I am essentially new to model building. I’m in my 40s, and when I was a kid I dabbled in 1/72 armour (IIRC a Pz II and an armored car, probably a Puma). I haven’t touched modelling since, but the last 4-5 years I’ve been playing World of Tanks. Recently they started a model building thread, and I got this urge to try modelling again.
Right now my plan is to put together from 1/48 Tamiya armour kits. I picked up a Crusader, but I’m thinking of getting a Universal Carrier and maybe a German staff car to practice on first.
As that might suggest, I’m very interested in British armour.
The big issue that I’m trying to figure out is this: I live in a fairly small apartment, so I don’t have the space for any air brushing. And it sounds like if I do spray painting, I’m going to need to take my parts outside and spray them there. So what kind of process am I going to want for that?
Sorry for the late hello and welcome [snWcm] I just saw this post. As far as spray painting, several members use a paint booth. Some hand make one while others purchase them. The purchased ones work very well so I have heard.
Steve
As for your painting issue, we can put our thinking toques on and come up with something [;)]
I agree that you could use a spray booth of a sort. You might even get by using a cardboard box, like a copier paper box. What’s your outside access? Do you have a patio or a balcony? You could certainly set up there. If you don’t have a dedicated work table to use, but have to use a table that is otherwise used for dining, you can get those disposable plastic table coverings, or even cover it with newspaper, tape that down against the occasional breeze, and place the box on top. I used a copier paper box for years, till I was in a position to have a better, dedicated painting space.
Small space can pose a challenge for painting/airbrushing, but easily enough handled. One issue in an apartment is compressor noise, but several are available that are small and very quiet. As to a booth, over the years I’ve used everything from temporary cardboard and plastic storage containers, to dedicated custom built version. Whatever works is OK, small, light and foldable is good, so it can be put away requiring minimal space.
Of real importance is exhausting the fumes. I use light material, wide enough to handle an exit hole for the discharge hose, tall enough to fill space from top to bottom of window or door frame. Open window enough to install the hose holder sheet, then slide closed to seal the window edge against the sheet.
That allows year round painting, airbrushing will really make your modeling efforts greatly improved. when compared to brushing or flit cans.
Mineral spirit paints are much stronger in smell than acrylics, likely better for use in your smaller space. Have a look on you tube, there are many examples of inexpensive and light weight spray booths, you can get some good ideas from them.
If you are going to build just armor in the near future, you will be using all basic flat colors. Acrylic flats have almost no odor as said above and go on well whether brushed or sprayed. In that case, a small cardboard box will work extremely well. As was said above, some small compressors make very low noise. The one I use, a Neo Air, is 6"x4"x2-1/2" and sits on the edge of my bench. When using it, my wife can’t hear it in the next room and I have a screen door on the room to keep the pets out. I just crack open the window behind the cardboard box. When doing a lot more spraying, I have a spraybooth in the other room with an exhaust exiting out the window.
I only use enamels for small details. Vallejo Model Air Acrylics for everything else.
Good luck in your endeavors. If you have any questions/problems, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The members here are very knowledgeable and ready, willing and able to help out. Enjoy.