Airbrush TIP DRY? Here's a SIMPLE solution

[@dernordmann57]

If you don't already do it, you should definitely offer seminars. I'm sure it's going to be a success. You are a great teacher with a pleasant speaking voice and good pace. You are also incredibly talented and able to impart your detailed knowledge. As a foreigner, I understand every word without any problem. Thanks for sharing and please keep it up. Greetings from Germany

[@theartworkshop]

such a nice comment and I really appreciate that. Thanks so much for this!

[@kenbarton3136]

Great macro shot that really shows what happens. I keep a kitchen sponge clipped to my desk dampened with water. Just gently push the front of the airbrush into it a few times works well.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks Ken. yes, the kitchen sponge is another awesome tool to keep the needle tip clean! works great

[@Bgdaddywarbucks]

Some of the best airbrush advice on youtube!

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so much!

[@Terry-7]

THIS is the video I needed. I am fairly new to airbrushing and this has already helped me understand the process and technique much better. Thank you for the video and your knowledge. Please keep it up!

[@theartworkshop]

happy it's helpful! thanks for the kind words

[@Kausemus]

Just wanted to say thank you. This is the best airbrush channel out there!

[@theartworkshop]

You are most welcome! Thanks for your very kind words

[@rockartgeorge]

Best ever all-around explanations. Many many thanks!

[@theartworkshop]

Glad it was helpful- thanks so much!

[@BlackCondorXVII]

so glad I found this video - I bought an airbrush last year for miniature painting and after a few weeks of using it, I got fed up. It kept chucking thick peices of paint at my models and I thought that maybe I was not thinning enough, so i thinned, and thinned... and thinned until I may as well have been using water, which just created the opposite problem, but still would throw out a blob of thick paint now and again. So I was then breaking down my airbrush every hour ro so to clean it, thinking something was wrong... I searched tons of tutorials and airbrush videos and never found an answer - everybody eems to have no issues like this at all in my searches, so in the end, I gave up and have not used it for about 7 months. But this... THIS is my problem! So thank you! :) Only issue I have is my airbrush has a cap that actually almost fully encircles the needle (only a small hole on either side), and therefore the cap also ends up with dried paint in it - but I cannot take the cap off of my airbrush either as it is the cap that prevents the needle coming out of the front :( (Harder and steenback evolution model) - so I will have to use a synthetic brush or something as you advised. Thank you again! So glad I came across this video today! I can give my arbrush another shot now and hopefully have a much better experience!

[@theartworkshop]

Hey man that is awesome to hear! very happy it's helpful. Do you have the older model of the H&S evolution? Because that might look like a one piece nozzle cap, but the front of it actually unscrews so that you can easily see the needle tip. In my review of it I show how it unscrews around the 4:18 mark- kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z16ZgYCHoZp4e5o

[@BlackCondorXVII]

@@theartworkshop You are awesome! Yes, this is the exact cap I have on mine :). I did not realise it could be unscrewed into two peices though and did not see that in its manual either. Thank you so much! I cannot wait to give it a try again in a week or so now :D

[@redrooster7371]

​@@BlackCondorXVII these holes point exactly to the needle. If you push the tip of a brush through these holes it should clean the tip also very good. H&S mentioned it in one of their videos.

[@BlackCondorXVII]

@@redrooster7371 this is true, but I have removed the cap now as it is just so much simpler - additionally because the cap was also getting flecks of paint inside it that were then semi drying and then being shot out onto my model at times. Whole process is just so much nicer without the cap 😅. Thank you though for being helpful as well! 😊

[@krzysztofmathews738]

Yours might be the first tutorial I have seen where a toothbrush is used to clean the brush while spraying (As opposed to afterwards for cleaning and maintenance) I will have to give that a try. Thank you!

[@theartworkshop]

glad to hear that- thanks!

[@Cottontopexotics]

Must not paint warhammer models. The tooth brush is something alot of people in the warhammer hobby use.

[@krzysztofmathews738]

@@Cottontopexotics I tend to paint large sculptural work, so you are correct there!

[@samuelmcl.9474]

Thanks so much for this video. New to airbrushing and tip dry has been the bane of my existence.

[@theartworkshop]

you are most welcome. Tip dry is annoying for sure, but it's part of airbrushing. Keep it cleaned off and you're good to go! all the best to you.

[@artsmodelstation9396]

That’s why I went back to Tamiya paints. Very forgiving and no more tip dry.

[@13Robzilla]

Great video. Keeping a small plastic container with a sponge in it kept damp while working makes eliminating dry tip super easy and convenient. I do keep a toothbrush in the same bin for stubborn stuff.

[@theartworkshop]

excellent idea!

[@edwardmcdonough1426]

Excellent, rock solid advice on managing tip dry. I've found I have less issues with it when I use an airbrush with a smooth rounded nozzle cap, like the H & S and Neoeco airbrushes. I usually put a drop, carefully, of flow improver on the tip nozzle and tip, and a little inside the paint cup, add paint, and test spray on scrap paper before spraying on my model kit. Recently I've been experimenting with waxing the front end of the airbrush, the paint cup (inside and out), and polishing the needle with a carnauba based auto wax. I'm careful to avoid any rubber O rings, and like you, I only spray water based acrylics. The wax brand I use is a pink wax called Liquid Lustre, but I've had for years & I'm not sure if it's still available. So far so good, the paint cup is easier to clean and the brush stays nice and shiny. I don't wax the other exterior parts of the airbrush because I don't want it to get too slippery when holding it. Again, excellent video & an important topic to cover.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks Edward. I agree , those smooth nozzles are awesome. Especially the one on the infinity! no threads to clog up with paint. In the past I used to polish all my needles to a mirror finish using a leather strop and some compound.

[@RyanJobbagyFineArt]

Wow. Love the macro camera work. Excellent stuff!

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks Ryan! i'm still trying to figure out how to use this macro lens well. Shockingly difficult to keep things in focus for video, but I'm learning!

[@MRaadesign]

Damn good video! Been using an airbrush for just over 3 decades. Some great tips for the beginners AND pros! I knew most of the stuff that you mentioned. I had an excellent instructor back in my college days. With that said, I learned a few things TOO. ALSO very refreshing to see REAL airbrush illustration. Beautiful work!

[@theartworkshop]

hey thanks so much! Yes, I'm right there with you learning every single day. No other way I'd want it to be!

[@bidkid2020]

I'm kind of new at the spray brushing enjoyed the video that was some good information on the airbrush tip thanks

[@jasonrhome710]

Oh, neat! I thought I was a weirdo for doing the fingernail scrape thing, but it's been helping so much when I do that. I'll have to try one of the brush options next paint session.

[@theartworkshop]

just be super careful, especially on some of the less expensive airbrushes that use a softer steel!

[@jasonrhome710]

@@theartworkshop That would definitely be me. I should probably get some back-up needles soon.

[@dredfxcustompaint]

Brilliant video and as I have said before if you want to learn this is one of the channels I highly recommend 👌

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so much Rob! I really appreciate that

[@dredfxcustompaint]

@@theartworkshop your welcome my friend I did a shout out for you today

[@theartworkshop]

@@dredfxcustompaint thanks so much Rob! I will def be watching you newest video this weekend.

[@dredfxcustompaint]

@@theartworkshop your welcome

[@rogueplastic]

Thank you so much! Tip-dry drove me crazy so many times. Trying to find the "golden" ratio, the ultimate pressure setting, the silver bullet paint, just to finally accept that there is no such thing. I always knew deep inside that there is no way to get rid of it permanently. Now I will actively make tip cleaning a habit during painting and stress out less on tip-dry.

[@theartworkshop]

happy to help! Yeah, it's just part of painting with an airbrush. No big deal when you get used to cleaning it off.

[@steven401ytx]

The time and effort put into this really shows. Great video

[@theartworkshop]

Thank you!

[@MegaMinis74]

Great explanation. I use a piece of dish sponge, just wet a spot to dip the end of the airbrush in to remove the dry paint

[@MikolsonAvant]

Great video, appreciate all of your content. Well explained.

[@theartworkshop]

happy to hear it- thanks!

[@TonyMount-sq3hi]

Thanx again for all your knowledge have a great week end 🙏🏼

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks Tony. Have a great weekend as well!

[@AndrevwZA]

Great advise. New users are always wondering what they are doing wrong.

[@ocie1]

Thanks for the airbrush tips!

[@theartworkshop]

most welcome!

[@АндрейЗолотарев-к1т]

Hello. I wanted to ask you if it is possible to make transparent with black concealer paint ? For example, dilute with water in a ratio of 70-30%

[@theartworkshop]

I recommend using a transparent black made for the airbrush. It's a bit more expensive than making your own but it will work/spray so much better! I hope this helps.

[@s_s-g4d]

this is a very, very useful video. I thought there was something wrong with my paints, my airbrush or my technique. Apparently I was wrong, and dry tip is simply part of the game. From now on my soldering iron won't be the only tool whose tip is cleaned on a damp sponge from time to time during work!

[@theartworkshop]

That's it! Just keep on top of it and your airbrush will spray well all day long.

[@charlesnunya2347]

I use makeup sponges (little wedges). You can also use them to plug the tip to back flow without damaging the needle. They are very gentil and work like a dream. They are cheap and you can reuse the same sponge for a lot of painting sessions, so it is really economical.

[@theartworkshop]

those sound perfect for the job!

[@sovietbear1917]

Thank you for this amazing video. I get so frustrated with my airbrushes (and constantly have to disassemble and clean them) because my house environment is very dry. Can't wait to try this out.

[@theartworkshop]

happy to hear it! you'd be surprised how rarely you need to disassemble your airbrush just to clean it. Just flush it out the cup very well with some water, followed by cleaner and you'll be good to go.

[@markwakeley3835]

I really enjoyed you instructional video. I been using a brush with long, thin bristles to clean inside the needle cap when cleaning up after painting, but not while painting for tip dry. I like the toothbrush idea. One trick I've picked up from Barbatos Rex is to put the distilled water I clean with through the coffee maker (no coffee, of course) to heat it up. Seems to dissolve acrylic paint fast.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks Mark. Yes, a long bristle brush is fantastic tool to clean off that tip dry with the needle cap on. Works very well!

[@travisstafford397]

Brilliant I never thought of using a toothbrush such a great solution

[@theartworkshop]

It's been my go-to for years!

[@bluebear1776]

Excellent detail in the video. Bravo!

[@theartworkshop]

Thank you very much!

[@giovannistefani6990]

well explained and thought out video, as always with your work, thank you

[@theartworkshop]

thanks!

[@grapetonenatches186]

There are some good airbrush channels. This one is great.

[@theartworkshop]

I really appreciate that- thank you!

[@jc2200]

Tooth brush I use follow with dental flossing! Nah joking aside,I use the tooth brush cause it cleans so good, thanks on another great cleaning tutorial. Have a great weekend Mark! 👊🏽✌🏽

[@theartworkshop]

haha- I forgot to floss!! Just like in real life 🤣Have a great weekend as well JC

[@jc2200]

@@theartworkshop 😂😂👊🏽✌🏽👍🏽

[@harderairbrush]

Absolutely fantastic video - I'm going to make a post to our subscribers to watch it! Thank you for all your work for the community. W

[@theartworkshop]

Hey thanks so much Warrick! I greatly appreciate it

[@harderairbrush]

@@theartworkshop pleasure buddy!

[@Toddypkc]

Love seeing the toothbrush. Years ago I pushed two of them together and rubber band them and screwed them to the bench. Easy clean without taking your hands off

[@theartworkshop]

That is such a great idea. I've seen something like that before and should really make one of those for myself someday. Thanks!

[@woodenlungs1]

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@theartworkshop]

thanks!

[@mxpxdude]

Great videos, this helped me a lot. (I would not recommend cleaning the tip with your hands, you might hurt yourself.)

[@theartworkshop]

thanks! I agree, if you're just starting out its best to use a q-tip, paint brush, or toothbrush.

[@musoseven8218]

Remarkable, insightful video - genius (as always)✌️👍💜😊 Great tutorial 👍✌️💜😊

[@theartworkshop]

Thank you so much! Hope you're well

[@musoseven8218]

@@theartworkshop Ahh, your always welcome. Me? Same challenges, different day, but still breathing so still winning 💜🤞😉😉😉 Thanks for asking - hope you're okay🙏🤞💜😊

[@theartworkshop]

@@musoseven8218 one day at a time! Be well my friend

[@rustynails2757]

Is there a best room tempature to air brush

[@theartworkshop]

As long as it's well above freezing you're good. Paint freeze/thaw cycles can really ruin some acrylic paints. Humidity and air temperature can affect some things about airbrushing, but its minimal and nothing I ever think about. Paint in a temperature that's most comfortable to you! that's the most important thing.

[@phillbosque2183]

Great video! I found this super helpful. I use a qtip dipped in acetone- definitely overkill and probably not a smart idea but when all that paint starts to get caked on the end i panic a bit. I no longer use the little needle protector cover either, paint would start to build up on the sidewalls and eventually giant chunks would build up that would block the flow. I need to pay attention to how i stop the flow of paint like you said, with good techniques.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks! Yes, I agree that acetone is probably overkill. Try some water. As long as the acrylic paint hasn't cured it should come right off. No question, when spraying heavily those needle caps sometimes become paint traps. It can become a mess, but for beginners so much better than a bent needle!

[@užívateľúčtu-g2f]

Thanx for your videos, really relax to watch. Speaking of 4012 let me say- it used to be a perfect reducer to Createx paints to prevent tip drying and executed extreme detail job, but it is not anymore. It is a shame and i still don't know, what happened with Createx paints that it is no more compatible with 4012. Fighting with 4011 and Createx additives and still cant find the results that can beat 4012. Distilled water is tricky for hard surfaces. So far I love Vallejo reducer and aditives to use with Createx. Spraying with 0.18 Micron hard surface. Sometimes i need to work on really small areas and then trouble comes with tip drying.. Miss 4012 so much.... Greets and happy a/b.

[@theartworkshop]

thanks! Yeah, I don't know what's happening with 4012 either. I guess they are sunsetting it because i don't even see it on their website anymore.

[@užívateľúčtu-g2f]

​..yes, i've noticed the spray gunner's new reducer video yesterday​, so i can wait to try. Thanx for info

[@theartworkshop]

@@NorthernNevadan-x2k I heard about that! I'll have to order some as well to test out. I doubt I'll switch from good old distilled water but who knows. Have a happy 4th of July today!

[@theartworkshop]

@@NorthernNevadan-x2k I really should pick up scale modeling. I love ww2 vehicles (especially the planes), so I'm sure it would be a blast and a great learning experience for me. Hopefully someday!

[@theartworkshop]

@@NorthernNevadan-x2k I love the 109! Beautiful aircraft. my favorite ww2 plane will always be the B-25 Mitchell though. Something about the 2 engines and that fuselage design has always impressed me.

[@cbradquillen]

Golden Airbrush medium has been very good for me so far with... well, a few different brands of paint. Unfortunately I can't remember which ones. I can only remember that it's been a very good product.

[@PuttyMaster101]

Seriously impressive video. Instant subscription

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so much!

[@allanthgersen4908]

great reminder video 👍, but how about the compressor leave it with air pressure between sessions, or empty it out after a session ?

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks! I like to flip the switch off on my compressor when I finish a session so that it doesn't kick on if there is any leak in the line somewhere. My compressors always have air/pressure in them, but I try to empty them and drain the tank every few days.

[@Keddlecorn]

You sound so similar to jason liebricht, such a soothing voice to teach us about airbrushing

[@qvisionstudios]

Good solid advice with clear visuals. Thank you.

[@danyechry]

what do you think about 3 drops of colours and 1 drop of distilled water?

[@theartworkshop]

what paint? for illustration colors that's just fine. They actually spray very well right out of the bottle with my micon

[@danyechry]

@@theartworkshop I have an iwata takumi micron 0.18 and I'm using createx illustration, but the color isn't coming out well, maybe I'm setting the compressor pressure wrong? 22 psi

[@theartworkshop]

@@danyechry set your psi when you are pressing down and holding the airbrush trigger so that it is continually spraying air. 22 should be fine, but try going higher to 28 or so and see if it helps. Here is a video on how to set it- kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnbYhHepeZ12mZo

[@danyechry]

@@theartworkshop thanks so much

[@danyechry]

@@theartworkshop do you suggest filtering the colors?Don't you even put a drop of distilled water? :)'

[@louisliguore7199]

Great information, thanks!

[@theartworkshop]

thanks!

[@germaN87AC]

Super clear explanation

[@theartworkshop]

glad to hear it- thanks!

[@wolfe_midnight6613]

I got one question I used to prime my airbrush with silicone lubricant once a week, do you that ?

[@theartworkshop]

I rarely use airbrush lubrication anymore. I found that it seems to collect more dust and dirt than without it. Once in a while I'll add a small amount of badger needle juice to the needle, but that's pretty much it.

[@AminAmini-z7d]

Hello, Thank you for your amazing videos. I have a question and would appreciate your guidance. I have an airbrush kit and want to use it for painting action figures. However, I don't have access to professional paints. I am using a water-based acrylic paint, but when I pour it into the airbrush's reservoir, no paint comes out. Air is released from the airbrush, but not the paint. The needle is clean, the airbrush is clean, and there are no blockages in the output. The needle is secured properly, and the pressure button is functioning well. When I use the same paint with a brush, despite it being water-based, it doesn't easily wash off with just water. I have to use a cloth to clean my hands when washing them. Could you please help me with this issue? Thank you!

[@theartworkshop]

Does you airbrush spray water? I would first makes sure that your airbrush is working properly before adding the paint. Try setting your compressor to 25-30 psi add some water in your airbrush and see if it can spray that.

[@AminAmini-z7d]

@theartworkshop My airbrush comes with a device that releases air. By pressing a button, the airflow can be adjusted from the weakest to the strongest setting.

[@s_s-g4d]

increasing the percentage of propyleneglycol in my DIY reducer seems to help tip dry, but not eliminate it completely. I'm going to try even more PG, which is now at 16%. The paint dries quicky enough on the subject, so I guess adding more PG should still be possible.

[@rmckey09]

Great video thank you so much!

[@theartworkshop]

happy to hear it was helpful- thank you back!

[@acecab5397]

Wow nice camera zoom!

[@NEB3310]

great video, thanks

[@HappyDuude]

The vudeo work here is amazing

[@theartworkshop]

thanks!

[@volatilesky]

If you're brave, you can polish the needle. On higher end airbrushes your needle is probably very smooth. But on ch6air models, the needle can have striation lines from the machining process. With a dremel, polishing compound (I start with brasso or similar, then work up to polishing grits), and a very gentle and careful touch, the machining marks can be smoothed out, and on my 50 dollar brush it helped reduce the issue a lot. Not eliminate it though. But overall all, learn to accept the toothbrush, it'll happen no matter what you spend on needles or brushes. I used to do the by hand method, but after long too many bent needles, I just stick to the toothbrush now.

[@juliebrown9543]

Thanks

[@JayAdan]

Speaking of tips... have you seen that needle fixer tool that Spraygunner sells? I would love for you to try it out and provide a review. If it actually worked (and from what people say it looks like it might) it could really save people money on needles in the long term.

[@theartworkshop]

this is the suggestion I needed! I've seen that tool for so long and never bought one. I'll order one, because it looks pretty cool to me. The shapenaire right?

[@JayAdan]

@@theartworkshop That's the one!

[@cbaesemanai]

Goldens high flow with a bit of acrylic retarder if I need it. I have tried every paint you can think of no acrylic paint is better through a airbrush .

[@theartworkshop]

I agree with you. Golden is one of the best paint brands out there! I love all of their paints, especially the high flow for airbrushing.

[@Shadowdncer]

After trying to straighten out a very light bend on a needle tip, I don't think you need to be worried about damaging the tip with your fingers. You could probably stab it straight into your fingertip and rip it out sideways without causing significant damage. To the needle that is. I pushed that Evolution .2 onto a ceramic plate _hard_ and that barely made it flex, much less bend it permanently.

[@wardoge]

I paint in a very dry climate and my airbrush seems to clog almost instantly every time… was wondering if using thinner is what’s causing it… tomorrow I will try distilled water

[@theartworkshop]

Not sure what paint you are using, but I highly recommend using a paint designed for airbrushes. They work so much better and are much less prone to clogging. Golden High Flow is a very good example and water is what they recommend!

[@michaelholts1598]

I’ve got the same issue in SoCal. I’ve been using army painter airbrush medium which works well for army painter fanatic as well as monument hobbies paints.

[@jamesderwin]

I have a nail brush screwed into my desk, underneath my airbrush booth, with a plastic takeaway container as a surround. When cleaning the brush I can spray a solution and wipe it along the nail brush at the same time, the container catches spray and drips.

[@theartworkshop]

that is an awesome idea!

[@andregrafia1914]

mas se bater agulha na escova já era que era ponta seca vira ponta torta!

[@theartworkshop]

haha! I'll take tip dry any day

[@zhdirjfnfb]

Just keep a bit of airbrush cleaner and a big soft brush and give it a smush between sprays as soon you see it drying up

[@magcolor]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@theartworkshop]

thanks mag!

[@ravenRedwake]

4:48 it’s like old arcade shooter games, point away and shoot to “reload”

[@theartworkshop]

I miss those games!

[@the250mikec]

You're awesome

[@bentucker2301]

Toothbrush is a great tip cleaner

[@VD913]

I've been struggling with this for ten years. Every single tip and trick does absolutely nothing to help. For me, it's not just tip dry, my paint is drying within the body of the airbrush even when using every possible combination of reducers, retarders, water, you name it. Clean and dry brand new Iwata airbrush, brand new needle. Paint goes in, start air, pull trigger back, clog. I'm thinking about just giving up at this point.

[@theartworkshop]

I'm really sorry to hear this. No, don't ever give up! Something sounds wrong with your equipment or paint because this shouldn't be happening. Give me some more info- what paint? have you tried different/new bottles? When it clogs does the paint still spray a little or nothing at all? Have you tried another airbrush or a different paint line?

[@VD913]

@@theartworkshop As far as acrylics I've used Createx, Vallejo, a handful of Badger and Reaper paints, and craft paint. I've thinned with distilled water, Createx reducer, Liquitex airbrush medium and Flow Aid, isopropyl alcohol out of desperation, or just straight from the bottle in equal desperation. I've run the whole scale of pressure from as low as 5psi to as high as 40. Started with a cheap Chinese brush, recently invested in a brand new Iwata Eclipse HP-CS. When it clogs, it completely stops spraying paint. Occasionally by working the needle back and forth with the trigger held down it sprays short spurts, but I don't dare try that with my Iwata. And this is over the course of, again, ten years. I've tried every combination of the above that I can think of.

[@theartworkshop]

@@VD913 that is frustrating. Have you ever had any success spraying paint without clogging or is it always this way? Because it sounds like a paint problem to me, like the paint is too thick. I recommend reducing/thinning in a separate cup before adding it into the airbrush. Start with using only distilled water with your acrylic paint. You can use other/better reducers later on, but water is simple and works well. Avoid isopropyl because that can make some acrylic paints clump up and clog the airbrush. I'd try 10 drops of paint to 5 drops of water, mix it well, and just try painting on a piece of computer paper to get it flowing. 25-30psi is a good place to start. Use a high quality paint like golden high flow, createx wicked colors, or cretex illustration. Just buy a single bottle of one of those in black and see if you can get it working. Over reduce the paint if you have to just to see how the airbrush is supposed to spray without clogging.

[@shutterfish]

Never stop air and paint at the same time, ALWAYS end with air. Then you stop getting tipdry.

[@588holly]

Good lord! And these 2 years ive been airbrushing, ive always just taken the needle out of the gun to clean it

[@theartworkshop]

When I'm done for the day I usually remove the needle to clean it off as well. But while painting, I never need to remove the needle to clean off tip dry.

[@blake.everyday]

8:57 = I just pick it off

[@SCUBONZIES]

I thought that Mr Clean eraser was good trick I saw in other video ,

[@leelooki]

Thanks for tip(dry)sorry for dad joke , I'll go away and try toothbrush

[@theanimaster]

I use a dental brush instead of a toothbrush. A dental brush is a tiny wire brush used to floss or clean in between braces. You’s be hard-pressed to exert enough force to damage any airbrush needle with this, yet it exerts just enough to remove dried paint - provided you dip it in alcohol or cleaning solution first. Funnily enough Iwata even ships these with their cleaning kit - freakin’ G•U•M proxabrushes! Makes me wonder that - everything else in the kit is just something bought off store shelves and re-packaged into their cleaning kit.