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Dilemma

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  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Frisco, TX
Dilemma
Posted by B17Pilot on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 12:59 PM

OK, I have to spray paint outside (live in an apartment), so I am stuck waiting for the right temp and humidity to get an airbrush session in.  I have a P-47 that's been ready to get its first undercoat for Alclad paints ready for two weeks.  With winter approaching (though current temp outside suggests its already here) and it getting dark by 5:20ish, I can't do it during the week, so am stuck to the weekends, but the last three weekends we didn't have the right conditions.  So here's the dilemma, do I A) start a new model to continue working on something and get it done all the way till it needs to be spray painted, then repeat the process, until winter turns to spring, where a massive painting session can begin, or B) hold out for the rare days in winter on the weekends when I can get a session in.

I do have three others half started, but a day at the bench and they all will be forced to wait in the airbrush line. I don't want several half started kits lying around till the spring either.

What to do, what to do. Confused Man this is driving me crazy!

  

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: 41 Degrees 52.4 minutes North; 72 Degrees 7.3 minutes West
Posted by bbrowniii on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 1:04 PM

Why not combine A and B?

While the weather is unfavorable for painting, build a new kit. When the weather breaks in your favor, bust out the airbrush and paint while you have a window of opportunity.

'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing' - Edmund Burke (1770 ??)

 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Frisco, TX
Posted by B17Pilot on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 1:07 PM

I work off an old card table, so not much room to have unfinished models lying around. Heck its a delicate balance to find a place for the finished ones.

  

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 1:13 PM

First,   take a deep breath         ahhhh

My suggestion, finish the three half started kits.     Then maybe start something new.    If the weather breaks and you get some nice day(s) take advantage. If not, they will all be waiting for the spray weather.

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Edmonton, Alberta
Posted by Griffin on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 1:54 PM

BaBill212
My suggestion, finish the three half started kits.     Then maybe start something new.    If the weather breaks and you get some nice day(s) take advantage. If not, they will all be waiting for the spray weather.

Ditto What he said!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 2:20 PM

...start a new model to continue working on something and get it done all the way till it needs to be spray painted, then repeat the process, until winter turns to spring, where a massive painting session can begin...

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 10:17 PM

Manstein's revenge

...start a new model to continue working on something and get it done all the way till it needs to be spray painted, then repeat the process, until winter turns to spring, where a massive painting session can begin...

 That's what I would do.

Get em ready to paint, then work on the fiddly bits (landing gears, wheels, etc). Once it's painted, and all that, it's just a matter of pluggin in the rest of the parts......bing, bang, boom, done!!! Once in a great while, I'll lose interest in a subject, or just don't feel like painting. I push through, just enough so that i's ready to paint and box it back up, and re-stash it.

 I used to have to paint outside. This was back when I ONLY built in winter, while I was laid off(Jan-March). I'd warm up the paint by sticking the jar, or can, in hot water for a while. Never had a problem. Yes, this was in Michigan.....fridged cold!!!

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Nebraska, USA
Posted by CallSignOWL on Thursday, December 1, 2011 8:16 AM

what I do when the weather isnt right, is to airbrush in the bathroom. Generally the tile/laminate floor is easy to clean and I can turn on the shower fan to help ventilate. It probably helps that I have a mini-compressor that is easy to carry around the house.

------------------------

Now that I'm here, where am I??

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, December 1, 2011 9:08 AM

Two approaches to painting in an apartment.  First, use an airbrush and crank down the flow a bit.  Unless you are doing large scale (1:32) the overspray is minimal.  While I have a nice spray booth I generally only use it for rattle cans- don't need it for most airbrushing.

Try an unvented spray booth.  If it has a good filter, this takes out most of the overspray and most of the odor.   Spread a coating of baking soda around in a box lid to help absorb the rest.  If you can rig up a flange in a window, you may be able to vent a spray booth even in an apartment, depending on the type of windows.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Friday, December 2, 2011 1:23 PM

Why wait?  I lived in an apartment too and I painted everything inside...  I just went out into the hallway and shot it it over a trashcan...  If the other folks in the building were an issue, I shot them over the trashcan whilst sitting near a window with a box-fan turned around as an exhaust...

If I was using acrylics, I didn't bother with going out in the hallway... 

If you're of a mind to build a paint-booth, a largish cardboard box with some dryer-vent hose, duct tape,  and a small box fan will do nicely... 

If you're using an airbrush (vs rattlecans), there's so little overspray with the AB with those (as opposed to rattlecans) that the whole "paint booth" thing isn't really necessary. All you really need is the box to catch the overspray....  If odor is an issue, then I can't help ya... Personally, I like the smell of enamels and laquers...

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Ontario, Canada
Posted by gunner_chris on Friday, December 2, 2011 10:30 PM

Do you have a friend or family members garage you could borrow?

Even if you finish a couple more of the partial kits, go over for one winter airbrush session to bridge the gap till the spring.

 A case of beer is the normal rate I believe.

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