Airbrush Cleaning Pot

[IrishGreek]

I am thinking about getting one of these, since I am trying to set up an indoors modeling area, to get away from the kitchen table. So I just got one of those portable (folds away to a box) spray booths and was thinking of getting a cleaning pot too.

Does anyone use one and are they worth it? What's the biggest benefit, drawback?

Thanks.

[gotarheelz14]

I absolutely love mine! It has been one of the best investments I have made as far as my airbrush goes. The method I choose to clean my airbrush requires me to spray windex and a lot of water through the airbrush once I am done using that color. I used to spray it out into open plastic cups because I was too lazy to rig up a water bottle to spray them into.

This allows me to spray out the airbrush without really smelling and inhaling all those noxious fumes directly into my face. It doesn't keep all of them contained but it certainly does do a decent job.

It also has a nice little handle on which you can rest your airbrush while it is not in use. It is somewhate prone to tipping over if you are not careful though. Just watch out for that and you should be fine.

In contrast to a plastic bottle, I like that it is more stable, you can rest your airbrush on it and its more durable and reusable.

[loftycomfort]

I use an Iwata one and think it's very convenient. Note that the cleaning pot still lets some of the thinner fumes come out, so it's not a substitute for a respirator especially when spraying lacquer paints.

Terry

[Huey Gunner]

One of the greatest inventions since the pull ring tab on beer cans. I also have the Iwata one. I've also made some for friends who are cash restricted. Empty coffee creamer bottle with appropriate size hole drilled in side. Unscrew the top and lay 2 4x4 gauze bandages on top and screw lid back on. Pop open lid when in use.

[datahiker]

I have the Iwata one as well. It provides a safe place to put my airbrush when I'm not using it and prevents spray blasting all over when cleaning, especially at higher psi.

I wouldn't say a commercial one is a "must-have," but it sure works well for me!

[volzj]

I made one from an empty gallon milk jug stuffed with "batting" (found inside stuffed crafts). It works like a charm and cost almost nothing. It looks really gross though...

[Scooter Man]

I've had two cleaning pots over the years and have loved 'em both. The first one I used was made by Testors but worked fine with my Iwata airbrush. The second one I purchased is from SPARMAX (an IWATA clone...kinda sorta) and love that one as well. However as someone else has already mentioned they do allow some of the fumes to escape so you should definitely wear a respirator if you're sparying enamel or lacquer paints.

[martin_sam_2000]

I agree wit the majority here. I purchased the Iwata one a few weeks back when I bought my new Iwata brush( both are unbeleivable) and it is the best singel invesment I have made for airbrushing. I have a place to store my brush when i am not using it; I dont have to spray onto paper towel or cardboard when i am cleaning the brush; and the jar holds all the used paint cleaner(I use enamels) in a nice safe place.

I highly recomend it!!!!

Sean

[Skyraider Maniac]

I also have the Iwata one, and it works great; though as stated it does allow some of the fumes to escape. Still, it's far better than having nothing at all. so other than that it's just dandy.

[Marfalow]

I've got one and I love it.

As far as the fumes escaping is concerned, I've noticed that a lot of the fumes escaping from my Iwata cleaning pot comes from the lid seal (or lack of a good seal that comes stock with the cleaning pot). Has anyone tried getting a better rubber O-ring/gasket? Any creative solutions for getting a better seal on the rubber receptacle for the airbrush?

[Huey Gunner]

Not trying to start anything here. But, it's not nerve gas.

[Two Mikes]

I love mine as well and have the Harder and Steenback one. It really helps keep the air clean(er) when cleaning my brush.

Oh and Huey, it is a noxious gas that is VERY bad to inhale especially when using laquer or enamel thinner. Anything not meant to go into my lungs is stuff I try and keep out.

[RedHeadKevin]

I made one out of a glass jar, poked a hole in the top for the brush, poked another hole, stuck an old respirator filter on it, and voila. It still has a little leakage around the edge of the screw-on cap, but i always do it in front of my spray booth fan, so the little bit of leakage gets sucked right out.

[MikeV]

This is the one I made from an old plaster container and I have been using it about 2 years or so now.

I put an old towel inside, cut out a piece of airbrush booth filter material to fit in the top to catch paint particles and a plastic hose to put the airbrush into.

I sit it in the spray booth and spray out so that the fumes are exhausted and the towel and filter in the can traps the particles.

Edited February 18, 2010 by MikeV

[RichardL]

I have the Iwata pot, and it has been working well for me. It's a good investment IMHO.

[Grant in West Oz]

I very much like mine, especially when using enamels & lacquers.

G

[TXCajun]

Ditto on the Iwata pot. I got mine at Hobby Lobby with the 40% off discount coupon.

Ditto what Mike said about lacquer fumes (or any other solvent fumes at that). The effect on the body is cumulative. I used to spray model paint and auto lacquer with no protection and I am paying the price today. Just go find the Material Safety Data Sheets on whatever you are spraying, and you will realize how much harmful stuff is in the atomized spray coming from our air brushes. Keep in mind also that the warnings on the data sheets are typically for breathing fumes and skin contact, not for breathing atomized solvents and particulates.

Use a paint booth, Use a respirator, or suffer from asthma, COPD, etc. when you are older.

[IrishGreek]

Thanks for all the great information. I listened and I too went to a local Hobby Lobby, used the 40% off coupon (was 19.99 retail) and purchased this one...

Just getting my new modeling area in the attic setup, with a new small desk, table for my new fold-away spray booth and now new cleaning pot!

Thanks again.

John

[Huey Gunner]

Thanks for all the great information. I listened and I too went to a local Hobby Lobby, used the 40% off coupon (was 19.99 retail) and purchased this one...

Just getting my new modeling area in the attic setup, with a new small desk, table for my new fold-away spray booth and now new cleaning pot!

Thanks again.

John

That is the Iwata pot. Though it's marketed by Iwata, built by SparMax. You'll be very happy. I broke the jar on mine, They don't sell just the pot, but I found something that would fit.

[Flanker6]

I have the aztek cleaning jar, and that thing works great. It really cuts down on the maintenance that I have to do on my airbrush.

[RichardL]

I've got one and I love it.

As far as the fumes escaping is concerned, I've noticed that a lot of the fumes escaping from my Iwata cleaning pot comes from the lid seal (or lack of a good seal that comes stock with the cleaning pot). Has anyone tried getting a better rubber O-ring/gasket? Any creative solutions for getting a better seal on the rubber receptacle for the airbrush?

I think the stock filter is a little too restrictive, which makes the air want to go back out through the airbrush hole. The nice thing about the Iwata one is you can cut 1" dia filters out of paper towel, piece of cloth, or dusk mask to increase flow through the filter.

[balls47]

John,

I bought one (Sparmax) at Hobby Lobby. They had two of them in their "clearance" items. I can kick myself for not buying both. They were $8.88 each. I could have had both for less that the MSRP of one. I like it because I can crank up the psi to clean the airbrush and most of the "stuff" stays inside the jar. Notice I said most. Like many others have said, it doesn't catch it all. It's not a substitute for a respirator. Remember, if you can smell it, it's getting into your body. I don't want my hobby to be the end of me. I smell enough agricultural chemicals, etc., I don't need any more nasty in my lungs. Take care and be safe. Have fun modelling.

[Huey Gunner]

John,

I bought one (Sparmax) at Hobby Lobby. They had two of them in their "clearance" items. I can kick myself for not buying both. They were $8.88 each. I could have had both for less that the MSRP of one. I like it because I can crank up the psi to clean the airbrush

$8.88!!?? Daaaannnnnnnnggg! Thats cheap. Your right should've bought both. That way when you break one (like I did) you got a backup. I crank my psi to 80 when I clean my airbrush. Use it in the paint booth so fumes go out the vent.

[MikeV]

$8.88!!?? Daaaannnnnnnnggg! Thats cheap. Your right should've bought both. That way when you break one (like I did) you got a backup. I crank my psi to 80 when I clean my airbrush. Use it in the paint booth so fumes go out the vent.

Why so high of pressure Paul? I can see 50-60 psi but 80? :)

[Huey Gunner]

Just what I've been useing for eons. I think one day I was cranking on the regulator and when it got to a point that I liked I looked at the gauge and it said 80. The rest is history.