Airbrush makeup systems are notorious for getting clogged, particularly if the incorrect type of foundation or moisturizer is used. For those new to airbrushing this may appear to be a little tough to take seriously but if you adhere to a handful of simple steps you can keep your stylus and compressor in great condition for many years.
An ideal place to begin is definitely the manual which came with your system. You just spent a considerably large sum of money on the unit and now is the time to resolve to keep it like new. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and do not cut corners. Several systems, for instance, will warn you to only use distilled or filtered h2o rather than tap. Standard water from your faucet carries minerals which include lime scale that may block up your stylus wand over time. If you have ever lived in an area with hard water and checked out the underside of your bathroom faucet, you’ll know what we mean. You do not want that inside of your airbrush!
Airbrush make-up is made up of two types and 2 cleaning methods: silicone-based and water-based. Naturally, silicone is more challenging to clean. Water-based makeup can easily be removed with filtered or distilled water and rubbing alcohol. There is a product available on the market now which is an enzyme concentrate which will work on both types, though. It is actually non-toxic, ph balanced and made with food-grade ingredients so it is safe to use in your airbrush. Simply Google the phrase, “Nurturing Force NF” to find out where you may purchase.
Essentially you want to concentrate on keeping the airbrush stylus, or wand particularly clean. The wand includes a needle and misting nozzle that are in constant exposure to makeup as well as the cup that holds the droplets. Making use of a little cleaning brush or Q-tip, wipe out residual makeup from the cup. Rinse with distilled water or cleaner by a process known as back bubbling. This is the technique used to blend makeup where the trigger is partly pushed causing air to percolate back up into the cup. If you do this by using only water, the bubbling effect will wash out the airbrush and have a cleaning result. Simply obstruct the mist nozzle of the stylus using your finger and push the trigger which causes air to be introduced through the cup rather than the nozzle. Once you have done this a couple of times, go ahead and unblock the nozzle and spray the rest of the liquid out through the nozzle. Perform repeatedly as necessary. This will completely make sure that any kind of residual makeup is removed.
Next you will need to concentrate on the needle. Remove it according to the manual and use your enzime cleaner or just distilled water and liquid soap. Work with a soft, lint-free material to keep from left over threads from sticking to the needle. Do not use tissues for this reason as well. You can use a Q-tip dipped in cleaning solution to carefully roll on each side of the needle.
Soaking your airbrush on a regular basis is another good idea, given you continue to avoid tap water. Simply place the stylus inside a nice and clean container and fill up with filtered h2o. Let this sit overnight and any left over makeup is going to be dissolved. Occasionally, you will probably wish to disassemble the stylus for a thorough washing but be careful in resetting the needle correctly. Stick to your maker’s instructions.
Trying to keep your airbrush clean and free from clogs will ensure you get the perfect spray as well as the finest coverage. You do not have to do a deep cleaning of the needle after every use, but getting in the habit of taking care of your investment will save you disappointment later.
