i got a iwata bcs airbrush and used it once, thought i cleaned it good. but when i went to use it again i could not get any paint to spray. it seemed like there was to much back pressure because it was bubbling in the paint container and would shoot out of the air opening in the container. So i thought i didn’t clean it good enough, so i tried cleaning it again, no luck. then i stuck in some paint thinner for a few hours and cleaned it again, no luck. next i stuck it in the paint thinner again cleaned the inside of it with a soft pipe cleaner, worked the holes (i know worked the holes 
) and raised the pressure of the air compressor to try and free any clogged paint. i’m still having the same problem, although now i do get a mist of cleaning solution coming out of the brush before it starts to bubble in the paint container and starts to come out the air hole. any advice? is it just that i didn’t clean it good the first time, and is there a better way of getting it unclogged. Thanks guys, you’ve always been a big help.
Revolution, Although I use automotive type spray guns, not airbrushes, some of the problems are the same.
If you can take the airbrush apart, do it. Usually they are fairly simple. Paint has a way of collecting in the little pathways that it travels in, and if it hardens there, you have to clean it directly with needles or fine wire brushes.
Also, clean the gun or airbrush immediately after use with warm water, then blow compressed air through the system. That will take care of the majority of cleaning issues.
Doug
“The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money”. Bernard Meltzer
Howzit revolution, If you are using water based paints then the paint thinner is useless. I run Simple green at full strength through mine and never have a problem. You can pull the needle out and clean it which should help, or you can soak it in Simple green til the paint softens then run the S.G. through it. Always clean as soon as you are done to get maximum cleanage. Get a squeeze bottle with a tip that fits into your airbrush intake and fill it with the S.G. and squeeze it to force the cleaner through as you spray the cleaner.Aloha,Kokua
yeah, it water based paints. where you get the simple green? is that something that home depot has? thanks so far.
Howzit revolution, Simple Green is an all purpose cleaner that is sold in markets, hardware stores, Wal-Mart, K-Mart,etc. Easy to find. Aloha,Kokua
Acetone will work…or was that Comet ???
GEEEZ what thread is this anyway…too much drinky the acetone I guess ?
or was that the comet ?(wait did I hear someone say, “Al-Key-Hall” works ?)
Help me Mr.Wizzer-d ,I want to go home !..
…Tudor the turtle is now the braindamaged terrapin.
Drizzle… Drazzle… drazzle… drome…time for this kid to come home.H
Howzit Herb, I don’t advise using acetone since if the airbrush has gaskets, some gaskets get ruined by using acetone. Even water will work if that’s all you have but you have to run quite a lot of it for it to work well. I found that Simple Green worked with using not much. But some times you just have to take the unit apart and clean it really good. Glad you figured out which thread you were replying to, better put that bottle of acetone back in the fridge before you drink to much,ha,ha old buddy.Aloha,Kokua
K,
Ya, the bottle is put up,for now.
I use warm water and Dawn for dishes…no joking this time…works great !
…Had to the last post …too funny to pass up ! H
first, let me say thanks and happy thanksgiving. one thing for sure i’m thankful for is you guys here on the forum. so i’ve bought the simple green not the full strength, maybe i should try that. i soaked the airbrush in it, tried working the area with a soft pipe cleaner, toothbrush, and needles. ran the simple green thru it, and higher air pressure. tried blowing air into it with an air compressor. but still having a problem with it. what happens is i press the button, i will get a quick mist then it starts to bubble up in the paint container, then mists out of the paint contanier hole. if i cover the discharge opening of the brush it shoots with high perssure out of the paint container hole. if i cover the paint container hole i will get a quick mist, then a full stream out of the airbrush. any other advice would be great.
Hopwzit revolution, This is a double action unit so there should be no paint coming out till you press the button down and pull back on it. Hopefully you haven’t ruined it by sticking the wrong things in it when trying to clean. Have you tried taking it apart? Loosen the nut that tightens down and holds the needle, then carefully pull it out and look for any bad spots, grooves or bends. The bubbles are usually an indication of back pressure when there is a clog in the system. The Simple Green at full strength will clean it for sure so you may have a problem some where’s else in it. You might consider taking it to an airbrush store and having them check it. Iwata’s are a great quality airbrush and simple to work on. Try putting your finger over the front and then push and pull the button, this will make it bubble and just might help clear it. Good luck.Kokua
i’ve taken it apart, to clean it. the needle looks good, on bends that i can tell and i’ve been very careful when i take it out and put it back in. i do get some mist of spray at times so i think its a clog somewhere in it. i will go and get the full strength simple green on friday and give that a try. i didn’t notice befroe when you said it was the full strength that you use, and i put the full strength back and bought the one in the spray bottle. thanks, i’ll post an update on friday. thanks again.