Recommendations for airbrush cleaner for Createx / Wicked Colors / Auto air Acrylics?

The Rocketry Forum

Help Support The Rocketry Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Marc_G

Well-Known Member
TRF Supporter
Joined
Jun 5, 2010
Messages
8,777
Reaction score
2,911
Location
Indianapolis Metro Area
Hi folks,

When I started with the acrylic paint airbrushing thing back in the fall, I bought a small bottle of airbrush cleaner (Createx brand).

It's just about out. I've been using water, which is "ok" (lowercase intentional) but the cleaner I think has some alcohol and maybe some ammonia or something and it does a much better job of dissolving the acrylic crud and flushing it out.

The Createx stuff is pretty dear, is there some cheap substitute I can buy or mix up by the pint for pennies? I was thinking to experiment with a mix of water / isopropanol. But I figured I'd check here first. Just want to make sure I don't damage the airbrush, or leave residues that will muck up subsequent painting.

Thanks

Marc
 
I clean my airbrushes immediately after use, it gives me something to do so I don't touch the paint! I generally run warm water through the brush until it comes out clean then take it apart and clean it with Windex or 409. Since I only use Auto Air, clean up really only consist of cleaning the nozzle and needle after I spray water through the brush. I never let the paint set up in it. I do the water thing between every color change as well. BTW, Windex and 409 also make pretty good reducers.
 
laquer thinner rocks as a cleaner. you can dump it into the cup, swish it about, and either spray some through the brush or dump it back into the can. Interdental brushes work great for those hard to reach areas.

water/alcohol doesn't really work that well.
 
Paint thinner after use. It's probably the most tool-friendly way of cleaning paint guns.
Brake-clean would clean out the paint, but it's not the most friendly stuff to use, especially on plastic airbrush guns, or any rubber o-rings that might be inside.
 
Thanks guys... I'll try the windex / 409 route. I was worried about soapy residues interfering but I guess it's not an issue.

As the the LT/ PT etc... since I'm using water based acrylics no need for that hard stuff. I should have been clearer about the water-based theme I've got going on.

Time to get another thing of Windex... I'm fresh out.

Marc
 
The Hobby Lobby near me stocks the Createx airbrush cleaner in large bottles. Perhaps there's a Hobby Lobby near you.
 
I used the createx cleaner but now just use windex and water. I love using the auto air and wicked. I clear it with plain ol' lacquer. My avatar is done with Toxic Green and Porn Star Pink. Black line is actually rustoleum.
 
Don't forget to use a lot of water AFTER the Windex/409.

ditto .. the ammonia likes to eat at the plating ...... a couple of my ab's look 50 yrs old after using windex over the years.
and make sure to lube after ...! especially a high dollar ab

It's hard to beat the createx cleaner..not sure whats in it but it's a great cleaner and restorer/lube
 
I use warm water and the little set of wirebrush airbrush cleaning tools. I spray warm water and dish soap right after spraying (I don't like giving the paint a chance to set up). I back-spray with the soap and water (Put your finger over the tip while spraying—it'll blow air back through the gun) and spray a bit , back a bit till I see no more color backing into the jar. Then I go at it with the cleaning brushes. Doesn't take much. Every so often, I'll use the Createx cleaner, just because I have it.
 
Back
Top