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Airbrushing and Apartment Life?

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  • Member since
    September 2018
  • From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Airbrushing and Apartment Life?
Posted by AirLandSea76891 on Sunday, September 30, 2018 7:47 PM
Question to those of you who live in apartments
 
I’m in the process of gathering materials (drafting table, paints, etc.) and I’m thinking about airbrush vs paint brushing for my models.  I’ve never airbrushed before but the looks of the finishes on models that I see on the internet are better than those done by paintbrush, in my opinion. 
 
The primary issue of course is ventilation, which in a hi-rise apartment, isn’t in plenty supply.  My hobby section is by the front door, but leaving the door ajar to the hallway isn’t ideal.
 
We're also renting here for the next year, so I just can’t spray just outside on the balcony and let paint residue land wherever it feels like.  Trying to sneaking in a paint job in a corner of the parking garage wouldn’t be advisable either. When we had a backyard, I use to spray paint my model rockets without concern for the paint landing on the grass, but that was in the past.
 
So those that live in apartments, how and where do you airbrush?

-Kevin-

"Enjoy your life now. It comes with an expiration date."

Modeling my world in 1:43 to 1:50... and a few other assorted scales

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Sunday, September 30, 2018 8:30 PM

If your building small,1/72 aircraft,some 1/48 planes,1/35 armor,and you are using acrylics,you should be okay.When you spray if you have the mix and the PSI right,you shouldnt be raising large clouds of overspray,it should minimal.The larger the model,the larger the duration of your spraying will be,so keep that in mind.Perhaps a drop cloth to protect against spills.But small kits should be okay.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Monday, October 1, 2018 10:39 AM

Airbrush booth...

http://www.tcpglobal.com/MASB420DCK.html#.W7I_CPZFx9A

I have this one and it really doesn't take up a lot of space. Plus, it comes with a window vent hose. 

You can get away with using this booth on the balcony without worry of spray residues landing below.

 

  • Member since
    September 2018
  • From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Posted by AirLandSea76891 on Monday, October 1, 2018 5:50 PM

Thank you both for the information.  That booth looks very interesting.

-Kevin-

"Enjoy your life now. It comes with an expiration date."

Modeling my world in 1:43 to 1:50... and a few other assorted scales

 

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Monday, October 1, 2018 6:41 PM

I overheard some guys at an IPMS National Convention who had brought in their airbrush rigs and were painting in the hotel room bathtub!  Don’t do this, because as careful as you try to be (I have a feeling they were not!), overspray WILL find its way onto surfaces.

An apartment dwelling friend has a portable Japanese A/B rig that he brings over to use when we have our monthly meeting.  He has the same problem as you so he cannot do anything but brush paint at his place.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, October 1, 2018 6:48 PM

I think you'd be ok out on the balcony with a booth and a filter. Get one of the decent ones like Paasche makes and it will last you a lifetime.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Monday, October 1, 2018 7:14 PM
I still think that if you are not having prolonged spraying sessions using enamels or lacquers,you really dont need anything but an open window.

  • Member since
    May 2018
  • From: Commonwealth of Virginia
Posted by VA Spartan on Monday, October 1, 2018 8:45 PM

Also, consider a more quiet compressor out of consideration for the neighbors (and your own ears, too).  I think quiet models are made but don’t have a specific manufacturer or model to recommend.

On the workbench: 1/35 Takom T-54B; 1/35 Tamiya Char B1bis w/French Infantry; 1/48 Tamiya Fairey Swordfish Mk. 1

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Monday, October 8, 2018 4:39 PM
Well Kevin, several years ago I purchased two of the Master paint booths and vented them booth out of the same window. We recently moved and I cannot vent out side the house. The solution was to build a box, add a triple filter and vent into it. With the two filters in the booth; I am blowing my paint through a total of five filters! Just to keep things smelling good I have added two air purifiers. I have a 32 inch wide paint area for about $200 including extra filters, but not including the $250 air purifiers.

On the Bench:

Revell 1/96 USS Constitution - rigging

Revell 1/48 B-1B Lancer Prep and research

Trumpeter 1/350 USS Hornet CV-8 Prep and research

 

 

 

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