Alternative to backflushing?

U

Unity

Guest

• Jun 17, 2016

• #1

Hey Everybody,

Brand new to airbrushing here (will be model building), and have a question about backflushing.

My understanding is backflushing is a method used to help clean your airbrush, such as when you need to swap colors. However, I picked up the Badger Sotar 2020, and it doesnt seem possible due to the way the nozzle cap is.

The only way I'm aware of for blackflushing is to just put your finger over the nozzle, but in the case of the sotar, i would just jab myself in the finger with the needle.

Is there another method to be able to back flush? Or another method to help thoroughly clean other than disassembly?

Thank you in advance for anybody who's willing to offer some advice!

Picture of what the tip is like for reference

 

markjthomson

AKA QuickDraw and very happy #nobrushleftbehind

Staff member

Admin

• Jun 17, 2016

• #2

Rag over the end does the trick, or pinch it will also work. Hey welcome here - can you please go to the introductions page (link here http://www.airbrushforum.org/introductions/ ) and give us a good intro? Otherwise a whole heap of people will shy away from a stranger... check out the nettiquette page as well (also in the intro section) to find out a bit more about us. We are a friendly bunch and like talking to people we know rather than complete strangers...

 

U

Unity

Guest

• Jun 17, 2016

• #3

Thank you for the advice, I'll make sure read up on the nettiquette and post an introduction!

 

JackEb

The Dragon Hunter

Staff member

Admin

• Jun 17, 2016

• #4

I find the 'makeup sponges' good to use.... they're latex so not technically a sponge, but they're available cheap from the local $1 shop and work really well. As Mark suggests, you pinch off the end to block air flow.
I fold the sponges then pinch across the needle area to create the same effect of blocking off the air.
The latex sponges are also great for wiping the needle tip - soaked with water or reducer- before the dreaded 'tip dry' sets in. its gentle and efficient

 

basepaint

Air-Valve Autobot!

• Jun 17, 2016

• #5

Yeah I think your pretty much covered on how you can backflush by pinching the nozzle off

 

AndreZA

Air-Valve Autobot!

• Jun 17, 2016

• #6

Pinch it between you fingers.

 

Vladimir

Detail Decepticon!

• Jun 17, 2016

• #7

Propper marker cap or something similar works better In the case there's no need to have dirt on the fingers
Now I've found rubber thing (I don't remember what if from) and use it.

 

musicmacd

The Createx Bandit

• Jun 17, 2016

• #8

If you dont want to pinch it cut a pipette up and put it over the needle cap

 

Vladimir

Detail Decepticon!

• Jun 17, 2016

• #9

Yepp! It's from the pippete up which screws into the medical bottle

 

U

Unity

Guest

• Jun 17, 2016

• #10

Awesome, thank you for all the advice guys! Pinching, latex makeup sponge, all sorts of choices! I didn't even think about it until you all made your suggestions, but the airbrush came with a little plastic nozzle cover that I think I'll be able to use, it goes on pretty snug!

Picture for reference

 

musicmacd

The Createx Bandit

• Jun 17, 2016

• #11

Thats the way, eventualy you will use your fingers as that will get lost!!! At least for me they do

 

A

ad fez

Guest

• Jun 17, 2016

• #12

musicmacd said:

If you dont want to pinch it cut a pipette up and put it over the needle cap

Click to expand...

You feckin genius

 

N

Nessus

Needle-chuck Ninja

• Jun 21, 2016

• #13

Pinching with fingertips works fine without a sponge. Only concern is with some types of paint you might end up forcing unpleasant solvents into the skin with the air pressure, but that's probably nothing unless you're dealing with lacquers or urethanes or something like that.

The SOTAR cap works brilliantly. I've done that before, but not often, as fingers are usually quicker/more convenient in the moment. I've also done the pipette thing, and you don't even have to modify the pipette at all; it actually works great just sticking the regular pipette tip over the nozzle.

 

U

Unity

Guest

• Jun 21, 2016

• #14

Nessus said:

Pinching with fingertips works fine without a sponge. Only concern is with some types of paint you might end up forcing unpleasant solvents into the skin with the air pressure, but that's probably nothing unless you're dealing with lacquers or urethanes or something like that.

Click to expand...

Good to know! I'm actually going to be going with lacquers for a while, so I will avoid pinching Thank you!

 

N

Nessus

Needle-chuck Ninja

• Jun 21, 2016

• #15

Lots of makeup sponges are also latex based, I believe, so anything using petroleum solvents will degrade them, possibly leading to schmutz on (or inside) your AB tip. Not an issue with acrylics, but enamels, lacquers, and urethanes all use petroleum-distillate solvents.