By
Marilyn Grant
Marilyn Grant
Writer
Marilyn knows how to present the dullest topic in an interesting and easy-to-read way. When she’s not teaching English Literature at a local school or writing for our site read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Julie Flores
Julie Flores
Expert Consultant
Julie owns a shop specializing in sewing equipment and accessories. No wonder she knows everything when it comes to technical specifications of practically anything we revie read more
Last updated: August 12, 2023

Iwata Eclipse Review – Versatile Airbrush to Handle Any Project

CraftyHangouts is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
By
Marilyn Grant
Marilyn Grant
Writer
Marilyn knows how to present the dullest topic in an interesting and easy-to-read way. When she’s not teaching English Literature at a local school or writing for our site read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Julie Flores
Julie Flores
Expert Consultant
Julie owns a shop specializing in sewing equipment and accessories. No wonder she knows everything when it comes to technical specifications of practically anything we revie read more
Last updated: August 12, 2023
CraftyHangouts is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Ideal for
  • Beginners looking for an airbrush kit to spark their budding passion.
  • Experts who want to hone in on their already existing skills.
  • Artists like to mix paints and use varying spray sizes to create their work.
Main features
  • The airbrush sprayer is more expensive than other models.
  • If large-scale projects are your speed, this one may not be ideal.
  • Deep-cleaning the sprayer can take a long time.
Editor's Rating
?
CraftyHangouts is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It aggregates all the scores given to a product in various aspects including the individual product’s features evaluation given by each expert independently, its customers’ feedback rank, and sales rank.
9,4
out of 10
  • Nozzle
    9.5
  • Ease of use
    9.4
  • Cup
    9.3
  • Overall
    9.4
Users’ Rating
4.2
out of 5
73 Users’ Rating
rating rating rating rating rating
rating
rating rating rating rating rating
4.2
out of
5
73 Users’ Rating
  • 5 stars
    36%
  • 4 stars
    48%
  • 3 stars
    14%
  • 2 stars
    3%
  • 1 stars
    0%
Add your rating:

The Iwata Eclipse is a product sold by Iwata-Medea and is used for airbrushing paint. Iwata-Medea is the global headquarters for all Iwata products, as well as Artool products, Createx Colors, and all Medea brand art products. The business has been operating for over 40 years, and this longevity has helped grant them such a positive outlook from their customers.

This article is going to include an in-depth Iwata Eclipse review. The Iwata-Medea brand is known for releasing high-quality art products, including air compressors and airbrushes. The Iwata Eclipse, in particular, is one of Iwata-Medea’s high-quality products. Not only is this air brusher good quality, but the company also offers constant customer support and workshops for those new to the craft or others looking to improve on their already existing skills. For an in-depth analysis of the Iwata Eclipse and all the features that come with it, continue reading this article.

This product's also been included into these rankings:

Our #2 pick for the best airbrush for models

Specifications

Needle
0.35 mm
Cup
1/3 ounce
Material
Spring-steel
Dimensions
7.8 x 2.3 x 8.6 inches
Weight
1.4 lbs.

Iwata Eclipse Review

We know that the Iwata Eclipse is a highly recommended product from Iwata, but what makes it so special? When purchasing any air brusher, it’s important to keep a variety of components in mind. The overall performance functions of the air brusher tell you what that particular model is capable of, and the needle and cup are important to keep in mind for the level of difficulty and project sizing.

On top of that, it’s important to choose one that is easy to use, has adequate safety features, durable materials, and any other unique features that set it apart from the competition. Depending on your skill level and overall budget, it’s helpful to only shop around for models within the budget you’ve set.

Keep in mind, unless you enjoy a challenging DIY fix-it job, you may also want to check out what the maintenance would entail for any model you’re looking at. Lastly, the warranty information is essential if you receive a faulty item.

Overall performance and functions

The Iwata Eclipse is a dual-action airbrush with a high flow that allows it to atomize more liquid varieties with little need for reducing or thinning. The operator also has access to a broad spray range from extreme detail all the way to extra-wide coverage.

The eclipse series works best when paired with the included lubricant. The included lubricant is used to lubricate the air brusher’s needle and main lever mechanism.

Needle

Nozzles and needles are what determine how much paint is fed through the sprayer. In order to get an even paint, spread the nozzle and needlework together to achieve proper paint flow. Although needles typically have a universal size, their thread sizes vary and need to fit into the nozzle. If the thread size doesn’t adequately match up to your nozzle, your paint won’t be even.

The needle of the Iwata Eclipse is a spring-steel variety, which resists needle breakage. The Iwata needle packings are also solvent resistant. This gives the needle much more longevity, and you’ll be able to use your airbrush for a long time.

Cup

Depending on what you plan to use your airbrush for, the cup size is an important factor to consider. For more complex projects that require paint mixing, bigger cups with fitted lids are ideal. Not only do you have more space to mix multiple colors together, but a bigger cup also means you can use more paint at any given time. This means you’re far less likely to be forced to stop mid-project to refill your paint and risk messing up your project.

The cup of the Iwata Eclipse measures out to 0.24 oz or 7 ml. This generous size makes it wildly easier to achieve specific colors when mixing paints. To aid in the color mixing process even further, the cup also comes with a fitted lid.

Ease of use

Fancy add-ons and larger cup sizes are great and all, but you have to be able to properly work the airbrush gun in order to get the full extent of these features. When properly put together, the Iwata Eclipse is virtually effortless to use. All you need to do with this model is fill the cup with your desired paint, adjust your spray setting, and push down on the lever mechanism for the paint to spray out.

Iwata Eclipse Review - Versatile Airbrush to Handle Any Project
The nozzle of the airbrush is drop-in style, which makes it much easier to maintain control over where the paint is sprayed.

The Eclipse series is recommended for air brushers of all skill levels from beginner to expert. Not only is it physically easy to use, but it’s also extremely versatile as it works with painting a variety of objects.

Safety features

Safety should be your number one priority whenever operating an airbrush gun. While you don’t hover over an entire can of paint, you’re still working with paint regardless. In fact, airbrushed paint has the potential of sneaking into air particles as the air pressure from the device breaks the paint down to smaller particles.

Because of that, it’s important to use proper protection during any project. This typically includes safety glasses as well as respirators to avoid inhaling paint chemicals or getting any in your eyes. While the drop-in nozzle of the Iwata Eclipse gives you better control over the paint distribution, some may still fly back and cause potential issues.

The included fitted cup lid also helps ensure no paint splashes out while you’re working. Not only does this lid avoid potential messes, but it keeps you from being exposed to harmful fumes and chemicals.

Material

In order to guarantee more longevity, it’s important to use an airbrush made of durable and high-quality materials. Beyond that, the components of each part of the airbrush gun should be equipped with features that allow them to last a long time.

The Iwata Eclipse series is great because the actual airbrush gun is made of stainless steel, with the needle made of spring steel. The spring-steel needle will resist breakage, and the needle packings protect the needle from solvents.

Maintenance

Iwata Eclipse Review - Versatile Airbrush to Handle Any Project
Regularly cleaning your brushes after each use is the single most important thing you can do to increase the longevity of your brush.

Just as the case is with any other piece of equipment, an airbrush will only last a long time if you know how to properly take care of it. Cleaning Trusted Source How to Clean Your Airbrush New users who stick with airbrushing have two things in common: they learn how to clean their airbrush properly and they clean with the right tools.
These three videos from our QuickTech Experience Playlist will show you how to use the Iwata Cleaning Kit to perform three levels of cleaning: quick clean, end of spray session clean and a deep clean. We use a gravity feed airbrush for these videos but these techniques can be adapted to virtually any airbrush model.
www.iwata-airbrush.com
the Iwata Eclipse airbrush is relatively simple. To clean it, follow these simple steps:

  1. Paint Flushing: This should be done in between each color change and after each session. Simply remove the lid and dump out the paint before flushing the cup out. Use an appropriate cleaner to clean the cup out. Fill the cup with water or cleaner and close the lid before you spray until the water comes out clean.
  2. Cleaning the Needle: To clean the needle, disconnect the brush from its power source. Remove the back handle and loosen the needle before pulling the needle out carefully. Use a small amount of cleaner to wash off any paint.
  3. Remove the Nozzle: Take off the needle and nozzle cap. Keep in mind that the Eclipse series uses a compression fit nozzle so that it shouldn’t be separated from the gun.
  4. Clean the Nozzle and Cap: Soak these pieces in a solvent or cleaner to break up built-up paint. However, keep in mind that this shouldn’t be done for more than ten minutes at a time to avoid eroding the product.
  5. Cleaning the Paint Passage: Use a small brush dipped in a cleaner to clean in and around the paint passage.
  6. Check for Damage and Debris: If you notice any parts are damaged or broken, you’ll need to order replacement parts before using the brush again.
  7. Clean the Exterior: The outer part of the brush can be cleaned with a little bit of cleaner and a cloth. For hard-to-reach spots, it’s recommended you use a pipe cleaner to shimmy into those areas.
  8. Put Everything Back Together: After each part is clean and you’re confident the parts are all intact, use needle thread sealant and put your parts back together. Remember to use care when placing the needle back in its spot. It’s very small and also extremely sharp, so it’s not hard to accidentally prick yourself.

Durability and warranty

Getting an airbrush gun with a solid warranty will ensure you don’t end up with a faulty product and money wasted. The longer, the better, as you have more wiggle room in case a part breaks off.

All Iwata airbrush products are protected from damage and issues for up to five years after the date of manufacture. Beyond that, the airbrush, in general, is made with high-quality materials that are less likely to become damaged with use.

Price tag

Regardless of how well a brand claims its product works, it means nothing if the product isn’t within your budget. When shopping around for an airbrush kit, keeping your budget in mind prevents you from looking too closely at certain models outside of your price range and falsely getting your hopes up.

With that said, a good airbrush kit will be, at the very least, a small investment due to the parts used in the piece of equipment. The Eclipse series is pricier than other airbrush sprayers, but it comes with a variety of features that make up for the higher price tag.

Key features

The key features of a particular airbrush gun are what sets it apart from others on the market. Keep an eye out for airbrush kits that have a range of spray sizes and any other products that may come in the kit.

The Iwata Eclipse series sets itself apart from others like it for a variety of reasons. For starters, take into consideration all of the features listed above. The wide variety of spray sizes, along with the larger cup size, give the sprayer a lot more flexibility in their art. Meanwhile, the drop-in nozzle gives them more precision and control over their work. Beyond that, this particular eclipse kit comes with the sprayer, all hosing needed, hosing cleaner, and some paint to start with.

PROS CONS
  • The Eclipse is an extremely versatile sprayer that allows artists to use various spray sizes to make different strokes.
  • It leaves you with a high-quality finish.
  • The sprayer is extremely light to hold without compromising durability.
  • It lasts quite a long time as long as you clean it regularly.
  • The paint sprays smoothly, and the trigger is smooth to use.
  • It’s suitable for beginners and experts alike.
  • The sprayer has a cutaway handle that doesn’t force the user to remove the needle to clean any built-up paint.
  • Replacement parts are cheaper than other brands.
  • It isn’t ideal for a large-scale project.
  • The kit is more expensive than other models.
  • Coarsely pigmented paint is more difficult to use as the needle is quite small.
  • Deep-cleaning the equipment takes a bit of time.

Conclusion

Overall, this Iwata Eclipse review has determined the sprayer kit is perfect for beginners as well as those who are looking into honing their pre-existing skills. Although the Iwata Eclipse series is pricier than its counterparts, the features that come along with it make it worth the price. Despite the higher price tag, the sprayer’s versatility and ability to quickly and easily switch between spray sizes are hard to beat.

References

1.
How to Clean Your Airbrush
New users who stick with airbrushing have two things in common: they learn how to clean their airbrush properly and they clean with the right tools.
These three videos from our QuickTech Experience Playlist will show you how to use the Iwata Cleaning Kit to perform three levels of cleaning: quick clean, end of spray session clean and a deep clean. We use a gravity feed airbrush for these videos but these techniques can be adapted to virtually any airbrush model.
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *