I need to think of a way to airbrush at my home without creating so much harmful fumes for my family. I don’t have a basement.
Where do you guys airbrush?
I could try the garage, but now winter is coming and it’s going to be cold. Even if I don’t mind the temperature, the paint might.
Beside, there is also the dust part. How can I keep the dust from ruining the finish while I airbrush a large part?
So much problems to solve!
Thanks
Do you use a spray booth? Buying or building you a spray booth will cut down on fumes considerably though not totally… If your modeling room is in a remote part of the house then I think it might be the ticket! That and a good HEPA type air cleaner, that will pick up some of the fumes too (make sure it is one with the carbon filter)
Other than that I know many here with basements use them for modeling so maybe they can help you better… there’s no basements around me for several hundred miles! (too wet, it would flood with water from the normal water table)
Definately would second Tom’s recommendation. A spraybooth is in tall order. Also, not sure this is opening a can of worms but; the type of paint you’re spraying may be a concideration. I’ve sprayed enamels for years and have always gotten complaints from the wife and kids…not good! (in the basement with the booth going no doubt!) I switched to acrylics for a couple of projects, and never heard a peep, except, ofcourse when dinner was ready! If this is not an option for you, please disregard…but something to think about. Good luck!
Believe it or not, I do it in the kitchen! I built a spray booth using a kitchen hood (http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=48843 scroll down for more complete pics. I’ve since added lexan doors, a filter and a pressure reg) and vent it out the window. I also use Tamiya acrylic paints. Even my wife admits there is no smell. Of course I time it not to conflict with dinner!
Thanks.
I’m seriously considering using acrylics instead of enamel. The smell would be a lot more tolerable and I can do it in the house. Beside, it’s also a lot more easier to clean. Also better for the environment.
But are there any drawbacks that I should be aware of?
I heard acrylics are not that good for airbrushing. I also heard acrylics are not very durable.
How about losing the ridiculously large sig file?
Acrylics are great for airbrushing. Only solvent abusers will claim otherwise! [:D] Clean up is a snap.
They can be “soft” until they are fully cured, and care must be taken until then. That can take up to a week to fully cure hard. But you can still mask over and paint after 24 hours. I use no other kinds of paints.
I’m in a similar situation. I just got a decent box fan and put it in the window right infront of where I spray, sucking the air outside. I’m also working on a quick to assemble/take down spray box. I’ll likely build that later this week or possibly next weekend.
I have to paint in the garage also and when it gets cold I use a radiating heater that goes on a propane bottle.
Don’t spray combustable fluids near it though. [;)]
This is just an idea, it cost me nothing! The plywood is left overs, the biggest and most important part is the vent, I took out of the kitchen stove cuz all it did was blow the air right back into the kitchen anyway, so we never used it, it is a 2 speed with a light[:D], I used an old bath trashcan for the “adapter”, to connect the hose, which is a left over piece of clothes dryer hose, the fanhousing is too big around for direct connection to the hose, actually I did spend some money, I spent 7 dollars on a under counter flourescent light to augment the regular light, painted the interior white, jeez, can see every detail, LOL.
Vent hoods, the hardest part to get, are really easy to find, junk yard, neighbor getting new appliance, all kinda places, also have friend who turned a big plastic container box, like u get at Wal-mart, on its side and cut a hole in the bottom and stuck in a fan with A/C hose going out the window like mine.
Like I said, just an Idea, no need to spend money if u don’t have to![;)]
Be good and have FUN,
Bill
The filters are cheap A/C filters, you can see in the round hole, stops the paint material from going out and the fan sucks all the fumes out of course, the Plastic cover keeps it dust free and any stray fumes in.
Pretty cool looking Bill!
As far as Acrylics, that’s 95% of what I use now… the worst odor from it is when I clean the brush out with Windex… I’ve had no problems with adhesion with MM Acryl or Vallejo paints… once or twice I had pull up on masking with Tamiya but I think I layed it on too thick… But even if you switch to enamels the booth should help a lot!!!
The other answer is to request the entire family wear respirators while you are spraying! [;)]
I think that’s what I’ll most likely do.
Are there any precautions I should take while airbrushing in cold weather? How does it affect the paint? It might be more thick.
Yes temperatures do affect the paint.
What I do is put a 100 watt light bulb near the paint and airbrush to keep it warm before I start the painting process.
Mike
Acrylics are great for airbrushing, and generally less toxic or not at all. It’s the solvents you use to clean the brush that will fry your brain cells and eat your lungs. Aztek makes a nice little glass chamber for spraying solvent into which traps most of the fumes.
There’s no need to use solvents to clean an airbrush with which you only use acrylics. Ammonia will break down almost every acrylic paint, so you can use windex as a solvent. Some people really like adding a bit of Simple Green to their cleaning mixture. It’s non-toxic, biodegradable and all that. And it really breaks acrylic paints down as well.
Instead of being rude, how about offering suggestions on how to create a more appropriately sized sig line. I’ll be looking for your suggestions in the Help Forum. Thanks…I think?
And inhaling it gives me instant asthma symptoms.
Non-toxic does not necessarily mean non-harmful. [;)]
Mike
He’s probably on dial-up Greg and I do agree about not being so rude.
I have no problem with my broadband connection. [:D]
I love broadband. [:D]
You could order a spraybooth if you don’t want to build one. Some are available for very nice prices.
I use acrylics for airbrushing and haven’t had any problems. less fumes plus they dry a lot faster than enamels. matter of personal preference. some swear by enamels, but without a spraybooth, i would rather use acrylics than enamels.