Info needed re: airbrushing

[Bernard Kron]

When I first started building model cars again about 3 years ago I was given an airbrush for Xmas. I bought a very cheap compressor which didn't work at all well and then tried canned air which wasn't any better. I got just enough use out of the airbrush to get an impression that with a proper air source it might have some real benefits for me.

The time has come, I think, to try again. So, for those of you with airbrush experience here are some question I have.

1) Containment and ventilation – On my first go round I noticed that you could adjust the airbrush so that it sprayed in a very reduced area with far less overspray than a rattle can. Is it practical to airbrush in doors in a room that contains computers and other electronic equipment and which is part of the general living space in a house. Or is there still too much overspray and residual odor? Do you need a spray booth to get around this?

2) Compressors – A quick look over at Harbor Freight revealed some very tempting compressors for surprisingly cheap money. They seem to come in two flavors, with or without a tank. All have pressure gauges and water traps which I understand are quite necessary. Is paying for a tank a waste of money? A tankless compressor is obviously smaller and lighter, but one with a tank would theoretically be quiter once the tank fills up. But I don't think painting model cars means lengthy periods of time airbrushing. What range of PSI should I make sure I get? Is their a downside to some of the 100 PSI models? For example that they're difficult to adjust to the lower pressures required for airbrushing.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer,

B.

[Mike Kucaba]

>Is it practical to airbrush in doors in a room that contains computers and other electronic equipment and which is part of the general living space in a house.<

Yes, I'm sure a lot of the people on this board do this routinely.

>Or is there still too much overspray and residual odor? Do you need a spray booth to get around this?<

Yes & yes

>2) Compressors – A quick look over at Harbor Freight revealed some very tempting compressors for surprisingly cheap money. They seem to come in two flavors, with or without a tank.<

With tank. My choice and what I use.

> Is paying for a tank a waste of money?<

Not IMHO

>But I don't think painting model cars means lengthy periods of time airbrushing.<

That's what you think<G> It opens up all kinds of opportunity for creative paint work

The biggest difference between a hobby type compressor or one developed for airbrushing VS. the small & big units is NOISE. Iwata and a few others make compressors for airbrushing that are hard to tell they are running.

Hope this helps

[crazyjim]

I spray in an outbuilding and have my spray booth vented to the outside. I don't think I'd want to try spraying inside without ventilation.

I had a Badger air compressor and traded it off after listening to the experts on this forum. I purchased a unit from Lowe's with a 3 gallon tank - it came with a staple gun, too. It's small and portable so I can carry it around to inflate tires.

[Mr. Show]

I spray in an outbuilding and have my spray booth vented to the outside. I don't think I'd want to try spraying inside without ventilation.

Definitely not. Handbrushing with enamels inside is fine, but once you add a 1:1 ratio of thinner and start misting it into the air fumes build up quickly. I've always wondered how people do it safely in their basement with so many possible ignition sources (water heater pilot light, heater/air conditioner switching on, etc.)

I recently bought an airbrush and after seeing just how fast the propellant cans go I ordered a 1/4" compressor adapter and bought a 1-gallon 1/3 HP compressor for $30 from a local hardware store. Tanks can be had for as low as $19 and hold pressure a lot better than spare tires, and are much cheaper than cans in the long run.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Mr. Show

[cruz]

I can't imagine working around this hobby without an airbrush, once you learn and see how simple it is to use you will wonder why you didn't use it in the first place. Yes, invest on a spraybooth, yes, invest on a compressor with a tank and definitely start using your airbrush.

[DRG]

Ventalation is a must, especially in the winter months.

I use the small, self contained compressor for harbor frieght.

Check out Paasche Paint Booth listed under general for the Paint Booth I have.

[MikeMc]

I guess I got lucky. I have and use a Cheap Harbor Freight airbrush compressor..fixed psi with an water trap...no tank. It sprays at 22 psi without pulsing for hours on end. I Also have a larger Harbor Freight with a 2 gallon tank.It is used for Auto Air water based that needs 60 psi to spray correctly, Between both I have less than $125.00 inc shipping.

[Harry P.]

Don't spray indoors without a spray booth and an exhaust fan! Even if the vapors themselves were harmless (which they're not), the overspray gets on everything! It's so fine that you don't even see it... but if you take a paper towel and wipe around the area after you've airbrushed, you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

[Bernard Kron]

Thanks so much for all the input. :lol: I went to Harbor Freight today just to check things out and they had a 100 PSI 3 gallon tank compressor that I had noticed on line for $85.00 (already very cheap) on special for $49.95. At that price I thought it would be worth taking a chance. It comes with two gauges (tank and line) and a 25 foot line. I spent another $6.00 on a water trap and an adapter for my airbrush line. Including sales tax I was out the door for less than $62.00. Fingers crossed that it will prove reliable and not too noisy!

Unfortunately setting up a spray booth in the house is pretty much out of the question. I figure I'll take advantage of the 25 ft. line and make a workspace for painting out by the garage door, venting outwards but inside so that the pieces are out of the wind and weather. I'll probably make a small spray booth as insurance, but nothing fancy - i.e. without a vent fan, etc. I already use a respirator so that's covered. I also pre-heat my paint and my parts and haven't had any problems painting in that location using rattle cans, even in the winter. I have a ton of rattle can paint so I'll have to also learn the gentle art of decanting.

Thanx again! I'm excited to start learning a new skill!

Edited October 10, 2010 by gbk1

[crazyjim]

My wife forced me to stop at Wal-Mart last night after we went to dinner. I spotted a Campbell-Huasfeld compressor with a 1 gallon tank for $50.00.

[Mr. Show]

If anybody else is still looking, Menard's is having a sale on Alton oil-free, piston action 1/3HP 1 gallon compressors for $34. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but it's very portable and plenty for airbrushing. It doesn't have a regulator, but you can pick up an in-line one there for a couple bucks and a water/oil filter for ~$5. They also have 5 gallon tanks for around $20.

Edited October 10, 2010 by Mr. Show