Do you personally know someone who ruined their health through airbrushing?

No, I don't.

Being outside makes a big difference too.

Indoors, need to think about babies and pets too.

Bill

I don't know that there's any kind of formal medical opinion on the matter, but I would think that with the precautions you describe (probably a little more than most modelers) there's little to worry about, certainly no more than living in a smoggy city or smoking. I'm 67, modeling in probably the worst conditions when younger, and have no respiratory issues - neither do I know anybody that does. Of course, everybody's body is different in how they respond to things.

WillysMB

I would think that with the precautions you describe (probably a little more than most modelers) there's little to worry about 

I hope. I'm having so much fun with the hobby and don't want to see myself quitting anytime soon. I have dream projects in my mind I want to work towards.

The good thing is in the age of the internet, you can do so much reading and watching before starting something that much of what you would've learnt the hard way can be avoided. I have no teacher but the internet, and maybe the model kit store owner who I see about once every 1-2 months, so I'm so grateful for all the content that's out there.

I wouldn't be concerned if you aren't smelling it but it's up to you. If you feel better with the mask on wear it. I spray Tamiya and never smell it, so I don't mask up, but I do smell stynylrez primer when I spray it so I put on a mask when I do. I don't know if it is toxic but it stinks and I don't like stink.

I would think that if you spray outdoors with the wind at your back and you are wearing a mask you should be okay.

If you are spraying lacquer thinner, be very careful and wear a mask.

I reckon I'm doomed.  I've been airbrushing since 1973, indoors, no mask, enamel paints, way before acrilyics I liked, never outside.  Oh well. I'm now 69. I do dialysis, but they have not connected the two.  I still airbrush.  No mask.   I mostly use Tamiya now.

GMorrison

If you are spraying lacquer thinner, be very careful and wear a mask.

Maybe a change of topic, but I'm not even thinning my paints anymore. I started trying them straight out of the bottle after I had a hard time getting a colour to stick (Tamiya Acrylic Red). Seems to work fine for my (very low beginner) standards. 

I did start off using lacquer thinner as a thinner, but now I only spray it to clean the airbrush. 

If I do find it necessary to start using a thinner again, I'll try the isopropyl alcohol, as suggested by someone in a previous discussion of mine.

tankboy51

I reckon I'm doomed.  I've been airbrushing since 1973, indoors, no mask, enamel paints, way before acrilyics I liked, never outside.  Oh well. I'm now 69. I do dialysis, but they have not connected the two.  I still airbrush.  No mask.   I mostly use Tamiya now. 

So sorry to hear that. Hearing of dialysis hits home for me because my father used to go through the same process.

mask or a resperator?

No

Fortunately I don't know anyone who got sick from airbrushing.  One of my uncles did die from cancer due to working in the shipyard (asbestos), so I take this stuff seriously.

Back in high school when I got my first airbrush, my dad insisted I use a respirator.  He marched me down to Sears and got me one.  I do all my airbrushing outdoors, but back in the day, there used to be a mist of lacquer thinner hanging in the patio.  I don't go all bazongas blasting away anymore, as I have learned to dial everything back for greater control.  Plus lacquer thinner got expensive!

I have read many articles on paint safety, but the one that struck home was in a Japanese model mag that had a photo of a modeler's spray board stand that was covered in multi-colored grit.  The caption noted that even though the airbrush was not aimed at the stand, atomized paint still settled on it.  I looked at my spray board stand, and it looked exactly like the one in the magazine.  The other motivation to use a respirator was in my early airbrushing years, I would come back inside the house, blow my nose, and my snot was in SEA camo colors!

So guys and gals, don't fool around.  Paint in a well ventilated area, preferrably outdoors, and wear a respirator!

It is ironic that I hate wearing a face mask while going out shopping in the COVID-19 era, but I have worn my respirator continuously for 8+ hours.

Real G

I have worn my respirator continuously for 8+ hours.

Hmm, don’t know.  I picked it up at a hardware store.  I had to replace the one my dad got me because they stopped making the cartridges.  The mask was better built than my new one IMHO.

The important thing is to read the service rating on the cartridges.  They must be rated for organic vapors, i.e. paint fumes.  

I’ll take a photo of mine tonight.

Beards + Masks/Respirators

I have a full beard, kept mostly on a no#2 cut (6mm) which is fine for my Sleep Apneoa and Painting masks, with no issues.

I use a 3M 7200 series Mask (7200=Medium size), with VOC rated filters &  N95 clip-on filters, or dust-rated filters when doing home improvements/DIY.

3M Respirator ideas  https://www.amazon.com/3m-half-face-respirator/s?k=3m+half+face+respirator (YMMY, other vendors are available)

I wouldn't recommend using a near USD$2000 Sleep Apneoa Machine for providing forced air ventilation, as you will need the machine to be in a different airflow than your spray booth.

I also built myself a spray booth which is ALWAYS used (with respirator) when spraying acrylic varnishes, or enamels/solvents, or for long sessions, but rarely for spot sessions.

The only real problem I ever had was spraying a little racing car (1:1 scale).  It was a 3/4 midget racing car and was small enough- and all body panels were easily removable.  When I bought it the paint job wasn't the best and I wanted to paint it metallic red.  I had a spray gun and cleared away a corner of my workshop.  When I went to buy paint, the only paint I could by for the color I wanted was a two-part polyurethane.  The salesman who sold it to me warned it was toxic as the devil and I must wear a proper mask.  I thought, hey, this is not like painting a full size passenger car.  I'll just wear a dust mask and I'll be okay.  Wrong!  I got the thing half painted and I couldn't breath.  I had to stop- wasn't even able to clean out the spraygun.  Boy was that a job to clean- full of catalysed paint.

I survived with no after-effects.  Now to my airbrushing.  To me an airbrush is not a spray gun.  I paint with a very light flow.  I have a spray booth that I use for rattle cans, but I do not use that for airbrushing.  I get so little waste flow I just airbrush at my workbench.  I just make sure nothing on the current project is near the front of the bench (if so, I cover them with a couple of pieces of paper or the instructions).  I am in my eighties and have been airbrushing for over forty years.  While I am not in the best of health, non of my problems are lung problems.  As I say, I DO use a spraybooth for rattle cans, but as long as you do not open up the airbrush and use it like a spraygun, you shouldn't have any problems (unless you use two-part catalysed resins).

Don Stauffer

To me an airbrush is not a spray gun.  I paint with a very light flow.  

Yeah, it's the same with me nowadays. That's why I don't thin the paint anymore. One problem people have with paint that's not thinned is that it sprays on with a "dusty" effect. Doesn't bother me if I can just cover over it, and with low-pressure, you can do that pretty easily.

I only add a little bit of thinner if the paint isn't coming out properly.

Jon_a_its

 

3M Respirator ideas  https://www.amazon.com/3m-half-face-respirator/s?k=3m+half+face+respirator (YMMY, other vendors are available)

Thanks. Will have a look at these when I have enough to spend.

Okay I had a look at the respirator I use - it's a 3M 6200.

I store it in a drawer outside, and taking a close look after all these years of usage I can see how filthy it is!  I wiped it down and will store it in an enclosed container from now on.  I also noticed the elastic straps have gone bad.  Easy enough to replace.

Hi;

       No, personally I don't. Myself, although I used every safety device known to work I did myself a disfavor. I smoked from age 12 to three years ago when I had my heart surgery. Doctors are always saying my lungs are clear. If so ,Why do I have C.O.P.D. then? 

        I still use Masks and Filters for painting and have a spray booth with a dedicated exhaust to outside, I still use the safety stuff.

No one I know.

I have been spraying since about 1970. For the first 40 years only enamels, no mask or ventilation.

Now I put a 30” box fan inside a shipping box that had a small refrigerator packed in it with a home house filter in front. In the back is a hole for a 2.5” shop n vac hose hooked to a 25 gallon vacuum. I wear a mask when spraying, too. 

With catalyst paints you always need a respirator.  Years ago the general rule in body shops was if it was laquer or enamel, non catalyst, you didn't need one.  You'd eventually hack it out.  Not real smart these days.

As to storing a respirator, keep it in a ziploc bag or sealed can, the filters will last longer.

As to myself, I'm doing like Don, I spray 98% acrylics so don't use one, but I'm in a large area with plenty of ventilation and fresh air.