I currently hand paint my models (airplanes) but am not so totally satisfied with the results. As such, I am looking into getting into airbrushing. I intend to airbrush outside on my porch (where I live winters only gets down to about 60 degrees and not very much rain). So I would be looking to get a hood large enough, but not so large but also collapsible that can be put away. My questions are:
What size hood, recommendations for brand, and if I work outside, do I need a fan?
Do I need a mask if I work with acrylic paints?
Given my limited space, I would like the airbrush and compressor as compact as possible. Any recommendations?
Anything else I should be getting or considering?
Thank you, in advance, for any advice or suggestions.
Marty
In theory, yes. Airbrushing aerosolizes the paint, regardless of the chemical makeup of the carrier. Spraying with acrylic paints, whether they are water-based, alcohol-based, lacquer-based, or enamel-based, can put droplets into the air and you can inhale them. Whether you smell something or not. So itâs not a bad idea to use a mask.
Now, how many modelers do use a mask with such paints? No idea.
For acrylics, a simple N95 or equivalent would be fine. The issue is particulates, not so much fumes. Some acrylics (e.g. Tamiya) do have alcohol in them, but you arenât spraying enough to have massive quantities of alcohol fumes to deal with. Of course, you also want to be careful when spraying cleaner through the airbrush, but if youâre using acrylics, youâre likely able to clean with just water and/or alcohol and/or ammonia/Windex.
Tojo, the half face respirator is great for organic vapors (which include IPA), not sure Iâd strongly suggest one for just acrylics. But if someone were to want one for acrylics, it would still work great!
For anyone spraying lacquers/etc., this is a good mask, too. You will want to find the âMGâ (multi-gas/vapor) or âOVâ cartridges (organic vapors). The ammonia cartridges are massive overkill for anyone spraying Windex or the equivalent.
Ah ok. I googled âportable airbrush spray boothâ and there seem to be some options of similar products from companies including Amazon which should be available wider than the UK. Canât attest to their quality though!
My 3M half mask uses organic vapor carbon cartridges (#6001 right now, but other numbers fit too), and it has N95 outer or so called pre filters. I use this for working with my wifeâs epoxy resin pourings and for organic solvent paints like lacquers, enamel etc. when airbrushing. Itâs cuts out all odors from the solvents and vapors. I also use that mask for spraying house paints or automotive paints.
For waterborne acrylics I just use the N95 dust style masks everyone used during Covid.
I have a MASTERâS spray booth, I also have there compressor. There airbrushes are junk, you can get a package deal with there compressor and 3 airbrushes. I airbrush indoors , I donât use a mask. I use Gaahleri airbrushes, you can get one at agood price. I use only acrylic paint, i tend to stay away from Lacquer paint. Hopefully this will help you.
I too do my painting on the porch however in the summer we get almost daily storms therefore most painting is done midday. I have a hygrometer that I monitor and I try not to paint above 80% relative humidity or below 60F. Obviously limits my time to paint but the bright side is the paint generally has plenty of time to setup.
If you are using water based acrylics a mask is not necessary although they should be used any time you are using solvent based paints. BTW, the Tamiya X/XF line of paints are solvent based. I have a California Air Tools 2010A, which I find handles airbrushing just fine. Currently it is $199 on Amazon. It has a 2 gallon aluminum tank (also come with a steel tank and is less expensive) but since I work in a humid environment I felt aluminum would be a better choice i.e. no rust. I use a Grex Tritium TS5 pistol grip airbrush, I find the pistol less tiring on the hand. I have a ceiling fan that disperses the paint mist. I do not use a hood, if I was indoors that would be a diffenent story. Hope this helps
I really canât advise you on a portable booth because if I paint outside, I just put newspaper down over whatever surface I am painting over. If I am painting inside, I just have a cardboard box with some plastic that folds down over the front. I bought a mask similar to what tojo showed off of Amazon. If I remember right, it cost me about $20. If I am painting with acrylics, I usually donât use it, though I probably should. If I am painting with enamels or the rare times that I use lacquers, I do use the mask then, inside or out. I have two different brands of airbrush compressors that I use. I have a Timberlane on demand by Fengda that was recommended by Tim in one of the Fine Scale shows on YouTube. I have been using it for almost a year now with almost no problems and the problems I did have were operator errors. I think it ran me close to $50 on Amazon. The other one I use is a self contained portable brush and mini compressor in one by Teespring. I have had that about 6 months longer. It only ran me somewhere between $15 and $20 on Amazon. It worked really good each time I used it that I didnât mess up. When fully charged, I could paint for at least an hour before needing to recharge. I donât know how much longer than that, as I didnât want to chance it running out of charge with a full cup of paint. I have found that airbrushes are a royal pain to try to clean without being able to spray anything through them. I bought both of mine as sets and they came with extra items, extra needles, nozzles, brushes for cleaning, a hose, a wrench, the one came with 2 different airbrushes, quick change attachments. Not all of that is necessary, but some of it is nice to have. I hope this helps.