discussion Choice of airbrush cleaner

[Bugatti Fan]

I use a couple of old Badgers that have Teflon seals, so quite robust when it comes to using thinning and cleaning products. Used all sorts through them Tamiya, Humbrol, Water, Airbrush cleaner, Cellulose thinners, White spirit and IPA (the chemical not the beer!).
Before I put my airbrushes away my usual procedure is to blast through some relevant thinner for the paint being used, followed on with cellulose thinner that will clear out just about anything, and finally some proper airbrush cleaner that I believe is formulated to clean and very lightly lubricate.
I very rarely strip my airbrushes down. My view is that the less this has to be done greatly reduces the risk of damage to them.

 

[LeytonO]

I use a couple of old Badgers that have Teflon seals, so quite robust when it comes to using thinning and cleaning products. Used all sorts through them Tamiya, Humbrol, Water, Airbrush cleaner, Cellulose thinners, White spirit and IPA (the chemical not the beer!).
Before I put my airbrushes away my usual procedure is to blast through some relevant thinner for the paint being used, followed on with cellulose thinner that will clear out just about anything, and finally some proper airbrush cleaner that I believe is formulated to clean and very lightly lubricate.
I very rarely strip my airbrushes down. My view is that the less this has to be done greatly reduces the risk of damage to them.

I agree that its best to use the cleaner that is appropriate for the paint being used.
Conversely I often strip my airbrushes down, no reason it should damage them if the proper tools are used and care is taken.
Good way to ensure seals are in good condition with no paint is leaking back into the body.
The nozzle, nozzle cap and needle also need to be cleaned and periodically checked.
These are expensive precision instruments and function much better when properly maintained

 

[Bugatti Fan]

Each to their own Leyton. Stripping an airbrush down does become necessary every now and again and parts do need to be replaced.
One of my Badgers is a 100XF that I have owned since 1973 and has constantly given me good service. In all that time I have only had to replace nozzles and needles about 3 times that I can remember. The shell (body) and the paint cup that pushes into a now worn hole in the side of it now need to be replaced, so I just might decide to retire it or find out and see if I can retrofit a new shell with a gravity feed cup on top. Alternatively just buy like for like replacement parts. We will see.
It's pretty easy to strip out and clean. Like you said, these are precision instruments and my other 2 Badgers have also given sterling service. A testament to their build quality from way back in the eighties when I first bought them.I
We have different views on stripping frequency, but provided one is not ham fisted taking one apart and rebuilding it with the requisite tools they should perform well.
Mind you, there are a lot of cheapo rubbish airbrushes around that will only disappoint no matter how well looked after. Airbrushes are like anything else. You only get what you pay for, remembering that quality does not come cheap.
Yer pays yer money. Etc. Etc.