airbrushing outside

[markpierce]

Spray painting outdoors, even from cans, can give satisfactory results such as with this brass model.  Just be a bit choosey on the outdoor conditions.  (Pictured on dining room table, but, trust me, painted in the back patio.)

 

 

Mark

[markpierce]

QChugger

 In the end, if you can get a spray booth in your workshop ...

But I'm sure they're some like me where it is either the dining room table or outdoors.  I choose the outdoors (the lesser of two evils).

Mark

[QChugger]

Hey Rambo.

 All of my airbrushing and spray painting I have to do outdoors since I do not have anywhere else I can go.  There are some definite pros and cons.

On the good side, it is well ventilated.  Any spray painting project requires good ventilation in addition to proper protection for you (i.e. respirators and gloves), ESPECIALLY when working with laquer based paint.  Also, if working during daylight hours, you can not beat the sun for a light source.  It can also be a pleaseant time outdoors as well if the weather is nice and the sun is shining.  Paint can also dry to the touch faster (but is not necessarily cured).  I'd still wait at least 12-24 hours before decaling or doing anything else.

 The downside is that if it is windy, you will have problems with trying to get the spray pattern on the model and not everywhere else.  It is even worse if you have to spray and the wind shifts.  What I do if there is a prevailing wind, I have the project downwind of the spray can or airbrush and let the spray sort of naturally flow in the direction of the model.  Also, you will need to bring your equipment and projects outside from your workshop, increasing the risk of breakage unless you have a box to carry everything in.  Last, especially when airbrushing acrylics, you also have to bring water or thinner with you to clean out the airbrush or it can easily dry in the nozzle, particularly if it is a hot, dry summer day.  Besides that, you may also have to deal with bugs and other heat related issues.  If you have pets outside also, it can be a nuisance as your pet does not know what you are doing but that he (or she) wants to (hopefully) spend time playing or sitting on your chair.  In short, they may mess up work just completed by knocking things over or sitting on (or in) them or (God forbid) they may chew up something you are working with.  Hopefully the pets are better trained than that though.

 In the end, if you can get a spray booth in your workshop that has a fan to ventilate to the outside, that really is the best way to go.  If not, have a cool drink and a radio and catch up on the ballgame while working.  Nothing says a good summer day to me than that!

 Keep 'em rolling!

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 Panting solvent based paints with out proper ventilation and proper PPE (personal protective equipment)

which includes eye protection, gloves and the correct type of respirator is essential anyone who chooses to do differently is a fool and to mock those who offer good sound safety advice is just plain immature for lack of another PG rated word. The things solvents can do to your skin, sinus membrane, eyes, and lung tissue is horrific. Anyone who  has had to sit through any OSHA safety training knows exactly what I mean.

No one ever got hurt  by being careful and following safety practices but plenty of people who have not have. I started working in a body shop when I was 13 years old masking cars and sanding primer. The old guy (or at least to me he was) never wore a respirator or even owned a pair of safety glasses, and he used to paint cars all day and every day. He died of lung cancer at 52 was it from painting all those years without a respirator maybe it was and maybe it wasn't I'm not willing to take that chance are you?

[rambo1]

the respirator that is i just remembered i use it when i change the oil on the car the oil smells strong but it runs .rambo1...

[rambo1]

I'm lucky get it free from work maybe should stay indoors!rambo1..

[sfcouple]

I go on the roof of our apartment building when spraying paint. My across the street and across the alley neighbors seem interested but probably can't figure out what the heck I'm doing. It must be quite a site as I squat down behind an air duct to use as a wind break, and I must look pretty silly. Wayne #2

[doctorwayne]

Good advice, Antonio.  When the charcoal is spent, you'll be able to smell the paint fumes, and it's time then to change the cartridge(s).  If it becomes difficult to breathe while wearing your respirator, the dust/particle filter element is clogged, also indicating time for a replacement cartridge.  

When donning the respirator, you can check the seal of it on your face by covering the cartridge(s) with your hand and inhaling - if the seal is good, the facepiece will be pulled tight against your face (and you won't get any air, either).

Wayne

[AntonioFP45]

Good input from Bob.

I use the 3M air purifying respirators that cost approximately $20, however, Harbor Freight Tools sells air purifying respirators at a lower cost. Look at the P95 respirator on this link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/?category=&q=paint+respirator

One important maintenance note: 

The filter cartridges of various brands contain an absorbent form of charcoal, so for durability it's a good practice to store this type of respirator in a zip-lock bag or a Tupaware type container with a snug fitting lid. 

[doctorwayne]

Railphotog

Forty Niner

The "only" times I paint outside is when I'm using spray cans, and then it's usually in the garage with the door cracked for ventilation only. As for using my airbrush it only gets used in the basement. I have a seperate room with a window and a small exhaust fan in it and all I use are the solvent based paints. As long as you have a gentle breeze providing some air movement that's all you need. If you feel the need for a mask or something get yourself some of those paper masks that fit over your mouth and nose, they'll do what you want.

Mark

A lot of misleading statments here!    For solvent based paints such as Floquil, a paper dust mask is not suitable at all, it is for dust, such as when sanding wood and such, with large particles.  To properly protect your lungs you need a respirator with a filter cartridge made for organic solvents.   And a window fan won't do a whole lot of good either - if you can smell the paint, then you're getting it into your lungs.

A paper dust mask may be suitable for water based acrylics, but I still use my respirator in my home made paint booth that is ventilated to the outside.  When wearing the respirator, I cannot smell the paint, so I know it is working.

Your health is important, so please take proper precautions. 

 

 

Forty Niner

Or you could get yourself some scuba gear and a wetsuit, that way you wouldn't have to worry about absorbing any of those toxic fumes through your skin!!!

Maybe a "hazmat" suit with a seperate oxygen supply??

The list is endless but the main thing to remember is don't stick the airbrush in your mouth and press the button, that could be dangerous. :-0

Mark

Mark, your "tongue in cheek" remarks do a disservice to other modellers, especially those just starting out.  Many of the tools and products we use in this hobby can be extremely dangerous if used improperly.  Bob's remarks are good advice for all modellers, and he's right:  your health is important.  If someone chooses to ignore safe practices, that's their business, but to promote unsafe procedures is not beneficial to anyone.

 

Wayne

 

[markpierce]

Do all my airbrushing outside due to necessity rather than choice.  Can't do it when it is dark, wet, too hot, too cold, or too windy.  I often bring the just-painted model/objects indoors for the paint to dry/set.  Fortunately, the climate here usually isn't extreme.

Mark

[sandusky]

Acrylics, I've been told, are much worse for lung tissue, since the body has no way to clear these types of molecules which end up plugging your alveoli, thereby robbing you of lung capacity (think black lung or emphysema). Solvent based paints have clear warnings and always have. One can certainly cause brain damage with this type of material........ever hear of "huffing"? Respirator Respirator Respirator!!!!!!

[duckdogger]

 And let me add to Mark's caution, the same applies to your nose and ears.

I paint outside exclusively.  On windy days, in the garage but in the shaded yard when its calm.  Except for July and August, our humidity is typically single digit so the paint, especially acrylic, dries just after hitting the surface. I do not experience the dust in the paint issue.

 

And if I did, after weathering with oil washes and powdered pigment, I doubt it would be visible.

[Forty Niner]

Or you could get yourself some scuba gear and a wetsuit, that way you wouldn't have to worry about absorbing any of those toxic fumes through your skin!!!

Maybe a "hazmat" suit with a seperate oxygen supply??

The list is endless but the main thing to remember is don't stick the airbrush in your mouth and press the button, that could be dangerous. :-0

Mark

[steamage]

 I don't have room for a spray booth so I airbrush outdoors in a shady spot behind the house on a work bench.  I paint with Floquil or Scalecoat. on non windy days, haven't had any problem with dust in paint.  Never liked the idea of airbrushing in the house and when it comes time to clean the airbrush with thinner, I don't have to be stingy.  

[Railphotog]

Forty Niner

The "only" times I paint outside is when I'm using spray cans, and then it's usually in the garage with the door cracked for ventilation only. As for using my airbrush it only gets used in the basement. I have a seperate room with a window and a small exhaust fan in it and all I use are the solvent based paints. As long as you have a gentle breeze providing some air movement that's all you need. If you feel the need for a mask or something get yourself some of those paper masks that fit over your mouth and nose, they'll do what you want.

Mark

A lot of misleading statments here!    For solvent based paints such as Floquil, a paper dust mask is not suitable at all, it is for dust, such as when sanding wood and such, with large particles.  To properly protect your lungs you need a respirator with a filter cartridge made for organic solvents.   And a window fan won't do a whole lot of good either - if you can smell the paint, then you're getting it into your lungs.

A paper dust mask may be suitable for water based acrylics, but I still use my respirator in my home made paint booth that is ventilated to the outside.  When wearing the respirator, I cannot smell the paint, so I know it is working.

Your health is important, so please take proper precautions. 

 

[Forty Niner]

The "only" times I paint outside is when I'm using spray cans, and then it's usually in the garage with the door cracked for ventilation only. As for using my airbrush it only gets used in the basement. I have a seperate room with a window and a small exhaust fan in it and all I use are the solvent based paints. As long as you have a gentle breeze providing some air movement that's all you need. If you feel the need for a mask or something get yourself some of those paper masks that fit over your mouth and nose, they'll do what you want.

Mark

[Sailormatlac]

Allegheny2-6-6-6

If you have to paint outside our best rigging up some sort of temporary enclosure maybe out of 1x2 and plastic.

Alleghneny's right on that point.

It's better than inhale the fumes, but having done it quite a few time when I was still painting with solvent-based paint, I can assure you the wind is your worst enemy. Most of the paint won't reach the model at the first breeze. Also, on hot days under the sun, paint tends to dry too quick. If there's no wind, it's still feasible without problem, however, it works better in a controlled environment. I often used my enclosed porch for spraying paint from can and dullcoat my model though.

 

If you're doing it, do it when there's absolutely no wind and not under direct sun in mid-afternoon.

 Matt

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 Gotta agree with Jay on that one try a broom or a shop vac.

Spraying outside is never a good idea  unless the sheer size of what your painting dictates that you do so. If you have to paint outside our best rigging up some sort of temporary enclosure maybe out of 1x2 and plastic. We sued to paint cars outside when we were kids because we didn't know any better or did not have a garage.

[modelmaker51]

chutton01

used to airbrush down in the cellar (partially unfinished), and even with a homemade airbrush booth I found more dust would get in the finish than when I airbrush outside

You must have a very dusty basement! I've been air brushing in the basement for 25 years with a homebuilt booth without any dust issues.

[chutton01]

grizlump9

 yes, keeps the house clean, airborn dust and pollen can get on the wet paint.

grizlump

I used to airbrush down in the cellar (partially unfinished), and even with a homemade airbrush booth I found more dust would get in the finish than when I airbrush outside (well, in the garage, door wide open). I still use a respirator mask when actually airbrushing, as I figure even light mists of paint (even acrylic) can't be good for your lungs.

[grizlump9]

 yes, keeps the house clean, airborn dust and pollen can get on the wet paint.

grizlump

[rambo1]

Have you ever airbrushed outside in the summer? What is the advantage and disavantage of this pratice? rambo1...