How to Clean and Reassemble an Airbrush

Today I’m going to teach you how to thoroughly clean an airbrush gun.

This is highly important to know because a dirty airbrush can clog and if it doesn’t clog the spray will not work properly and may be chunky.

1a) First you need to soak a cotton swab in acetone. Then remove the makeup on the outside of the airbrush by rubbing it with the cotton swab. Depending on how dirty your airbrush is, hopefully not that dirty, you may have to use more then one cotton swab.

2a) Then blow a small amount of acetone through the airbrush. This will work a lot of dried makeup out of the airbrush.

3a) After you finish blowing the makeup out of the airbrush scrape away any buildup that gets stuck in the nozzle.

4a) Disassemble the airbrush. Most airbrushes can be dissembled by unscrewing the paint cap, nozzle and back end. If you need more specific instructions you check your owners manual.

5a) Now you need to soak the small removable parts in a cup filled with acetone.

6a) While soaking the small parts you can rub a cotton swab soaked in acetone over the airbrush needle to remove the makeup debris.

7a) Then you can use a small brush soaked in acetone to clean the inside of the airbrush.

* If this technique proves unsatisfactory you may want to use a syringe or a baster as well.

Now that you are finished cleaning the airbrush it is time to reassemble it.  To do this you…

 

1b) Hold the handle part of the airbrush in your hand and slide the trigger into the open slot on the top of the handle.

* Make sure that the trigger lines up with the interior spring. It should slide in with out much force.

2b) Carefully drop the rocker into the back end of the handle and carefully slide its spring over it.

* In some airbrushes the rocker and spring are connected, but in other cases they are separate.

3b) Take the collar of the airbrush and tighten it into place and then slide the lug nut on.

*Leave it a bit loose so adjustments can be made.

4b) Slide in the needle so that it comes out the other end of the handle.

5b) Tighten the lug nut onto the end of the airbrush

6b) Take the small tip and tighten it on around the needle.

7b) Slide the head over the tip and secure it using the provided wrench.

* If no wrench is provided a small universal wrench will work just as well.

8b) Slide the casing onto the back of the airbrush and tighten it.

*Each airbrush will tighten differently. Some simply snap into place while and others may need to be tightened with a wrench. If you are unsure of how your airbrush tightens check the instruction manual.

9b) Connect the air supply to the airbrush and use a test paper to check that it is functioning.

*You can use a paper or your hand to check the air supply. Simply hold the trigger for the air supply to test the airbrush.

10b) If it is functioning place the head cap over the tip to protect the tip until you need to use your airbrush.

For more info check out these sites

cleaning an airbrush gun

assembling an airbrush

Or these videos

how to assemble an airbrush

airbrush cleaning and maitinance