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Deep Clean Your Side Feed Airbrush – Self Centering Nozzle

This particular guide applies to these airbrush models.

Iwata HP-SBS

Instructions

Equipment

Towel or tray to work over
Appropriate cleaning solution
Round wooden toothpicksBamboo toothpicks don’t seem to break as often
Some kind of bristled cleaning brush…Interdental brushes (I personally like Oral B), airbrush cleaning brushes (you’ll need the small ones), Pipe cleaners (not recommended)
The wrench that came with the airbrush
Cotton swabs for general cleaningNote: Cotton swabs do occasionally shed their fibers, if it does just make sure you pick them out
Mirror or mirror-like surfaceOld AOL CDs are my favorite “mirror-like surface” but if you’re cleaning with a solvent CDs won’t last long. In that case use part of a glass mirror.
(Optional) magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe

Disassembly

Unscrew the handle
Unscrew the needle chucking nut
Pull out the needle
Clean the needle with a cotton swabWarning: Needles are still sharp.
Unscrew the needle cap
Unscrew the nozzle cap
Unscrew the head cap, use the crescent wrench if necessary
The nozzle should fall out.If it doesn’t, simply try removing it with your fingers.
- If it’s stuck to the airbrush body use your thumb to push it off to one side.
- If it’s stuck inside the head cap, use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull it out. Try not to scratch up or gouge the nozzle.
Nozzles are delicate, they break easily

Cleaning

Examine the nozzle for damage
- Look at the small tip
- Make sure it’s a true, perfect circle free of dings, dents, tears, and cracks
- Look at the nozzle from the side
- Make sure the tip does not flare out like a trumpet
- If the nozzle does not pass inspection replace it
Clean the nozzle with a toothpick
This is the important piece, make extra special certain it’s clean.
Clean the paint passage with the cleaning brush
That’s everything between the two holes…
To the stem the nozzle screws into
The blanking cover just pulls out and pushes back in
Clean the front of the airbrush body. Pay special attention to the place where the nozzle sits.
Clean any cups
- Taking them apart (if applicable)
- Dip into a jar of cleaning solution
- Let them soak awhile
- Clean with whatever tools look appropriate.i.e. brushes for passages and holes, cotton swabs or paper towels for larger parts.
Clean any bottles
- Glass jars can be treated just like cupsLet them soak then give it the once over with something bristly.
- Plastic bottles shouldn’t be soaked. Scrub them instead.Solvent resistant bottles are just that, resistant. They wil eventually melt from contact with solvent based paints, but melting can be months to years in the process.
- Bottle tops (cap sets)Scrub with brushes. Use extra long pipe cleaning brushes or pipe cleaners to get into the long paint tube. If you decide to go with pipe cleaners get the expensive ones–they don’t shed their fibers as much.

NOTE: Clean everything very thoroughly! I know you’re getting tired of me saying it. But I harp on it because it really IS that important!

Reassembly

Place the nozzle onto the airbrush body.
Screw the head cap over the nozzle onto the airbrush body.
Lightly tighten the head cap with the wrench, no more than a quarter turn.
Screw the nozzle cap onto the airbrush body
Screw the needle cap onto the nozzle cap
Gently insert the needle. It should come to a firm stop with the needle tip poking out of the front.Do not force it in.
Twist the needle counter-clockwise a quarter turn
Screw the needle chucking nut, big end first, onto the needle chucking guide
Screw the handle onto the back of the airbrush body