Been using Windex for a whole host of reasons in all my Airbrushes for over 40 years, have never had an issue! Even my old Badger 150s from years ago with no internal plating are still working today! Will Pattison speaks truth!
The other great advantage of using Windex is when your wife decides its time for you to clean the windows around the house she can never find it and a tragic waste of a Saturday afternoon is avoided 😀😀😀
I've spent a lot of money on my airbrushes of the years. The only thing in 99.39% of airbrushes will be affected by Ammonia is the rubber seals. However, I change my seals when they need to be changed. I've thrown my tools in lacquer thinner for years without any effect so far. Buy quality, thin your paint properly and take care of your tools. Thanks, Will!
Not only that but most people I believe make a cleaner mixture that only has a certain amount of Windex, so that further reduces the amount of Ammonia down from 5% to a lot less. So what you say makes sense.
I made this batch of cleaner and had decent luck with it. It's really good for cleaning brushes that have dried acrylic paint in the bristles. But by far the best airbrush cleaner I've found is Tamiya. Oh, and no, I don't know why this formula uses two kinds of alcohol. The 1/2 inch of isopropyl seems like overkill to me, but I'm not a chemist. Using a 1 gallon jug, 1/2 of a bottle of Windshield washer fluid Distilled Water to about ½ inch from top of jug 91% alcohol to top of jug drop of glycerin
I think you hit on the reason manufacturers have said "no Windex" at 8:10. If they say "Windex is fine" and certain small numbers of people just leave their airbrush sitting in tubs of Windex, there will be issues as you describe where the plating is damaged. Unfortunately manufacturers can no longer assume that their products will be used by intelligent users only in the way they were intended... They're trying to not get sued or a reputation as making a bad product. You can't sue them for saying "don't use Windex" because the absence of Windex will do no damage. The improper use of Windex MAY cause damage and saying " no" removes liability. Now for the Internet experts? It is said that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing". Good videos, mate. I always love tuning in to see what the Rube- man is up to.
Love your myth busting! Nothing wrong with reminding people you know what the hell your talking about either! You put the work in to get educated and your kind enough to share that knowledge with the rest of us! I learn something new I’m all your videos! Keep up the good work!
Questions could be from newcomers to airbrushes without experience. I prefer Windex for the ammonia content to cut acrylics over straight water. I would not hesitate to run straight ammonia through it if I thought it were needed. Even Iso- alcohol.
Ive just took early retirement and Ime just getting into airbrushing so after reading your comment am I reading correctly that I can thin down my acrylic paints with windex /here in the UK think its called windoline
@@sprockylock391Windex or a solution with ammonia is meant as a "retarder" with one drop in paint. Thinning should be with the appropriate thinner for the brand of paint. Also Windex or solution with ammonia is meant as an airbrush "cleaner."
I think it does depend on the quality of the brush too. I have some cheap Chinese knockoffs that did not do well with stronger cleaners and the platting flaked off. I use Windex on all my brushes and not a one of my name brand brushes has suffered ill effects.
It is the Ammonia is the Windex that can damage your Airbrush. Ammonia will react rapidly with copper, brass, zinc and many alloys, especially those containing copper and corrode them. I have one that the ammonia ate the chrome finish off the bowl.
For cleaning acrylic paint out of my airbrush I've been following John Miller's formula. A 50/50 mix of Denatured Alcohol and Windex original formula with ammonia. Not all Windex has ammonia in it. Only the "original formula". I've found this cleans out everything from Stynylrez to Tamiya with no negative effect to the airbrush or anything else I've used it in. Best of all it's inexpensive.
Completely accept what you're saying. Question: what effect if any would it have on internal parts like PTFE seals? What do you use to clean your airbrush? I tend to use Mr. Hobby's Mr. Tool Cleaner... it clean up just about anything. I usually lube afterwards with some Iwata airbrush lube.
good stuff. As a car builder I don't use it simply because I shoot probably 90% lacquers and on the rare occasion I am shooting an acrylic it's a solvent based like Tamiya. Cheap lacquer thinner simply does a better job in my situation. But I always love watching people who, with no clue whatsoever but love to authoritatively tell others how to model, get debunked by science.
My issue: After cleaning, I would often take out the brass airbrush needle nozzle and store it in a jar of Simple Green, water, and Windex (my acrylic airbrush rinse recipe). After a couple years, I did have an issue. I learned my lesson.
Thank you for the information and knowledge is power. Glad to hear the inspection form someone who actually knows. I have actually subscribed because of your knowledge.
I've used a solution of 10% windex to 90% water since I started modeling, and to clean it I use either painter's solvent or acetone which are much more powerful.
The UK version is Windolene (Windex) DOESN'T contain any Ammonia, good for windows, no good for cleaning airbrushes or stripping acrylic paint from models. PS: the UK version of Future/Kleer isn't much good for modelling either ! The ONLY issue i have had with airbrushes cleaning is leaving the seals to soak... don't (not even my Iwata with TEFLON seals)
I live in the Netherlands and use mr Hobby acrylic and laquer. I use blue wonder for cleaning the airbrush and paintbrushes. Blue wonder does not contain ammonia and it even better as windex
I don’t use Winded, but my oldest Iwata airbrush has lost most of the chrome in the lower part of the bowl and so what! The airbrush still works well and I’ll continue to use it until it doesn’t, but to date I can’t tell any loss of performance/ impact of the missing chrome.
I wonder what took off your chrome playing? Maybe there was something on the inside surface that prevented the plating from adhering. Strange seeing how it was an Iwata. As long as it still functions I guess. Thanks for answering. I appreciate it.
Before I stopped (for other reasons!) After using future - I used to put a 50/50 diluted household ammonia solution followed by a fresh water flush though my brush - Does not seem to have affected it! Have just picked it up after 5 years again and its not dissolved! - seems to be functioning to the limit of my skills (Thats a joke!) with no issues!
Photography and woodworking are other hobbies of mine and theres quite a bit of regurgitated misinformation within the respective online communities as well. People love to pretend they know what they are talking about.
I don't pay any attention to Facefuck. I mainly use Windex after abin' Model Master, and Polly Scale {Testors} Acrylics. Quick clean up. By the way, I was always taught knowledge is power. The more the merrier. Good rant
I also think that 5% aren't critical but be aware of any higher concentrations of ammonia. A few months ago i did a test with a 10% solution. I put an old photo etch frame in it and within minutes the solution startet to become bluish. Less than two days later the frame was almost gone and the solution was kinda like blue ink. The smell of 10% ammonia will keep you from using it on a permanent basis though.
Will could you do a video on spraying Future? Maybe I’m doing something wrong but it seems to take a lot more pressure for it and messes up my airbrush. Might just be operator difficulty.
Spray it out of airbrush just for that purpose add a drop or two of windex to your mix turn up the psi to 35 . Always clean the airbrush throughly after use , a drop or two of acetone flush with windex then water . Also I would not go lower than2.0 needle to. Spray future.. 4.0 better light distance mists to model.
@@barpfoto Forgive me if i've been living under a rock, but what's your go to clear coat ie one you always use to prep for decals, washes etc? I've used Future for years with few problems but I've wondered if there is a better alternative. I've heard of and seen Testors Dull Coat but never used it and of course, Testors is no longer, well it is where I am in New Zealand. Open to any or all suggestions.
Hi Will I dont comment on your videos mainly because I'm not a very good modeller and your work is so far out of my zone I dont think I could add anything constructive, however todays vid made me laugh so much I have to share it. I cant remember what you said exactly but words to the effect ( If you just got through slagging of windex you might not want to advertise the fact that you use future) I nearly spilt my Tea!!! great work keep it going, good luck and take care
Seems perfectly reasonable, but I’ve never used Windex? Does it work that much better than IPA or lacquer thinner? I scored some excellent lacquer thinner at Menard’s for less than $10/gal. I’ve been mixing it 50/50 with 99% IPA to turn it down and get rid of some of the odor. It still reeks, but good lord Tamiya paints look astonishing using the thinner mix vs. an IPA/water thinner. Considering it costs me less than 25% of something like Tamiya Lacquer Thinner I just use it to clean everything. I’m playing with the dilution (99% IPA is kinda hard to find these days) and I’ve already soaked a few Bandai sprees in the mix overnight with no ill effects. Does the Windex cleanup your airbrush that much better than something petroleum-based? Great video, Wil! I subbed a week ago and have been catching up on all your “experiments”!
i have an iwata revolution, the chrome plating inside the cup is half gone, i use windows cleaner with ammonia, so not a myth for me. but i going to use it anyway
Riddle me this Batman; Other than soaking over night in Windex, how long of time does a diluted squirt of windex based cleaner spend in a airbrush? Then rinse & repeat? Like me, do you spray some canned air into the paint area to hasten the dry time? When was the last time a piece of auto chrome effected by acid rain outside? Same type of chrome on your airbrush! Yet I bet you use Windex to clean your car windows. Have you destroyed the wipers yet? With solvent paint, the solvents (paint thinner, lacquer thinner) will destroy your seals before diluted ammonia will.
Actually, its not the use of Windex that can harm your airbrush, but if you don't flush the airbrush afterwards, and the Windex with ammonia is allowed to sit in there, it can eat the finish on the inside of the airbrush, and can also eat the seals. Ditto for hotter lacquer thinners. No issues using them, just flush the airbrush with water or an airbrush cleaner afterwards. I like Vallejo AB cleaner, as it has a lubricant in it, never have to lube the airbrush. As far as pulling the needle out through the front...it is recommended so you don't pull paint back through the airbrush. But if you are lazy like me, and mix the paint with the thinner right in the airbrush and back flush to mix...that usually ends up getting paint behind the needle seal anyway.
The point is that Windex w/Ammonia "probably not going to have an issue" which are your words at about 7:15 into the video. So with so many other products available that do not contain any ammonia at all that are reasonably priced that will also do a great job of cleaning your airbrush then why take ANY risk at all of the introduction of the ammonia degrading the materials used in the construction of the airbrush period? What I see here is a video that offers a position that in their educated opinion that Windex is not an issue with the percentage of ammonia content or the length of time for exposure which is fine but again cannot make a guarantee that using the product over an extended time frame may be more harmful to the airbrush than not using it. At the same time you have others offering their educated opinions and even some airbrush manufacturers recommend against using Windex w/ammonia in their airbrushes. Personally I could care less what products others choose to use but my question again is why use a product or even defend or promote the use of any product for use as an air brush cleaner which is controversial as to whether it may or may not eventually cause damage even if it is possibly only cosmetic damage to the inside of the airbrush surfaces? And no I do not claim to have a degree or be an expert in the field just using common sense that if there are other readily available, affordable cleaning products as an option to use which do not pose a risk at all why use a product that could even in a remote chance or way could damage a fairly costly airbrush?
it is essentially a guarantee that it's not going to harm an airbrush, and ammonia is a wonderful solvent for acrylics. which is why badger has even recommended it.
It makes me laugh that people think that windex will ruin your airbrush🤣 People you put Thinners in it 🙄 love ya work mate 👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃
Been using Windex for years in about 5 different airbrushes. Never had a problem.
Been using Windex for a whole host of reasons in all my Airbrushes for over 40 years, have never had an issue! Even my old Badger 150s from years ago with no internal plating are still working today! Will Pattison speaks truth!
The other great advantage of using Windex is when your wife decides its time for you to clean the windows around the house she can never find it and a tragic waste of a Saturday afternoon is avoided 😀😀😀
Ken, the owner of Badger, has said many times that windex will not harm their airbrushes.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Precisely, discussion has ended!
I've spent a lot of money on my airbrushes of the years. The only thing in 99.39% of airbrushes will be affected by Ammonia is the rubber seals. However, I change my seals when they need to be changed. I've thrown my tools in lacquer thinner for years without any effect so far. Buy quality, thin your paint properly and take care of your tools.
Thanks, Will!
Not only that but most people I believe make a cleaner mixture that only has a certain amount of Windex, so that further reduces the amount of Ammonia down from 5% to a lot less. So what you say makes sense.
I made this batch of cleaner and had decent luck with it. It's really good for cleaning brushes that have dried acrylic paint in the bristles. But by far the best airbrush cleaner I've found is Tamiya. Oh, and no, I don't know why this formula uses two kinds of alcohol. The 1/2 inch of isopropyl seems like overkill to me, but I'm not a chemist.
Using a 1 gallon jug,
1/2 of a bottle of Windshield washer fluid
Distilled Water to about ½ inch from top
of jug
91% alcohol to top
of jug
drop of glycerin
I think you hit on the reason manufacturers have said "no Windex" at 8:10. If they say "Windex is fine" and certain small numbers of people just leave their airbrush sitting in tubs of Windex, there will be issues as you describe where the plating is damaged. Unfortunately manufacturers can no longer assume that their products will be used by intelligent users only in the way they were intended... They're trying to not get sued or a reputation as making a bad product. You can't sue them for saying "don't use Windex" because the absence of Windex will do no damage. The improper use of Windex MAY cause damage and saying " no" removes liability.
Now for the Internet experts? It is said that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing". Good videos, mate. I always love tuning in to see what the Rube- man is up to.
Love your myth busting! Nothing wrong with reminding people you know what the hell your talking about either! You put the work in to get educated and your kind enough to share that knowledge with the rest of us! I learn something new I’m all your videos! Keep up the good work!
Questions could be from newcomers to airbrushes without experience. I prefer Windex for the ammonia content to cut acrylics over straight water. I would not hesitate to run straight ammonia through it if I thought it were needed. Even Iso- alcohol.
Ive just took early retirement and Ime just getting into airbrushing so after reading your comment am I reading correctly that I can thin down my acrylic paints with windex /here in the UK think its called windoline
@@sprockylock391Windex or a solution with ammonia is meant as a "retarder" with one drop in paint. Thinning should be with the appropriate thinner for the brand of paint. Also Windex or solution with ammonia is meant as an airbrush "cleaner."
I think it does depend on the quality of the brush too. I have some cheap Chinese knockoffs that did not do well with stronger cleaners and the platting flaked off. I use Windex on all my brushes and not a one of my name brand brushes has suffered ill effects.
It is the Ammonia is the Windex that can damage your Airbrush. Ammonia will react rapidly with copper, brass, zinc and many alloys, especially those containing copper and corrode them. I have one that the ammonia ate the chrome finish off the bowl.
For cleaning acrylic paint out of my airbrush I've been following John Miller's formula. A 50/50 mix of Denatured Alcohol and Windex original formula with ammonia. Not all Windex has ammonia in it. Only the "original formula". I've found this cleans out everything from Stynylrez to Tamiya with no negative effect to the airbrush or anything else I've used it in. Best of all it's inexpensive.
Completely accept what you're saying. Question: what effect if any would it have on internal parts like PTFE seals? What do you use to clean your airbrush? I tend to use Mr. Hobby's Mr. Tool Cleaner... it clean up just about anything. I usually lube afterwards with some Iwata airbrush lube.
teflon is chemically inert to just about everything, including lacquer thinner and acetone, which is basically what mr. tool cleaner is afaik.
good stuff. As a car builder I don't use it simply because I shoot probably 90% lacquers and on the rare occasion I am shooting an acrylic it's a solvent based like Tamiya. Cheap lacquer thinner simply does a better job in my situation. But I always love watching people who, with no clue whatsoever but love to authoritatively tell others how to model, get debunked by science.
Thanks, that makes perfect sense. The science behind it and all.
My issue: After cleaning, I would often take out the brass airbrush needle nozzle and store it in a jar of Simple Green, water, and Windex (my acrylic airbrush rinse recipe). After a couple years, I did have an issue. I learned my lesson.
"years"
M. Pattinson, love your random about windexti am from St Hyacinthe nearMontréal and never mist your explication,. You are the best good blest.
Thank you for the information and knowledge is power. Glad to hear the inspection form someone who actually knows. I have actually subscribed because of your knowledge.
I've used a solution of 10% windex to 90% water since I started modeling, and to clean it I use either painter's solvent or acetone which are much more powerful.
also good to see we can safely airbrush beer lol
Zach Wilson I noticed that also! Woo Hoo!
The UK version is Windolene (Windex) DOESN'T contain any Ammonia, good for windows, no good for cleaning airbrushes or stripping acrylic paint from models.
PS: the UK version of Future/Kleer isn't much good for modelling either !
The ONLY issue i have had with airbrushes cleaning is leaving the seals to soak... don't (not even my Iwata with TEFLON seals)
I live in the Netherlands and use mr Hobby acrylic and laquer. I use blue wonder for cleaning the airbrush and paintbrushes. Blue wonder does not contain ammonia and it even better as windex
I don’t use Winded, but my oldest Iwata airbrush has lost most of the chrome in the lower part of the bowl and so what! The airbrush still works well and I’ll continue to use it until it doesn’t, but to date I can’t tell any loss of performance/ impact of the missing chrome.
Are you saying you used to run Windex through your airbrush that took the chrome off?
No, I said I don’t use and I haven’t used Windex
I wonder what took off your chrome playing? Maybe there was something on the inside surface that prevented the plating from adhering. Strange seeing how it was an Iwata. As long as it still functions I guess. Thanks for answering. I appreciate it.
It is around 20 years old, but as I say it appear to work fine so I’ll keep going.
@@danielbritton8588: the plating is ALWAYS thinner on the inside as a result of how plating baths works, the outside receives the thick layers!
Before I stopped (for other reasons!) After using future - I used to put a 50/50 diluted household ammonia solution followed by a fresh water flush though my brush - Does not seem to have affected it!
Have just picked it up after 5 years again and its not dissolved! - seems to be functioning to the limit of my skills (Thats a joke!) with no issues!
Do I dilute the windex
Photography and woodworking are other hobbies of mine and theres quite a bit of regurgitated misinformation within the respective online communities as well. People love to pretend they know what they are talking about.
I cannot agree with you enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like my son they love to hear how brilliant they are, just like politicians!
Always use windex to clean brush after spraying Tamiya paint
what is it the formula in the iwata airbrush cleaner?? no odor and cleans everything!!
Say it's the only cleaner to put in their airbrushes & charge you more money!
@@chuchuchip Yes, sure. but this liquid has no odor, and cleans enamel, acrylic and even automotive paints, including lacquers.
I don't pay any attention to Facefuck. I mainly use Windex after abin' Model Master, and Polly Scale {Testors} Acrylics. Quick clean up. By the way, I was always taught knowledge is power. The more the merrier. Good rant
I also think that 5% aren't critical but be aware of any higher concentrations of ammonia. A few months ago i did a test with a 10% solution. I put an old photo etch frame in it and within minutes the solution startet to become bluish. Less than two days later the frame was almost gone and the solution was kinda like blue ink. The smell of 10% ammonia will keep you from using it on a permanent basis though.
Learned something new today. Thank you for the knowledge. Subscribed.
awesome im ready for FB now ty chissy keep them coming
Will could you do a video on spraying Future? Maybe I’m doing something wrong but it seems to take a lot more pressure for it and messes up my airbrush. Might just be operator difficulty.
Spray it out of airbrush just for that purpose add a drop or two of windex to your mix turn up the psi to 35 . Always clean the airbrush throughly after use , a drop or two of acetone flush with windex then water . Also I would not go lower than2.0 needle to. Spray future.. 4.0 better light distance mists to model.
the real question is why? it's just not a very good clearcoat.
will pattison forgive Gangster bro I was half asleep 💤
will pattison that’s where you come in to deep dive that 🧐
@@barpfoto Forgive me if i've been living under a rock, but what's your go to clear coat ie one you always use to prep for decals, washes etc? I've used Future for years with few problems but I've wondered if there is a better alternative. I've heard of and seen Testors Dull Coat but never used it and of course, Testors is no longer, well it is where I am in New Zealand. Open to any or all suggestions.
One comment to add if it has not been done so. Windex also makes an ammonia free version, so either way you don't have to worry about ammonia
Hi Will I dont comment on your videos mainly because I'm not a very good modeller and your work is so far out of my zone I dont think I could add anything constructive, however todays vid made me laugh so much I have to share it. I cant remember what you said exactly but words to the effect ( If you just got through slagging of windex you might not want to advertise the fact that you use future) I nearly spilt my Tea!!! great work keep it going, good luck and take care
Well said, Will!
Mate Great information! Many thanks for you explaination!
Seems perfectly reasonable, but I’ve never used Windex? Does it work that much better than IPA or lacquer thinner? I scored some excellent lacquer thinner at Menard’s for less than $10/gal. I’ve been mixing it 50/50 with 99% IPA to turn it down and get rid of some of the odor. It still reeks, but good lord Tamiya paints look astonishing using the thinner mix vs. an IPA/water thinner. Considering it costs me less than 25% of something like Tamiya Lacquer Thinner I just use it to clean everything. I’m playing with the dilution (99% IPA is kinda hard to find these days) and I’ve already soaked a few Bandai sprees in the mix overnight with no ill effects. Does the Windex cleanup your airbrush that much better than something petroleum-based? Great video, Wil! I subbed a week ago and have been catching up on all your “experiments”!
it def does not work better than lacquer thinner but some guys just can't deal with the smell.
My observations and common sense just says whatever you use to clea
n, just thoroughly rinse with water, then no leftover chemicals left
i have an iwata revolution, the chrome plating inside the cup is half gone, i use windows cleaner with ammonia, so not a myth for me. but i going to use it anyway
When cleaning the paint cup, do you wipe it out with a cloth? That will be more abrasive that the diluted ammonia.
@@chuchuchip yep, now I have another airbrush, I'm going to try to always use it without ammonia
Will, will Windex attack the o rings in the gun"
No
@@PeterAgostiniJdcap26 is correct. a good airbrush has teflon seals and they're basically chemically inert.
Love your channel man
Windex is great! I often use it to flavor my coffee! 🤪. Seriously, Ken (CEOat Badger) even says it is fine.
great video
How about Ammonia Free Windex, it is readily available.
I have harder and steenbeck and clean it with water only
I'm not having any problems.
If we don't listen to the authorities on subjects, who DO we listen to!? lol, don't answer that.
Grex recommends against Windex with ammonia use for their airbrushes.
and badger will tell you it's ok to use pure ammonia....
Riddle me this Batman; Other than soaking over night in Windex, how long of time does a diluted squirt of windex based cleaner spend in a airbrush? Then rinse & repeat? Like me, do you spray some canned air into the paint area to hasten the dry time?
When was the last time a piece of auto chrome effected by acid rain outside? Same type of chrome on your airbrush! Yet I bet you use Windex to clean your car windows. Have you destroyed the wipers yet? With solvent paint, the solvents (paint thinner, lacquer thinner) will destroy your seals before diluted ammonia will.
Thanks dude!
It’s half way cheap as well
And the "Klear" that people rant about also contain 5% ammonia as mentioned in the video but nooo you can't use windex, what a joke, "experts"! 🤣🤣🤣
Actually, its not the use of Windex that can harm your airbrush, but if you don't flush the airbrush afterwards, and the Windex with ammonia is allowed to sit in there, it can eat the finish on the inside of the airbrush, and can also eat the seals.
Ditto for hotter lacquer thinners.
No issues using them, just flush the airbrush with water or an airbrush cleaner afterwards. I like Vallejo AB cleaner, as it has a lubricant in it, never have to lube the airbrush.
As far as pulling the needle out through the front...it is recommended so you don't pull paint back through the airbrush. But if you are lazy like me, and mix the paint with the thinner right in the airbrush and back flush to mix...that usually ends up getting paint behind the needle seal anyway.
Well said!
The point is that Windex w/Ammonia "probably not going to have an issue" which are your words at about 7:15 into the video.
So with so many other products available that do not contain any ammonia at all that are reasonably priced that will also do a great job of cleaning your airbrush then why take ANY risk at all of the introduction of the ammonia degrading the materials used in the construction of the airbrush period?
What I see here is a video that offers a position that in their educated opinion that Windex is not an issue with the percentage of ammonia content or the length of time for exposure which is fine but again cannot make a guarantee that using the product over an extended time frame may be more harmful to the airbrush than not using it.
At the same time you have others offering their educated opinions and even some airbrush manufacturers recommend against using Windex w/ammonia in their airbrushes.
Personally I could care less what products others choose to use but my question again is why use a product or even defend or promote the use of any product for use as an air brush cleaner which is controversial as to whether it may or may not eventually cause damage even if it is possibly only cosmetic damage to the inside of the airbrush surfaces?
And no I do not claim to have a degree or be an expert in the field just using common sense that if there are other readily available, affordable cleaning products as an option to use which do not pose a risk at all why use a product that could even in a remote chance or way could damage a fairly costly airbrush?
it is essentially a guarantee that it's not going to harm an airbrush, and ammonia is a wonderful solvent for acrylics. which is why badger has even recommended it.
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