HOW TO CLEAN A BLOCKED AIRBRUSH NOZZLE
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George Dent
MR’s
editor and chief model maker can offer advice on almost any subject.
Peter Marriott
Scenic guru! Knows what’s available and how to use it.
Paul Chancellor Paul is the proprietor of the well-known railway photographic archive Colour Rail.
Q I’m having trouble with my airbrush, and I suspect the problem is caused by acrylic paint deposits trapped in the nozzle. I keep my airbrush as clean as possible, but reaching inside the tiny nozzle is difficult. Do you have any tips? Matthew Armstrong, by email
George says: Cleanliness really is vital to keeping airbrushes in fine fettle. Regular flushing during work sessions – and a thorough clean at the end of a job – are essential to ensure that the tool will work properly in future.
The ease with which an airbrush can be cleaned and maintained depends very much on the tool’s design. Some are better than others and the shorter distance the paint flows through the tool, the better – meaning there’s less area to clean! Any nooks and crannies or awkward bends in the paint channel inevitably increase the risk of clogging.