Minimal fume lacquer spray

You'd have to use an acrylic flat overcoat as they're relatively fume free, the key word being relative. All paints give off nasty fumes so you should think about getting a spray booth with a fan if you want to spray indoors. Hope this helps.

I agree with bstrump.
Get some Polly Scale clear flat and wear a paper respirator.

Mike

Like they said ... all paint fumes are uhealthy to breathe. Acrylics are just not as bad.

I haven't used PolyScale flat clear, but I've heard good things about it. I have used ModelMaster Acryl flat clear and it works fine. Also Tamiya XF-21 Flat Base mixed with Future. All three of these are acrylic.

OK, guys.....
It's proper terminology time! Paint does NOT generate fumes. It generates vapors. Fumes are condensed particulates that come primarily from operations like welding. Vapors are gases that have a liquid from which they evaporate.

QUOTE: Get some Polly Scale clear flat and wear a paper respirator

The paper respirator will protect against paint particulates (pigment), but won't offer any protection against the vapor fraction. Respiratory protection for acrylics is the same as for enamels and lacquers.

Gip Winecoff

Gip,

If the water-based acrylics are sprayed would there be vapors that you would need protection from? I figured that a paper respirator is all that is needed as I assumed the pigment was the only bad ingredient in the water-based acrylics.
I know that spraying acrylic cleaners through the airbrush warrants a vapor cartridge respirator as that stuff gives me asthma symptoms.

Mike

Mike,
They may be water-based, but once sprayed, any ethers, alcohols, or other waterborne solvents are going to vaporize; therefore, the necessary protection is going to be an organic vapor respirator. You're still going to get some water and pigment, so a good prefilter should work to catch that as well. Continue wearing your MSA half mask, Mike.

Understand that this is totally dependent on the manufacturer-specific ingredients. Some of the acrylics may be TOTALLY water-based, and therefore, a paper mask would probably suffice; however, there are the other ones that use alcohol or other water soluble solvents--like some alcohols.

Without having a complete MSDS library at your disposal for all this stuff, my advice is that if, during the spraying operation, you smell something funky, or if you start feeling lightheaded, nauseated, etc., or if you are simply unsure what's in the stuff and have become justfiably paranoid (), slap on a good respirator, vent the room, and spray away.

Help some?
Gip

Sounds good Gip.
I use Model Master Acryl so I am not sure what they use in it.
It has a smell that is hard to explain but it reminds me of dirt or something.

Mike