Couple of questions :) Airbrush, Varnish and Cleaning.

[countzero99uk]

Hi there,

Getting back into hobby after my illness got the better of me for a while, but ive a couple of questions there from all over so hope there ok here.

Cleaning airbrushes, ive read about a lot of people using 99% IPA to clean up during and after, is this stuff ok with Acrylic paints, if so i might use it as my ultrasonic cleaner fluid for the deep clean.

Next as ive made quite few models but never used decals, i did a bit of research and its helpful to gloss the model before putting them down for a better fit. Ive only got the Vallejo Acrylic Gloss and Matt, and im not convinced on the gloss being that smooth to be honest. People have recomended Alclad II – Aqua Gloss i think its the ALC600, but some bottles still say Laquer on them. Is this an acrylic varnish, and will it clean up with water and acrylic cleaner?

Lastly, i have one airbrush, a nice H&S Ultra which for me with a limited income wasnt cheap. So i dont want to risk damaging it with varnish or anything like that so i was thinking of investing in a cheaper option. Ive seen a brand called Veda and wondered if anyone had used them or could comment on there build/quality.

Many thanks for looking at this, im looking forward to getting back into this, got a couple of 1/72 planes ready to be started on.
Brian

[SteveW]

Hi Brian

IPA is fine with Acrylics though I am not sure about using in an Ultrasonic bath. Someone else may be able to advise on that. My cleaner I am sure said to only use water though I have added some washing up liquid before. Last time I tried using a bath of Cellulose thinner in the bath. Unfortunately the waves tipped it over and it started to eat the plastic. Luckily I managed to tip it out before it done any real damage.
The gloss varnish helps to prevent silvering by giving a smoother surface for the decals to adhere to. Many modellers use Johnson Klear floor polish which is an acrylic. You may have to do a bit of research on the current name as it seems to keep changing. I understand with this stuff for a good gloss finish it is best to brush it on and leave it to self level then allow at least 24 hours to dry before applying your decals. I have never used the Vallejo versions so can't comment there but I have tried the Alclad varnishes which are very good. I have tended to use Laquer thinners for clean up of varnishes anyway. A clear varnish drying in your airbrush is a real pain.
I have heard of the Veda brand but never used one. The cheapest I have is a Sparmax 35C. It is a great airbrush and cost very little in comparison to the Iwata and H&S etc and spares are readily available so that would be my recommendation. Hope that helps.

[Cymru]

Go with ALC600 for your gloss coat & Ultimate airbrush cleaner will clean anything, also its OK with your sonic bath.

[schweinhund227]

Please *do not use flammable* cleaning products in your Ultrasonic cleaner... !

[countzero99uk]

Thing about using the Ultimate Cleaner though is it takes a good half bottle to fill the cleaner, and thats a lot to pour out every month.

I appreciate the comments Cymru but im trying to find specific things out that ive tried and failed to find out online.

Is ALC600 acrylic? Does it clean up with normal acrylic cleaners and water?

Is IPA ok for cleaning acrylics?

Whats the forums opinion on Veda airbrushes?

schwienhund227, So just use water then in the sonic bath?

Thanks
Brian

[Paul]

Thing about using the Ultimate Cleaner though is it takes a good half bottle to fill the cleaner, and thats a lot to pour out every month.

I appreciate the comments Cymru but im trying to find specific things out that ive tried and failed to find out online.

Is ALC600 acrylic? Does it clean up with normal acrylic cleaners and water?

Is IPA ok for cleaning acrylics?

Whats the forums opinion on Veda airbrushes?

schwienhund227, So just use water then in the sonic bath?

Thanks
Brian

Brian i honestly wouldn't bother with a ultrasonic cleaner, I've got one and never use it. Invest in some good cleaning brushes, the harder steenbeck ones are great and cheap and come in a variety of sizes, then learn to clean your airbrush efficiently with a good cleaner (Ultimate is what i would of course recommend) the brushes will remove anything that the ultrasonic will.

Cleaning my airbrushes this way as well as backflushing when cleaning keeps all my airbrushes in tip top condition and i only have to strip them once a month

These are the brushes https://www.air-craft.net/acatalog/Airb ... tml#SID=55

If your intent on still using a sonic cleaner you could do what i used to do, put enough Ultimate cleaner in a small plastic cup or bowl and then place that in water in the cleaner the sonic waves still work through the cup and you only use a small amount of cleaner and you could reuse it again.

Using IPA can cause more issues as some acrylics gloop up when introduced to it and this can be a real pain to clean out your airbrush.

ALC600 is an acrylic and will clean out with airbrush cleaner, water not so much.

Veda airbrushes i would personally avoid I've heard more bad than good, save up some more money and buy form a well known and quality brand.

[countzero99uk]

Cheers for the advice Paul, i might just save up for a second H&S Ultra.

Quick other question what Acrylic Matt do people recommend for airbrushing?

Thanks again.

[Paul]

The ak/mig stuff is good

[spock1701]

As far as cheap airbrushes go, I had a good experience with the Iwata Neo that was only ruined by my stupidity and incompetence. The airbrush was easy to use and clean

[digger303]

had a veda....don't go there.

[spock1701]

I'll also put in a good word for AK Interactive Matte and Ultra Matte varnishes. Sprays nice out of the bottle and goes on dead flat

[countzero99uk]

Cool, looks like with matt its really down to the batches as well. Ill give the vallejo i have another go then try out some different ones.

[schweinhund227]

Thing about using the Ultimate Cleaner though is it takes a good half bottle to fill the cleaner, and thats a lot to pour out every month.

I appreciate the comments Cymru but im trying to find specific things out that ive tried and failed to find out online.

Is ALC600 acrylic? Does it clean up with normal acrylic cleaners and water?

Is IPA ok for cleaning acrylics?

Whats the forums opinion on Veda airbrushes?

schwienhund227, So just use water then in the sonic bath?

Thanks
Brian

read up on it ! there are ways to use IPA in U/S cleaners but.. be vigilant if you decide to do so !

http://www.tovatech.com/blog/3953/ultra ... ic-cleaner

[exmoor]

Had a veda its in the spares box also got the ultre but i needed a airbrush with a bigger needle so went for the Ultimate apex lovely brush cleans easy sprays anything .i havent used my ultre since