I have a problem!.. I let my dad clean out my Iwata Revolution HP-TR1 airbrush gun and he used paint thinner!!!!!!!...(he said that he could take it apart for me and get it really clean)..... Is it ruined for make-up now?? Is there anything that I can do to clean it again??? I know this is not good.. any help would be great appreciated!! I am just starting with this and don't want to harm anyone!!!! The smell is terrible!

Don't panic. The airbrush is chrome and steel with a teflon packing bearing in the fluid path. So just clean it by running warm soapy water or airbrush cleaner through it. You don't need to disassemble.  Just focus on the fluid path.

Thank You SO SO SO Much!!!!!

I personally recommend disassembling and giving it a good wash with 99% alcohol and really wipe it clean.  The reason I would do this is because paint thinner is bad for skin and you don't want any risk of any residue sprayed on someone's face.  It's also a piece of mind.

This might be a good opportunity for you to try taking apart your brush and cleaning.  I have the iwata cs and I clean it regularily especially before I store it away for a while.  It doesn't have that many parts but just be very careful and gentle.  never force.  just take notes or even pictures on each thing piece you take apart.

two piece you need to pay attention to is the trigger part and the actual needle. 

hope this helps.

Like Lisa said, just rinse thoroughly. VERY thoroughly.

Some tenured wised already posted... agree with the above

Never a problem, only a challenge

You are lucky to have a Dad who cares about your craft, albeit he's maybe a tad light on skin care...  btw, there is a highly recommended training DVD on airbrush technique in which the author i.e. presenter (a highly gifted T-Shirt artist) shares he's favorite airbrush cleaning solvent... WD-40! yep he says you can't find anything better for twice the price... lol  Please never use WD-40 on a gun used for cosmetic applications...

Shouldn't be unless your dad actually dissembled the gun, then all bets are off...

Isopropyl alcohol is a universal solvent that TEMPTU tech support recommends... Since they have a vested interest in keeping you happy and clients safe they are spot on...  That said, 99% isn't something you want to come in contact with your skin, it is a skin irritant i.e. strongly hygroscopic, and will damage your hands...  91% is a wiser choice here albeit it also is hygroscopic so again avoid skin exposure...

As for the gun? I highly recommend printing out Iwata's data sheet (20 pages) which has every thing you need to know about your gun...
http://www.iwata-medea.com/wp-content/u … M_REV2.pdf

One thing not mentioned is Iwata advises to lub your gun periodically (they suggest Medea Super Lub) however pure Vaseline works also... I do this on my HP - C Plus which I use for fine work (eye decor etc.)  After hundreds of hours of use the main lever will start to hang, lubing it frees it up... I also lub the needle (and wipe clean) works for me   Lubing the gun is referred to as "conditioning" the gun by TEMPTU's support team... they advise the same lub points on their SP-35 guns...

Jodi I'm sooooo envious of your HP-TR1 with it's Pistol Trigger with a fixed dual-action operation... a fav amongst the auto painters crowd... After a day in the trenches with my gun and way too many faces to paint my poor hand is so sore... repetitive stress injury is a real concern for those who airbrush commercially, enough said...   

And relax and enjoy Iwata's twenty page maintenance guide, it will take your knowledge base entirely to the next level...

Have a Happy Valentine's day....

Thomas is spot-on to say that you may have to lube the airbrush. Both reducer and alcohol are very drying. If either got to the air-valve's o-ring, the action may not be as smooth. Just don't use too much. Lube is a dust magnet. (Personally, I don't lube the needle. I don't want lube mixing with my product and it doesn't do anything as the needle is locked in place by the chucking nut.)

That being said, I highly doubt your father completely disassembled the airbrush.

I own an Iwata T-Series as well (it's collecting dust - sorry, I'm partial to my Grex) but there's usually no good reason to disassemble the handle and back half assembly. I've had to do it once in 3-4 years because I'm brutal on my equipment and manage to get bodypaint into everything.

Be certain to remove the needle and wipe it down. That step should be part of your routine cleaning.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! For all you help!!!!

All of you are so awesome!! Thanks for all the info!!!!