Cheap airbrush cleaner (Acrylics)

[stona]

Why spend a fortune on proprietary cleaners? You can get this stuff from Halfords or similar stores and I can vouch for it. Works better than many of the specialist products.

It's called Muc-Off and is meant for cleaning bikes.

Steve

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[yak face]

hi steve, hmmm ill have to get some of this stuff,im sure ive seen it in wilkinsons too.Ill get some from halfords next time im in getting some grey primer,matt black,white primer,appliance white,clear acrylic spraycans,(WHAT! they sell car spares too!!!?wow thats handy):shocking:

 

[stona]

Muc-Off really does the business with Vallejo and Xtracrylix and I'm sure other acrylic paints.

Apparently Klear brings up your floor to a lovely shine lol. It says you can walk on it after twenty minutes but that ruins your model.

Stevel

 

[Gladiator111]

How much is the Muc stuff? Currently using surgical spirits from Boots at around £1.30 a half litre bottle and that works a treat for Vallejo acrylics for both thinning and cleaning.

Cheers

Chris

 

[stona]

Can't remember,well less than a tenner for the litre. It is biodegradable and I'm converting to acrylics to get away from the chemical plant in the model room! I've even found an odourless solvent for artists oils (which I still use for washes and filters).

My beloved WEM colourcoats, which are superb paints, now see less and less use.

I'm trying to use less white spirit, turpenoid, methylated spirit, lacquer thinners, lighter fluid,ammonia, acetone etc, I'm sure you guys know how long the list can be!

I now thin acrylics with water (along with a drying retardant and flow aid) and only occasionally use a harsher solvent to "deep clean" an airbrush.I'm not a green nut, I'm doing it for me and am not trying to tell anyone else what they should or shouldn't use. The hobby can be challenging enough without someone preaching at us! I did, once upon a time, qualify as a chemist so I do know how unpleasant some of these chemicals may be, particularly with frequent exposures.

I spent this morning at the spraybooth and even after cleaning up there was no discernable odour - lovely!

Cheers (fragrantly)

Steve

 

[murraybird]

muc-off as airbrush cleaner.

Have not been on the site for a long time and have just looked at this thread.This a brilliant tip as I am also a keen cyclist and have about 5 litres of muc-off in the shed which I normally use to clean my bikes.I will try this out on my airbrush next time I use it thanks once again for the tip

Murray.

Why spend a fortune on proprietary cleaners? You can get this stuff from Halfords or similar stores and I can vouch for it. Works better than many of the specialist products.It's called Muc-Off and is meant for cleaning bikes.

Steve

 

[currahee]

Steve, I've got a badger 200 airbrush , would the small teflon washer inside the brush be ok with this stuff?

Phil

 

[stona]

Phil, my Iwatas also have Teflon rings and I've not noticed any adverse effects. I always flush through with water whatever cleaner has been used. It is nowhere near as corrosive as a really hot solvent like laquer thinners and it's biodegradable so it can safely be flushed down a drain.

Steve

 

[masse01]

muc off !!

Phil, my Iwatas also have Teflon rings and I've not noticed any adverse effects. I always flush through with water whatever cleaner has been used. It is nowhere near as corrosive as a really hot solvent like laquer thinners and it's biodegradable so it can safely be flushed down a drain.Steve

You can get muc off from this website

£6.99 per litre ;o)

Muc Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner | Buy Online | ChainReactionCycles.com

 

[jspitza]

Anyone know if this carried in the US or possibly under a different name? Thanks, Jeff

 

[tag]

Hello all

For what its worth. for a quick clean when swapping colours I use windscreen washer fluid seems to work ok for acrylics

 

[jschlechty]

Hello allFor what its worth. for a quick clean when swapping colours I use windscreen washer fluid seems to work ok for acrylics

I also just use an ammonia based window cleaner- usually Windex or the generic equivalent for my acrylic paints. It also works well with Future (Kleer?).

 

[N4521U]

In my experience doing sign writing and using an airbrush, often the most obvious is the easiest to use, like the windex. Load up the cup with windex, spray it thru for a bit, even closing the tip with your finger to create a back flow. Break down the airbrush, you need to know how to do this, and how to adjust all the moving parts anyway. Then a pipe cleaner wet with windex, or any solvent for the paints you areusing, and clear out all the hard to get to areas till there is no colour showing. thats it. cheers, Bill