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Aerose Artistry, Airbrush Art By Denise
Denise Thurston, Grand Prairie, Tx
has been airbrushing professionally
since 1991 in the Dallas/ Fort Worth
Metroplex. Among her accomplishments
are many "Best Mural" awards with the
top being the "Best Mural" award for
the "Lowrider Of The Year". Her work
has been seen in feature articles and
as show winners in Lowrider, Lowrider
Euro and Chevy Truckin'. Denise's experience encompasses many forms of airbrushing. See Denise's artwork at her website

Airbrushes: Iwata Eclipse BCS, HP-C, HP-C Plus, Custom Micron CM-C Plus, Paasche VL
Media: Sherwin Williams Ultra 7000, Planet Colors, Xotic Colours, Createx, Fine Artists Acrylics
Surface Media: Anything that gets put in my face that paint will stick to.
Transfer Media: Dritz Red Transfer Pencils
Masking : R-Tape and 3M Masking Tapes when required
Lighting: Natural, Incandescent and Florescent.
Projector: Artograph AG100
Compressor : 1 1/2 HP 3 Gal Puma Direct Drive

The best way to remove a stuck needle from an airbrush while using acrylics is wet heat. Soaking the brush in hot water will soften and "melt" the acrylics and the needle can be removed. During on site airbrushing there is usually not a source of boiling hot water around to dunk the brush in so pliers and brute strength seems to be the only way to pull them out. Pulling a Paasche needle with pliers will curve the needle or bend the small size in diameter portion of the needle if you don't pull straight out. Bending the smaller diameter portion at the joining of the larger will most likely result in a ruined needle. To keep from having to bend your needle and maybe hit someone in the eye with your elbow while pulling on a needle with pliers this is what you can do as an alternative

Remove the airbrush from the air valve assembly or the body of the airbrush from the air valve assembly. In this photo I am removing the hose from the air valve assembly.

Every once in a while you get a stubborn stuck needle in your airbrush using acrylics that seems like nothing you do will remove it. The more frustrated you get trying to take it out the more you want to scream at it. You no longer have to scream at a stuck needle.

Place the airbrush into a container that is large enough for it to lie down in. Cover the airbrush with water. By covering the airbrush with hot water and letting it sit a few minutes this may be enough to remove the needle.

You may need to get radical if the hot water is not hot enough to remove the needle with hot water from the tap. You can boil water and cover the airbrush if you are near a stove.

Another way is to place the container with the airbrush into the microwave* and nuke it on high for two to three minutes. If you are nuking several then you will need to make sure all airbrushes are covered completely with water. You may need to turn the power on high for 4 to 5 minutes.

Be careful in removing the airbrush from the water when it is hot. Pour the water out. Pick up the airbrush and slide the needle out. It works every time.