Changing Colors

[charlieB]

I guess 1st off, i want to say that it is best recommended that if you are going to use certain paints with a certain brush, stick with that combo. I have some brushes just for CREATEX and some just for House of Kolor. The reason is because when yuo switch from different type of paints, the insides of teh brush could have residue and mixing teh differnt paint would clash. Results vary from paint hardenning to paint clogging yourr brush. I understand not all of us can afford 2-10 brushes, but limiting your mediums to one type would be ideal.

When i changed colors using Createx, i do teh following:
1. Empty out all paint by spraying till nothing comes out.
2. Wipe your color cup out with a paper towel.
3. Run Water through your color cup and use your finger to clean out all excess paint.
4. Have the faucet flow water though it so the water shoots out of the nozzle that connect to your airbrush.
5. While depressing on your trigger and moving back and forth, run water through the nozzle where your color cup connect to.
6. Fill your color cup with water and connect back to teh brush.
7. Connect your brush to you hose and start spraying. Most paint should be cleaned at this point.
8. When you color cup is empty, repeat as neccessary. Fill the cup with Windex and empty it out while spraying.
9. Your brush should be thoroughly clean and ready for use with another color.

Repeat these steps after EVERY color change..NO EXCEPTIONS. Yuo should not have any clogging problems after this. AGAIN, try to use one kind of paint per brush. This i think is crucial. Happy Painting!

[Blacktiger]

Good tips Charlie!

[RespirologyRC]

Thanks charlie
I have found that when I use faskolr, if the paint cup is fully cleaned out, that when mixed with spaz stix the insides become muddy.

I appreciate your info greatly. In the past I would try to use as many colors possible through the same brush at a given time to help cut down on time but I guess your correct.

Don't you find it time consuming to clean your brush after every color?

[MrCrash]

I guess I've been doing it the right way all along. I am quite stubborn about cleaning my airbrush between colors. I spend more time cleaning between two colors than I do spraying all the colors combined.

A clean airbrush is a happy airbrush :)

[2ndGeneration]

Yup,
Got the cleaning part down. Just need to figure out how to use the color wheel I bought :mad: :rolleyes:

[charlieB]

[QUOTE=RespirologyRC]Thanks charlie
I have found that when I use faskolr, if the paint cup is fully cleaned out, that when mixed with spaz stix the insides become muddy.

I appreciate your info greatly. In the past I would try to use as many colors possible through the same brush at a given time to help cut down on time but I guess your correct.

Don't you find it time consuming to clean your brush after every color?[/QUOTE


Ahh...that is the problem you have right there. You NEED to clean after each color change. Think about it. Different pigments have differnt sticky levels. When they cling inside your brush, that will cause BUILD UP.

Remember...Time is money...but you WASTE more time when your FIXING your brush rather then spraying. If you do not use your passion for your painting and take your time...you are just looking for problems. No...i do not think im wasting time cleaning out my brush...i may be weird..but i also enjoy cleaning the brushes as well painting them. Think of the brush as an extension of your arm. You would wash your hands when they are dirty right? It all somes down to how well you take care of your brush. Good luck man....and take care of that Brush!!!!

[Piggy89373]

Resp, since you're like me and spray so many different mediums, do yourself a favor and head down to Circuit City. I picked up an ultra sonic jewelry cleaner for 30 bucks. It works like a charm!! It works using just water and it works well.

I'm usually pretty a-retentive about my brush and clean it religiously because I spray at 4 different mediums through it: acrylics, lacquers, enamels, and acetone based nail polishes. I cleaned up my brush very thoroughly, then dropped it in the hopper. I was surprised at how much paint was vibrated loose. It's returned my brush to near new condition. It was a well spent 30 bucks.

[charlieB]

pickin one up this weekend Pigy! Good Call!!!

[Blacktiger]

Wow Piggy, I would of never thought of that. Adding that to my list of things to get.

[FESTER2004]

i always clean my airbrush even though its a cheap $20 one from ebay!charlieb is right time is money!this is a good thread to start,it will shed some light on why u should clean your airbrush!

[MrCrash]

I picked up an ultra sonic jewelry cleaner for 30 bucks.
We sell those at work, and they are cheaper than that ;) Maybe I should get one....

[charlieB]

Mr Crash..maybe u can get soem business from some of us.

[Stalker911]

Where do you work?

I see them listed @ Harbor Freight for like $25 or something and I'm always getting 20% off coupons emailed to me... maybe it's time to pick one up! Excellent idea!!

[mproy]

CharlieB is so right... I have found that in addition to everything he says if :

*the faucet* is accessible use some mild-warm water instead of cold as your rock the trigger back and forth.

*you are near a sink or pal/container* a) backflush some water (dip the crown/tip in water with nothing in the cup) back into the cup b) with water/brush cleaner/rubbing alcool in the cup put your index on the crown/tip to block it off and press the trigger progressively pulling back ---- WARNING --- whatever is in the cup will be doing bubbles of progressive intensity and can, will overflow and may splash out in your face. You should be wearing glasses/safety glasses.

*if you discover dried paint residue in between the cup and the tip or in the shaft from the trigger back* remove the tip/crown, run some water (or if needed brush cleaner/rubbing alcool) in the brush tilting it back and forth --- warning it will drip out the tip if you don't put your finger -- then run a doubled-up (folded in half) pipe cleaner a couple times true.

*to clean the tip* load the tip and some brush cleaner/rubbing alcool in a glass containter (4oz jar) some bb bearings and place in a ultrasonic basket. There should be enough brush cleaner/rubbing alcool to cover the tip. Let run for an hour.

M.P.

[MrCrash]

Mr Crash..maybe u can get soem business from some of us.
Perhaps. I would guess that we could take phone orders for them, but shipping might make up the price difference for most people, making it not as great of a deal.

[RespirologyRC]

this may sound weird or even dangerous, but I was having flow problems a month ago and couldn't figure out the problem I took my entire airbrush apart and cleaned it very well. I normally use an eye shadow brush to clean the inside but this didn't seem to cut it. So I took my dremel tool and a quarter inch drill bit and put it through the hole that the kneedle comes from. At first i was getting a lot of resitance and I was worried that I might screw up my $100 brush, but then... a crap load of hardened paint came out. Apparently from my neglect a lot of paint had collected inside the brush not allowing air to move freely down the brush. Now my brush works great but I am having trouble finding a new nozzle.

[Blacktiger]

Man, a drill bit!!! Yes that could of been the end for your brush.

Also , good tip on the eyeshadow brush, my wife may find one missing. :D

And for a new nozzle, what brush are you using?

[Piggy89373]

A dremel and drill bit?!?! Your Iwata is precision designed and cut! It's designed to allow even air flow all around the needles. If the metal has been scored along any one side, air flow will change dramatically. If it still works right, you're the luckiest guy I know.

In the future, try picking up the airbrush cleaning kit. It contains all the small brushes you need, and is more versatile than the applicator brushes. Also, use some acetone to loosen up the clogged paint. Don't soak your brush in it, but fill the color cup and back flow repeatedly.

[charlieB]

A dremel and drill bit?!?! Your Iwata is precision designed and cut! It's designed to allow even air flow all around the needles. If the metal has been scored along any one side, air flow will change dramatically. If it still works right, you're the luckiest guy I know.

In the future, try picking up the airbrush cleaning kit. It contains all the small brushes you need, and is more versatile than the applicator brushes. Also, use some acetone to loosen up the clogged paint. Don't soak your brush in it, but fill the color cup and back flow repeatedly.


DRILL BIT????? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[RespirologyRC]

I didn't scratch anything I just ended up drilling out all the paint junks. I didn't know that the paint had to be washed out from the inner part of the brush. BUT regardless My brush works really well now and I paint smoothly. I'll post some work that I'm finishing currently so that you can see how smooth the colors came out. Remember this guys; I mainly paint 1/18th scale so my airbrush has to be able to deliver fine airlines without blotting. So trust me when I say that the brush is fine and nothing is damaged. Although I still need a new kneedle (the tip bent when it accidentally fell off the airbrush holder). Anyone know where I can buy a kneedle for an Iwata HP-CS? I used to be able to get them from Airbrush E store but they no longer sell Iwata stuff.

[AirBoston]

I clean every six months weather the brushes need it or not. The key is to leave the paint bottle on the brush so neither dry out. I will use a paint cup on occasion and pick the closest color bottle to switch out. I love having more than one brush!

[Cesarjjc]

That is a nice setup you have there Airboston. What type of ventilation you have there? :D

[Piggy89373]

With a setup like that, you don't need no stinking.....velitination...did you just see that bunny...kinda foggy now...<thump>

Nice setup, btw!

[AirBoston]

Actually I do have a little bit of ventilation. I use a bathroom fan in the ceiling that ventilates through a dryer vent outside. I need more though.

A multiple brush setup is really a great way to deal with color changes. Even with two, you can seperate light and dark colors. With three, use one for black, one for white and one for the other colors.

[Stalker911]

Charlie silly question for you but... you know how you were saying about different brush for different paint types... is it fine to use Faskolor and Createx in the same brush? I figure it is since they are the same paint pretty much - but never know maybe there is something slightly different I don't know about?