Airbrush cleaning for lazy and easily bored artists!

[@harderairbrush]

We would like to help artists bring healing art to children's hospitals all around the world - join in and help us here! gofund.me/8f78aab5

[@S.A.S.H.]

The integrity of recommending a competitor's product because it is good, impresses. Well done.

[@tycarper6330]

Believe Iwata owns H&S. So really not that crazy.

[@S.A.S.H.]

@@tycarper6330 I was not aware of that, but a couple of quick searches seems to show that Iwata bought them around 2017. Nice catch.

[@S.A.S.H.]

@@tycarper6330 Wasn't aware of this, so I looked it up and you are right they bought H&S in 1016 or 2017, I think.

[@LukeGeaney]

5:46 Iwata Super Lube

[@dreadtrain2846]

@@tycarper6330 You are correct, sir.

[@jednye3348]

"Lazy and easily distracted " I've never been so accurately called out before lol

[@harderairbrush]

Haha - for us it's a good product if it still cleans up well with the lazy and easily distracted! You're our benchmark! W

[@thomasjohnson1294]

Recommending a competitors product? You’ve just earned yourself a customer.

[@harderairbrush]

Thank you Thomas. Appreciate you joining us! W

[@SkyTaylor-w1p]

Awesome comment about not taking needle out before cleaning. Many years ago I took airbrushing in high school and our teacher never had us take them apart to clean. Thank you for that because I was really confused why all prior videos I’ve watched have every time them taking airbrush completely apart

[@edwardmcdonough1426]

Excellent advice from Warrick about airbrush cleaning. I liked the clarification that the needle can be pulled out from the back or front, that it doesn't matter which way. And yes, you definitely do not want to pull the needle out when there's paint in the brush. Great video.

[@Henry-lk5pm]

For the Ultra, always pull out through front and insert from back. Preserves the seals and ensures you don’t pull debris back through the brush.

[@harderairbrush]

Hi Henry... did you watch the video? ;-) we don't mind if you pull it out through the front OR the back... just don't have paint in the airbrush when you do it. It has no impact on the seals at all, either way.

[@geoff8793]

Wish I had these videos when I first started airbrushing. So down to earth and all the basics you need to be successful. Brilliant

[@harderairbrush]

Thanks so much Geoff!

[@LordNerfherder]

The superlube tip is great. As we should know, the reverse of a primed surface that makes paint stick is an oily surface that paint just doesnt adhere to very well. Any accidental paint just comes off immediately.

[@mikeszczutkowski3066]

Thank you Warrick for another great video as always very informative, I respect your knowledge and expertise.

[@harderairbrush]

Thanks very much Mike!

[@andymyers2759]

Thanks for that. I started airbrushing about a year ago but I've been put off by all the cleaning and stripping I had to do which exceeded my actual painting time by orders of magnitude. This video has inspired me to put the rattle cans to one side for a moment to have another stab at airbrushing!

[@harderairbrush]

Absolutely Andy - there is so much content out there trying to make out like cleaning an airbrush is an expedition of such magnitude that it needs camels and a Sherpa to do it properly, but it's really quite simple if you stick to the right basics! W

[@Beth-dl6br]

@@harderairbrushbasics of taking it apart? Might as well through it out after that

[@harderairbrush]

@@Beth-dl6br hey Beth - not sure what you mean :-) do you have a question?

[@TXGRunner]

What I understood was the reason to pull the needle from the front when dirty and insert from the back when clean was because the needle narrows in diameter as it reaches the point. There is excess, scraped off paint which can fall on the needle as it narrows and pull it back into the rear section. Even after running thinner through the airbrush until clear, when I do pull the needle out forward, I see paint streaks along the length of the needle. I assume this is paint accumulated at the front of the seal. There is definitely paint accumulating there as per the design, it's just a question of whether it gets on the narrower part of the needle, and if so, and whether enough is tracked back to be an issue. Based on what you say, it sounds like it isn't enough to be an issue. Your point about over-cleaning is well taken. I am pretty sure that is how I messed up my Evolution.

[@KayakFishingCentral]

Great series of videos, I have learned a lot from these and really appreciate all the advice you have given. 👍

[@skjalm]

Thanks for another great and informative video. Do you have any tips on how to do bubble back on airbrushes like the Evolution that have a ring of holes in the cap?

[@harderairbrush]

It's not as easy - you're right... But if you grab it with a wet cloth, it blocks the air pretty well, and does the bubble back. But we are working on something specifically for that, which makes it MUCH easier. Keep in touch and you'll see it!

[@woody3590]

I build 1/48 and 1/72 scale model aircraft. I am considering buying a airbrush (maybe two) from your company. Most of the intricate small cockpit and control panel,I do with a very small brush or cocktail toothpicks or even jewlers drill. I dont know what size to buy ? The fusalodges and wings are fairly big etc. Do I go .5 needle???

[@gregmccormack5709]

What a great and informative, unbiased talk about Airbrushes👍🏻.

[@harderairbrush]

Thank you Greg!

[@simonfieldhouse]

Great video. Thanks for all these new tip videos.

[@harderairbrush]

Thank you Simon.

[@peterlageri4177]

Is that seal just after the cup something that can be replaced like the O rings or is it a hole cast in the body of the airbrush? I'm using a H&S Evolution Silverline 1-in-2

[@harderairbrush]

Hi Peter... thanks for the question. If you're referring to the needle packing, then yes, it can be replaced, but most H&S needle packings live for many years! However, if you would like to replace it, the part is 123450.

[@billbrackney8954]

Ok I am new and started out with a Master G44 then purchased a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution CR plus. What a difference it was so much easier to use until today. I have cleaned it after each use but when I started to paint today and pushed down on the air the the paint blew out of the cup. I used the same cleaner and it out sprayed out of the cup any thoughts on why this is happening whould be appreciated.

[@harderairbrush]

Hey Bill Just loosen your needle nut, and tighten your head assembly a bit until it’s a good finger tight - that’s all! Then tighten up your needle nut again a bit 😊

[@BradLacke]

I'm really enjoying my Ultra so far but I've noticed that it's pretty much impossible to do backflow when cleaning as there are too many holes in the front to plug with any amount of fingers. Am I doing something wrong, or is this not advised at all with this airbrush?

[@dwightatnorthernstar1820]

twist the nozzle slightly loose. It will back out out almost too well. Cover cup when doing so with rag....

[@claudiogalarce6022]

Thank you for your tips. When you ate not using the airbrush, ir Is better yo store the needle outside?

[@harderairbrush]

Hi Claudio - we prefer to keep it in the airbrush. It's very safe there :-)

[@MrGreg972]

Thanks for the video! Is it actually okay to use a fine mechanic oil (I don’t know the right English term for a universal lubricant for fine parts) instead of the expensive iwata oil?

[@harderairbrush]

Hey buddy - yes, it is BUT then you have to be really careful that you don't get that onto any paint bearing parts. The great thing with the Iwata Superlube is that it does not cause all the normal lubricant problems with paint such as fish-eyes etc... it's a very sensible product which is why we like it so much. W

[@temux86]

Thank you for the great video. I want to try your recommendation with the oil. But super lube has so many product. Could somebody tell me which oil i should use?

[@harderairbrush]

Oh it’s actually called Superlube - it is made by Iwata and is available widely. W

[@col72]

Great video,do ypu have to take the needle out and clean it after every session?

[@harderairbrush]

I think it’s a great idea… allows you to check it too, in the way that we described. W

[@somerandomstupidname]

Thanks for this video, it was very helpful! I recently bought the Evolution CR plus 2024, it's fantastic. I did make the rookie mistake of thinking I had to unscrew it by the gold thread, to get to the needle. I hope I didn't bend the needle already trying to place it back without the guidance of the centre part. I was wondering though, which parts exactly need to be lubricated? Is it just the needle, or all the hind parts up to and including the trigger?

[@harderairbrush]

Hey buddy - I think that every airbrush is improved with a little lube... So I tend to put a touch on the following parts: Needle guide; middle piece; needle spring; excenter; trigger shaft and base. I don't bother much with the needle itself tbh. But the only thing I'd say is don't overlube. This can deaden the feel a touch.

[@somerandomstupidname]

Thanks! (Awesome that you're still answering questions on earlier videos by the way). I'm hoping you could do a video one day with a step by step visual demonstration on the end-of-session clean and a more thorough end-of-project cleaning. Many of those seems to vary spectacularly in what they do at TLC, and this seems like one of those delicate mechanical instruments that don't appreciate too much of a good thing either. Anyway, keep up the good work, your channel's been a great help and inspiration already

[@harderairbrush]

Hey buddy - actually, this pretty much covers what I do end of anything cleaning wise. The key really is the between colour clean. If this is good, then end of anything cleaning is just as easy! But yes, we can do the practical demos.. Having said that, I do run through my cleaning procedures in both the ULTRA Painting Process video and also the Age of Sigmar painting videos... Hope that helps in the meantime! W

[@alemsmajlovic2476]

Very good tips, Thank you.

[@harderairbrush]

Our pleasure!

[@tristansmith3412]

Where’s that ring from?

[@harderairbrush]

haha from YOU! Hey everyone - this is my son, the drummer :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGrNiqZqd7d5hqc

[@SirBuffton]

Great community engagement. I love all my H S products and recommend them to anyone.

[@harderairbrush]

Thanks very much for joining us!

[@jvmartinmo]

Excellent Stuff. Please, keep going

[@harderairbrush]

More to come!

[@Buster-jg9zg]

My airbrush spits paint out in blobs, I have cleans thoroughly, no blockage, I have tried 0.5 and 0.2 needles but still the same, the 0.3 needle looks fine no damage any idea.

[@dwightatnorthernstar1820]

How do you clean the paint left on the seal????

[@borischivapallottole]

Thanks for this video, is great content!! Could you please help me understand one thing? I use to use my airbrush maybe omce or twice a week top, I also only use acrylic paints. I am used to deep clean it at the end of every session, but now I wonder if by doing so I am overdoing with cleaning. So my question is: how often should one deep clean an airbrush (i normally use a ultrasonic machine and cleaner). And when doing so, should I have to remove ALL parts? Thanks in advance for your help!!

[@harderairbrush]

Honestly, I never do it. Ever. If you NEED to, then you have something in your painting process which could improve. Cleaning with the removal of all parts, too, is something which I very rarely do, as I simply don't need to, because of the painting process. Watch our painting videos for the EVOLUTION and the ULTRA and hopefully they will give you an insight to our cleaning processes DURING painting. Your end of day really should just be the same as a colour change, but with a couple of extra flushes. If you keep the back end of the airbrush lubricated slightly, then cleaning those parts is really just a wipe, as nothing will have stuck, even if paint did get there (which it shouldn't anyway)... Hope that helps!

[@bojangles684]

Brilliant. Well presented

[@mezmerizer0266]

I love the Evolution I got just this past week. What kinds of products are safe to use as cleaner? I guess I should say can I use lacquer thinner, or solvent based cleaners like Tamiya and Mr Hobby Mr Tool Cleaner?

[@harderairbrush]

Hi there - please watch this video - we answer that question there. ALWAYS stick to this advice :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYi3hmx4n7t9nas

[@mezmerizer0266]

@@harderairbrush hi, not sure if you meant another video? I was asking about specific cleaning agents used in the airbrush, not how to clean it.

[@billyclement5141]

@@mezmerizer0266 Hi Mez. The video (and some others in the series) recommend always using the manufacturer's recommended cleaner. So if you're spraying Vallejo paint, use Vallejo cleaner, or for Tamiya paint, use Tamiya cleaner and so forth. It's good advice, because the manufacturer knows what's in their paint and the best stuff to clean it with. All paints are formulated differently, there's no 'best' cleaning product, in fact, some cleaners will react quite badly with competitors paint.

[@mezmerizer0266]

@@billyclement5141 that doesn't make sense. A lot of paints don't have specific cleaners. Citadel, Scale 75, P3, AK, and more don't have their own cleaner. I asked a specific question about using harsh solvent based cleaners, as I would like to know how the airbrush and it's gaskets hold up. Please, in the future, read and comprehend, so you do not waste both your time and mine with frivolous words to try and sound important. Thank you.

[@billyclement5141]

@@mezmerizer0266 Please, in the future, 'read and comprehend' the replies of people generous enough to answer your poorly worded, non-specific question. You didn't mention 'harsh solvent based cleaners, as I would like to know how the airbrush and it's gaskets hold up', you asked 'What kinds(sic) of products are safe to use as cleaner'. You were pointed to a video explaining what kind of products are safe to use in H&S brushes. You don't appear to use English as a first language (me either) so I attempted to clear up your obvious confusion. If you don't want replies, don't ask questions, that way people won't waste your oh so precious time trying to help you out.

[@musoseven8218]

Sound, sage advice. I've not had good results with the Iwata blue Superlube, it dries like thread lock, or at the very least it becomes sticky. I use glycerine instead. If I need to take the needle out of my three H&S' - when relatively clean out of the front, similar with my Paasche Millennium. I use high quality cotton buds to clean the needle, using s similar motion to the way you've used your hand - cotton bud moistened with cleaner pushing gently towards the tip from the back. I then, when clean, add glycerine to the needle. I might give your way a go and see how that works 🤔👍✌️😊💜

[@harderairbrush]

Can't speak to glycerine as I haven't tried that. The significant property that the SuperLube has, is that it does not harm a paint film (i.e. fisheyes etc)... so it's a "safe" product to have on the bench when painting. With regard to your "sticky" comment - you're right - but I find that this is usually due to an over application. It really only needs the thinnest film. A tube is almost a lifetime supply!

[@chaz01br]

Is ok to use an ultrasonic cleaner when stripping down the airbrush?

[@harderairbrush]

It's OK Chaz, yes, BUT I would encourage you to develop a routine such as the one shown (and also used in all our demo videos) which means that you do not NEED to use an ultrasonic bath. If you NEED one, it's a sign that your cleaning processes during the painting session aren't good enough, and this can only mean that you'll be getting some performance problems during your session. Hope that helps.

[@chaz01br]

Ok thanks what i normally do is pull the needle out the front one I’ve sprayed the paint out etc but sometimes I’ve done it out the back and it’s had problems once fully cleaned with bubbles appearing in the paint cup.@@harderairbrush

[@harderairbrush]

@@chaz01br Bubbles in the cup are almost always just that you didn't get the head tightened up well enough - just a good finger tight does it. W

[@col72]

Is it ok to clean airbrush with cellulose thinners after using lacquer paints?.

[@harderairbrush]

Absolutely. No problem to use it on any paint-bearing parts. The air valve doesn’t like it so much but there’s zero need to clean that anyway 🤙🏻 W

[@col72]

@@harderairbrushjust arrived yesterday ,it feels like top quality carnt wait to use it.

[@revylokesh1783]

Wiping the shaft and the tip, right... Good advice. 😅

[@harderairbrush]

We're here for you man.

[@davidjowett8195]

Nothing wrong with suggesting a competitor product, especially if it works well.

[@SkyTaylor-w1p]

Nice trick on your hand with needle

[@dwightatnorthernstar1820]

Badger also has a product called Ragdab that will last forever in a bottle that is large enough to last.

[@ekohl7594]

One KZbinr recommends hot water (boiled, then kept in a thermos) to clean out the airbrush between colours. Is this safe to use or will the hot water damage the airbrush?

[@harderairbrush]

Very much zero chance of hot water damaging the airbrush. As I've said before, airbrushes are made from elements which are present in the Earth's crust. They are pretty robust :-) HOWEVER, is it necessary to keep hot water in a thermos in order to clean your airbrush? I think your performance will be increased much more substantially by keeping a nice supply of hot tea/ coffee (to your preference) in the thermos!

[@ekohl7594]

Thanks for the reply! That would be tea in my case. 😄 BTW, I've had the Ultra 2024 for about a week and I'm friggin loving it. Still blown away by the effects I'm getting after using it just a few times, and how much faster it is than brushwork. These videos and the Ultra 2024 convinced me to take the plunge. Glad I did! Yeah, had a couple clogs, but learning how to manage that.

[@ljscalemodels526]

Great video thanks for sharing cheers Liam

[@ninjachin]

Dental brushes are awesome

[@harderairbrush]

I don't agree :-) (unless for teeth - then excellent)... better is a good quality number 8-10 brush. Gets into everywhere without risk of hitting things with the ferrule.

[@johntinamostyn4044]

@@harderairbrushan 8-10 paint brush?

[@greyshadedminis]

Great video just started getting into airbrushing 👍👍👍

[@hammmodjabeer7278]

Thank you ❤

[@ErgonomicChair]

I use superlube on everything lol, guns, airbrushes, hinges, keyboard switches, etc.

[@AuMaDa64]

Io con 12 aerografi di vari tipi, dai giapponesi, americani, cinesi, europei, compreso il H&S Infinity CR Plus, in 34 anni sfilo aghi da davanti per non sporcare e rovinare O-ring dentro, da vernice o altro, e lo rinfilo da davanti per non piegare l'ago, tranne il Sotar 20/20, se non lo modifichi, e quindi sicuramente lo fai 10 volte e all'undicesima volta la paghi, lo pieghi, quindi come dice il boss di H&S, come pulirlo ed io aggiungo per pulirlo adopero gli scovolini da denti di varie misure, morbidi e semirigidi, e non rovini niente, e fanno il loro dovere.

[@RyanPST88]

"lazy and easily bored" yes this is me, hello.

[@harderairbrush]

Well hello, Ryan! Nice to meet you! W

[@saltedllama2759]

It surprised me, as I venture into airbrushing, just how many people don't flush the airbrush out between colors, or even when done with a session. You pretty much never have to take the thing apart if you do that consistently, and it only takes seconds.

[@harderairbrush]

EXACTLY 💯🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@LastBastian]

...I wish this was true

[@S.A.S.H.]

I believe the proper term is "motivationally challenged."

[@harderairbrush]

I'm too lazy to say that many syllables.

[@And-c7n]

You should place a QR code printed to these top tips videos with your airbrushes;

[@harderairbrush]

Hi Andrew - we are in the process of exactly this. Thanks for reminding us how important that is!

[@Jeff-ne1lh]

I have an evolution the only thing I have ever had to do is run thinner through the brush a soft toothbrush of the tip and backwash to get particles out....two years tons of mini's easiest Airbrush I have ever owned.

[@harderairbrush]

Great to hear Jeff! Thanks for choosing us!

[@bigfil1981]

I was hoping for an April fools joke. 😅 Maybe using a toilet or washing machine 😂

[@harderairbrush]

OK - be on the lookout next year! Great suggestion!

[@davidhoughton273]

Cleaning my airbrush in the washing machine went well, it went wrong when I dried it in the microwave.

[@DevAnubis]

I thought that Iwata acquired Harder & Steenbeck in 2017? Competitor indeed.

[@harderairbrush]

Iwata Airbrush and Harder & Steenbeck Airbrush are both now owned by Anest Iwata, a very large corporation based out of Japan. Upon the purchase a lot of thought was put into how the two companies should interact, and the decision was made, and has been stuck to every since, that both brands should continue to compete as entirely separate entities, as this would lead to more innovation, better products, and therefore a better customer experience. Both brands understand that an ever better customer experience is good for everyone. Hope that deepens your understanding, and gives the context for my remark about competitors :-) W

[@DevAnubis]

@@harderairbrush yeh I was mostly poking fun. It's apparent that the operations have remained separate. 👌 Although cooperation as well as competition can lead to better outcomes, I imagine it at least makes it less awkward treading on each other's toes with patents.

[@harderairbrush]

Well the reason why we went with competition rather than co-operation is that there is very little room for getting lazy if the environment is one of competition, rather than co-operation. We try to build progress INTO the structures rather than relying on anything else. Hope that makes everything as transparent as possible as to our decision making process in that. W

[@REKlaus]

On of the things I see in many cleaning videos that makes me cringe is those who pull the needle out and then squirt cleaner in the back of the airbrush at the needle chuck! I don't think they really understand how an airbrush is made or works.

[@MichaelBrenner-f3q]

Super lehrreich gute videos

[@timbob1145]

I don't know how you keep a straight face sometimes 😂

[@bubba6richards729]

Great video. Would you guys be willing to send me the airbrush in the video? 😎🥳🤷🏻‍♂️