I’m about to receive my first compressor (a KMS AS186 kit with tank +2 airbrushes (not sure of the quality of those but I have a Badger 250 also for general area spraying)) but the weather here in the UK is turning to winter, which is a problem…
…because I don’t have a garage or shed (not one that’s empty or that I can move around in) or anything else outside that I can airbrush in - where I’ve been spraying models recently I’ve been using spray cans (and also my Badger 250 with a can of propellant) and doing it outside on warm windless days.
I usually paint indoors by brush with acrylics (mostly Revell and Humbrol), albeit with a window open for some ventilation.
So, I’m wondering, as I’m intending to airbrush acrylics is there any reason I shouldn’t do it indoors (apart from the obvious fact of spray all over the place, I’d use a big box and dust sheet to prevent it going everywhere)?
I can’t think of any reason because it’s not like the acrylics smell, otherwise I wouldn’t paint by brush indoors…
I’ve been doing exactly that for the last two years almost with no ill effects, no complaints from anybody else in the house and no odors. I enjoy working inside in the A/C and in the comforts of my home. In short…go for it!
P.S. The only complaint I woulda had is if my compressor had been a noisy one. MIne is pretty quiet…especially at 4 a.m. !!!
I airbrush acrylics in my basement all the time. I do usually use a respirator if I’m going to be doing a fairly lengthy session. As far as your assertion about “spray all over the place” - that just isn’t normally the case with using an airbrush. Unlike the rattle cans you’ve been used to, you get very little overspray with an airbrush.
Same here. I use mostly acrylics and unless I’m spraying a 1/72 B-52, I don’t have any complaints or issues (kinda like the smell of Tamiya paint [:P])
You should be able to dial down the pressure pretty low and not get much overspray,unless your painting something big,it shouldn’t be all over the place.
As far as the mask,some do some don’t,I say better safe then sorry,it’s a good investment
I airbrush right at my modeling bench- same place I do my hand brushing. I have a spray booth for spray can work, but do not use it for airbrush. I get so little overspray from an airbrush I do not bother to use the booth. I just take care I have no important parts sitting near the front edge of the workbench that might get a little overspray on them. I have occasionally forgot and got a little overspray on a part, but it is very rare.
The reason I don’t have a problem with airbrushing at the workbench is that I consider an airbrush to be the same as brush painting except it doesn’t make brushmarks. It is not a spray gun painting a whole model or major assembly with one quick path. I typically use about 15 to 20 psi, and use minimal airflow. Once you are a practiced airbrusher most of the paint goes on the model surface, just as if you were painting with a regular brush.
I airbrush my acrylics inside, in a corner of the basement of course, with no troubles. (mostly 1/72, so there isn’t a lot of paint being thrown about anyway.) That being said, I need to get some quick progress on one of my kits, as it is meant to use up the last of my rattle-can enamels, and I’d rather do that outdoors.
i airbrush acrylics all the time in the bunker. in the summer i will open a window but not really necessary. as i airbrusj without my glasses (bit with safety glasses) i tend to get rather close so i do wear a mask but not a respirator.
i will prime sometimes inside but i time it so i can go do something else for a bit or right before end of day.
I do airbrushing acrylics in our hobby room with an open window in summer. For longer sessions I wear a respirator, of course. These are cheap, much cheaper than a new lung.