Airbrushing Safety

While I do have a nice spray booth, I do not use it for airbrushing. I only use the booth for rattle cans.  I do my airbrushing right at my building bench.  I just move away everything near the front of the bench.  I think the secret to airbrushing at your bench is keeping the paint flow low.  Think of an airbrush as a brush that creates painted finish with no brush marks, rather than it being a miniature spray gun.  Slow movement of the brush, low flow rate, close distance from brush to model surface, and thinned mixture can make a great finish, though it does take more time than using the airbrush as a spray can.

I use mostly enamels and lacquers, and have never been bothered by fumes.  I get very little overspray- most paint goes on part or model I am spraying.

There are spraybooths you can buy with exhaust built in.

This is what I use:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/MASB420DCK.html#.WuHl2E1dme8

As far as Tamiya goes, they're acrylics, not enamels. Enamels do give off a stronger smell than acrylics. If you have a dedicated room for airbrushing, there's no reason for the smell seeping out throughout your home.

I'll be honest, I usually open a window and have a little fan on high speed right on my desk and that works just fine to get the smell out.  

I even do this for rattle cans.  I don't sit at my desk spraying for 10 mins or anything.  It's usually under a minute.  For instance, if I'm spraying a car body with a spray can, it'll take me about 30 secs to a minute, and I have my mask on, fan at high speed and window open, and it's fine.  

Spray cans are probably worse case. I always go outside with them. Just make a carry-box, warm the can inside, and come back in with the model once the clouds clear.

With the A/B, the worst is spraying lacquer thinner. That just can't happen without good positive ventilation and filters.

A/B with other mineral spirits, really needs ventilation.

Acrylics are not harmless.

Worry about your cats. Their lungs are tiny. Your kids, other adults and then and only then be loose with your own health.

My advice, unless you're totally set on enamels and have the proper venalation/mask, go with an acrylic paint.  Having used enamels in a less than ideal environment, would strongly caution anyone from using them.

I’ve spray paint with rattle can in my cellar before.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

I’ve spray paint with rattle can in my cellar before.

  

I think this is fine if you have fans going, window open, etc.  Usually with rattle cans you're only spraying for a minute or two.  If you're spraying for half an hour with no windows open or fans then perhaps you're looking for trouble!

I'd suggest any type of paint you spray, whether it be from a can or an airbrush, to obtain a proper mask that stops paint particles from being enhaled into your lungs. 

I'm still surprised that people continue to think if the smell is not strong, then it must be less harmful, or worse, not harmful at all.  It's the paint droplets (looks like a fine mist in the air) that still can do harm.  The effects are cumulative, so no, you won't feel sick that day, but over time it is a different matter...

regards,

Jack

Thanks, that's what I thought.  I think the general gist of what people are saying is that enamels and spray cans are the worst, acrylic, not so bad and for short periods probably ok with good ventilation etc.  I think you're absolutely right though, cumulative use may cause harm so not worth scrimping.  I think I'll get a mask of somekind which should keep those particles out of my lungs.