I really like how Windex cleans AB but I can't find it without ammonia in local stores. I found a glass cleaner without amonia and would like to know if it works the same? That's the product: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...eujC2a4bNsaApKDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=64
For what it is worth, I have been testing airbrush parts in several solutions, including windex with ammonia, as well as a very strong anhydrous ammonia solution for more than a year and a half. There is validity to the theory that ammonia and brass do react badly together. Ammonia will leach the copper content out of brass leaving it brittle. Reality is that using a solution like Windex to clean an airbrush will never expose a brush to solution long enough to be of any harm. I have replicated decades worth of exposure without inducing any serious issues to any of the parts in testing. The one exception is to a plain nickle finish. Nickle does not fare well with exposure to ammonia, and will eventually strip from the surface of brass. It takes weeks of exposure to do it though...
You can use it to clean, just don’t soak in it and rinse well when your happy it’s clean. And don’t breath in any cleaner that is atomised
I've found a recipe of a cleaner on YouTube. I mix half a 250 ml bottle with Windex and I put the same amount of distilled water then I add a lil bit of alcohol and glycerin. Ammonia free glass cleaner is it as good than the same product but with ammonia?
I'm not a real fan of that mix, as both ammonia and alcohol are terrible to inhale when atomized. I generally use windex, or cleaner to swish a bowl with a soft brush, and then dump it out, fill with water, and spray that. Water really do much of what you need done when cleaning... Ammonia breaks down the acrylic resins in a way that just windex can't. Many acrylic resins already contain amines (especially Createx Illustration), so ammonia readily reduces it to the point of breaking.
Just to be sure that I got it right. You use Windex and a brush to remove the sticky (dried) part and the rest you remove buy using water?
I use a mix of 3 parts windscreen wash, 2 parts distilled water, 1 part denatured alcohol and 10 drops of glycerin. works well enough for me.
The Idea of using crap that is bad to inhale to clean with, is ...well...just a bad idea in general. We need to install a warning in these type of posts.... I do not know if it is a lack of knowledge or just a bunch of bad advise given on places like Facebook, but all of this needs to stop...for your health.... @DaveG has the best advise....use to wipe....but never spray
I found it on Youtube , just to be sure that I understood correctly I wipe my AB with Windex but I spray out the remaining paint with water?
There is a TON of really bad advice on youtube. That is what i do - i put windex, or cleaner, or even a reducer into small squeeze bottles. When i am ready to clean a brush, if there is more than a drop or two of paint in it, I add water, swish with a soft paint brush, and dump it out. Add a cleaner, switch with a soft paintbrush, and dump it out. fill with water, and spray...
I think there are at least 50 threads on this subject . Boils down to this Did the folks making the paint you use make it ? Or did the airbrush making offer it ? If not why take the risk. Before Createx, E'tac and even Golden started making better airbrush only paints finding a home brew to make it work was kind of worth the risk. But they all make a cleaner designed for the paint. Why not just use it?
We have one, just haven’t needed to use it for a while FORUM DISCLAIMER: 'Home brews' or suggestions of 'tweaking' a commercial product can be hazardous to your equipment, your health or the health of those around you. Persons using the information contained on this forum do so voluntarily and at their own risk and should ensure appropriate precautions are taken by using the recommended Personal Protective Equipment and ventilation.
Don't drink it. You will die, and possibly explode. Maybe not in that order. Seriously, given the small amount needed to clean an airbrush, it doesn't cost that much to use the products made by reputable manufacturers.
So when I'm changing colors I can use water to spray out the remaining paint and use an other color without problems? I will use Createx Wiked Colors
Water for color changes is fine. As with any cleaner, just make sure you flush the previous paint out completely. Also, to help remove the possibility of dried paint getting into the nozzle, some prefer to mix water (or whatever, lets call it reducer) up with the paint in the cup using a hairy brush and dump it out rather than spraying it. Then spray some reducer through the brush to clear the rest.
