Air Brush Cleaning after using Future Wax

[George W]

I'm following through with David Griffith's kit book on weathering and want to air brush Future. What is the best way to clean the air brush afterward? I have a number of material to choose from particularly lacquer thinner, regular thinner, and floor wax remover.
Thanks

[aaube]

I spray some Windex (the original blue stuff) right after i'm done with the Future coat then cleaned the brush with normal airbrush cleaner.
Btw, i usually ''dilute'' Future with Windex; 5 to 1.

HTH

Alain

[Mike Cavel]

I use lacquer thinner immediately, first spraying a little, then cleaning the needle, tip, paint cup and internal parts of the airbrush.

[davetwin]

I just spray a paint cup full of water followed by a small amount of ultimate airbrush cleaner, never had a problem wth this method

[George W]

Thank you Alain, Mike, & Davetwin
Thank you for your excellent replies.
George

[biggles2]

I would suggest using the strongest solvent which is safe for your airbrush and clean immediately, even to the point of stripping your airbrush. Don't let the Future have the chance to harden and build up in the airbrush. I've had very bad experiences using Future in an Aztec (Aztec's are highly over-rated, anyway. I eventually tossed it due to continued breakage of the trigger linkage, and back-flow of paint and Future). Now I use an old Badger for spraying Future.

[Chuck Bauer]

I spray some Windex (the original blue stuff) right after i'm done with the Future coat then cleaned the brush with normal airbrush cleaner.
Btw, i usually ''dilute'' Future with Windex; 5 to 1.

HTH

Alain

5 parts Future and 1 part Windex?
If you don't mix in the Windex, is the Future too thick?

[DougC]

I spray household ammonia after using Future. Or soak the parts in household ammonia if there is a build up of Future. Ammonia dissolves Future.

I also spray Future straight out of the bottle, no need to dilute.

[aaube]

5 parts Future and 1 part Windex?
If you don't mix in the Windex, is the Future too thick?

It gives me better results.
It flows better, removes surface tension, act as a retarder and, stopped some fogging issues i've sometimes had.

Alain

[George W]

Thanks all again
This is excellent, perhaps this should be moved to Camo & Coatings.
I just checked David Griffith and he says that it is OK to spray Future un-thinned (pg 95).

I have a Badger and also have some Windex available so I have something to work with.
George

[biggles2]

Ammonia dissolves Future.

I've been told that ammonia is corrosive to the metal finish...at least that is what the Iwata dealer said when I bought my last airbrush. Or maybe he just wanted to sell his own airbrush cleaner.

[DougC]

A high concentration solution of ammonia is corrosive to copper, copper alloys and zinc. But household ammonia is diluted sufficiently to be safe to use.

There is no need to soak overnight with Future build up. Just soak, light brushing and rinse.

[davidwaples]

I spray household ammonia after using Future. Or soak the parts in household ammonia if there is a build up of Future. Ammonia dissolves Future.

I also spray Future straight out of the bottle, no need to dilute.

Doug is exactly right. The recommended solvent for Future is ammonia. Windex has ammonia so it works well. Lacquer thinner works but is a more toxic solution. Either way protect your hands and lungs.
Dave

[ComfortablyNumb]

So....DON'T use Windex as a thinner when the paint is going over Future?

[biggles2]

You don't paint over Future. Future is a barrier before putting on an oil wash. Or mixed with Tamiya Matt Base for a dull coat as a finish or before dry brushing.

[davidwaples]

You don't paint over Future. Future is a barrier before putting on an oil wash. Or mixed with Tamiya Matt Base for a dull coat as a finish or before dry brushing.

Actually you can paint over Future. It's a good base coat for Alclad paint. But anything ammonia will soften future so keep that in mind with whatever you put over it.
Dave

[Devin]

I use Simple Green cut with some water as my airbrush cleaner, after all acrylics, including Future. As long as you spray it through immediately, it cleans it out pretty well. Since switching to this method I only have to do a full break down and cleaning (also using an ultrasonic cleaner) between major projects; so maybe only 2 or 3 times a year.