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The modeler in winter

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  • Member since
    August 2014
The modeler in winter
Posted by Weird-Oh on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:21 PM

I won't lie to ya, guys (and, I hope, girls),

I'm getting pretty frustrated. The weather was unseasonably warm in early winter, so I started on a couple of models that I managed to get primed before the really cold weather set in. My bench is out in a craft room my wife and I set up in an outbuilding, and it gets really cold in there. A couple of space heaters take at least two hours to get it anywhere close to comfortable, and although I have a spray booth set up and vented to the outside, I'm always worried it's not warm enough to paint. When the weather's temperate, I spray outside and then bring the pieces in to dry, but right now, I'm kinda dead in the water. Does anyone have any insight into how to paint models in the wintertime? Or should I just wait 'til spring?

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:51 PM

Couldn't you bring the paint booth in the house, and vent it out a window???

  • Member since
    August 2014
Posted by Weird-Oh on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 9:07 PM
Yes, but I'd have to find a new wife.
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 9:17 PM

Win win!!!Stick out tongue

 

Having that situation would be a huge bench time killer, for me. Since there is no other option (other than waiting until better weather arrives)...Fire up the heaters...maybe add another with more power, just to get temps up quicker. Bring the paints you are going to use inside and submerge them in hot water, to get their temps up (seems to spray better when warmer than freezing!).

  • Member since
    August 2014
Posted by Weird-Oh on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 9:36 PM

I've heard about the hot water technique; I'll have to try it. This weekend it's supposed to get up into the 60s, so maybe I'll get a chance after all.

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 10:27 PM

Well holy crap what are you spraying with a bazooka? A couple acrylic paints and an airbrush the wife won't even know you're there!! Only takes a tiny table, no smell, no noise, no overspray,no fuss no muss!!

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 11:20 PM

You don't have a basement to set up an airbrush spray booth and vent out to a window?

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: providence ,r.i.
Posted by templar1099 on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 4:17 AM

Not an ideal situation. Look into heat lamps?

"le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile"

  • Member since
    August 2014
Posted by Weird-Oh on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 8:27 AM

If only. Manufactured home.

  • Member since
    August 2014
Posted by Weird-Oh on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 8:28 AM

Hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

  • Member since
    October 2013
Posted by ajd3530 on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 11:21 AM

I am in a somewhat similar situation. My hobby spot is up in the attic, and while finished, it is not climate controlled. I have a space heater up there and I try to keep it in the upper 50s to maybe 60.

What I have been trying this winter is doing as much as I can downstairs with the family. Lots of snipping and sanding and dry fitting and gluing and rewarding. I get one or two models to a point where I need the airbrush, then crank up the heat upstairs to get it to a suitable temperature. That leaves to lots of modular building, and I am actually enjoying it more than I thought I would.

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 4:24 PM

I have my bench set up in a converted bedroom (after the oldest went off to college).  I made my own spraybooth and mounted the exhaust with a dryer vent  on a board that I put in the window when spraying.  I just open the window, put the board in and close the window on the board then slip the bendable vent pipe on the connection.  When done, take it out of the window.  I use all types of paints and have not had any complaints from SWMBO.  Most of the time, she doesn't even know I'm painting.

Jim  Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    February 2016
Posted by InsanePyro on Friday, February 19, 2016 1:21 AM

Get yourself a torpedo heater. You'll be out there in shorts and a tee shirt Cool

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Cameron, Texas
Posted by Texgunner on Friday, February 19, 2016 9:41 AM

InsanePyro

Get yourself a torpedo heater. You'll be out there in shorts and a tee shirt Cool

 

+1...or one of these:

But, you'll be pickin' out black, sooty boogers for days.Big Smile

 


"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Friday, February 19, 2016 9:56 AM

fermis

Win win!!!Stick out tongue

 

ROFL. (and I haven't said ROFL in like 12 years)

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Friday, February 19, 2016 10:12 AM

InsanePyro

Get yourself a torpedo heater. You'll be out there in shorts and a tee shirt Cool

 

Now that's a pretty good idea. Had one so many years ago I'd completely forgotten about it and how well it worked.

Neighbors might think you are stand-testing turbofan engines in your house, though.....

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Friday, February 19, 2016 10:21 AM

Or get one of those electric fireplaces. It's a win win either way for decoration purposes without taking the industrial route of a heater lamp.

Something like this:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_667530-47166-23RM20201-C232_1z0w5u6__?productId=999909237&pl=1

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Friday, February 19, 2016 11:06 AM

InsanePyro

Get yourself a torpedo heater. You'll be out there in shorts and a tee shirt Cool

 

I thought about that the other day, as a suggestion.

Home depot has small-ish ones for around $100, that run off a propane tank. We used to use one in my bands rehearsal space...garage. The garage was well insulated...we'd fire that bad boy up, for about 20 minutes...that would usually be enough for a 3 hour rehearsal. If outside temps were is the teens or lower...we'd fire it it up maybe two more times, for maybe ten minutes.

Something like this....

  • Member since
    August 2014
Posted by Weird-Oh on Friday, February 19, 2016 9:46 PM
Thanks for all the great ideas. This forum rocks.
  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Wolfman_63 on Saturday, February 20, 2016 5:14 AM

Insulate the walls. You can buy inexpensive insulation. (will help keep it cooler in summer as well) Then buy an electric fireplace. Home Depot sells them. They can heat up 300 to 600 sqft to 75* in a short amount of time. Neighbor has a 2 car garage and in 20* weather, heats up garage in about 45 minutes to 70*.

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

 

 

 

 

 

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