Airbrush safety

My Vent for the booth and respirator will be here tomorrow. I will have my current model be my test for enamel. I am more comfortable using acrylic, but I do want to give enamel a fair try, as its new territory for me.

Good choice. I don't believe acrylics are any safer to breath myself. They don't have the fumes usually but they have solids that get distributed into the air. Most people don't actually understand that acrylic paints in fact are composed of plastic...so they assume no foul with breathing them in.

At this point it seems you have three options.

1. Use fancy expensive gas masks (don't trust the cheap ones, they could leak or not filter the bad stuff)

2. Use everyday common sense. If you have to ask what this means then remove it as an option.

3. Realize that you simply CANNOT, no how no way do this in your current living situation. Just say NO to using enamels. End of story.

One big reason for ventng is I do not have a garage or other designated area to airbrush as the wife and I are living in an apartment, and I know she does not like the smell of enamel and thinners. When the time comes and we can get a house, I will make a large airbrush booth, powerful "Think Tim Taylor" fan on the back, and connect it to the dryer vent. I still am young "25" and I would like this to be a lifelong hobby so I am willing to take the extra precaution for a long and healty life. Also, my familys safty is important to me.

dflu78

Someone telling you not to have some form of ventilation because they never used it and are "old" is the logical equivalent of telling people they should run red lights because they themselves have done it and never been in an accident.

Geez dflu, you make me feel ancient, LOL. I'm in no way endorsing improper practices when dealing with strong chemicals. I'm merely suggesting that as in my case where I paint in my garage with the large door open providing adequate venting, no need for any other equipment is necessary. This is a method I have used for as long as I can remember. You better have proper ventilation if you are painting in an enclosed area. It's just common sense and a safe practice.

Someone telling you not to have some form of ventilation because they never used it and are "old" is the logical equivalent of telling people they should run red lights because they themselves have done it and never been in an accident.

In the grand scheme of things a good respirator is $30 and a few bucks a couple of times a year for filters. Despite what someone tells you you have no idea what kind of health issues they have that they may or may not know about and may or may not think are related to breathing toxins.

Everyone is different and you could have underlying health issues that could be exaggerated or triggered by exposure to ANYTHING...not just chemicals that are known to be hazardous. It isn't like research on this stuff is decades old...oh wait it is....

Frankly, I think it's a bit reckless to suggest you don't need to be safe and can't figure out why anyone with a concious would recommend doing or not doing something that could very well cause you health problems.

Anyway...be safe. If you're venting with a fan you should be ok if you aren't experiencing an overwhelming smell.

I have been modeling since age 10 and I will be 59 in November this year and guess what? I'm still here on planet Tierra. Never have used anything but my face  and uncovered nose. Do my airbrushing with an open garage door. Que viva el color!

I do most of my airbrushing in the back addition of my garage during spring, summer months and a few warm fall days. Heh - the missus likes it that way.

I have been modeling since age 7.  I use enamels and lacquers, and seldom vent my shop.  I wonder by how much I am shortening my life (I am 76 now). I may die young!

Seriously, I did one time have problems with fumes. I have a very small full sized race car whose body parts all come off. I was trying to paint it in my basement shop with only a small, wimpy vent fan. I could only get the paint I wanted in Acrylic Enamel a catalysed paint.  The shop I bought it at warned me the fumes were toxic.  I felt the amount of painting would be small enough I could get by.  I was using a regular full-sized spray gun, and I was sure wrong!  Half way through I had to quit and evacuate the shop, without even cleaning out the spray gun, I felt so bad (quite a job cleaning the gun from that stuff!).

But the amount of nasty fumes from either lacquer or enamel when painting a model using an airbrush is minimal. I never vent when using the airbrush.  Spray cans are something else- you can get an irritating buildup.  I have a spray booth with a filter that helps minimize fumes, and in the summer of often vent the booth.  But in the winter I do not even vent the spray can booth.

That matches my Infinity!!!!!

I want one.

Oooohhh, I like that!  Red is pretty.

www.frsa.com.au/.../onesuit-flash-onesuit-flash-protective-suit.html    I like this suit better, you know just in case if my paint decides to randomly combust. I may modify it so hoses lead to the window for fresh air. :D

Colour sucks.

Here ya go, just what you need for all your airbrushing needs!

http://www.zoro.com/g/00060562/k-G0086624?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&kpid=G0086624&gclid=CISR6d3fu74CFeY-MgodWH8AnA

A gas mask is always a good idea if your going to use thinners etc.