Safe model paints

[Anonymous]

Are there any paints for spraying models that are safe if used in closed rooms and without a booth and exhaust fan? JK

[Seamonster]

No paint is "safe", especially when sprayed. An airbrush atomizes the paint and the particles float around. Acrylic (water-based) paints are safer than solvent-based paints. However, don't even think of spray painting in a closed room without a spray booth and exhaust fan. You're asking for trouble. If you don't have a booth, then take the painting outside. At worst, open a window and get a strong draft going through the room, but that isn't even safe. Wear a mask. I don't mean a dust mask, but a respriator--one of those things with little cans sticking out the sides and looks like something out of a horror movie. Even if you do your painting outside, you should at least wear a mask rated to catch paint particles. Bottom line, a booth with outside exhause and a well-ventilated room is safest. Don't play with your health.

Sorry I'm so harsh, but I worked for many years in an industry where safety was paramount, and your query just triggered something in me.
.....Bob

[Anonymous]

In a word---NO

[Anonymous]

Some of the "craft type" paints sold at arts&crafts stores are waterbased, and are relatively harmless. That is, unless you aim the airbrush at your mouth and take a deep breath. Really, now, those last two posts make it sound as if we are creating a "certain-death" environment every time we open a jar of paint.
Fear not, my friend, a bit of common sense will allow you to use any of the commercially available paints safely. "Polly-S" is a good place to start if you are afraid of the solvent based paints. I don't know what scale you model in, but a typical HO scale, one unit paint job will expose you to less harmful "fumes" than a typical drive to work in summer with the windows rolled down. Just remember, open a couple windows, and maybe have a fan drawing out while painting. Don't waste your money on these big spray booths, or respirators unless you are going to be doing a whole LOT of painting. Once again, use your common sense. I hope I don't have to tell you this, but I'll state it anyway, DO NOT AIRBRUSH SOLVENT BASED PAINTS NEAR ANY FLAMES!!!
(Furnace, water heater, etc.). Not unless you have a good home insurance policy, and want to remodel. I set up a cardboard box in my bathroom, and open a window, or use the exhaust fan, depending on the weather. Been doing it for a long time, and I'm still kicking, just my opinion........
Todd C.

[Anonymous]

Way to go Todd, a good common-sense approach !
The safety issue is important, but society in general tends to overdo it, to the point of paranoid silliness these days.
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

I'd like to remind you that the original question in this thread was whether it was safe to SPRAY PAINT models indoors without any filtration type of equipment. While agree that there is a lot of hysteria over safety issues these days, spraying models indoors in an unventilated area does strike me as not being a good idea. There is a lot difference between merely opening a jar of PollyScale or other acrylic based paint and spraying paint indoors--especially Floquil or other solvent based stuff. Several of my family members have respiratory difficulty and if I sprayed anything indoors, they would probably have to go the urgent care doctor's office. I tend to spray in the garage with the garage doors open. (My water heaters are NOT located in the garage.

[Anonymous]

Jim, no offense intended, I was just taking an opportunity to agree with Todd. His method is not without a form of ventilation,and I've done the same myself.
I didn't wi***o imply that I'd want to put your family, or anyone else's, in harm's way, if they have respiratory difficulties.
regards/ Mike

[Anonymous]

Don't worry--I wasn't offended. I am just concerned that the origianl poster might be a newbe who could be setting himself up for problems.

[Anonymous]

Like I said guys, COMMON SENSE... I think the idea of painting in the garage is great. I sometimes do that too if I have a LOT of painting to do, and providing it's not 15 degrees out.
But there is no need to call in the EPA and declare the neighborhood a toxic wasteland because Joe Blow is airbrushing a GP-9 with Floquil.
Todd C.

[Anonymous]

I am the originator of this thread. Thanks fellas for your input...pros and con. I've been in HO scale since '56, but never spary painted. I have been away from the hobby for a while and was curious about the paints available nowdays. I had a friend who spray painted for years in his attic room. About his mid-fities he developed many serious health problems and lived a shorten life. I think I will choose a water-based paint, wait for warmer weather and do the painting in my garage where I have my air compressor stored. Thanks, again!

[Anonymous]

Your story sounds familiar. I know a person who worked for a local train shop from when I was a kid until the late 1980's.. He also moonlighted by custom painting locomotive and specialized in brass equipment. His work was fabulous. Unfortunately, in his late fifties he developed sever liver and kidney problems that led to his untimely death. The problems were traced to the model railroad paints that he used.

By the way, I do spray floquil paints on occasion, but I do it in the garage with the garage doors wide open. I also wear a respiratory mask when I do that type of painting.