Thank you my friend, just made up 900 mls for the cost of $15. My normal airbrush cleaner costs me $20 for 250mls. I then tested it cleaning up one of my cheap chinese airbrush's and it worked wonders. I don't know if the addition of glycerin makes a difference but the trigger and needle seem much smoother. Once again Thank YOU
I copied this recipe and the recipe I'm very shocking that it works and we trying to find a cheapest way to do it this way is the best way to do it was great hands down everybody should thank you once again for your help
Tried it and it works great with my Paasche Talon. I will never spend $12.00 on a bottle of cleaner or thinner again. Great video that actually helps save some cash. Can’t say that for most of the informercials on TH-cam. Thanks my model building brother! 👍😊
So while this video is older I'd like to put this out there. The problem of the chrome being stripped off from the inside of the paint cup is not only a problem with "cheaper" airbrushes. If you do a search you will see it's common in most airbrushes including my favorite iwata. While this will happen naturally over time ammonia will really speed it up and it makes it a pain trying to clean the cup for a color change. The quickest way to strip the inside of the cup is leaving cleaner in it. Do not under any circumstances leave cleaner in your brush for extended periods. Overnight is all it takes. The manual on my brush says no longer than 10 minutes.
I airbrush all the time and I never understood why people would want to leave cleaner in their airbrush anyways. Just get the paint out ASAP, clean it, spray some alcohol through it and you're done in two minutes.
@@xanderguldie What would you recommend for thinners? seen so many, 2-1 (water/IPA) ratios with 10mlFlow improver and 1ml retarders added to 200ml mixes. In the above mix he's used Glycerin, which many recommend, would it work with the above formula do you know? Just new to airbrushing and trying to gather the best solutions and mixes, found a window cleaner solution without Ammonia, so not so harmful.
@user-rz7pw5rk5t For cleaning, I use a couple of different things. Usually, I start with warm water, then my homebrew cleaner, which consists of windex, isopropyl, and a couple of drops of glycerine. Depending on how much paint I used, I'll flush my airbrush with a little bit of acetone. For thinners, I dont like to use retarders unless I need the paint to dry slowly for some reason. I mix rubbing alcohol with water 1:1, and that's it. But it depends on what kind of acrylics you're using. So I recommend you experiment with the ratios.
Lysol All Purpose Cleaner works as a great airbrush cleaner for acrylic paint. It can also be used to remove acrylic paint from parts you made a mistake on. It is inexpensive (smells nice too).
@@tammyadair2301 yep, straight out of the spray bottle...into the cup... spray it out, change colors, keep painting youll need a full cleaning when finished, but its a great flush between colors
Revisiting this video as my recipe has changed. I now use Simple Green instead of non ammonia Windex. I also use a little flow enhancer in the thinner. Cheers from eastern TN
I was sick and tired of $8.75 for a bottle of Tamiya thinner. Used your home brew mix and it works perfect! I did use Vallejo flow improver (15 drops) since I had that instead of straight glycerin.
@@pilot4701 Actually, Tamiya acrylic is a solvent based "hybrid" acrylic. I haven't tried Grump's mixture with it and while I know what I'm about to mention "ruins" dealing with this paint because it's acrylic, but *THE* best thinner I've ever used with Tamiya acrylics (and still do) is Mr. Color Leveling Thinner, which is a LACQUER thinner. I usually mix 60-70 (sometimes even more)? % thinner to about 30-40% paint and it airbrushes flawlessly, never clogs the airbrush tip and dries smoothly and durable. Having said that, you must then clean your airbrush with regular 'ol lacquer thinner but believe me, once you try it, you won't go back.
good stuff! I started using the thinner mix and was impressed at how well it worked vs store bought, i wont be buying commercially made any more. doesnt matter much but i put the glycerin in first then it pretty much is mixed by the time I add the water and alcohol
Well i got to say that was interesting my first time watching your youtube channel you speak slowly and clearly ,now I can make some thinner and cleaner for a fraction of the price thanks
Great video - gonna give this a try. You can also use the water from a dehumidifier, just filter it to get any contaminants from the container out. But it is chemical free.
Great information, thank you. I found a free source of distilled water, if you have access to a condenser type clothes dryer. The water produced by these is distilled. I put it through a filter (a lint free cloth in a funnel seems to be sufficient) and save it in cleanded out pop (soda) bottles. Lots of uses for it, including this now. Hope this helps someone 🤞
I saw a video last night where someone else was making their recipe for thinner. They had 2 mixes with one of them similar to yours with the exception of ammonia while the other used windshield cleaner in the other one. They didn't measure the glycerin in any way and just poured a small amount into their mix. The rest of it was 1:2 glass cleaner to water for their glass cleaner mix and 1:1 when using windshield cleaner with both getting alcohol and glycerine.
I watched 15 other "homebrew" videos. Ultimately came back, subscribed and tried the cleaner. Thank you ! Works excellent ! Greetings from Cape Cod , Massachusetts ! Felix.
Felix The cat And his bag of tricks I glad that it works for you. Remember, the Thinner is not recommended for all acrylic paints. I might need to do a side by side if all the brands.
As a side note to the Ammonia harming rubber seals. The most common (non Chinese) brand of seal is EPDM Rubber. Ammonia is only harmful to the rubber if used in concentrated form and left to sit. With the diluted amount used in Windex, and the diluted even more with your solution, there will be no harmful effects. The only seal that Ammonia will really cause damage is with Viton seals.
My Master airbrushes in fact had Viton seals and cleaning with Windex did in fact totally destroy the O rings. It is worth noting to that Nitrile (Buna-N rubber ) seals will also not fair well with high PH type cleaning solutions.
An excellent source of distilled water, if you have access to it, is a home dehumidifier. We heat with an unvented gas heater and use the dehumidifier to keep from getting mold etc in the winter. Any time of year tho just run it for an hour or two for a batch of fresh pure H2O.
Thank you for this great video, a question, is there any difference in Isopropyl based alcohol vs Ethanol based Alcohol when it comes to making those cleaner and thinner mixes?
the seals aspect is true, just depends on what they are made of. Dont use windex, go to the automotive section and buy store brand windshield wiper fluid its generally ammonia free and a hell of alot cheaper. Gallon of walmart brand stuff is like three bucks.
I use the same recipes for thinner and cleaner. Cheaper than buying the commercial "stuff". The alcohol is usually 70% isopropyl. I use the non-ammonia Windex. I use the water soluble glycerin. And I make my own distilled water. Make a gallon every night in my water distiller.
I might try your recipe for the cleaner, because my recipe is a little different and think it's a little lacking. But I really like my thinner. I'll share my recipes below. Cleaner: in a 500ml squeeze bottle (all "measurements" are approximate) 1 part distilled H2O 2.5 parts windshield washer fluid (blue H2O) or rain-x windshield washer fluid (orange H2O, works better (reduced tip dry) but costs more) .5 - 1 part 90% ISO propanol alcohol 15 - 20 drops glycerin Thinner : in a 500ml squeeze bottle (all "measurements" are approximate) 2 part distilled H2O 1 part 90% Isopropyl alcohol 10 - 12 drops glycerin (flow aid & slight retarder) 10 drops propylene glycol (retarder) I use the glycol (a "second" retarder) to counter the faster drying effects of the alcohol. Some might say cut back on the alcohol, and I have tried that and it seems like it isn't as smooth (i.e. orange peeling or pigment speckles) and get a lot of wave dry without glycol. Also with this recipe I've noticed less tip dry.
I've picked up most of this stuff. Have you not found washer fluid to work as a thinner? I've talked with some old timers who use it religiously as a thinner.. I have everything but a good supply of ipa obviously because of the current pandemic. I'm just trying to find a better recipe. One guy makes up his own car paint that is super high gloss high definition which is 2 parts paint, 1 part washer fluid, and 1 part pledge.
To the Grumpy Modeler; i had just make up your cleaner,& thinner formula > The cleaner works good on old dry up acrylic paint ,& the thinner i will try later. Following your formula recipe it was quick, & easy to do.. Thank you .
My concern with windex is what other ingredients are in it. Obviously what ever makes it blue and how these unknown ingredients will effect the paint in the long term.
Good morning from sunny Brittany in France. I have returned to modelling after a 30 year hiatus and have bought my first airbrush. Your paint thinner recipe doesn't add a specific flow improver or retarder. Instead you add Glycerine as in the cleaner. Have I understood your video correctly? If so it saves me from buying two more chemicals. Thank you again.
Totally new to airbrushing so this is my first video on cleaners and thinners. I like how simple the ingredients are and certainly makes good sense. The proof will be in the application I guess, so here goes nothing. Thanks for you mixture ingredients.
A note on Ammonia: In its raw state, Ammonia is a very caustic Gas (not a liquid). It is used when dissolved in various other substances and used in many things from rocket fuel to agricultural fertilizer (including some food products.) Off the shelf cleaning Ammonia is around 30% Ammonia in water. Windex says their cleaner contains 5.66% Ammonia. When mixed in Grumpy's cleaner it is down to around 1.7%, probably not enough to do any harm unless left to soak in it for an extended time. Mission Models Paints do say you can strip their paint with Ammonia or Alcohol.
Thanks a lot for your advise. Did you test your thinner with AK 3rd gen paints? A lot of modellers have issues to thin it properly for airbrushing. Thanks again.
You can just use distilled water mixed with distilled white vinegar to clean an airbrush. Soak the parts for about 5 minutes if breaking airbrush completely down for a thorough cleaning. Then just use cotton swabs and pipe cleaners. Dry. Reassemble. You can add Floetrol (flow aid/leveler) and Glycerin to the cleaner if you want. White vinegar is one of the best cleaning agents there is. Heck...it removes rust if you soak rusty parts in it for a day. Also...you can use air tool oil to lube all the o-rings, etc.
Question about thinner! My airbrush say to dilute acrylic paint 7 parts water to 1part pain. To me it looks to thin what would you recommend to dilute paint with the thinner?
Thanks for the info...I will try that...quick question...since I have a bunch of 99% Iso Alcohol.....could you still use that or would you water it down a bit before adding to rest of ingredients.....thanks
Hi Darrin, is the Cleaner formulated for water-based acrylic paints, or solvent paints ( acrylic / enamel / lacquer ) or both ? Secondly, similarly is the Thinner formulated for water-based acrylics and solvent paints or both ? Very interesting video you have on this subject matter. Thanks and Rgds - Harry / Malaysia
Very helpful video, is the idea to run the airbrush cleaner through the airbrush? Or is the purpose to disassemble the airbrush and scrub the parts with it?
Ratios of paint thinner to paint will vary greatly depending on the viscosity of the paint, the air pressure at which you are spraying, and the needle/tip size on your airbrush. Even within the same brand of paint, colors that are more highly pigmented will be thicker. I would start by doing an internet search for "How to thin X paint for airbrushing" where X is the paint brand. Be aware that this mix is ONLY for water or alcohol based acrylic paints and some brands may have different lines (e.g. Vallejo Model Color vs. Vallejo Model Air) that thin differently. Once you have a general idea of how to thin for your setup, do some tests on a scrap subject from there to fine tune things. As far as contaminants in paint, that's just something you always want to avoid since it can effect adhesion and the quality of the finish
Just a heads up, ammonia is in fact not safe to use on some types of O rings. I can say this for fact that some cheap airbrushes use Viton rubber seals because they are cheap. Viton seals do not stand up to chemicals that have a high PH (above 7.0) and ammonia which is not classified as an alkali, does in fact have a PH above 7.0 and will cause damage to cheap O rings. Just make sure if you have a cheap airbrush that you replace the O rings and seals with a quality synthetic rubber seal, which is just fine to use with chemicals like ammonia cleaners.
there is a video on how to improve the performance of an inexpensive airbrush and mentions getting rid of the provided seal and replacing it with a beeswax seal …
There's a guy on youtube who uses Hot water to clean acrylic paint from airbrush, I asked another youtuber if the Hot water was OK because I was skeptical. He said NO WAY should you be using boiling stove/microwave water to clean airbrush, as it can damage O-rings. What say you Grumpy Modeler? Also I make my own airbrush cleaner 3/4 cup Mean Green, 3/4 distilled water, 1/2 cup 91% alcohol and 10 drops of glycerin. Does this sound OK and is Mean Green to strong? Thanks, look forward to your opinion
Hi very detail video, thumbs up!Just 2 questions . 1)i already have 100% alcohol(commercial type),do i still add in the same proportion too? 2)I'm using angelus leather paint.does it work too? and do you know the ratio for your thinner:angelus paint?
I've seen suggestions to use windshield washer fluid as the thinner. Compared to your idea, it would have no ammonia. Have you any experience with or do you have an opinion about that?
Thanks for posting this video, you presented it very well and in a clear concise manner! Just a point of curiosity for me, why are you using the 90% alcohol and thinning it down? Why not go for a lower percentage off the shelf (we have 50 and about 70% available where I live in Canada) and add less water or maybe no water at all? I’m certainly no chemist, just left me wondering.
91% is easily accessible here in the U.S. I can get it every bit as easily as the 70%, but I also use it during prep of my items, so I prefer the 91% anyway. :)
Hi, thanks for this useful information. By the way , I'll appreciate if you tell us how much milimeters of isopropyl alcohol you add to the cleaner mix.
I have been using your recipe for 3 years now. I will never buy thinner for acrylic, this recipe is amazing. The cleaner is just as amazing as well
I have used a the home brew on two occasions now with excellent results. Airbrushing with acrylics is fun again!
Thank you my friend, just made up 900 mls for the cost of $15. My normal airbrush cleaner costs me $20 for 250mls. I then tested it cleaning up one of my cheap chinese airbrush's and it worked wonders. I don't know if the addition of glycerin makes a difference but the trigger and needle seem much smoother. Once again Thank YOU
Glycerin helps slow the drying particularly if using higher than 17psi
New to airbrushing, This was very helpful, thank you.
Thanks for sharing, exactly what i was looking for. I tried these both out today and WOW ! Fantastic stuff !
I copied this recipe and the recipe I'm very shocking that it works and we trying to find a cheapest way to do it this way is the best way to do it was great hands down everybody should thank you once again for your help
The fact that you even have to say "don't eat it" is already a testament
Thank you I am just getting into airbrushing and acrylic paint this will be very helpful
The background set-up looks magnificent!
7:40 if u want to skip right to the mixtures
thanks ;-)
Thanks
looking for this was making me Grumpy
thanks
Dear Lord - 7 minutes of monotone contentless preamble ....
Tried it and it works great with my Paasche Talon. I will never spend $12.00 on a bottle of cleaner or thinner again. Great video that actually helps save some cash. Can’t say that for most of the informercials on TH-cam. Thanks my model building brother! 👍😊
Cool decals
So while this video is older I'd like to put this out there. The problem of the chrome being stripped off from the inside of the paint cup is not only a problem with "cheaper" airbrushes. If you do a search you will see it's common in most airbrushes including my favorite iwata. While this will happen naturally over time ammonia will really speed it up and it makes it a pain trying to clean the cup for a color change. The quickest way to strip the inside of the cup is leaving cleaner in it. Do not under any circumstances leave cleaner in your brush for extended periods. Overnight is all it takes. The manual on my brush says no longer than 10 minutes.
I airbrush all the time and I never understood why people would want to leave cleaner in their airbrush anyways. Just get the paint out ASAP, clean it, spray some alcohol through it and you're done in two minutes.
@@xanderguldie What would you recommend for thinners? seen so many, 2-1 (water/IPA) ratios with 10mlFlow improver and 1ml retarders added to 200ml mixes. In the above mix he's used Glycerin, which many recommend, would it work with the above formula do you know? Just new to airbrushing and trying to gather the best solutions and mixes, found a window cleaner solution without Ammonia, so not so harmful.
@user-rz7pw5rk5t For cleaning, I use a couple of different things. Usually, I start with warm water, then my homebrew cleaner, which consists of windex, isopropyl, and a couple of drops of glycerine. Depending on how much paint I used, I'll flush my airbrush with a little bit of acetone. For thinners, I dont like to use retarders unless I need the paint to dry slowly for some reason. I mix rubbing alcohol with water 1:1, and that's it. But it depends on what kind of acrylics you're using. So I recommend you experiment with the ratios.
@@xanderguldie Thanks and very much appreciated!
Lysol All Purpose Cleaner works as a great airbrush cleaner for acrylic paint. It can also be used to remove acrylic paint from parts you made a mistake on. It is inexpensive (smells nice too).
Do you use straight Lysol?
@@tammyadair2301 yep, straight out of the spray bottle...into the cup... spray it out, change colors, keep painting
youll need a full cleaning when finished, but its a great flush between colors
Your recipe is the best i will try it on soon . every ingredient it so easy to find in my home town .thank a lot sir
Thanks a lot. I will give your mixture a try. Have a great Christmas
Revisiting this video as my recipe has changed. I now use Simple Green instead of non ammonia Windex. I also use a little flow enhancer in the thinner. Cheers from eastern TN
Thanks for the advice! I mixed both today and absolutely love the cleaning solution. Inexpensive and very effective.
I was sick and tired of $8.75 for a bottle of Tamiya thinner. Used your home brew mix and it works perfect! I did use Vallejo flow improver (15 drops) since I had that instead of straight glycerin.
was usefull?
I wasn't sure this would work with tamiya since it's alcohol based acrylic.
@@pilot4701 Actually, Tamiya acrylic is a solvent based "hybrid" acrylic. I haven't tried Grump's mixture with it and while I know what I'm about to mention "ruins" dealing with this paint because it's acrylic, but *THE* best thinner I've ever used with Tamiya acrylics (and still do) is Mr. Color Leveling Thinner, which is a LACQUER thinner. I usually mix 60-70 (sometimes even more)? % thinner to about 30-40% paint and it airbrushes flawlessly, never clogs the airbrush tip and dries smoothly and durable. Having said that, you must then clean your airbrush with regular 'ol lacquer thinner but believe me, once you try it, you won't go back.
good stuff! I started using the thinner mix and was impressed at how well it worked vs store bought, i wont be buying commercially made any more. doesnt matter much but i put the glycerin in first then it pretty much is mixed by the time I add the water and alcohol
Well i got to say that was interesting my first time watching your youtube channel you speak slowly and clearly ,now I can make some thinner and cleaner for a fraction of the price thanks
Great video - gonna give this a try. You can also use the water from a dehumidifier, just filter it to get any contaminants from the container out. But it is chemical free.
Thank you, this will save me a ton and no smell in the house.
Great information, thank you. I found a free source of distilled water, if you have access to a condenser type clothes dryer. The water produced by these is distilled. I put it through a filter (a lint free cloth in a funnel seems to be sufficient) and save it in cleanded out pop (soda) bottles. Lots of uses for it, including this now. Hope this helps someone 🤞
I saw a video last night where someone else was making their recipe for thinner. They had 2 mixes with one of them similar to yours with the exception of ammonia while the other used windshield cleaner in the other one. They didn't measure the glycerin in any way and just poured a small amount into their mix. The rest of it was 1:2 glass cleaner to water for their glass cleaner mix and 1:1 when using windshield cleaner with both getting alcohol and glycerine.
I made the cleaner tonight and it works great! Thanks. I'm going to try the thinner tomorrow after I replace my messed up compressor.
How did the thinner work for you?
I watched 15 other "homebrew" videos. Ultimately came back, subscribed and tried the cleaner. Thank you ! Works excellent ! Greetings from Cape Cod , Massachusetts ! Felix.
Felix The cat And his bag of tricks I glad that it works for you. Remember, the Thinner is not recommended for all acrylic paints. I might need to do a side by side if all the brands.
Definitely trying this when the brand-name stuff has been used up. Thank you for sharing!
As a side note to the Ammonia harming rubber seals. The most common (non Chinese) brand of seal is EPDM Rubber. Ammonia is only harmful to the rubber if used in concentrated form and left to sit. With the diluted amount used in Windex, and the diluted even more with your solution, there will be no harmful effects. The only seal that Ammonia will really cause damage is with Viton seals.
My Master airbrushes in fact had Viton seals and cleaning with Windex did in fact totally destroy the O rings. It is worth noting to that Nitrile (Buna-N rubber ) seals will also not fair well with high PH type cleaning solutions.
Many thanks from Yorkshire for your information .
You’re a class act...Thanks for the info!!!
Thanks a million, keep up the excellence!!
Love these squeeze bottles, glad I found this vid.
Sir,pls sent me enamel peint making video
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience.
I just did my first refill. Lasted me about two years.
Thank you! Works like a charm.
Got the stuff to make it today....
Those Pampered Chef measuring cups are the best. I use them for EVERYTHING. I've even marinated chicken in them.
Chris Lane I use the heck out of em.
An excellent source of distilled water, if you have access to it, is a home dehumidifier. We heat with an unvented gas heater and use the dehumidifier to keep from getting mold etc in the winter. Any time of year tho just run it for an hour or two for a batch of fresh pure H2O.
James Williams full of heavy metals though depending on your dehumi
This was great information. i will give it a try and hopefully save some money on the long run. Thank you
It work for me thanks man keep it up
Excellent video! thanks from Argentina!
Thank you for this great video, a question, is there any difference in Isopropyl based alcohol vs Ethanol based Alcohol when it comes to making those cleaner and thinner mixes?
the seals aspect is true, just depends on what they are made of. Dont use windex, go to the automotive section and buy store brand windshield wiper fluid its generally ammonia free and a hell of alot cheaper. Gallon of walmart brand stuff is like three bucks.
Thank heavens! No more spending mega bucks for +am!ya thinner and airbrush cleaner!
75 or 100ml of Windex? You say 2 different amounts in the vid. Your cleaner recipe in the description is 320 ml like someone pointed out.
I use the same recipes for thinner and cleaner. Cheaper than buying the commercial "stuff". The alcohol is usually 70% isopropyl. I use the non-ammonia Windex. I use the water soluble glycerin. And I make my own distilled water. Make a gallon every night in my water distiller.
I might try your recipe for the cleaner, because my recipe is a little different and think it's a little lacking. But I really like my thinner. I'll share my recipes below.
Cleaner: in a 500ml squeeze bottle (all "measurements" are approximate)
1 part distilled H2O
2.5 parts windshield washer fluid (blue H2O) or rain-x windshield washer fluid (orange H2O, works better (reduced tip dry) but costs more)
.5 - 1 part 90% ISO propanol alcohol
15 - 20 drops glycerin
Thinner : in a 500ml squeeze bottle (all "measurements" are approximate)
2 part distilled H2O
1 part 90% Isopropyl alcohol
10 - 12 drops glycerin (flow aid & slight retarder)
10 drops propylene glycol (retarder)
I use the glycol (a "second" retarder) to counter the faster drying effects of the alcohol. Some might say cut back on the alcohol, and I have tried that and it seems like it isn't as smooth (i.e. orange peeling or pigment speckles) and get a lot of wave dry without glycol. Also with this recipe I've noticed less tip dry.
thanks
Where do you get glycol?
Try this.... th-cam.com/video/e30WyB8KsB0/w-d-xo.html
I've picked up most of this stuff. Have you not found washer fluid to work as a thinner? I've talked with some old timers who use it religiously as a thinner.. I have everything but a good supply of ipa obviously because of the current pandemic. I'm just trying to find a better recipe. One guy makes up his own car paint that is super high gloss high definition which is 2 parts paint, 1 part washer fluid, and 1 part pledge.
Finally someone that mentions propylene glycol!👌 Did you by chance also try your mix without Glycerin?
To the Grumpy Modeler; i had just make up your cleaner,& thinner formula > The cleaner works good on old dry up acrylic paint ,& the thinner i will try later. Following your formula recipe it was quick, & easy to do.. Thank you .
I used windex 70 % and metholated spirits 20% and 10% water and it is ok for cleaning
Very handy,
Question can you use spray tin primer. Then go over the top with Acrylic air brush paint?
Very new to this 😳
Excellent info, thank you, I learn quite a bit, please keep it up...
It was a great video and demonstration actually. Hopefully you teach us how to clean an airbrush because it’s my difficult part 😄
My concern with windex is what other ingredients are in it. Obviously what ever makes it blue and how these unknown ingredients will effect the paint in the long term.
Thanks!
Good morning from sunny Brittany in France. I have returned to modelling after a 30 year hiatus and have bought my first airbrush. Your paint thinner recipe doesn't add a specific flow improver or retarder. Instead you add Glycerine as in the cleaner. Have I understood your video correctly? If so it saves me from buying two more chemicals. Thank you again.
Thanks for sharing! Interesting stuff :)
Thanks for the vid
Thanks Grumpy ....from the old man Railway modeller.....regards Fred
Totally new to airbrushing so this is my first video on cleaners and thinners. I like how simple the ingredients are and certainly makes good sense. The proof will be in the application I guess, so here goes nothing. Thanks for you mixture ingredients.
Acrylics only!
Great video ✌️
Thanks 👍
A note on Ammonia: In its raw state, Ammonia is a very caustic Gas (not a liquid). It is used when dissolved in various other substances and used in many things from rocket fuel to agricultural fertilizer (including some food products.) Off the shelf cleaning Ammonia is around 30% Ammonia in water. Windex says their cleaner contains 5.66% Ammonia. When mixed in Grumpy's cleaner it is down to around 1.7%, probably not enough to do any harm unless left to soak in it for an extended time. Mission Models Paints do say you can strip their paint with Ammonia or Alcohol.
Thanks a lot for your advise. Did you test your thinner with AK 3rd gen paints? A lot of modellers have issues to thin it properly for airbrushing. Thanks again.
Start at 3:10
Thank you so much
You're most welcome
Is it 100 ml of Windex or 75 ml? You said 100 ml first then marked 75ml when you started making the cleaner.
You can just use distilled water mixed with distilled white vinegar to clean an airbrush. Soak the parts for about 5 minutes if breaking airbrush completely down for a thorough cleaning. Then just use cotton swabs and pipe cleaners. Dry. Reassemble. You can add Floetrol (flow aid/leveler) and Glycerin to the cleaner if you want. White vinegar is one of the best cleaning agents there is. Heck...it removes rust if you soak rusty parts in it for a day.
Also...you can use air tool oil to lube all the o-rings, etc.
Recipes:
Airbrush - Acrylic Paint Thinner Recipe
- 75% Distilled Water
- 25% Isopropyl Alcohol
- 20 Drops Floetrol (flow aid/leveler)
- 20 Drops Pure Glycerin
Airbrush - Acrylic Paint Cleaner Recipe
- 70% Distilled White Vinegar
- 25% Distilled Water
- 05% Isopropyl Alcohol
- 20 Drops of Floetrol (flow aid/leveler)
- 20 Drops Pure Glycerin
Question about thinner! My airbrush say to dilute acrylic paint 7 parts water to 1part pain. To me it looks to thin what would you recommend to dilute paint with the thinner?
Thanks for the info...I will try that...quick question...since I have a bunch of 99% Iso Alcohol.....could you still use that or would you water it down a bit before adding to rest of ingredients.....thanks
Hi Darrin, is the Cleaner formulated for water-based acrylic paints, or solvent paints ( acrylic / enamel / lacquer ) or both ? Secondly, similarly is the Thinner formulated for
water-based acrylics and solvent paints or both ? Very interesting video you have on this subject matter. Thanks and Rgds - Harry / Malaysia
Teh BH this formula is for water base acrylic paints only
I'm curious what is the point of the glycerin? Thanks for the recipe and the info
4:46
Can you use denatured alcohol aka methylated spirits. It like quarter of a price here in Australia cheers
Very helpful video, is the idea to run the airbrush cleaner through the airbrush? Or is the purpose to disassemble the airbrush and scrub the parts with it?
Been using windex on car windows with chrome trim all my life.
Since squeeze bottles are not sealed on the spout, would you need to worry about the alcohol evaporating quicker than if the bottle was sealed?
I found some 250ml condiment bottle that have caps on Amazon.
Won't the alcohol evaporate from those open bottles, over time?
I wonder if automotive glass cleaner will work as it is already mixed with alcohol?
They're made with methanol. Highly toxic as is ammonia. Both bad stuff you shouldn't be breathing.
Thank you for the video! It was super informative! I'm going to the grocery store right now!!
Painting on wood, how much should one care about contaminants in the water? And what ratio of thinner to paint do you use?
Ratios of paint thinner to paint will vary greatly depending on the viscosity of the paint, the air pressure at which you are spraying, and the needle/tip size on your airbrush. Even within the same brand of paint, colors that are more highly pigmented will be thicker. I would start by doing an internet search for "How to thin X paint for airbrushing" where X is the paint brand. Be aware that this mix is ONLY for water or alcohol based acrylic paints and some brands may have different lines (e.g. Vallejo Model Color vs. Vallejo Model Air) that thin differently. Once you have a general idea of how to thin for your setup, do some tests on a scrap subject from there to fine tune things. As far as contaminants in paint, that's just something you always want to avoid since it can effect adhesion and the quality of the finish
Can you use surgical spirits instead of rubbing alcohol
A great informative video.
When I I first got into this hobby I wanted to do modeling now I have to become a Chemist!
Definitely an educational process.
Great videos on great topics! The one thing I use that is different is Liquitex Flow Aid as a leveler. Or does the glycerine tackle this?
From what I`ve read, you can use a drop of glycerine. Save the flow aid for paint as its more expensive.
Guys…it’s just windshield washer fluid…the cheaper the better.
Spot on.👍 It's just isopropyl alcohol mixed with distilled water.
Just a heads up, ammonia is in fact not safe to use on some types of O rings. I can say this for fact that some cheap airbrushes use Viton rubber seals because they are cheap. Viton seals do not stand up to chemicals that have a high PH (above 7.0) and ammonia which is not classified as an alkali, does in fact have a PH above 7.0 and will cause damage to cheap O rings. Just make sure if you have a cheap airbrush that you replace the O rings and seals with a quality synthetic rubber seal, which is just fine to use with chemicals like ammonia cleaners.
Do you know if the seals in a Point Zero airbrush would be damaged by the ammonia?
there is a video on how to improve the performance of an inexpensive airbrush and mentions getting rid of the provided seal and replacing it with a beeswax seal …
It will damage even chrome, not only "O"rings
Great informative video. IPO is fairly expensive where I live. Is there a cheaper substitute?
how are you I trying your home brew for the first time never air brushed before wish me luck
There's a guy on youtube who uses Hot water to clean acrylic paint from airbrush, I asked another youtuber if the Hot water was OK because I was skeptical. He said NO WAY should you be using boiling stove/microwave water to clean airbrush, as it can damage O-rings. What say you Grumpy Modeler? Also I make my own airbrush cleaner 3/4 cup Mean Green, 3/4 distilled water, 1/2 cup 91% alcohol and 10 drops of glycerin. Does this sound OK and is Mean Green to strong? Thanks, look forward to your opinion
Good stuff here. To jump to thinner mixing - 12:01
Hi very detail video, thumbs up!Just 2 questions .
1)i already have 100% alcohol(commercial type),do i still add in the same proportion too?
2)I'm using angelus leather paint.does it work too? and do you know the ratio for your thinner:angelus paint?
I've seen suggestions to use windshield washer fluid as the thinner. Compared to your idea, it would have no ammonia. Have you any experience with or do you have an opinion about that?
Windshield washer fluid is made with methanol (wood alcohol), which is very dangerous to breath if atomized.
there is no windex in turkey, is it okay if i just put ammonia?
75ml ammonia 25ml detergent shaped
Thanks for posting this video, you presented it very well and in a clear concise manner! Just a point of curiosity for me, why are you using the 90% alcohol and thinning it down? Why not go for a lower percentage off the shelf (we have 50 and about 70% available where I live in Canada) and add less water or maybe no water at all? I’m certainly no chemist, just left me wondering.
91% is easily accessible here in the U.S. I can get it every bit as easily as the 70%, but I also use it during prep of my items, so I prefer the 91% anyway. :)
If you have to use the 70% isopropyl alcohol, you can adjust by using slightly more and less water. Just do the math by proportion of the two.
Stay grumpy my friend....
What about using denatured alcohol instead of isopropyl? I've read that it's better for any rubber o-rings.
Good question and great point. I’ve never tried it but might make for a great experiment
Let's go ahead and say go ahead
what quantities would i need in 500ml bottles?
Thank you for info. Can I use 70% alcohol.
Hi, thanks for this useful information.
By the way , I'll appreciate if you tell us how much milimeters of isopropyl alcohol you add to the cleaner mix.
Not millimeters. Milliliters
Thank you for this video. Can you use mineral oil in place of the glycerin? Or just go with the glycerin?
you should not add OIL to acrylic ink (even when it does not mixes whit water)... so, no, keep whit the glycerin.
So how much isopropyl alcohol did you add? In millilitres???