Use this thread for tips on maintaining your airbrush...

...if you're using MK clear, make sure to clean out every piece of your airbrush dummy!

Soak the needle in thinner and run it through the body a few times. Also Q-tips soaked in thinner help.

Some micro applicators work great for getting the hard to reach places too. You can find them at most hobby shops.

I'm in a bad spot too, all my fault. The nozzle of my brush is glued into the body, after one night neglecting maintenance. And yeah, clearcoat again.

I can't get it out. I don't want to really ream on it, for fear of damaging the nozzle. Makes cleaning a huge pain.

thanks..I'll try cleaning it alittle more today probably. Is it ok to soak the whole body, with none of the parts attached, in thinner for alittle bit?

sorry to hear about your gun, have you tried soaking the tip and then trying?

I know Matt is looking at putting together some how to videos. He has one up right now for using the MK brush-able paints. I had to dedicate a cheap airbrush to using the MK two part clear coat because the stuff is like Glue. Its the best and makes the final product have a nice candy shell to it but it comes at a cost. Best this is to take it apart and clean the crap out of it. Just make sure if you soak any parts in thinner to take off any o-rings! Or they will get eaten up and on some airbrushes the o-rings are freaking expensive.
I have started using MK clear coat in spray paint form. Its pricey for how much you get but its saves time and causes less headaches. It adheres well to the vinyl and does not form a sticky residue like if you were using kylon. Hope this helps.

Has anyone found a way to purchase o-rings for iwata airbrushes that are cheaper then the iwata brand? I tried looking at home depot but could not find a small enough o-ring.

I use automotive a/c o-rings... They have ones that resist being eaten away... The assortment pack comes small enough for the airbrush..

Can you get them at a automotive shop like a autozone? Or is there a place online?

Iwata hp-c plus. I remove all parts. Take the Teflon Needle packing and o rings out. Soak all of the metal parts in lacquer thinner. Use q tips. Compressed air to blast thinner through everything. Lube with iwata lube. Assemble.

I also let clear cure in mine a while back. Soaked it for 2 days. Came clean

That MK clear is a I FART A LOT. I'm going to start buying it in the spray cans.

So I used MK clear coat and I was stupid and didnt clean the brush for a few weeks. I have now clean it, but now when I spray it comes out kinda splatter (like a spray paint can) instead of a fine mist. Any idea whats going on. Im kinda new to airbrushes

What brand of airbrush is it?

Paasche dual action

first thing i would do is check the tip of the needle. i have a simliar passche and it was doing the somewhat the same thing..it ended up being the tip of the needle was slightly bent. its very hard to notice.. you can pick up another one from a hobby lobby (use the 40%off coupon) or online. also try cleaning out the nozzle (the part the paint comes out) with a toothpick and some thinner.

also i would recommend picking up a cheap paasche airbrush or something even cheaper to spray the mk clear coat. i would not spray it out of the same airbrush you are using to paint out of. that stuff is like cement and it can easily ruin a good brush. or you can use the mk clear coat in a can it works perfect but its more expensive.

Yeah I think your right. Its probably a combination of all of the above. I should try a new tip and nozzle. I was also thinking the same thing about using a dedicated brush for the clear coat.

Im thinking about getting a Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP CS Dual Action Airbrush Gun / Gravity Feed. Do you know anything about this brush?

That's a good brush. I just picked up the Iwata Kustom CH and this thing is a beast ! I have yet to clean it other then adding some thinner at the end to clean it and swabbing the bowl. It's made for heavy solivent paints like a monster kolor or Vcolor.