush thinner through, then some of the Iwata cleaner.

I would stay away from using lacquer thinner for clean up. I am no chemist, but lacquer does not seem good for acrylics.

When I spray with Vallejo primer, I usually first flush out the airbrush with plain ol' water, since water is very cheap. Then I use a 50% water/50% airbush cleaner mix, again to save money. I do recommend their airbrush cleaner, since the primer does seem to clog the airbrush a little bit. Once it dries it will be harder to clean with water only.

BTW, do not confuse their airbrush cleaner with the thinner. Thinner is for spraying, cleaner for cleaning.

Vallejo has a polyurethane-acrylic primer, a true water based primer-surfacer:
http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/primers/family/22

and I like using it, as I've been having trouble getting oil-enamels, including primers, to cure on the 3D Printed acrylic plastic that I'm using so much of lately. This stuff and acrylics in general do cure on this plastic.

Vallejo says NOT to thin with alcohol or solvent, it's ready to spray from the bottle. Then they say water-cleanup, or use their 71.099 air brush cleaner for thorough cleaning:
http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/model-paints/auxiliary-products/3

Problem is, I CAN'T get it to wash out of my airbrush. I've used lacquer thinner, which I assume melts everything, but the stuff just makes a gooey mess.
I haven't tried their 71.099 cleaner though... anyone know for sure what would be in this super solvent?